I have been recovering from the surgery and so I have not been able to update the blog. In the interim, I have added a recommended product and services page. I would very much appreciate it if you took a look at the new page.
The trip to the hospital
The day before the operation I received a call from th hospital and I was told that I would be the first person to be scheduled for surgery with my surgeon. I would need to get to the hospital by 6 am. I am generally an early riser, but not that early. I would need to get up about 4:30 am in order to arrive at the hospital by 6 am. I did this. I had my aide dress me, put me in the patient lift, and put me into the wheelchair. I own the wheelchair. I do not have a wheelchair rental. The van has a wheelchair ramp. The wheelchair ramp comes out electronically when I double press a button on the key. It is remote controlled. Into the van I went and we went to the hospital. I needed ID which I had. The hospital already had the insurance information. I waited in the emergency room and since I was the first surgery, I did not have to wait long.
Surgery
I was transferred from the wheelchair to a hospital bed and dressed for surgery. I saw my surgeon, anesthesiologist, and the rest of the surgical team. Shortly thereafter I was brought to the operating room, I was slide over to where the surgery would be performed. The mask was put on my face and I was out almost immediately. The next thing I remember was the mask coming off me. I was told that the operation was over and I felt as though I could go right home. However, they took me to recovery, and I would have to wait to be picked up. This took hours – probably longer than the operation. I had a tuna fish sandwich for lunch. I have to admit I had no pain from the operation. I had 12 stapes in me, which I counted after I went home.
Lack of pain, and the trip home
Although I had no pain, they gave me a prescription for oxy contone. The prescription was filled, but I never took the medicine. In fact, I did not even take Tylenol. I had no pain throughout the recovery. The medicine was discarded. The operation was performed as an outpatient. I was put in my street clothes and transferred to the wheelchair. The transfer was performed by only one person. Usually, it takes three people to transfer me. I left the hospital and went into the van for the ride home.
Home
When I got home it was the usual routine of being transferred to the bed. I was happy to be home and eating regular food. The evening before the operation I was not allowed to eat at all.