I have very little recollection of what happened in the recovery room. I remember opening my eyes once and being asked questions, but that's the majority of my memory there. Next thing I knew, I was being wheeled up to the third floor intensive care unit. I have a vague memory of seeing a group of doctors and hearing those transporting me laughing about interrupting rounds.
When I arrived in my room in the ICU, I very much wanted to try to gather myself. My bed was placed in the middle of the room, which was quite spacious. I anxiously awaited the arrival of my mom and Daniel, hoping that familiar faces would get me through and get me going.
Still rather drowsy, I was thrilled to see them both walk through my door. They shared the good news...that the surgery was a success and that it took about an hour less than they had anticipated. After spending some time with them, my mom went home to rest and take care of Lilly, but promised to come back.
I attempted to eat a popsicle, but hardly made it through before returning it to the a cup and nodding off again. Morphine and tylenol, and eventually zofran and oxycodone, became good friends to me while in the ICU.
Every hour, I had some neuro testing done. Stick out your tongue, smile, squeeze my fingers, hold up the pizza boxes, lift both legs, where are you, why are you here...my nurse eventually had to switch it up so that I wouldn't just start on my own the moment she walked in the room.
When my mom returned, Daniel went to a nearby friend's house (thank you Alex, Michael, and Si!) for some much needed rest. I talked with my mom between naps and neuro exams. I begged to have my catheter out, but that wasn't an option because I wasn't losing as much as I was taking in, so they had to make some adjustments. Antibiotics were pumped through my IV. I eventually attempted to order some real food. Due to the muscle that was cut at my jaw, chewing wasn't an option, so mac and cheese was what I ordered. When it arrived, my belly just could not handle it. Don't get me wrong, it looked delicious, but the smell was too much for my stomach to handle.
Daniel returned and I spent some time with my mom and him. Eventually, I tried to eat the mac. One noodle and I was done. Mom left for the night. She absolutely deserved the rest...she had been up with me since 4 o'clock that morning. Daniel stuck around for a little while and we decided to try some soup. Three bites and then it came back. So food wasn't in the cards for me that first night.
Daniel eventually went home and I decided to rest. I was introduced to my night nurse and then it was time for some sleep. Throughout the night, the hourly wake ups for neuro testing continued. It cramped my sleep style a little, but for the most part, I was able to fall asleep shortly after he left and wake up about 10-30 seconds before he returned to my room.
When I finally woke up for the day, I decided to order a muffin and some juice to see how those would go. They stayed down (HOORAY!) but I could really only get through the top of the muffin before feeling slightly queazy. But it was a little victory and, less than 24 hours post-surgery, little victories were everything.
Friday morning's little victory...let me tell you, folks, that blueberry muffin was delicious.
My day nurse (who was the same one from the day prior) returned. She said that rounds would determine if I was off bedrest and able to have my catheter taken out. The PA came and saw me...all was well! Out it came and I was able to walk around. The nurse brought a recliner into my room and I was allowed to sit up in a chair. The dizziness definitely kicked in, but it felt SO nice to be out of bed. Daniel was pleasantly surprised when he arrived to find me resting and watching junk TV in my comfy recliner.
Shortly before 11, I was informed that I would be moving down the the neuro post-surgical wing, which was on the first floor. I was glad to know that I was doing well enough to move, but a little sad to have to leave what was such a comforting and restful place for me.
Kaiser Sunnyside ICU...you guys were WONDERFUL. I cannot thank you enough for your kindness, gentleness, and loving care. I felt so cared for. Thank you a million times over!!!
To be continued...
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