Friday, December 9, 2022

Like Holidays, with Severe Lacerations

Yesterday I had surgery, and all went well. I arrived at the hospital just before my appointed time of 8.30 a.m., was registered and put into a bed. As with the previous surgery, the operation took place about three hours later. An acquaintance believes that this wait is to ensure that nothing is consumed in the vital three hours before surgery, just in case the patient is lying or mistaken when he tells the nurse he hasn’t had anything by mouth for that period. (No food after midnight before the surgery, no water in the three hours prior.) I hadn’t thought of that before, but it makes sense.

Anyway, I used the time to rest and was certainly not averse to it. As before, I had a very good and attentive group of doctors, nurses seeing to my needs. At least half a dozen came by to make sure I had what was required, and that I was the right person with the right problem to deal with; I don’t mind a hospital measuring twice (or six times) and cutting once.

The only notable difference this time was the effects of the anaesthesia. Even before I lost consciousness in the operating theatre, I recall being dizzy, and thinking to myself that that hadn’t happened in April. I was quite dizzy when I woke, though this was expected. I eventually threw up, which, again, had not occurred after my previous operation. I had a different anaesthetist this time; I have no idea how they decide upon their knock-out gas, whether it is a mixture, or something that comes in a tin like Campbell’s Soup. But I suspect it was a contrast to my prior substance. Nonetheless, nausea is anticipated in many cases and suffered by many patients as a result, so I suspect I got off lucky the first time, and yesterday was more normal.

However, that is a minor problem in the whole scheme. Everything went as planned. This surgery was simpler, I think, than the previous; I will know more when the doctor calls me later. I was again impressed with the care and consideration of the hospital staff, and the planning and professionalism of the organisation. Since each of them must do this several times a day, it is astonishing that each makes a patient feel the centre of his or her attention.

I will now be away from work for two weeks, returning just in time for a few days off for Christmas. I could probably return effectively before a fortnight was up, but I know I will benefit from the extra time.

Some interesting aspects of the experience include the conversation I was trying to recall while I was recovering from surgery. It was a complicated conversation, some parts of which I contributed, other parts to which I was a mere eavesdropper. It bothered me for some time until, like waking from a dream, I realised that it had never taken place. It probably comprised bits and pieces of talk my ears heard and my brain tried to put together while it was still foggy from the anaesthetic…

As well, my appetite was nonexistent last evening, though I was thirsty. This morning, I was hungry and attempted breakfast but could only manage a few bites. I didn’t feel ill but, rather, that my body wished to refuse the food. I then had a nap for two and a half hours (very long for one of my naps), after which my appetite was normal: I ate a sandwich and an orange, and drank a cup of tea.

The body is an amazing thing, even one that is slowly falling apart due to age, such as mine. As a human form ages, it is like a Roman ruin, crumbled and with half its stones knocked to the ground, yet rather fascinating in its structure and remaining complexity.

But enough of the philosophy; these forms want to be sure their needs are attended to. They, after all, are the truly fascinating ones…

16 comments:

  1. I'm so glad to hear all went smoothly with your surgery, (your reaction to the anesthetic notwithstanding). Meanwhile, you get a good rest, heal quickly, and let the cats take care of you!

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  2. Glad you are recovering well. I have had similar experiences with anesthesia - including once when it was "light" for a colonoscopy : vomiting, unable to even drink water, only semi-conscious for 24 hours. The first surgery on my broken knee was like that, so I anticipated the next one two weeks later would be the same, but I woke up as "normal" and had no other problems. My own doctor (who, being an internist. was not in on the surgery) told me she had been assured the anesthesia was the same. I put it down to the first surgery being closer to the stress of the injury occurring...but that doesn't explain one colonoscopy - out of several done by the same practitioner.

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  3. I'm glad your surgery went well and that you had good care by all concerned. The media certainly paint a much gloomier and far more dire picture of what happens, or doesn't, in hospitals.

    Take as many naps as you need, and let your body heal. I hope you get an update from the doctor soon!

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  4. I'm glad your surgery is over, happy healing. You do have a nice nursing staff.

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  5. You've got a squad of purring nursemaids to help you on your way!

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  6. I am glad you are recovering well. I think I mentioned before that GA causes me severe sickness so they give me an anti nausea injection beforehand and it is added to my records. Ask them to add it to your records if you need more surgery in the future (hopefully not!). It does work well. Good wishes for your continuing recovery.

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  7. So pleased it all went well John..and the healing
    process does'nt take to long...
    At least you have four purring nurse maids..to fuss
    round you, when there awake of course...Bless!
    And three of them warming the bed up to...!
    And, Neville's backside is to die for...HeHe! Bless!x

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  8. I guess your experience with not wanting to eat at first in a way reminds me of some of the times you tell us your cats don't feel like eating well. Gives you a little insight into them I suppose. Follow orders don't pick up anything heavy and be sure to take care of yourself. I enjoyed seeing the photos of the kitties. Lynn and Precious

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  9. This is wonderful news. And does the heart good to read how good the experience was in regard to attendance and care. And equally wonderful depictions of your most loving Staff at home. They are at your pillow where their Dad's head is at night, and they are soaking in your scent again. They missed you while you weren't there. Now- look at the camaraderie between these three who are pledged to protect you and take care of your healing. Renn and Neville are directing from their higher perches where they can oversee how the youngsters are caring for you. I think they are pleased.

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  10. Good to hear you made it through surgery and are now on the mend.
    Be sure to spoil yourself when you are home and also take it easy :)
    Purrs, Julie

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  11. I am happy for your update and glad you are home healing!

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  12. So glad to hear the surgery went well, and that you are now home and being looked after by your excellent feline caretakers. Purrs.

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  13. Thanks to my extensive medical training (I used to date a guy whose dad was an anesthesiologist,) I do know that they use a combo of all kinds of drugs (last time an aunt of mine had surgery, she was given seventeen of them!) Unfortunately, you never know when you'll have a bad reaction to one of them. It sounds like you were lucky enough to have great medical care, though. It's a terrific sign that your appetite returned fairly quickly. I hope you'll be 100% very soon!

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  14. So happy to hear how well things went and now you are on the road to a complete and total recovery!

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  15. Glad to hear that everything went well, and that you are home and recuperating. Tell the beasts that it isn't all about them. Well, it is mostly but they will need to learn a bit of patience as you recover. (Good luck with that.)

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  16. Get well wishes...rather late, LOL!
    Glad that all went well, except for your adverse reaction...I too have had a lot of surgeries over the years, and with some I too had that nausea and worse...and others, not at all, go figure!

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