Surgery & Recovery

Hello friends and fam! I made it home from the hospital!

I was discharged after six days-- the main factor was my drains. I was still draining a lot even though I was doing well walking and moving. 

The hospital stay was mostly good--well, as good as hospital stays can be. The nursing staff were amazing, as were the food service, cleaning folks, and the doctors. I was not pestered with residents because I was able to kick them out in favor of a more experienced surgeon. (If I have learned anything in this long process, it is ask for what you want!) 

There was one major exception to the amazing care, and I have left feedback to many folks at NYP-Westchester about this subpar nurse. She set up my drain incorrectly several times, then ignored my discomfort about the IVs in my left arm (when I mentioned discomfort to my new amazing nurse she looked at it and said "I don't think it is in!" then immediately tested it and removed it.) Subpar nurse also challenged me when I said "I think we have to prime this new inhaler. How many times should I do that?" Subpar nurse kept saying "It is new. It is fine. Just use it." and then I got out the instructions and read that you need to prime it. (duh.) It was also my birthday and she was not matching the energy. Everyone else was so sweet and she could not have cared less. BOOOOOO.

As for the surgeries, they went pretty well. The embolization worked really well and I did not bleed much at all in the spine surgery! They did end up doing a lot more than expected. They removed more bone and placed two cages and five pins-- which is almost twice as much as was initially described to me. 

While I was in surgery, they routinely check nerves. When they do this, every muscle in my body clenches, including my jaw. Unfortunately the bite block on the right side was not placed correctly and I basically bit the heck out of my tongue for hours. It looks like I have a massive blister on my tongue. It is pretty sore, I can't really taste anything there. I am hoping it heals quickly. I also have two huge sore lumps on the side of my head from the testing. I don't know why-- but they are there!

While in the hospital, I was able to walk with a walker and then a cane. I demonstrated that I can (very slowly) do stairs. I am mastering the reacher-grabber-- but mostly just ask Chris to get me everything that I need. I do need help dressing myself and other ADLs, but if I have super stretchy, extra larger clothes, I can definitely do it myself-- I just prefer to look a little bit cuter. 

I continue to be super groggy from the pain meds. It is super hard to focus on anything-- even Pokemon go! I am looking for good recommendations for things to watch/listen to while I am half- awake. I love a good light audiobook or show-- especially one that won't be a problem if I miss chunks. I am also open to music/playlists because the Hackley construction is loud and annoying all day long and I use noise cancelling headphones for most of the day. If you have a recommendation, feel free to enter it/them here.

Chris is here with me all week, but he will return to Hackley next week. I need to stay in Tarrytown for another week to be close to my doctors. If you are interested in hanging out with me during the day and helping me function, LMK! Chris will only be 5 minutes away, but I also don't want him thinking about me while he should be focusing on work. After memorial day, I will move up to Rock Hill. BeLanie & fam will move in with me upstate! I can't wait to have Max pretend to be my doctor and Robin snuggles. I have a feeling I will also get sourdough bread and dad jokes. 

I am pretty happy because I think I will still be able to do Camp Kenny. It will be a mostly indoor camp with a LOT of scrabble (Kenny got me a scrabble dictionary for my birthday!). I am pretty sure Kenny will love this camp. He is a bit of an indoor kitty. 

Speaking of kitties-- Tassie is on vacation with Auntie Kristen and Uncle Mat for a week or so. We did not do a great job teaching him how to pounce gently... or ask for cuddles before leaping from the ground to your shoulder... or climbing up your back. So, I need to get a little better before we hang out again. 

All in all, i am doing pretty well. I am in quite a bit of pain, but I can handle it. I know it will get better... it all just takes time! XOXO