Terror in the O.R.

OK, the title may be stretching it, but I have had an interesting 24 hours. Wednesday I worked feverishly all day to get ahead to take off these two days. Got a good deal of work done and some bills paid, but of course there was still more that needs to be done, especially insurance wise. Packed up at 6:45.

I eat breakfast on my drive to work. Recently I switched from dry cereal to protein shakes, which I had Wednesday morning. I normally take leftovers for lunch and we almost always have some to take, but these last two days we haven’t had any. I also fixed my usual water bottle with strawberry lemonade mix, which I downed by 10:00 am. I stopped by Kroger for carrots, cereal, and a grapefruit. Wednesday I also took cheese and a banana. Normally I refill at work once or twice a day, but I was so busy I never got around to it. Part of it was knowing I needed to stop eating and drinking at what I thought was 8 pm for the surgery (later I learned it was noon).

Packed up at 6:45. Drove three miles and mailed a letter. Then I realized I hadn’t printed out updated insurance forms which might be needed at the hospital, so I drove back to work and fired up my computer again to get the forms. On the way home I stopped by the bank and Chickfila. Since it was nearing eight I ate cereal and one grilled chicken nugget (I wasn’t too hungry and I didn’t want to overeat). Drank nothing. Got home for a typical evening. Ceil cooked spaghetti and tossed a salad, but since it was after eight I didn’t eat. Watched Gilmore Girls and stayed up later than usual.

Arrived at Northside Hospital just after 8 am. Got checked in and escorted back to pre-op. My blood pressure looked good. From there things went quickly. Changed and got an IV, and soon I wheeled to the operating room. Then the anesthesia kicked in it. I woke up at 11:15 in recovery. Catnapped off and on for an hour. My higher than normal heartrate caused some concern but it eventually came down. I was moved down the way to be checked out, but I couldn’t leave until I peed. I had drunk two small Diet Cokes and taken in three IV’s of a Gatorade-type solution in recovery to help with that process, without success.

Spent several more hours in the check-out section, with the IV and drinking more Diet Cokes (not much of a selection). All day all the nurses were great. I felt like I was getting close but I just couldn’t close the deal. The nurse performed an ultrasound on my bladder and called the surgeon. Dr. Luke gave me two options: move to the long-term recovery section until I could pee, or go home – but if I couldn’t pee by 10 pm I’d have to return to the ER. The doctor was ok with me going home, so I took that option. We left at 4:20.

I was realizing exactly how little liquids I’d consumed yesterday. Even so of course I had gotten up several times last night to relieve myself. Couple more times after I’d gotten up. Then evidently during surgery they had to relieve me. I think in my old age it takes lots of liquids to move them completely through my system. Perhaps an enlarged prostate. Got home and tried again. Still nothing. I was starting to worry.

I’m not a fan of hot beverages. Too much sugar in hot chocolate. Same with hot tea if its sweetened to my taste. I know I’m in a tiny minority, but I don’t like coffee. But at home I remembered what hot beverages do to me. Ceil brewed me a cup of tea, and five minutes later the floodgates opening. Just when I need to stay on the couch, I’ve been up every 30 minutes for another visit. The small group provided supper:

One other tidbit: I’m the proud owner of a new pair of yellow hospital socks (in photo).