Alerion
Well-known member
Greetings from HOME, y?all!!
Well, I had planned a gripping, cliff-hanger/tear jerker step-by-step account of how incredibly fearless I was and how I inspired the staff and surgical team to achieve new heights of courage in their own lives, but I?ll have to make all that stuff up later. For now I?ll be honest and say that my ass was well and truly kicked. I have to say, the lung collapse and the several attempts to place a drain tube, was far, far worse than the pain from the actual operation. At least, the majority of the pain and complications came from that. This was six hours after closing me up and it was the P.A., not the surgeon, who was trying to place the suction tube. After three REALLLLLLLLY PAINFUL attempts, she gave up and called mysurgeon's partner (Probably in bed by then) who arrived an hour later and had it done in ten minutes pain -free.
My first night was a study in searing pain and agony. Despite countless noogies from two older brothers, several bulls eyes in softball while cup-less and having to sit through Showgirls twice on two separate dates, I have never felt pain like that! I was contorted, my back arched and my mouth a rictus born of agony and fear with nobody seeming to care too much.
Of course, seconds seem like hours when you feel like that and the nurse was soon ringing the P.A. on duty to up my pain meds. At first he refused (he was asleep) but when I promised my very sweet R.N. that when I was whole I would find him and make him pay, she developed some cojones and woke his lame ass up and forced him to either up my meds or come up to explain in person why he wouldn?t. Ten minutes later and I get a shot of Toradol and some Dilaudid. It pays to complain folks!
As to how long (Or short a time) they kept me there, I suspect that the cost must have been a part of it, but my surgeon (Top notch fellow) was really enthusiastic about how well I was doing. I know that I?m a little younger (48) than the average patient with this procedure so maybe that played a part too.
By the third day, most of the tubing and wiring had come out so I was more comfortable for longer periods but I found that, strangely, I am always in the least mount of pain when standing. Lying down and sitting are far more painful. As a consequence, during the day I look and act pretty good, but after a couple of hours on my back, I?m making pain angels in my bed and whining insufferably.
My good wife Heidi takes all in stride but let?s me get away with nothing. Despite her ability to detach herself to address crises, she was a bit freaked by seeing my pain on that first night. Our heartfelt thanks go out to you forum members whose ridiculously courageous example really sustained us, and to Lynlw in particular, who was our wonderful contact for this most grisly episode and whose son, Justin, served as my benchmark for bravery.
I guess I?ll have to do this again someday but I now know what, exactly, I?m up against.
That?s actually reassuring. Can?t wait to feel better and start back on my feet, back on my bike, back on my boat and back on my wife! (Rimshot)
I?ll check in on Book, Teresa, Ian, Klynn, Zip, Cozycat and all the rest tomorrow. Right now I gotta rest. Thanks to you all for you good wishes and support. What a place this is!
David
Well, I had planned a gripping, cliff-hanger/tear jerker step-by-step account of how incredibly fearless I was and how I inspired the staff and surgical team to achieve new heights of courage in their own lives, but I?ll have to make all that stuff up later. For now I?ll be honest and say that my ass was well and truly kicked. I have to say, the lung collapse and the several attempts to place a drain tube, was far, far worse than the pain from the actual operation. At least, the majority of the pain and complications came from that. This was six hours after closing me up and it was the P.A., not the surgeon, who was trying to place the suction tube. After three REALLLLLLLLY PAINFUL attempts, she gave up and called mysurgeon's partner (Probably in bed by then) who arrived an hour later and had it done in ten minutes pain -free.
My first night was a study in searing pain and agony. Despite countless noogies from two older brothers, several bulls eyes in softball while cup-less and having to sit through Showgirls twice on two separate dates, I have never felt pain like that! I was contorted, my back arched and my mouth a rictus born of agony and fear with nobody seeming to care too much.
Of course, seconds seem like hours when you feel like that and the nurse was soon ringing the P.A. on duty to up my pain meds. At first he refused (he was asleep) but when I promised my very sweet R.N. that when I was whole I would find him and make him pay, she developed some cojones and woke his lame ass up and forced him to either up my meds or come up to explain in person why he wouldn?t. Ten minutes later and I get a shot of Toradol and some Dilaudid. It pays to complain folks!
As to how long (Or short a time) they kept me there, I suspect that the cost must have been a part of it, but my surgeon (Top notch fellow) was really enthusiastic about how well I was doing. I know that I?m a little younger (48) than the average patient with this procedure so maybe that played a part too.
By the third day, most of the tubing and wiring had come out so I was more comfortable for longer periods but I found that, strangely, I am always in the least mount of pain when standing. Lying down and sitting are far more painful. As a consequence, during the day I look and act pretty good, but after a couple of hours on my back, I?m making pain angels in my bed and whining insufferably.
My good wife Heidi takes all in stride but let?s me get away with nothing. Despite her ability to detach herself to address crises, she was a bit freaked by seeing my pain on that first night. Our heartfelt thanks go out to you forum members whose ridiculously courageous example really sustained us, and to Lynlw in particular, who was our wonderful contact for this most grisly episode and whose son, Justin, served as my benchmark for bravery.
I guess I?ll have to do this again someday but I now know what, exactly, I?m up against.
That?s actually reassuring. Can?t wait to feel better and start back on my feet, back on my bike, back on my boat and back on my wife! (Rimshot)
I?ll check in on Book, Teresa, Ian, Klynn, Zip, Cozycat and all the rest tomorrow. Right now I gotta rest. Thanks to you all for you good wishes and support. What a place this is!
David
