I'm not sure exactly why but I really think all the food I finally ate (and the really great banana bread the Beast made) and I was taking in ice water until the tips of my fingers were no longer wrinkled was a big factor. The shower felt wonderful. The shampoo was definitely needed and my scalp thanked me by staying tame even without me blowing it dry or *shudder* setting it in rollers. I just couldn't stand the idea of being the least bit uncomfortable when I was so tired.
This morning I woke up feeling like a new woman. I wasn't the least bit shaky, I was hungry but able to easily make myself breakfast. I finished folding the Beast's underwear that I had started before I was suffering from the lack of sleep due to the latex skin removal that had peeled off a good two inch circle of skin on my side. The side I usually sleep on. I couldn't find my paper tape so I could bandage it up until yesterday. It was the third or fourth thing I took care of once I showered. I slept like a calm, sweet tempered baby....LOL.
I know the Beast is feeling contrite because he's been underfoot almost all day long. He's gotten busy doing a few of the things I've been trying to get him to do (involving the deck and the front porch) and, thankfully, the weather is perfect outside today for him to be working in it. More about that later today in another blog.
Just keeping you posted and because I am feeling so good after the lousy few days I had. I wanted to share that with you.
Love you all. Take care. Mind the weather (it's gotten weird, hasn't it?) I can almost feel winter nipping at me. Not my favorite time of year. In fact, it takes last place....LOL. I'm just glad that our winters here are so mild, relatively speaking. Oh, and thank you for keeping my bff, Carol, in your prayers after I told you about the awful leg ulcers she was suffering with. They are healing nicely now and she's feeling so much better. She may not believe in the power of prayer but I do....and so do some of you, too. ***Hugs*** X 1,000.
Friday, November 11, 2016
Thursday, November 10, 2016
Now That Everyone Is Wondering.....
...whether I am alive or dead, I figured I should let you know....I am alive. But JUST. I haven't slept well because when I turn on my right side, it wakes me due to the discomfort of the stitches. I'm also worried that I am causing my *lump* to be worse or last longer than it normally would. If I sleep on my left side, I am causing the skin that I lost due to the latex from the EKG monitor connection to open, weep and become very, very painful. It's not conducive to good sleep either. So I toss and turn and finally fall asleep only when totally exhausted.
I think it was two days before I realized that I had not eaten nor had any water and was really dehydrated. The Beast had failed me and not paid any attention to whether or not I had done either. Needless to say, I was very upset. I was actually too damn weak to even make it to the bathroom until much later in the day. I drank about five glasses of water while supporting myself on the sink and was glad to make it back to my recliner. I fell asleep and I believe I slept all night.
The next day, I made it to the freezer and grabbed ice cubes and filled my glass with water. As I passed the Beast, I told him that I was pretty sure when my dead body was discovered, he would be prosecuted for murder when they found out I was severely dehydrated and half-starved. He actually had the nerve to look surprised. Probably by the fact that I could still walk and talk...albeit barely.
He did get me some soup and crackers and this afternoon, he finally got around to asking me if I wanted something to eat. I am more able to get around and I can finally take the shower I haven't been able to take for four days. He even made me some banana bread which is the closest I will get to an apology for his being so thick headed as to not notice I wasn't around much for a couple days. That is NOT usual so I have no idea why he was so preoccupied unless he's still startled over Trump being our next President. I'm pretty sure he's certain this is going to be our doom. Of course, he felt the same way about Clinton so what's new?
Okay, not that I have notified you all that I am truly alive (and I have found my paper tape so I will be able to bandage my *skinless* area after liberally coating it with Triple Antibiotic. That way I should be able to sleep well tonight and be back to my normal (?) self tomorrow. Love you all. ***Hugs***
I think it was two days before I realized that I had not eaten nor had any water and was really dehydrated. The Beast had failed me and not paid any attention to whether or not I had done either. Needless to say, I was very upset. I was actually too damn weak to even make it to the bathroom until much later in the day. I drank about five glasses of water while supporting myself on the sink and was glad to make it back to my recliner. I fell asleep and I believe I slept all night.
The next day, I made it to the freezer and grabbed ice cubes and filled my glass with water. As I passed the Beast, I told him that I was pretty sure when my dead body was discovered, he would be prosecuted for murder when they found out I was severely dehydrated and half-starved. He actually had the nerve to look surprised. Probably by the fact that I could still walk and talk...albeit barely.
He did get me some soup and crackers and this afternoon, he finally got around to asking me if I wanted something to eat. I am more able to get around and I can finally take the shower I haven't been able to take for four days. He even made me some banana bread which is the closest I will get to an apology for his being so thick headed as to not notice I wasn't around much for a couple days. That is NOT usual so I have no idea why he was so preoccupied unless he's still startled over Trump being our next President. I'm pretty sure he's certain this is going to be our doom. Of course, he felt the same way about Clinton so what's new?
Okay, not that I have notified you all that I am truly alive (and I have found my paper tape so I will be able to bandage my *skinless* area after liberally coating it with Triple Antibiotic. That way I should be able to sleep well tonight and be back to my normal (?) self tomorrow. Love you all. ***Hugs***
Sunday, November 6, 2016
Sitting Here....Doing Nothing
I've been doing nothing today...and I mean *nothing*. I have things I could have been doing but I thought, *Screw it. I just want to watch Baron and the cat sleeping together and the cardinals flying onto my window screen.* I really did think that. I took TWO naps so far today. A pre- and post-dinner one...LOL. Of course, this was mostly prompted by the pain in my neck. AND the lump underneath it. I slept soundly last night but, when I woke up this morning, guess what side I was sleeping on? It's no wonder it's all swollen.
The Beast told me that it's definitely a much bigger lump. He noticed it immediately.....even before I opened my mouth to ask him to take a look at it. I had a stitch end that was sticking up (those are really annoying) and it's gone now. I don't think the end of it went back in place. If I searched my bed, I think I would find it there. These ARE dissolving stitches. It was the very top of the incision and I guess it did....dissolve, I mean...LOL.
Actually, if it did dissolve and not get torn out, that's a good thing for me. Being a diabetic, it takes much longer for sores (or incisions) to heal. Usually. Sometimes, it surprises me so it may have dropped off by itself. I checked my pillowcase...no blood. I'm opting for it dropping off by itself.
Tonight the Beast went outside to check on the chickens and gather the eggs. It was only 5:30pm and it was dark already! He hadn't been paying attention (watching football, of course) so he had to take his flashlight with him. It's one of those *military* type that has an amazing beam, also can signal an *SOS* and a few other things that flashlights normally don't. So he really lit up the backyard and got a shock. He surprised the hell out of (and was surprised by) the *biggest armadillo* he had ever seen in his life. That surprised me because we haven't seen an armadillo in this area in the 11 years we've owned this house. We know there are armadillos around because we've seen them as road kill occasionally. End result? The armadillo waddled/ran off and the Beast decided he was going to lock the chickens in for the next few nights at least.
I'm going to shower in a few minutes (a nice, hot wonderful shower!). I couldn't do it until today (doctor's orders). I have my nice warm pajamas ready since it's going down to the lower to mid-40's. I'll turn on my electric blanket to pre-heat when I head for the shower (and after I take a pain pill so I can sleep...my neck is so darn painful!). Oh shoot! First, before I do anything, I have to refill my pill box. I've already used up more than half so I want to do that tonight. Then I'll be set for the whole week.
Time to go. Love you all. Be good. Be happy and, most of all, be kind to everyone. Even those that don't seem to deserve kindness. Yours might be the one that brings some joy into their lives. We are all fighting our own battles that we don't/won't/can't share with anyone. Kindness costs you nothing but may be priceless to those you practice it on. ***Hugs***
The Beast told me that it's definitely a much bigger lump. He noticed it immediately.....even before I opened my mouth to ask him to take a look at it. I had a stitch end that was sticking up (those are really annoying) and it's gone now. I don't think the end of it went back in place. If I searched my bed, I think I would find it there. These ARE dissolving stitches. It was the very top of the incision and I guess it did....dissolve, I mean...LOL.
Actually, if it did dissolve and not get torn out, that's a good thing for me. Being a diabetic, it takes much longer for sores (or incisions) to heal. Usually. Sometimes, it surprises me so it may have dropped off by itself. I checked my pillowcase...no blood. I'm opting for it dropping off by itself.
Tonight the Beast went outside to check on the chickens and gather the eggs. It was only 5:30pm and it was dark already! He hadn't been paying attention (watching football, of course) so he had to take his flashlight with him. It's one of those *military* type that has an amazing beam, also can signal an *SOS* and a few other things that flashlights normally don't. So he really lit up the backyard and got a shock. He surprised the hell out of (and was surprised by) the *biggest armadillo* he had ever seen in his life. That surprised me because we haven't seen an armadillo in this area in the 11 years we've owned this house. We know there are armadillos around because we've seen them as road kill occasionally. End result? The armadillo waddled/ran off and the Beast decided he was going to lock the chickens in for the next few nights at least.
I'm going to shower in a few minutes (a nice, hot wonderful shower!). I couldn't do it until today (doctor's orders). I have my nice warm pajamas ready since it's going down to the lower to mid-40's. I'll turn on my electric blanket to pre-heat when I head for the shower (and after I take a pain pill so I can sleep...my neck is so darn painful!). Oh shoot! First, before I do anything, I have to refill my pill box. I've already used up more than half so I want to do that tonight. Then I'll be set for the whole week.
Time to go. Love you all. Be good. Be happy and, most of all, be kind to everyone. Even those that don't seem to deserve kindness. Yours might be the one that brings some joy into their lives. We are all fighting our own battles that we don't/won't/can't share with anyone. Kindness costs you nothing but may be priceless to those you practice it on. ***Hugs***
Saturday, November 5, 2016
'Tis The Swelling That Causes Me Pain......
When I woke up today, lifting my head up off the bed hurt like hell. I'll bet you never really notice how completely that action requires the use of the neck muscles. Now imagine an incision around five inches long from just under your earlobe and lord only knows how many stitches there are but it's a LOT! Add the fact that the area is swollen, not a lot but it IS swollen and painful to the touch. I almost screamed when I went to lift my head up off my pillow. Just lay back, flat, and lift up your head. No cheating. Act normal. Feel the muscles you flex in order to do that? I actually had to take my hand and put it under my head to take the pressure off the muscles in my neck when I finally got up. I was afraid to take a nap because I didn't want to forget how to lift my head up when I woke up.
I know me. When I wake up, my mind is fuzzy and I would only remember when I naturally would go to pick my head up off my pillow. Even just laying back in my recliner is painful when I get up. I discovered that when I TRIED to take a nap but then had to pee. I felt like slapping myself for not remembering. Not funny. Stop laughing.
The Beast finally got a picture of the animals sleeping together. Yes, I am going to share it with you. Just remember that Baron looks so bony only because of all the weight he's lost. The good news is that his appetite is really back! He ate like a pig today. Well, he didn't eat it all at once but he ate probably about a pound and a half of the meat we bought for him. I forget the name of the company that makes this but we bought a five pound sleeve (beef and bison plus some fruits and veggies added). The stuff almost smells like liverwurst....almost....but you can see the small pieces of the *other* stuff (no fillers) in it. When we first bought this for him last week, he would only eat it if we hand-fed him. Today he didn't want hand feeding. It had to be cut up and put in his bowl and we couldn't be watching him. Go figure. He's allowed to be a little quirky. Why not? His best bud is, too.
The meat can only be bought at a pet store and it's refrigerated and in a sleeve. It reminds me of the 5# packs of hamburger meat you get a places like Walmart or Winn-Dixie. I'm sure you know what I mean. I've bought those for years and used to cut the meat into 1# sections and then into smaller plastic bags to freeze it. Oh, and Baron also ate quite a bit of his dry dog food, too. He actually started eating a bit better the past two days. But today was the best and the most he's eaten in quite some time. Now to just fatten him up again so he doesn't look like he's an abused animal.
Here's the picture of Baron and Sassy, asleep on Baron's mattress.
They were in the dark but the Beast turned on the overhead lights in order to get the picture. They didn't wake up, that's how sound asleep those two were....LOL. We did try to get Baron to use a bigger padded bed but he loves that foam. He also won't put his head on it. He always, always has to have it on the floor. He does, sometimes, gather up that black and white blanket and use it like a pillow. He's one strange dog at times. But he's ours and we love him. I'm just so happy he's feeling better, finally.
Well, it's past my bedtime so I am going to close this for now. I want to ask you to remember my bff in your prayers. She has those awful leg ulcers back with a vengeance and is in a lot of pain. She may not believe in the power of prayer but, like I told her, I do. She is a wonderful, warm-hearted, generous woman and I hate to know she is so ill with those things. They are not fun. They weep so badly, that bandages are really useless. No one should have to go through such misery.
Love you all. Have a great Sunday. Talk to you tomorrow. ***Hugs***
I know me. When I wake up, my mind is fuzzy and I would only remember when I naturally would go to pick my head up off my pillow. Even just laying back in my recliner is painful when I get up. I discovered that when I TRIED to take a nap but then had to pee. I felt like slapping myself for not remembering. Not funny. Stop laughing.
The Beast finally got a picture of the animals sleeping together. Yes, I am going to share it with you. Just remember that Baron looks so bony only because of all the weight he's lost. The good news is that his appetite is really back! He ate like a pig today. Well, he didn't eat it all at once but he ate probably about a pound and a half of the meat we bought for him. I forget the name of the company that makes this but we bought a five pound sleeve (beef and bison plus some fruits and veggies added). The stuff almost smells like liverwurst....almost....but you can see the small pieces of the *other* stuff (no fillers) in it. When we first bought this for him last week, he would only eat it if we hand-fed him. Today he didn't want hand feeding. It had to be cut up and put in his bowl and we couldn't be watching him. Go figure. He's allowed to be a little quirky. Why not? His best bud is, too.
The meat can only be bought at a pet store and it's refrigerated and in a sleeve. It reminds me of the 5# packs of hamburger meat you get a places like Walmart or Winn-Dixie. I'm sure you know what I mean. I've bought those for years and used to cut the meat into 1# sections and then into smaller plastic bags to freeze it. Oh, and Baron also ate quite a bit of his dry dog food, too. He actually started eating a bit better the past two days. But today was the best and the most he's eaten in quite some time. Now to just fatten him up again so he doesn't look like he's an abused animal.
Here's the picture of Baron and Sassy, asleep on Baron's mattress.
They were in the dark but the Beast turned on the overhead lights in order to get the picture. They didn't wake up, that's how sound asleep those two were....LOL. We did try to get Baron to use a bigger padded bed but he loves that foam. He also won't put his head on it. He always, always has to have it on the floor. He does, sometimes, gather up that black and white blanket and use it like a pillow. He's one strange dog at times. But he's ours and we love him. I'm just so happy he's feeling better, finally.
Well, it's past my bedtime so I am going to close this for now. I want to ask you to remember my bff in your prayers. She has those awful leg ulcers back with a vengeance and is in a lot of pain. She may not believe in the power of prayer but, like I told her, I do. She is a wonderful, warm-hearted, generous woman and I hate to know she is so ill with those things. They are not fun. They weep so badly, that bandages are really useless. No one should have to go through such misery.
Love you all. Have a great Sunday. Talk to you tomorrow. ***Hugs***
Friday, November 4, 2016
Post #2....More To The Story....
When I found out what time my surgery was scheduled for on Thursday, I was ending up having a sleepover at Cee's (Yay!). I called her and told her and also told her that I was bringing our dinner, too. The Beast had brought us home a large pizza from this new pizza place and I guess it smelled good to him. It turned out very, very tasty but we will order double cheese (on TOP of the veggie's!) next time. The pepperoni didn't even give me heartburn because it was very mild and cut thin. The sausage was delicious and there were plenty of not overcooked veggies on it, too.
What I had in mind was to take the leftovers to Cee's (neither on of us eats a whole lot and the slices were so full of good things that just one or two pieces would do us both). The Beast said he was going to eat tamales, which we expected that day, and they came just a few minutes before we left for Cee's so I grabbed two of them to take to her house, too. I figured if she wasn't crazy about the pizza, the tamales would be a nice surprise for her.
I was shocked and pleased to find out that she had a taste for a pizza all day long and had intended to order one if she really didn't have a taste for what I brought over (I hadn't revealed that to her). She was really elated....like I had read her mind or some such thing. LOL! The tamales she grabbed and threw in the freezer for another time.
So we sat around and chatted while we each had a drink and she ate her pizza (I made some later on). We then had to fiddle with her TV in the guest room because we couldn't get it off DVD....even with Michael's help via phone. But, believe it or not, we finally did when I said my TV had to be set to a specific setting and Michael remembered what that was. That was when Cee and I got ready for bed and said goodnight to each other. We both had our TV's set to programs we could watch until we fell asleep. I was up before the alarm went off so I could take (another) shower and use the special antibacterial lotion I had to put on my skin.
Cee just dropped me off at the hospital and I promised to call her either after I was brought to my room or when I felt up to it. That was before I had the problem with my face, of course, so I didn't call her until today. It was too late by the time I discovered it was just a temporary problem and I didn't want to wake her up just because *I* was happy.
There was a few different things about THIS surgery than my first one for the other carotid. I had never had a special connection that was direct from an artery to monitor my BP. It was faster than the electronic ones I was told and the doctor could keep better track of that with it. Removing that today was a real problem since a lot of pressure had to be kept on it for over 10 minutes before even a pressure bandage could be put on it. I then had to keep an eye on it to make sure it wasn't still bleeding. They also put a 12-lead EKG on me and only went down to six leads after the surgery was over. The bad part about that is my allergy to adhesive because those lead pads only have adhesive. I didn't worry about it until the six pads had to come off today. Sure enough, one of them (the one I slept on) tore some skin off. I'll pay for that for several days.
My neck is slightly swollen tonight as I am getting ready for bed. The Beast and the animals went to bed about a half hour ago. I'm ready even though I could only do a P.T.A. bath (I can't shower for a couple days because the stitches on my neck are dissolving ones). But I thought I would fill you in on all the crap from the last few days. Aren't you excited??? LOL!
Love you all. I'm anxious to sleep in my own bed although the hospital one in ICU was actually very comfortable. It kept moving the air in the mattress so there were no long-standing pressure spots. It surprised me when it started doing that. Be good. Stay well. Spread hugs around to all your family and friends. Enjoy life. It's the only one you have. ***Hugs***
What I had in mind was to take the leftovers to Cee's (neither on of us eats a whole lot and the slices were so full of good things that just one or two pieces would do us both). The Beast said he was going to eat tamales, which we expected that day, and they came just a few minutes before we left for Cee's so I grabbed two of them to take to her house, too. I figured if she wasn't crazy about the pizza, the tamales would be a nice surprise for her.
I was shocked and pleased to find out that she had a taste for a pizza all day long and had intended to order one if she really didn't have a taste for what I brought over (I hadn't revealed that to her). She was really elated....like I had read her mind or some such thing. LOL! The tamales she grabbed and threw in the freezer for another time.
So we sat around and chatted while we each had a drink and she ate her pizza (I made some later on). We then had to fiddle with her TV in the guest room because we couldn't get it off DVD....even with Michael's help via phone. But, believe it or not, we finally did when I said my TV had to be set to a specific setting and Michael remembered what that was. That was when Cee and I got ready for bed and said goodnight to each other. We both had our TV's set to programs we could watch until we fell asleep. I was up before the alarm went off so I could take (another) shower and use the special antibacterial lotion I had to put on my skin.
Cee just dropped me off at the hospital and I promised to call her either after I was brought to my room or when I felt up to it. That was before I had the problem with my face, of course, so I didn't call her until today. It was too late by the time I discovered it was just a temporary problem and I didn't want to wake her up just because *I* was happy.
There was a few different things about THIS surgery than my first one for the other carotid. I had never had a special connection that was direct from an artery to monitor my BP. It was faster than the electronic ones I was told and the doctor could keep better track of that with it. Removing that today was a real problem since a lot of pressure had to be kept on it for over 10 minutes before even a pressure bandage could be put on it. I then had to keep an eye on it to make sure it wasn't still bleeding. They also put a 12-lead EKG on me and only went down to six leads after the surgery was over. The bad part about that is my allergy to adhesive because those lead pads only have adhesive. I didn't worry about it until the six pads had to come off today. Sure enough, one of them (the one I slept on) tore some skin off. I'll pay for that for several days.
My neck is slightly swollen tonight as I am getting ready for bed. The Beast and the animals went to bed about a half hour ago. I'm ready even though I could only do a P.T.A. bath (I can't shower for a couple days because the stitches on my neck are dissolving ones). But I thought I would fill you in on all the crap from the last few days. Aren't you excited??? LOL!
Love you all. I'm anxious to sleep in my own bed although the hospital one in ICU was actually very comfortable. It kept moving the air in the mattress so there were no long-standing pressure spots. It surprised me when it started doing that. Be good. Stay well. Spread hugs around to all your family and friends. Enjoy life. It's the only one you have. ***Hugs***
I'm Home! I'm Home!
Right now I feel like Frankenstein but....I am out of the ICU and in my own computer room. *Sigh* I wish I could say it was a breeze but I had a bit of a scare. Let me explain.
When I got out of recovery and was taken to the ICU, we really thought it would just be for a while and then I would be taken to a regular room. It was not to be. I had fallen asleep, feeling great but the stitches in my neck were a bit painful. The nurse gave me a shot to help with the pain that the doctor had left instructions to give me if I complained.
When the Beast showed up, he woke me up and the nurse got this horrified look on her face. Earlier, she had made me do all those things you do to check to see if someone has had a stroke and I passed easily. But now she noticed my right eye was drooping, my face didn't look *right* and I was slurring my speech a bit. All of a sudden, all I could think of was that I had had a mini-stroke or something. The nurse must have burned leather to get on the phone with my doctor. He told her that he actually expected some kind of reaction (not a stroke) because he had a feeling he might have injured a nerve when he had to stretch this one muscle in order to get everything out of the carotid that he needed to.
He fully expected it to pass and, thankfully, it did. When the Beast left, I went back to sleep (I was still trying to get over the anesthesia). When I woke up later to call for a bedpan, my face was back to normal! I was so relieved and so was the nurse that came in to get the bedpan for me. She could hardly wait to spread the news. Unfortunately, it was too late to call the Beast and let him know. I did call him in the morning, however.
When my doctor came in the next morning, I think I was the first person he came to see. He asked me to smile and I did and I could see him visibly relax. He said he was sorry he caused me any worry but he said he really did have to pull this one muscle very hard in order to get rid of all that he needed to get rid of. I told him that when I woke up and the numbness was gone and my tongue worked right, I forgave him. He gave me a fast hug then asked if I wanted to go home in the afternoon or did I want to stay another day? Duh! He needed to ask?
So here I am, at home and don't have to see my doctor again until the 22nd of this month. But I feel good, the stitches will dissolve (I thought at first they were staples) and the only thing left to resolve is the retina in my left eye. But that can wait for a bit.
I am going to relax now for a bit. Love you all. Be good. Be happy. Take care of your health....please! ***Hugs***
When I got out of recovery and was taken to the ICU, we really thought it would just be for a while and then I would be taken to a regular room. It was not to be. I had fallen asleep, feeling great but the stitches in my neck were a bit painful. The nurse gave me a shot to help with the pain that the doctor had left instructions to give me if I complained.
When the Beast showed up, he woke me up and the nurse got this horrified look on her face. Earlier, she had made me do all those things you do to check to see if someone has had a stroke and I passed easily. But now she noticed my right eye was drooping, my face didn't look *right* and I was slurring my speech a bit. All of a sudden, all I could think of was that I had had a mini-stroke or something. The nurse must have burned leather to get on the phone with my doctor. He told her that he actually expected some kind of reaction (not a stroke) because he had a feeling he might have injured a nerve when he had to stretch this one muscle in order to get everything out of the carotid that he needed to.
He fully expected it to pass and, thankfully, it did. When the Beast left, I went back to sleep (I was still trying to get over the anesthesia). When I woke up later to call for a bedpan, my face was back to normal! I was so relieved and so was the nurse that came in to get the bedpan for me. She could hardly wait to spread the news. Unfortunately, it was too late to call the Beast and let him know. I did call him in the morning, however.
When my doctor came in the next morning, I think I was the first person he came to see. He asked me to smile and I did and I could see him visibly relax. He said he was sorry he caused me any worry but he said he really did have to pull this one muscle very hard in order to get rid of all that he needed to get rid of. I told him that when I woke up and the numbness was gone and my tongue worked right, I forgave him. He gave me a fast hug then asked if I wanted to go home in the afternoon or did I want to stay another day? Duh! He needed to ask?
So here I am, at home and don't have to see my doctor again until the 22nd of this month. But I feel good, the stitches will dissolve (I thought at first they were staples) and the only thing left to resolve is the retina in my left eye. But that can wait for a bit.
I am going to relax now for a bit. Love you all. Be good. Be happy. Take care of your health....please! ***Hugs***
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
I Am Set For Thursday....Almost
So I show up for my pre-surgical screening at the time I was told only to have the receptionist tell me that my appointment was for 1:30pm. I was stunned because I knew I had written down (and repeated to the nurse) the exact time I was scheduled. The receptionist tells me that the hospital might have changed it but someone should have called me on Monday to confirm that I knew I was scheduled (and when!). I actually had waited for a call from them all day because that IS the usual way surgery is handled there. I've sure been in there often enough to know what to expect.
So, since it's about a 12 mile drive back home and only about a mile to Cee's house, I give her a call and tell her what happened. I had planned on stopping there anyway after my 10:30am appt. She said to just come on over and she would make us both a sandwich unless I couldn't eat. I didn't have instructions about not eating so I told her I would be there in a few minutes. I knew from the number of people that were coming out of the office and heading for the waiting room that there was no hope for me to be squeezed in so that wasn't an option. Even the receptionist said that they were backed up as it was.
I get to Cee's house and I told her about my frustration at the screw-up and she knew it happens sometimes, especially if they are busy. Even from the people that were waiting when I got there for the pre-surgical checkup, I knew that Thursday was going to be a busy day. But it was only about a 10 minute wait for me before they came to get me from the waiting room.
The only good thing was that I was spared having to take that 12 lead EKG because the heart doctor had done one on me less than 6 weeks before and the nurse got a copy of it from him. The phlebotomist that took the 5 different vials of blood from me was NOT a good one. She must have stabbed me four or five times before she got the needle to NOT go through my veins. Yes, she blew out two veins on me and today they are black-and-blue and in a hard knot. *Sigh*
Know how they ask you for all the surgeries you've had? I laughed and told her she might not have enough room and started naming them. I went from the top down (all the scars remind me....LOL). She laughed when we got done and said that I sure DID have a lot of surgeries. I told her I had to think from the top down in order to make sure she got them all, including both of my tonsillectomies. It was kind of weird but I think I remembered them all. I hope so anyway.
To my chagrin, I can't get the actual time of my surgery until today. I have to call between 2-3pm today. What's bad is that, if it's early, I am staying at Cee's house tonight so she can drive me over there tomorrow. If it's in the afternoon, then I can stay home and the Beast can drive me. It's all because he is conducting two Bible study classes in the morning (well, one is at noon) and he didn't want to ask someone else to take them for him....again. He's done it a time or two already in the past month or so. Since they are only once a week, on Thursdays, that's actually a lot. Oh, well! It's HIS problem, not mine. At least I have an alternative way to get there. He will have to drop me off later today if I do go to Cee's but that's not a problem. In fact, for Cee and I, it will be fun.
I actually slept well last night. First, I fell asleep after dinner...mostly because I had an upset stomach and frew up my dinner. I think the Beast gave me greasy meat and, since I was upset over the way my day started, it didn't agree with me. But I slept for four hours before waking to use the bathroom then went right back to sleep for another 4 hours before waking again for the same thing. That's the most sleep I've had all week. I feel bright-eyed and bushy tailed right now but it's early morning so I am going to bed again for another two hours or so when I post this....which is now.
Love you all. ***Hugs***
So, since it's about a 12 mile drive back home and only about a mile to Cee's house, I give her a call and tell her what happened. I had planned on stopping there anyway after my 10:30am appt. She said to just come on over and she would make us both a sandwich unless I couldn't eat. I didn't have instructions about not eating so I told her I would be there in a few minutes. I knew from the number of people that were coming out of the office and heading for the waiting room that there was no hope for me to be squeezed in so that wasn't an option. Even the receptionist said that they were backed up as it was.
I get to Cee's house and I told her about my frustration at the screw-up and she knew it happens sometimes, especially if they are busy. Even from the people that were waiting when I got there for the pre-surgical checkup, I knew that Thursday was going to be a busy day. But it was only about a 10 minute wait for me before they came to get me from the waiting room.
The only good thing was that I was spared having to take that 12 lead EKG because the heart doctor had done one on me less than 6 weeks before and the nurse got a copy of it from him. The phlebotomist that took the 5 different vials of blood from me was NOT a good one. She must have stabbed me four or five times before she got the needle to NOT go through my veins. Yes, she blew out two veins on me and today they are black-and-blue and in a hard knot. *Sigh*
Know how they ask you for all the surgeries you've had? I laughed and told her she might not have enough room and started naming them. I went from the top down (all the scars remind me....LOL). She laughed when we got done and said that I sure DID have a lot of surgeries. I told her I had to think from the top down in order to make sure she got them all, including both of my tonsillectomies. It was kind of weird but I think I remembered them all. I hope so anyway.
To my chagrin, I can't get the actual time of my surgery until today. I have to call between 2-3pm today. What's bad is that, if it's early, I am staying at Cee's house tonight so she can drive me over there tomorrow. If it's in the afternoon, then I can stay home and the Beast can drive me. It's all because he is conducting two Bible study classes in the morning (well, one is at noon) and he didn't want to ask someone else to take them for him....again. He's done it a time or two already in the past month or so. Since they are only once a week, on Thursdays, that's actually a lot. Oh, well! It's HIS problem, not mine. At least I have an alternative way to get there. He will have to drop me off later today if I do go to Cee's but that's not a problem. In fact, for Cee and I, it will be fun.
I actually slept well last night. First, I fell asleep after dinner...mostly because I had an upset stomach and frew up my dinner. I think the Beast gave me greasy meat and, since I was upset over the way my day started, it didn't agree with me. But I slept for four hours before waking to use the bathroom then went right back to sleep for another 4 hours before waking again for the same thing. That's the most sleep I've had all week. I feel bright-eyed and bushy tailed right now but it's early morning so I am going to bed again for another two hours or so when I post this....which is now.
Love you all. ***Hugs***
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