Have to admit I'm feeling rather mixed emotions...soo hoping that this gives me my life back, at least to some degree, and on the other hand rather nervous about the whole thing. I'm not sure if they'll let me turn the units on right after surgery or if I have to wait till my 10 day follow-up appt..

Have plenty of rum on hand , R2D2 is on his way, and will do my toenails this evening. That toenail thing was a very good suggestion and not something I would have thought of doing ahead of time.

Please know that your support, and laughter, through all of this time leading up to the big day has been so comforting and encouraging. Will post when I can or will have my husband make some comments if I cannot. See you on the other side...

Hi Fionab

Wishing you good luck for your surgery. Ive just had an SCD implanted two weeks ago......so far so good.........

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.

I feel such a sense of 'calm' about you and your procedure tomorrow.....

At this point, pretty much everything has been said......so try not to let your mind wonder where faith abounds not!
Look at how long you've been with us! I hope you realize how much love and support you have shared on this forum. You are SO very valued!
Your humor has had me rolling more times than I can count and I have no doubt whatsoever that you're gonna do just great!

Make darn sure they send you home with the BEST pain relief possible!
Also maybe something to help with sleep.

It took me a while to get that 'LOG ROLL' down pat......but your husband will help you......and that reacher/grabber thing you bought will be the next best thing to a husband! ha!

There are new folks joinin this forum every day and you'll come back to a plethera of people who will no doubt bombard you with cyberlove!

We'll be here waitin! Oh it would be so great if your hubby could get on here and share an update if you don't feel up to it!

What time is your surgery scheduled?
I'll light my 'wonder candle of faith' and be thinkin and prayin for you all thru-out the day......

TTYS my friend,
Rae

Thanks guys. You've got me in tears here...sniff,sniff.

Surgery is at 1:30 p.m. (EST), so will be at hospital around noon. Will take around 3 hours so probably won't be home till late evening unless they decide I need to stay overnight, which won't be happening if I can help it. I'll have my husband pee in the pan or eat my meal for me if need be (been there, done that) to get out of there.

Got some wonderful news. May not be a big deal to some, but to those who know how important having a good implant rep. can be to help you post-surgery and on down the road, I have superb news. The guy I asked for has actually been assigned to be my rep. It took some doing as he's not the rep. that usually works with my doctor during surgery. I just happened to have him during one of my trials as he was filling in for the regular Boston Scientific rep.. I found him to be very tenacious about helping me get the best possible pain coverage and was delighted that he was so concerned about helping me. Anyhow, talked to him this afternoon and he said he'd be there at the hospital waiting for me when I get there.

I was feeling rather nervous earlier today, but now I'm feeling a real peace about this. I can feel that my Lord is with me. Even though I'm in pain right now, I have this big smile on my face because I know that this is finally my time. Has been a long road... have had 10 surgeries in the past 12 years...but tomorrow it starts to get better. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!

It is great to hear that the Boston Sci rep that you like is going to be with you. I had a great rep with me for my surgery and I have the best pain coverage with the program that he set in the OR and in the recovery room.

Take it very slowly and don't hurry your recovery!!

.........................

Sweet Dreams

fionab, Hope your surgery went well and that you were able to go home and are now relaxing! I hope that your stim helps you very much and that you get to have a pain-free life! Good luck, take care and I will be praying for you!

Tara said it all so eloquently!
Prayers for thorough healing,
Mark56 PJ