Sara F.
My Surgery
Oct 17, 2012
Well I arrived at the hospital at 6:30 and checked in for surgery. They took me to pre-op and took Gabbee, mom, and dad to the waiting room. Once I changed into a gown, a surgical nurse came and reviewed my history with me, and the lab came to draw my blood. I then heard the pre-op nurse talking to the surgical nurse about how she was going to have her cataract removed the week of Thanksgiving. She then said they covered my right eye and I couldn't see anything out of my left. She then came over to me, took off her glasses and proceeded to attempt to get an IV on me. She was unsuccessful and called another nurse over. He was able to get it the first attempt. Next the Anesthesia Nurse came over and explained everything she was going to do. She gave me a dose of morphine before we ever left the pre-op room. Gabbee and my mom came back to see me. I was goofy from the morphine but we had fun. Then it was time to go. I only remember the first couple of minutes of being in the OR. I remember looking at the walls, and I remember the CRNA talking to me. That's about it, next thing I know I am in the recovery room. I don't remember much there either.After getting to my room, it was a lot of ice chips, compression stockings, and the incentive spyrometer. I had the absolute best CNA in the world. She was so cheery and full of encouragement. My parents left around 3pm. I was doing great and kept telling everyone I was leaving the next day. Keya was so great and helped me with anything I needed to accomplish that. I joked with her about how I wanted her to spend the night with me because she was so good. She reassured me that the night CNA would be great too. We started talking about books she wanted to read. She had a Zane book with her. I asked her if she had read 50 Shades of Grey. She said she had borrowed it from someone and she only got through the first 6 chapters before they needed it back. When Gabbee left around 7pm, I told her to go buy that book for Keya. I knew she would be back in the morning and she deserved a nice gesture.
The new aide was Erika, I asked her around 7:45 if she could help me get up so I could go for a walk. Now mind you Keya and Erika only had 2 patients me, and the RNY patients next door to me. Since we were new post ops the hospital policy is for the aides to sit outside the door, in case we need something in a emergent situation. They are allowed to read while out there when not doing other tasks. When I asked Erika for help, you could tell she was aggravated. She came in the room and I had to tell her everything to do. Please remove my compression devices, unhook my Foley, unplug the IV unit. Once I was ready to go. She said you can walk by yourself can't you. I was shocked at the attitude. When I came back from the walk, I had to straighten out my own bed and ask her to put the compression device's back on. I wasn't wanting her to cater to me, but I was in pain, and I couldn't bend very well to complete these tasks. After a few minutes, I realized I didn't have my oxygne back on. Since she was sitting outside my door texting on her phone. I called out to her and asked if I was still supposed to have my oxygen on. She stated Yes, can't you reach it. Again her attitude was awful. About this time, I text Gabbee and begged her to come back and spend the night with me. I was so upset and was crying. I couldn't go through this all night. I also text my mom and was telling her what was going on. I guess I should have reported her to the nurse. However I didn't have a lot of confidence in the nurse either. Gabbee was on her way back, and Ericka came in to do my vitals. When she pulled out the thermometer, I told her I had just had some ice chips and she should probably go under arm. She state No It will be fine. I told her that it wouldn't register correctly. She stuck the probe in my face and "just open up." I just couldn't believe how rude she was. Luckily Gabbee made it back and I didn't ask her for anything the rest of the night. She came in a did my vitals every hour. I did my incentive spirometer and then back to sleep.
The next morning I was so happy to see Keya back. I told her about he issues with Erika and encouraged me to report it. I did report it to the clinical director of the floor. That morning, I had to go to my Upper GI to make sure I didn't have any leaks. OH MY GOD, the contrast is so udderly disgusting, I literally almost threw up. It was so bad. I finally got back to my room, and they brought me a "tray" 1 ounce of chicken broth, 2 ounces of jello and 2 ounces of diluted apple juice. The apple juice was great, but I couldn't stomach the jello or broth. It nauseated me to just look at it. My grandparents came down to see me today, which meant a lot to me. The Dr came and saw me about an hour or so after I had my upper GI. He stated that things are moving slow from my esophagus into my pouch but that will get better over time. I can feel the water in my esophagus if I take to big of drinks or drink to fast. He stated as long as I can drink and keep things down I can go home. I had a great nurse. She was very patient and explained a lot of things. She was quick to bring meds if I needed it.
I left the hospital about 3:30. Gabbee brought my home, and then went out to get things on my shopping list. She is so good to me. I am so puffy and swollen from all the fluids they gave me. When I got home I weighed. They put 14 pounds of fluid on me! Can't wait to get that off again!
