SenKat said:
Yeah man...I am scared (honest) but VERY ready to get it done with ! I have never spent time in a hospital before...I mena, nothing beyond an emergency visit or whatever...
Hey, good luck with this.
I've been through a few surgeries in the last decade. Had torn cartellidge repaired in my wrist, two hernia repairs (first one didn't work right), and just had my tonsils out a year ago.
Here's the way it works: You get there, really nervous in the morning. Thirsty, hungry, desperately in need of a cup of coffee. You get checked in, and wheeled to a prep room. They hook up an IV and wait. Your family may be there, chatting with you. Surgeon will come in and tell you what's going to happen. When you get about an hour out, you get a nice shot of Versaid (sp) and possibly demerol. Versaid is great. It really, REALLY relaxes you and takes the edge off. the demerol will deaden pain, so you're going to be feeling pretty good.
You'll have a chance to say "see ya later" to family. Then you're off.
(this may or may not occur while you're conscious) They'll do some prep work (i.e, a dude will come in, lift your hospital gown, and shave you.)
;D ;D You'll also notice that when you get to the OR, it's cold. Really cold. :-? Not to worry, it only lasts about 2 minutes.
Then, the best guy in the OR shows up: The anesthesiologist. He'll have a huge friggin' syringe (no needle) and he'll explain what he's doing. May make some joke about a margaritta. Laugh. He's your best friend, so for the love of not being in pain, LAUGH! ;D Then, he hooks the syringe up to the IV line, says good night, and plunges the whole mix into your vein faster than you think he should. But, it's all good. You'll feel your body get numb, then your mind, already mellowed out, relaxes quite a bit more. The last thing you hear is your own breathing. This all lasts about 8 seconds after he plunges the syringe.
Suddenly, you're waking up. You might wonder if they're finished yet. Oh, yeah. They are. You'll have been under for an hour or so, and totally oblivious to the whole thing. No dreams, no nothing. Just peaceful, dreamless sleep.
You'll wake up thirsty. Take the nurse's advice on EVERYTHING at this point. If she says sip slowly, or just chew ice, do exactly that. there are some anesthesias that if you get something in your stomach too soon, you'll hurl. She'll know what and when you can eat and drink. Trust her absolutely. Your family may be there. Be sure to ask them about any goofy behavior that you may have done while on Versaid.
And, take your MEDS. I know that it sucks, and you feel worse (emotionally drained, tired of being tired, tired of being loopy) on the pills, but, a body that's pain free heals MUCH quicker than a body that's hurting. You CAN come off of them when the time is right. The docs can help you with withdrawal. Been there, done that. Sucks, but, it's better than hurting.
Oh, one more thing about the versaid: its an amnesiac drug. You may rember bits and pieces about the day, but, it generally will make the memories of that day fade in about a week. I can remember the events I described above, but, that's about it. And, they're not even really clear. Could be hallucinations for all I know.
The point is: It's Ok to be a bit freaked. Just know that others have done it before, others will do it after. Know that your surgeon knows his stuff, and will pull you through this. And, know that your family, friends, and forum-mates, will be here, pulling for you. [smiley=vrolijk_26.gif]
Take care.
;D
