Well– the surgery is over and I have survived it. I feel… um… how to put? NOT GOOD. The dizziness has let up though and now it’s more about pain. Ben says that I look like I’ve been shot four times in the stomach, which is a good description I think. I have plenty of drugs, happily. But there’s a trade off of feeling “no pain” and feeling all nauseated and like I’m out at sea during a storm. Last night I threw up an orange Pedialyte Pop and it was vile. Isaac was an incredible trooper all day yesterday– he was in good spirits and had a great time at the Botanical Garden with his grandparents. I managed to get into the house and into bed while he was out and the rest of the day passed with me unconcious and him downstairs playing and chattering away about all his many thoughts and observations. Last night was rough though. Everyone was exhausted, bar none. Ben had been up since 5:00 a.m. and “riding two horses with one ass” as he likes to put it. That is, running upstairs when I needed something and running back downstairs to help Isaac with something. I was out of it for obvious reasons. My folks were wiped from a long full day of Isaac chasing. And Isaac was pooped from coping with all the non-normalcy of it all. After much struggle he slept between us, which had the benefit of making him feel secure enough to actually sleep (thus allowing everyone else to do so, unlike the squalling). I had to get up constantly to take meds and pee and whatnot. I put a pillow over my stomach to protect it from little errant butts and knees. I’m in okay shape today I guess. Isaac and I just had an altercation over the last jell-o.
The surgery itself was just like you’d expect. The cold, terrifying room with bright bright lights. Many people looking down at me with blue scrubs, hats and masks. The nurse said, “I know you’re scared out of your wits– your veins have all vanished.” An anethesiologist came in to put something in my IV and Ben said, “Will that put her to sleep?” and he said, “No, this will just make her feel like she’s had a couple glasses of wine.” God bless him! That took some of the edge off my terror and — I regret to admit it– quelled my feeble crying. Then they put a mask on my face and told me to take some slow deep breaths. Soon I was far far under water at night and hearing someone calling my name. Three hours had passed and it was all over.
I felt okay then, because I was drugged out of my gourd. The only problem was that they wouldn’t let me leave until I could pee, and that was impossible! I did my best, but it simply would not happen. Finally my worst fears realized– nurse Kristi showed up with a catheter. I know the drill from various pregnancy-related medical ordeals! Once that was done they were satisfied and let me go. We got home around 1:30 in the afternoon I think, which was excellent.
So now– just sleeping, healing up. I can’t lift Isaac for two weeks!!! How’s that gonna happen? I can’t picture it.
Oh well, at least it’s OVER.