Might be a funny story as long as it wasn't you

DebE13 · Post by **DebE13** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 1:32 am

Surgery went "good" still awake at 2 am not because of the pain I was expecting (it hurts, swallowing is a bugger) but I'm awake because of the patient that was wheeled in at 11pm last night and the hourly vitals that they're doing on her, not me. At some point I wonder about my own right to recovery. It's a fine line. IMO, they should have coordinated patient rooms better. My surgery ended early afternoon, hers way past the quiet hour. I have sleep issues to begin with so by he time I start dozing, a vital check not on me is done and I'm awake again. I keep reminding myself its only one night and I will be fine- and i was silly to think i would actually get any rest. I can sleep when I get home. However, I was feeling pretty good at 10pm aside from the expected pains and now feel like hell and my more pleasant demeanor is vanishing.

I am very hungry which adds to the crab-ass-ness. I tolerated my own applesauce ok late evening but aside from that, haven't eaten since 6pm on Monday. As long as I was disconnected I nibbled two bites of a Lara bar to see how the guts would respond thinking if I needed to dash to the can i could just do it. Swallowing made it very unenjoyable. We will see how the two bites fare down there. I hope they don't come up the other end because I was very nauseous earlier despite the two different meds they gave me to prevent it and that didn't feel too great either. Pieces of food, I imagine, would be even less pleasant. I'm thinking about eating my breakfast now but if I can achieve at least a nap i will wake up with a stomach ache. I brought my own chex and almond milk so it's right here in my bag. They didnt give me any problems with basically packing a picnic lunch in my bag. I could never eat and nap. That way, if I had a BM, the lady next to would still be knocked out and oblivious. yes, i am still hung up on others listening to me. My husband is the only one i can let it rip and not care anymore. Bless his soul. Although, Tex, you are right.....the modesty does go out the window pretty fast. My gown undone itself and being one handed going to the bathroom right next to the hallway, I decided trying to cover my bare ass just wasn't worth the effort while wheeling the IV cart. I'm ready to go home. I tolerate the pain so much better when I've had some sleep.

Please don't judge and if you do... So be it, I will claim temporary insanity due to an invasive surgery, cancer, or any other reasonable excuse. I'm simply hoping my messed up night will bring someone a chuckle. This s the email I sent my husband and mom:

The Horns Just Came Out

Did I mention I've been up since 3am yesterday morning? I'm fricken tired, just venting so take it with a grain of salt because if I vent here I won't be such a bitch to the nurses. My roommate was just wheeled in. Did I mention the only roommate I like is
John? My privacy went out the window as a shitload of people including the family came bumping through the room past me to the window side bed. she will be getting her vitals checked every hour so that means by the time i work myself back to sleep i will be woken up. The family made no attempt at whispering. I understand they have a loved one and are happy she is doing great and want to see her so f I seem cold I apologize but don't really mean it because 9pm is my bedtime. They could have at least tried to be on the quite side. Didn't they read the hospital manual? There are patients trying to recover and 11pm is way past quiet time. I guess I forgot to mention to the nurses I have sleeping problems. I should have brought my ear plugs, honey and a bag to keep the light out of my eyes. She is beginning to make noises over there and unlike at home, I can't jab her in the ribs or kick her feet. Although I could throw something at her over the curtain. I had better be getting a damn good price on the double room because the snoring isn't coming from the one I love so maybe I will crank up some Metallica to drown out the noise or toss my ice water over the curtain, that may stop the snoring. Maybe I will eat my whole picnic lunch i brought and get the shits and leave the bathroom door open so she can enjoy her roommate.

Sorry mom, John knows me and all my nastiness, I try to filter it for you. I'm actually now laughing at how bad I sound. So much for all my happiness earlier, all bets are off when I'm tired and hungry. Although, you know me pretty well too. :)

I asked the nurse if I had to stay the full 23 hours. She said the rounds are made early in the morning and they decide then, she didn't know about my calcium levels. Im not tingling anywhere so i must be good. Unless they decide they dont like me now and rough me up during the night and create some tingling. haha. I told her I would be going home early then so I could get some sleep.

Dont worry, I wasn't as snotty as I sound here but I was clear I am very tired.

Coffee may have to wait til I get home because I will be dressed with bag in hand when you come dear. Not really, unless I leave one arm out of my shirt sleeve for the IV and drain tube but then my boob will be hanging out. Just pretend not to notice and greet me with a smile.

Now that I'm finished with my little temper tantrum, don't hurry up here because even though rounds are early, I may be the last one and discharges are never as quick as they tell you.

So much for the moodiness being taken care of- you know that's a symptom of thyroid right? But now that I don't have one, what will my excuse be? Hmmmm, 42.......peri menopause?

Love you both. Sleepy ;)

Deb

Followed by: No Worries

Found some gauze and am using it as earplugs. Got my iPod turned down politely low and am trying to drown out her noises. Covering my head with my blankets to block out the light. Hopefully they won't see the sheet over my head and wheel me own to the morgue. :). I bet it's quiet down there.

Deb

BTW- the gauze/pillow/iPod nose blocker didn't work.

JFR · Post by **JFR** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 5:07 am

Deb,

I'm glad you got through the surgery ok. I hope you are home soon so you can get some sleep. Hospitals are terrible places in which to heal.

Jean

Post by **tex** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 9:06 am

Deb,

You're a riot. Thanks for all the humor. I hope that you'll soon be able to get some sleep and you'll soon start feeling much better.

Tex

Joefnh · Post by **Joefnh** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 11:55 am

Deb you certainly haven't lost your spunk or sense of humor, I'm glad all went well hopefully you'll be home soon....hospitals are the worst place to get better.

My own story and favorite event was when every 4 hours the nurse wakes you up to take your sleeping pill....??? Apparently one night I really yelled at them for waking me up (don't remember) but after that my orders were changes to "as requested"

Hope your home soon and that you are feeling better.

Take care

Leah · Post by **Leah** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 12:35 pm

You are right, it is pretty funny.... except that it's you who is going through this.
Hopefully, you will be home soon and getting some rest.
Take Care
Leah

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 8:51 pm

I love a spunky woman! I hope you go home soon and can get back to a normal routine.

Gloria

JLH · Post by **JLH** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 9:37 pm

Oh, Deb, sorry. Having a roommate in the hospital stinks.

DH is lucky to have a private room. It looks like they all are on that floor. I'll have to be more nosey. He is going to a rehab place tomorrow and we will happily pay the extra $15 a day for a private room there. Too tired to relay the details of his first day in the hospial.

Lesley · Post by **Lesley** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 11:19 pm

Deb and Joan,
Glad both your surgeries (self and DH) are over. Now comes rest and recovery!

When I had Adam (long time ago)my doctor put me in a private room and wanted me to stay at the hospital for a few days to rest because I had been really ill.

First night after birth the nurses were having a race down the corridor. By the time that was over I was hallucinating from exhaustion. I went home the next day, handed Adam over to hubby and mom and slept 12 hours. After which I was raring to go!

and may that happen for the 2 of you!

JeanIrene · Post by **JeanIrene** » Thu Sep 12, 2013 5:53 am

Deb, you are so funny! I always thought humor can get you through anything and love people who make me laugh. Glad the surgery went well. Get plenty of rest and treat yourself extra special.

Jean

ldubois7 · Post by **ldubois7** » Thu Sep 12, 2013 5:57 am

Deb,

When I had my hysterectomy a few years ago, I took ear plugs, and requested a private room. I didn't get a private room and the ear plugs didn't work well. I, too, had a room mate on the window side whose family came in and out all day, then they left her TV on (LOUD) when they left....to comfort her!

I had the nurse call my doctor at home and release me at 8 pm the night before I was supposed to be released, because I pitched a fit! It was a terrible experience when I should have been sleeping/resting and recovering.

People can just be rude!

I hope each day brings strength and healing!

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Thu Sep 12, 2013 8:34 pm

Joan,

I hope all is well with DH and you are managing OK. It will be nicer to have a private room - you've made a good choice.

Gloria

DebE13 · Post by **DebE13** » Fri Sep 13, 2013 4:56 am

I didn't even think to ask about a private room. Not sure how that is determined or covered by insurance. If it would have been a small difference I would have gladly paid it out of pocket. It's behind me now and now I will be better prepared if I have to do it again.

hopefully not anytime soon!

Sheila · Post by **Sheila** » Sun Sep 15, 2013 5:52 pm

No Internet while I was away and I missed your hilarious rant. I read somewhere that it is actually beneficial to swear and yell when you are angry or upset. It releases some sort of endorphins. Glad you're home enjoying peace and quiet. I love your spunk and humor.

Sheila W.

Post by **tex** » Sun Sep 15, 2013 8:16 pm

Sheila,

You might have read it here:

http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=15523

"Swearing is such a common response to pain that there has to be an underlying reason why we do it," says psychologist Richard Stephens of Keele University in England, who led the study. And indeed, the findings point to one possible benefit: "I would advise people, if they hurt themselves, to swear," he adds.

The red emphasis is mine, of course. But there you have it — a doctor's recommendation.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/artic ... o-we-swear

Tex

Sheila · Post by **Sheila** » Mon Sep 16, 2013 7:12 am

Yep you're right, Tex, I probably did read it here. My repetoire is pretty extensive but only when I'm alone. If my dog could talk, I'd be in trouble. Of course, if you use those words in private, they have a sneaky way of slipping out at the most inappropriate times in public. Been there, done that.

Sheila W