How's that for a photo???
It was a cell phone photo taken by one the gals prepping me moments before I was put under to have the the Port-A-Cath installed .
It was a cell phone photo taken by one the gals prepping me moments before I was put under to have the the Port-A-Cath installed .
So yeah, I had the Port-A-Cath installed yesterday afternoon. The surgeon told me I would not remember the process because they give me drugs that have an amnesia effect. And then he began to explain what the surgery would entail and what my experience would be. Well, that kind of threw me. If I'm not going to remember it, then why are you telling me? Then it dawned on me that I wouldn't forget the experience until after it happened and therefore it's best to know what to expect as it's happening. That conversation kind of looped my brain around itself - at least for a second or two!
Between the surgeon and his staff, I must have asked them at least 25 times to tell me I was not going to remember anything. All I kept thinking is this man is about to cut holes in me. And I have never had any kind of surgery before, so it was some what of a big deal to me, even if it was a simple out-patient process.
Following the procedure, the nurse asked if I was taking anything for pain, since she expected I may need something once all the surgery drugs wear off. I told her I was taking morphine to which she replied, "Okay. I was thinking something along the lines of Tylenol. I'm sure you'll be just fine." We both laughed. And the morphine definitely helped.
It wasn't until late in the evening that I really started to feel some pain. I took my scheduled dose of pain meds and quickly fell asleep. First thing this morning, the pain wasn't too bad and now it seems to be less and less painful as the morning progresses.
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Bert,
ReplyDeleteFor me, the port-a-cath was so minor after the bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction - I actually chatted with the anesthesiologist and my surgeon about the things I love about Ireland! My procedure went very fast, only 20 minutes, luckily the first vein she tried worked, which is NEVER true for a regular IV with me.
I know surgeries are scary, and I don't know if you ever really get used to it, anymore than I know you ever get used to chemo. But the thing to remember is that this is all very doable, and life-saving, so you can watch those little men of yours grow up and flourish under you loving care.
Hang in there!
Maria Brown
PS - if you want a giggle, look at the photo pages of my caringbridge journal, plus my welcome page features a new pic of me bald!
Dude, those drugs they give you for surgery are great. I dont remember a thing about my carpel tunnel surgeries past being wheeled into the operating room and waking up in the recover room. They tell me I was awake the whole time.
ReplyDeleteI DO remember how hard it was to wipe my butt after that surgery. Now that was painful. I just couldn't get any pressure on it. I eventually started using one of those new "Disposable" toliet brush handles so I could attend to my personal hygiene. For some reason, the Mrs. refused to give me a hand.