Whoa!!!!
I was in the hospital for two days, the PKR went great (according to the OS) and I'm thrilled. Thank you for all the hope, kindness and encouragement. Just amazing what a little human contact can do over the internet. I felt hugs from each one of you as I was wheeled off to that OR.
All my worries about anesthesia- bupkis. Turned out my neurologist was right. My previous cardiac responses to drugs were actually seizures. 15 years ago I had a three major surgeries in two years. Every time any form of "caine" or opiate was administered, from morphine down to codeine, my heart stopped. Or an unstable rhythm would develop and out came the defibrillator.
Was finally diagnosed with epilepsy 5 years ago and started a boatload of anti-epileptic meds to keep seizures under control. My neuro said that it was possible that all my opiate and 'caine' sensitivities were really seizures in disguise. And now that the seizures are controlled with meds I might do fine with anesthesia. My neuro recommended test doses be given with the same meds that would be needed in anesthesia and for pain control.
The anesthesia dept at the hospital my OS works out of has a good reputation, but it's still a small (small, small- 90 beds!) hospital. It has both anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists performing equally. My case was assigned to a CRNA (nurse anesthestist). He REALLY listened and did not roll his eyes like he thought I was a nut, as MD's often do when I've tried to explain my caine/opiate dilemma. (All apologies to any MD's reading this or family members). I'm a nurse and not tooting my profession's horn, but it took another nurse to LISTEN and provide anesthesia accordingly. When he said "let's do test doses", could have kissed him. (But he was not as cute as my OS is. Darn it.)
So, the nerve block was done, anesthesia meds that had previously been problematic were given, and I was in and out of the OR in under 2 hrs according to my hubby. The OS was great (and as mentioned previously, overwhelmingly handsome- why is it always that way? I blush EASILY too), and hospital staff was terrific. They said they could not recall a shorter PKR admit to discharge time. In Tuesday morning-out Thursday morning.
I'm home, I'm sore, but Vicoden is doing the job. I have the good fortune to have a husband who is a physical therapist. He is Gestapo when it comes to staying on schedule with exercise (or he was yesterday anyway), and helping me even in the middle of the night with my walker getting to the BR, etc. Maybe listening to all my whining he wants this thing TO WORK!!!
The REAL WORK begins now as many of you can probably vigorously attest to. I probably won't be walking with only a cane for assistance in 2.5 weeks to return to work, like my boss thinks I should. But DAY-HUM (can I say that here?) I am giddy!!! (I even had letters written to my husband and children- and my meager collection of jewelry....left a note about which sister, daughter-in-law gets what. Thought strongly it could be lights out with previous anesthesia probs.)
But zippity-do-dah. Hubby's going to walker me to the shower and along the way I'll rip those letters to shreds.
Thanks everyone!!!
Love,
Nancy
United States
