4/52: A Part of Me

Remember when I used to have all kinds of unique hospital experiences? I know, that's not really something to brag about, but it's still the truth. I've been in tornado drills with old men and their open-backed hospital gowns, had someone else's underwear be in my hospital bed, etc.

We can chalk yesterday up as one of those hospital experiences that I'd prefer not to repeat.

Turns out I had reason to be concerned about the whole "conscious sedation" scenario because I was awake . . . the whole time. The procedure ended up lasting almost 2 hours, and I was awake for it all. According to the nurse, he gave me enough Versed to "knock out a horse" (exact quote), but I still was awake and talking (and freaking out) for the whole thing. For the most part, I wasn't in pain - there was lots of Lidocaine for that - but it was the strangest experience. I held it together until it was over, but once they started unwrapping me from all the sterile wraps and masks they use, I bawled like a baby. It was slightly embarrassing, and I don't know where the tears came from except it felt a little like I'd just survived a traumatic event.

Side note: Vanderbilt's staff is lovely and their process in general is smooth so I'm not really blaming them for the fact that Versed apparently does not work on me.

I may be very stiff, sore, and bruised, but I'm the proud owner of a power port. I feel like I should warn you there is a graphic picture below so consider this your fair warning.

Before surgery. This is not the graphic picture, btw.

And then after arriving home. This week's photo theme is a Piece of Me so I thought this was appropriate considering I just had a piece removed and a new piece added. 

Do you notice (1) lipstick during surgery and (2) the lovely orange Betadine still on my neck?

I am incredibly stiff and sore (notice the bruises that had appeared within two hours of surgery) and spent last night laying flat on my back not sleeping. There are pretty much two acceptable positions: sitting straight up and laying on my back. For the doctors and nurses who reminded me I would only be "a little stiff and sore" I would like to say that they clearly have never experienced this personally.

Brian and the kids left at 6:30 this morning and won't be home until early evening (and I'm not allowed to drive) so I'm spending the day at home on the couch sleeping (hopefully), blogging, working on my Bible study lessons, and watching season 2 of The Paradise which just became available on Netflix.

Here's hoping your Friday is at least as productive as mine is going to be. ;)

(I've had several people emailing me about a way to subscribe to the blog. If you'll scroll down to the bottom, there's a spot on the bottom right side that lets you sign up for the posts to be delivered via email. If you're on a mobile device, this doesn't work so hop on your laptop desktop, sign up, and then they'll shop up via your email address each time I post.)