My Surgery Experience

The hospital where I had my surgery is two hours away from my house.  I know, crazy, but I started my journey with them while I was still a student living in that town and then I moved back home after graduation.  My surgery was schedule for 7:30 and I had to be there by 5:30.  My mom and I got up really early and we drove to the hospital.  I was so nervous the whole way there that I almost told her to turn around and go back.  I didn't because I knew she would.  She is very supportive of my decision.  She said she would support me if I got it and support me if I chickened out.  So, we got to the hospital at 5:00.  I checked in and got moved to my room.  They checked my blood pressure which was out the roof because I was SOOO nervous!  I guess I should mention that this was my first ever surgery experience.  I have never had ANY type of surgery.  No tonsils, no wisdom teeth, NOTHING.  I was terrified of that and also scared of being put to sleep.  So, they related it to my nerves and told me that soon enough I would be nervous at all that the anesthesiologist was going to make me feel GOOD!  lol  I peed in a cup to make sure I wasn't pregnant, which I wasn't.  Got into my lovely gown which was about 5 sizes too big and lied in the bed waiting.  My mom finally came in and was waiting with me.  The nurse asked me 21 questions and then gave me a shot in the stomach to make sure I didn't get any blood clots. 

A few minutes later, another nurse came in with the rolly bed and asked if I was ready.  I told her no and she said too bad lol.  I got onto the bed and she rolled me to the other side of the hospital.  I was scared to death and started crying which made my mom cry.  She told me I was going to be fine and that she would see me soon.  We came to a stop and the nurse showed my mom the waiting room and my mom told me bye and I started crying again lol.  They rolled me into the pre op/recovery room.  I got in there and another nurse gave me the same 21 questions.  What's your name, why are you here, are you allergic to anything, have you seen this movie, what kind of car do you drive, you know...the usual.  lol  She left and then the CRNA came over and started hooking up my IV.  This is where I got SCARED lol  I was terrified of the IV, mostly just afraid of the pain that came along with it.  Another nurse came over and held my hand while the CRNA gave me a numbing shot.  She said, some shots feel like ant bites and others feel like hornets.  Here comes the hornet.  OUCH STING STING!!  She said, there you go, you just got stung by a hornet.  She then got ready to put the IV in and said you might feel pressure or some stinging.  I said stinging!?  Then why did I just get that shot?!  They laughed and said I shouldn't feel it.  She got up walked away and I said are you done?  She said, yep, I'm done.  The anesthesiologist then came over and gave me the same 21 questions.  I told her that I had never had anesthesia before and to please make sure that she gives me enough to knock me OUT!  She said that she will definitely be making sure that I'm out like a light. 

The CRNA came over and said you are going to just be laying here for a few more minutes then we will wheel you down at 7:30.  I laid there and almost fell asleep.  I hadn't slept any the night before.  They came over at 7:20 and told me that the Dr. was ready for me.  The CRNA said I'm going to give you some of this happy juice for the ride down.  She put it in, and I instantly felt it.  We started rolling down the hall and I was talking to them and I knew I wasn't making any sense.  They started laughing and said I think we've already lost her.  I vaguely remember being rolled into the OR and seeing Dr. Bilton.  He asked if I was ready, and I said no, and he said too late now!  I saw the monitors and then I don't remember anything after that.  I woke up but couldn't keep my eyes open in the recovery room.  I was awake but couldn't open my eyes.  I heard them say, she's awake.  The anesthesiologist was there and she told me that I did great.  All I could say was "I've gotta throw up!!"  They started panicking and rushed over a barf bag and I began to dry heave.  Ughhh I hate that feeling!  I started crying saying nothing would come up.  They felt so bad and started petting my head and put a wet cloth on my forehead.  I remember hearing my Dr. call my mom and tell her that I did fine and that I would be in my room shortly.

They wheeled me back to my room.  All I remember was being in there and them telling me to scoot onto my bed.  OMG it hurt so bad.  I don't do well with pain though.  I scooted onto the bed, they put the pulsating boots on me and I fell asleep.  I woke up around 2 and my mom was laying in the other bed next to me.  She was playing on my iPhone.  I was miserable and couldn't do anything but sleep.  I was okay except for the dry heaving and I asked my mom to call the nurse to get me some nausea medicine.  They came in and told me that it had to be like a shot.  I had been through so much and I just said forget it, I'll be fine.  I really did get fine after that.  Apparently I don't react well to anesthesia but who knew?  I couldn't eat and could barely drink.  I chewed on some ice chips and that helped some.  Throughout the night I was in tons of pain from the gas.  My back was killing me.  I got some pain medicine put into my IV and it knocked me out again.

I had to get up and walk around at about 11 that night.  I made a loop around our area and came back to my room.  I brushed my teeth and hair then lied back down and watched tv.  The next morning I was ready to go HOME!  I brushed my teeth, put on my clothes, and walked around.  The Dr. came in to check on me, told me I did great and that I look great and that he would see me in a week.  I went home, was miserable, took my pain meds which gave me the CRAZIEST dreams.  I hated this freaking band for 4 days.  But, it got better and now I love it!  I'm ready for it to get turned on so I can really lose and then go buy my wedding dress!!!