My Surgery

Well, as most of you know, we (Vern and Lana and myself) went to Denver last Tuesday for my surgery.


We got there around 5, rush hour traffic!  We went to my brother's house in Greeley, rather than spending over $100/night for a motel.  He live a long way north, but we could spend lots of money for gas!


On Wednesday morning, we were at the hospital (Littleton Adventist) by 6AM.  We were early, but that was okay.


I was taken to the pre-op around 7 AM, got dressed in the beautiful hospital gown, IV's started, questions answered, met with the PA (Karen), the anesthesiologist, and finally my surgeon (J. Adair Prall, MD).


My surgery was scheduled for 9 AM, but we were a little late.  By this time I'd had my first dose of 'sleepy juice' and I wasn't aware of anything for a number of hours.  Lana and Vern were kept notified of what was happening.


It took over an hour for the hole to be drilled in my skull, and then another 3 hours for the cyst to be removed.  Dr. Prall told them that he had to cauterize a vein over (or under?) the artery, but felt that he'd gotten it all, and that I'd be in the 80% of those that have a good turnout.  My face doesn't hurt anymore!


I was catherized, intubated, and operated on!


I went to the recovery room, and was there for over 2 hours.  The first thing I remember is being in the ICU, with the nurses telling me to drink some water, got me a 'vomit' bucket, but I didn't need it, covered me with those wonderful warm sheets, because I was freezing.  I turned over in bed, turned back, ate some ice chips, and I think said 'Good bye' to Lana and Vern.  They'd been at the hospital for 12 hours, too.


Throughout the night I got more alert, drank more, moved and coughed.  I had lots of pain, so I got my share of the morphine that night.


In the morning, I got some breakfast, and that was good.  It had been over 40 hours since I'd eaten anything.  I kind of remember the nurse practioner coming by, but none of the doctors.  (They are busy, you know!)  The PA for the anesthesia doctor also came by.


I was seen by physical therapy, the medical review girl, (she had the privilege of talking to Vic.  She liked him, I think.   I do!  They went over my plan of care for when I would get home.


At 10:30 PM, I was transferred to the surgery floor. I had been drinking lots of water, peeing, walking, and eating, so it was time to give up my room for another sick person.  I had my vitals taken again (all normal), covered up, and slept like a well person.


I was able to get up and shower, walk the hall, eat breakfast, and speak to some other personnel, and was released around 11AM.  We made it home about 5 PM, and went to bed around 7:30.  It was so good to sleep in my own bed.


I am feeling pretty good.  I have a dull headache, but the incision looks clean and is not draining.  I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, so I have to change my diet, and go on an insulin medication.  I think I can handle it.


Thank you to all of you who prayed.  How I appreciated it.  Thanks for my daughter, Carole, who kept everyone updated.


I am on the road to recovery.  There is no more pain in my face, I have my hearing in my left ear, which is a good thing.  My scalp still feels numb, but I'm sure it will recover too.  I made the 80% of a successful surgery, at least in my eyes.  Guess we'll see what the DR says when I go back for a recheck.  That will probably be in 4 weeks.  I see Vic on Monday.