Sunday, January 6, 2013

AM ALIVE

Hello everyone,  Yes I made it through, the operation went well.   I am quite tired and somewhat sore.  The operation was yesterday and I was number 3 to go as I was having a few issues of being shaky and very anxious.  The doctor was behind so was in surgery around 2:00 pm.   The anesthesiologist was a gem, Dr. Santiago.  When I got onto the stretcher in my room to be transferred, I started crying.  Our facilitator who is with us Wendy, came right over and held my hand and said that if I didn't want to go through with it that I didn't have too and other kind words. She is a wonderful lady.  

Anyway, away we went downstairs.  When I got into the holding area, that is when I really lost it and couldn't stop crying; Was I making the right decision? Did I really want to go through with this? Would I have complications?  What if I became "aware"during surgery again? 

Dr Casteneda happened to be passing by and came to me right away.  He was very caring and reassured me that he had never had anyone die and that he had never had anyone who became aware during surgery.  He said this was the best thing for me in terms of my health.  He again said everything would be okay.  

Dr Santiago, the anesthesiologist then came to see me.  He also reassured me and said he would give me something to calm me down.  Wow that stuff was awweesommee! At that point I did care about a thing!  I remember getting prepped in the OR and the next thing being taken back to my room.  I was crying again because I was in a fair amount of pain and felt like I couldn't breath because of the gas pains.  I must have fell back to sleep as I don't recall anything until much later.  I felt a whole lot better, but very, very tired and pain was manageable    Wendy has been with us from morning until night looking in on us and making sure we have been getting everything we need, talking with the doctor and our families.  A person should NEVER have to go through this alone!  

I have my 2 leak tests today sometime.  We have to drink blue dye, that someone said tastes like ink and a contrast and have x-rays done.   We are all praying that none of us has leaks!

That\s it for now as I'm getting tired again, need a shower and have to go do my laps.   Will try to write more  later.   Ange.

I had my leak test and it was found that I have a very inflammed stomach, more than they others.  I started vomiting last night and doctor figures it was because nothing was going through the stomach because of the inflammation.  So I have to have some type of anti-inflammatory iv stuff and do the test again tomorrow.  I have to drink this blue stuff that tastes quite chemically, but thank goodness you just gulp it down and then they watch on a screen as it goes through the stomach and into intestines.   Then tomorrow after that I had to drink Methylene Blue, which I tried to today but couldn't do it.   We have to drink this very slowly and oh my good god it tastes just horrible! It also turns our lips, tongue and teeth blue.   If any of this blue dye shows up in our drains we have a leak.  The others will be discharged tomorrow, not sure about me just yet.  Doctor will be here very early in morning to see the pictures.

The hospital is quite nice. It is a private hospital so tourists and people who have money come here.  There is only 15 "suites".  A huge room with a hospital bed, couch big screen TV a whole wall of windows, a large bathroom with a huge shower that has a glass sliding door, night-table and small built in desk and closet.  The floors look like polished granite.  There is also a large picture on the wall.  The ceiling looks quite literally like waves in the ocean.   It is very quiet and you never see any of the other patients.  Most stay in their rooms.  Only 4 nurses on and two on nights.  Only downside to this hospital is that it is pretty much right on a very busy street and it is extremely noisy pretty much all night long.  Definitely need earplugs.  I have been sleeping with a pillow over my head to keep out the noise.

 You are provided with a packet with slippers toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, body lotion and soap.  TV is free, internet free, bottle water free.

As far as the admission process and charting goes, everything is hand written, there are no printers.  Labels, handwritten are put onto the IV bottles,  wrist bands are handwritten, admission papers are handwritten.  You do not have to pay for your medical records if you want them.

The condo we get to recover in after we are discharged is quite nice.  In a quiet neighborhood. All condos are attached in a block and most are gated across the front by the street to make a nice small courtyard. All windows are gated as well.  There is a pool at the back of the condo.  Very nice.  Beat The Odds has provided us with a phone and computer to call family free of charge.   The hospital is approximately 4 blocks from the condo.  We actually walked to the hospital the night we were admitted.     Falling asleep so will leave you now.  ange. 

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