The BIG day

Monday - Jan. 07th 2008

I arrived at the hospital around 4:40 am, only 20 minutes early. My mom and I headed to the waiting area. There was no one around the place was completely empty. Around 5:00am the waiting area started to fill up and the nurses were at there station. A nurse came into the room and called my name. I jumped up and followed her down the hall. She brought me to my room where I could wait to be processed in.

Shortly after arriving to my room tv6 arrived to do an interview. Little did they know but they were invited in to film the procedure. Sitting in my room I do my interview, blood work, and change into my gown.

So far so good nerves of steel. I see a bed being pushed into my room and I hope on for a ride down to the OR. I say goodbye to my Mom and off I go to be prepped for surgery. I am pushed into the holding area where I get my iv. Dr. English came into talk with me along with the anesthesiologist. They said it wouldn't be long, surgery should start at 8:00am. I looked at the clock above my head and it said 7:30. I continued to glance at the clock as I waited by myself. The clock never moved. I felt like I was back there for hours, probably only 20 - 30 minutes.

Off I go down the hall where I see my Mom waiting and into the OR. I remember seeing the camera setup to my right and thinking oh know they will see me naked. I helped move on to the table where I was told to put my arms in holders. I kept thinking to myself when am I going to fall asleep. Then I felt it. I tried to fight it for a few seconds, just wanting to see what was going on around me. I had to give up the fight and close my eyes.

Time To Wake Up

Back in recovery I open my eyes to see a nurse over me and I feel some sort of sensation but still to out of it to know what is going on. The nurse said I am just taking your catheter out. Back to sleep I go and I wake up in my room.

I honestly can't say what I was feeling because I was still groggy from the anesthesia. Once alert enough I had to use the restroom. I call the nurse and my mom and her help me to get up. Actually it was up to me. At this time I feel like I have been hit by a truck. My tummy and left side are extremely sore. I roll to my right side and then sit up. I moaned, whimpered and then got up. I made it to the toilet and nothing. I know I have to go but afraid to push and the fact that I had my mom in there talking to me. She turned on the faucet and there it was a small trickle. Not what I was expecting but its a start.

Every time getting out of bed got easier. By day 2 I was getting out of bed without calling the nurses.

I was allowed a few ice chips my first day but the thirst was unbelievable.