Wednesday, February 01, 2023

AC Gets His Surgery

A vibration on my wrist awoke me at 5. I sat on the bed and turned it off. I then grabbed my phone and fumbled my way through the phone settings to turn off the phone alarm (set for 5:05) and the Alexa alarm (set for 5:10). They were just-in-case alarms, like I used to set when I would be called upon to drive Danica to work on those early Sunday mornings.

The house went down to 15C/59F overnight, and knowing that I needed a shower before surgery. I then accessed the thermostat app to set it to 20C/68F; this is our normal daytime temperature, but it often runs a little bit warmer. Then, it was time to go manual and also turn of the little heater in the bathroom. By 5:25 I was in there shaving and showering. Also by that time, I had availed myself of about a cup of apple juice and a cup of water: clear fluids which was all that I was allowed in take, and I had in ingest before 5:45 at that.

We weren't to hit the road until 7, but I needed to get in and out of the bathroom with my major doings before Sue would require it for her minor doings such as hair touchup and a bit of makeup. Sha was here by 7, and we were on our way to the Smiths Falls Hospital for 7:45 check-in.

Very soon, I found myself in another bathroom exchanging my daytime garments for a cap, gown and booties. I confessed to the attendant nurse that I am challenged and requested that she tie the dadgum thing up for me, and I was soon on the gurney. 

I have heard that smiles reach the eyes, but you are about to witness that they don't — at least not in my case under those circumstances. I did try though. 


Then came IV time. Nurse had great trouble. Apparently, I have good veins, but they weren't drawing well because of my lack of hydration. The first two efforts, pictured below, hurt like the dickens though. The next effort on the other hand went well.


I had already answered a plethora of questions once, before I even got to the gurney, and then I had to answer them (and more) again. But we weren't done, for I then had to answer similar questions and others from the anesthesiologist. I asked for a general, having had a bad experience with a spinal, with essentially the same procedure 16 years ago.

The procedure, by the way was a TURP (Transurethral resection of the prostate). There was also a spot on the bladder to be biopsied.

By 9 o'clock I had shuffled my way onto the operating table. Experience from my hernia surgery in 2019 told me that they would keep nattering at me after they asked my to remove my hearing aids. I avowed that the appliances were going to remain in until all of the chitchat was done. When I awoke at 9:40 someone had already put them back in my ears — not totally correctly, but basically. Now, that is good service, above and beyond.

I was still a trifle spacey when the conversation and instructions started up. Things such as meds and catheters and bags were discussed. Eventually, I got it, but I needed help when changing back into civvies. As I write this [drivel] on Wednesday evening (the same day as the surgery), it is still strapped to my leg and will remain there until a homecare worker comes to remove it on Friday. I have a larger bag for nighttime, but since I am used to getting up a lot anyway, I think that I will just keep the smaller leg bag attached and drain it as needed.

At this very moment (6:30) Alexa is reminding me to take my Dilaudid (Hydromorphone) pill. It is for pain, but I am not in pain. However, I will take it anyway for a day. Shauna told me expect some pleasant effects from the Dilaudid, but of course I haven't had that little pleasure. Sigh. Meds often don't affect me like they do other people. Too bad really (lol). I have also been prescribed Acetomenophen, and I will take that like a good [old] boy too.

So that is where I am at the moment: home, and I have been since noon. The catheter is in; I am not in pain, and I can get around semi normally. 

Meanwhile, while I was being attended to by the fine medical system this morning, Sue and Sha headed out for coffee. So, while I was sending the above pictures of pitiful me, they were able to send me a much more pleasant one in return. They took fab outdoor pics too, but I shall save them for tomorrow.


Thanks for bearing with me, assuming that you have — a very big assumption, for sure. But since I mentioned the surgery in passing a few days ago, I thought that I would lay it all on yiz.

22 comments:

peppylady (Dora) said...

Take care.
Coffee is on and stay safe

Marie Smith said...

Glad you are through the hospital and can heal now. Take care, AC.

Boud said...

I'm glad you're able to post. I thought it would be a few days. Take care and I hope you heal soon

Celia said...

May you heal well and swiftly. You sound perky. Thanks for sharing.

Barbara Rogers said...

And now the slow healing begins...no matter what it may be, we are always surprised that it takes longer the older we get...to be back to normal. I'm glad the procedure went well, and will wait for the results of the biopsy. Or did they get them while you were under? Loved seeing your hospital outfits...since I posted mine a while ago. Me too, veins are usually hard to find, but the last few nurses have been really lucky...going to other areas of arms! Take care, and I'm really glad that your spirits are so good...but mainly that you have some wonderful women taking care of you!

Suemn said...

I hope your recovery is quick and pain free. I know Sue will take good care of you.

Karen said...

Take care John . Do as you are told!

DrumMajor said...

Thanks for the run-down of the adventure. I hate how we're not supposed to have many fluids before procedures, then our vessels are shrunken up and drained when they try to start an IV. Follow your instructions! Your "little yellow purse" is nice to have when all the parts are trying to figure out what happened and begin healing. Get some rest! Linda in Kansas

Red said...

Well, I hope everything turns out well after all that challenge.

MARY G said...

Familiar with the surgery. I hope it has a good effect and you remain pleased. And, yeah, take the meds.
ps It was not, obviously, me who had the procedure. Um. It was not I who had it? Sigh. It was my dad, and he cheerfully referred to it as the rotorooter surgery.
Be well!!!

Margaret said...

I'm glad it's over and went well. There are so many rules and instructions with any surgery, even a routine colonoscopy. Hope you heal up quickly!

Debby said...

*gasp!* a man who follows medical advice????? I thought they were a myth
...like a unicorn. Heal quickly!

Patio Postcards said...

Sending lots of good wishes for a quick recovery on this procedure.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Hope you have a full recovery and will be feeling better, AC. Your faithfulness to posting is admirable as given similar circumstances, I would have deferred.

Anvilcloud said...

@Beatrice. It wasn't a chore. I was feeling good and wanted to write it down. Now, it is morning after a fitful night, and I am not so sure about feeling good. 🤪

DJan said...

Glad the surgery is done and now all you need to do is heal up. Thanks for the interesting post!

Ed said...

Another thing we now share in common, that medicines don't work the same for us as others. I've got a shelf full of prescribed post surgery pain pills that I shun and take acetaminophen instead which works just fine.

RedPat said...

I'm glad that you are home and that everything went okay.

William Kendall said...

I hope the recovery goes smoothly.

Jenn Jilks said...

I like reading what is happening in other people's lives.
You have a gorgeous caregiver crew! You are in good hands.

Jeanie said...

I'm so glad the day went well. Isn't amazing they can do all this and then send you right home? That's a long day but I'm sure you had the best of care.

Kay said...

I'm so glad it went well for now. You are definitely a good patient. OK, now I see what you went through. You still have me a little worried, but I feel better now that you're doing OK.