After two months of constant pain, I went in to have an ovary and a tube
removed laparoscopically on June 11th. While this was only an outpatient
procedure, it is still a surgery that required local anesthesia which is
something that has always made me nervous. But, I've been in pain for so
long I was just really wanted to have this done.
So, we get to the hospital on the morning of my surgery and get checked
into the surgery center. This included lots of waiting, an i.v. insertion
and lots of redundant questions. They took me down to this waiting area
before my surgery, which was just an alcove with other patients waiting for
surgery.
They gave me a relaxing drug there, but I was fully aware when they
wheeled me into the operating room. You know, those rooms are really
boring. It was like a scene from an
alien abduction movie. It is just white,
white and more white and bright light.
Lying there on the operating table, I could see the
operating light, which was not on yet. Thank goodness because with all
those bulbs I'm sure it would burn a retina if it had been on. Next came,
the oxygen mask. I know the anesthesiologist said something, but I don't
remember what it was. I was just determined to make sure my eyes were
wide open as long as I was alert.
Well, it must have
done the job it was supposed to do because the next thing I know a nurse was calling
my name and yanking me out of a nice, contented sleep. Of course, the minute my eyes started
fluttering the nurse was asking me questions. Really?
Nurse: Mrs.
McCoy, Mrs. McCoy
Me: Fluttering eyes trying to focus wondering why someone
is calling my name.
Nurse: Your surgery is over. How are you feeling?
Me Thinking: Annoyed you are waking me up!
Nurse: Are you awake
yet?
Me: My throat hurts.
Nurse: Would you like
some water?
Me Thinking: No I want to go
back to sleep but saying, "Yes, please."
She went to get my water and I became a little more alert. So, when she comes back with my water:
Me: My incision
hurts.
Nurse: Yes, it will
hurt.
Me Thinking: Really? I
had no idea. Maybe if you let me sleep I can ignore it for a while.
At
that point I close my eyes trying to go back to sleep. But, this
wonderful nurse would have none of it. She starts talking about taking me
back to my "room". But, I still just wanted to sleep.
I have to go back for major surgery to remove everything on July 10.
I get to stay in the hospital that time. Oh joy, more time with
people who will not let me sleep!
