Jan 7 & 8

Jan 09, 2013

 

January 7

Today is the day!  I woke up at 4:30, nervous, excited and ready to go.  I was packed and downstairs waiting in the lobby earlier than I had to be, Mr and Mrs Dr Sauceda picked me up around 8am.  He and his wife escorted me to the clinic waiting room where i sat to wait along with other patients and their families while the Drs were doing their doctor stuff.  About 20 minutes later Dr. S came to get me and introduce me to Cat, he said there was a problem in the surgery room and he would come get me soon, so Cat and I sat and chatted almost an hour before the nurse came in to help her shower.  I went back to the waiting room. At 10:45 a nurse came to get me to start the prep for surgery. I changed into a gown, booties and a hair net.  My nurse was Isabell, very sweet but efficient, she has a beautiful smile.  She placed my IV and talked with me while I waited.  

My surgery ended up being delayed because of a problem with the surgery room, they began my prep at 11am.  I was in the process of being prepped when Dr. S came in and gave me the choice of proceeding with the surgery or waiting until tomorrow morning, that was a little after 12pm, he advised that tomorrow would be better rather than the surgical team becoming fatigued from working into the night. I agreed and he sent me back to the hotel along with Cat who was being released, she looked so great it made me feel much better about my up coming surgery.  

When I got settled back into my hotel room I took a nice nap, and suddenly the door opened and low and behold my friend arrived!!  He had told me he would try to make it, but I had doubts and was afraid to get my hopes up, but I left his name at the front desk just incase.  When he came to the room and opened the door he was a bit startled to see me in the room he thought I would be at the clinic, I didn't have a way to contact him to tell him about the delay.  

Cat, my friend and I went to dinner at the Italian restaurant, it was very good.  Cat looks great and is a great inspiration!  We walked her safely back to her room after dinner, then my friend and I headed to the HEB to pick up a couple of tubes of Vitacelina, oxyclean, and water.   It had been a very long day so I went to bed really early.   

January 8

Today is the day!  This time I promise it is!  I was only allowed a light shower, so I washed my hair and other important parts and just let the water run over my body.  I carefully patted myself dry.  I managed to keep all the marks visible, but I also created a few new ones where the skin on my stomach folded over.  Dr S chuckled over the additional marks.  Once I was back in pre-op he redrew the correct lines.  

My nurse today is Pamela, her English was a little rough, but we made it through everything without a problem.  between her English, hand gestures and all those who blogged in detail about their experiences (THANKS!!) I was able to piece it all together.  Mrs Dr Sauceda placed my IV, it took two times before she could get it placed, Isabell had used my best vein yesterday and it was still a little swollen. It didn't hurt too much.  Pamela gave me the happy pill, then two other nurses escorted me back to the surgery room.    The surgery room was warm, the beta dine was warm, but once the scrub cooled off it was a little chilly.  I carefully climbed onto the table and I was instructed to turn onto my side and pull my knees toward my chest.  Mrs Dr. S gave me something in my IV that stung a little, I glanced at the clock and it was a little after 9am.  She then put a mask over my nose and mouth.... And seconds later I was out.  

Ok, before I go into my surgery details I must tell you that in 1994 I had a C-section with the birth of my son.  The epidural failed.  Initially the anesthesiologist assumed I was just panicking and the pain I felt during the prep was just a small patch but he assured the doctor he could proceed.  Once the doctor and anesthesiologist realized the extent of feeling that I had, which extended to the entire right side of my body from my belly button over it was too late to stop the surgery and they didn't want to risk general anesthesia due to my weight of over 300lbs.  Needless to say I have had many nightmares from that experience and that ended my desire to have more children.  

So, now for my PS surgery details; I woke up a few times during surgery, and I felt a few quick moments of pain, but I was back out quickly. The pain I felt came and went so quick that I hesitate to even mention it.  Mrs Dr S did a beautiful job of managing everything.  So anyone reading this that has not yet had surgery and are afraid of feeling it, please don't be.   The pain was relieved very quickly, Mrs. Dr. S. did a wonderful job at managing it.  

Despite the occasional language barrier, which has been easily figured out so far, I would say that my care thus far has been excellent.  Pati is as nice as everyone says she is.  Dr. S. has been very patient in his care and speaks excellent English.   I woke up from surgery in the recovery room.  My friend came in to sit with me, once I was a little more wake they rolled me to my room.  Once I was settled into my room I sent a few messages to friends and face timed with family. I asked for a sleeping pill and went right to sleep.    I don't regret my decision to come here, and I do think I would have been fine even without my friend, although I'm very glad he did come.        

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