Dear Friend-
You know, that last night before my surgery on 29 June, I was feeling all manner of mixed emotion. Was I doing the right thing? What if something went wrong and I awakened paraplegic [a signed away risk of surgery tinkering with your spinal cord] or dead [a risk signed away with anesthesia] or still
Hurting like Hades Fires! Hah! I was just afraid. Here we were going with another surgery. Some guys I had met a few times were going to cut holes in my back, fiddle around, and Hopefully do a wonderful job of it!
I had done all of the prep I could before hand, exercising like some demon seekiing to avoid return to the fires of the deep. I knew I trusted all of the team, ALL OF THEM. Some had already been in my back before. And you know what else, I KNEW I trusted my Lord and that this was the right thing toward which I had been led. I could not have placed trust in any higher power. There you have it.
We showed up at 0600 ish the next morn as asked. Waited, waited some more. Noted the temperature of the waiting room. On the cool side as forewarned. Waited some more. Asked, "are we where we are supposed to be?" We were assured we were just right. Waited some more. Then with a flurry, paperwork again reviewed, sign here, date here, goodbye kiss to Cleo, as they whisked me back to the prep room.
Not long later, Cleo rejoined me, the whole crowd from our church came to pray. We did it up in style, as you know from my blog thread [nice tush Mark, and a wolf whistle or two----- I turned many shades of red]. Then, despite being told I would be asleep before leaving the prep room, it was off to my 27th OR in the last 5 1/2 years. I saw the light, that bright light overhead...... and no, it wasn't a near death experience; as a matter of fact, I think I tried to crack a joke, and ZONK....... GONE, asleep.
I awakened in the recovery room quite a while later all stitched up, and not from my jokes, the doc had done his masterful work.
YOU, my friend, are about to embark on the journey toward relief from pain. For you to expect INSTANT gratification and miraculous tap dancing is the stuff of fairytales, but you will awaken sore, you will awaken to those first questions like "Do you know your name?" Never ask a lawyer that question, my answer was "Yes" and not the answer they desired. Ice chips followed, a sip of water next, sitting up a while later, a walk to the bathroom [AHHHHhhhh] needed that but boy did those steps HURT like holy thunder. More sitting, crackers, water, more walking, more walking. Never threw up. Later, not wanting some guy just occupying their bed, they invited us to leave. Oh, it was not unceremonious, and the recovery crew was splendid as my blog regales all who read, but we found ourselves on the way to the car, then home, then to my own bed where I learned a first night after surgery is a first night after surgery regardless whether in hospital or home. UNCOMFORTABLE. Keep that Rum and your Bite Rag handy unless you want your family hear you scream as you move around those first few times. The rag works. The muffled cries are nearly inaudible, and it gets better quickly.
I have faith your procedure will go oh so well. I just feel it. You do have our prayers as well, Fiona. Our best to you, your husband, your family, and may your recovery from surgery be as quick and easy as mine and your road to use of the stim device be as superbly paved with smooth stones.
Prayin,
[Wish they would quit moving the praying smilie]
Mark56 PJ
P.S. just wait until your time with phenegren, better have some, and some librium for withdrawal. You'll need them.