I needed a transfusion during surgery for some reason. I was anemic for days after. I didn’t have any complications. Maybe the length of time the procedure takes and what they do during that time causes some blood to get left in the temporary machinery. They patched a weakened muscle of the heart, installed a sternum brace and replaced a valve in my case. The surgeon had told me in advance that he liked to take his time to do everything right, meaning take longer than average for such things.
Wasn’t hungry during 5 days in ICU. Was surprised how there was an immediate push to get you to your previous ”normal.” Didn’t have choice to order food until out of ICU. They’d bring spicy smelly food, thick sweet protein drinks I never eat. Only enjoyed some of the fresh fruit.
I was uncomfortable but not in pain. I factored that in when asked to rate pain. That barometer with the scale of 1-10 is relative. The pain I was feeling wasn’t physical. I wanted some padding because I felt at the edge, like a fraction more and the dam would burst. Mostly just wanted out of there and to be home with some privacy. I was in pain for lack of privacy and in some cases lack of respect. There were exceptions of course but too many people including management didn’t know any of the definitions for the word “care” and didn’t care that their job involved caring for people in need of care.
My cardiologist seemed less informed than nurses and technicians. He made more than one significant error. At one point he appeared to be using my own feedback and observations regarding home equipment when offering his opinion. It was contrary to what he had been saying when that equipment was required to share figures with nurses calling me at home Immediately after being released from the hospital. I suspect he was forced into retirement. In my presence he had said to an old colleague retirement “was not in the cards.” Then less than a year later I received a message from the healthcare organization he had retired.
