Thoughts about surgery and the hospital stay

First let me say that I have not been in a hospital since my son was born almost 14 years ago,and I have never had any major surgery in my life, so I really have nothing to compare surgery or the hospital stay to. The surgery people get an A+ in my book. They were exceptional with their care and making me feel at ease. I opted to have a epidural block during and after surgery to help with pain management. A small thin catheter was placed in my thoracic spine to administer continuous pain medication. Everyone I encountered before surgery was excellent. My after surgery care, or lack thereof, unfortunately gets a D, except for 2 nurses I had during my stay, Barbie and Lauren. Although I was not in ICU or a gunshot victim, I still had major surgery and found it unusual that there were many things I did on my own without an offer to help or with help. Changing my bed was done once, no one ever asked me if I wanted a new gown, or if I would like help with washing my face or brushing my teeth, no one checking on me in 4 hours. Not that I needed help or wanted help, but I would think help should have been offered. According to my niece, Melly, who is a nurse on the birthing unit, these things are pretty basic 101 nursing skills. I had virtually had no sleep in the hospital and was exhausted by time I got home.

The first actual thing I remembered in the recovery room was my plastic surgeon telling me the lymph nodes were negative! News to my ears! The whole waking up from surgery thing is not a picnic, let me tell you. I was seeing double and triple of everything for quite awhile. I do remember my family coming in to see me when I got to my room, but couldn't quite tell you what I said to them!! (maybe I don't want to know!) My brother-in-law, Rick,and his wife,Debbie,and my mother-in-law,Ruth, surprised John by showing up and staying with him during surgery. Rick and Debbie even had pink shirts on! My niece Melissa also came by for a quick visit after working her shift that day at the hospital.

My biggest hurdle is over, surgery. I meet with oncology next week to discuss further treatment options and more decisions to make.


I honestly was not nervous going into surgery, one of the nurses even made a comment to me about that. I had no expectations as to what to expect. That is probably why I seemed so calm. Was it a breeze? Nope, I can't say it was, but it's over and now I am moving forward.

Good bye Hotel Froedert!