I think technically it was still Saturday when the surgery started. I feel like it was around 11pm or Midnight and somewhere in the zone between 3 and 5am I was in recovery. They told me I was doing good, and I checked in with my mom. I think. I know I remember talking to a nurse about mom calling, and I feel like I said “I’m texting with her now” but then it got hazy again. I ended up in a very nice room all by myself.
The hospital has one section that’s for post-surgical stuff. Each floor is for different types. The neurosurgery floor isn’t as hot a spot as the floor for the general surgery so it was quiet.
The first day of recovery was miserable. The room was too hot, I couldn’t get comfortable, every time I dozed off someone else came in to check on me. I know people complain about it, but I get it. It’s to make sure I’m not dying or reacting or anything, and you sometimes have to be woken up for it.
I had two of the best nurses in the world the next couple of days. When I got a call from the hospital after getting home I made sure I named them specifically because they were just so comforting. We talked to each other like equals, they never made me feel like I was being unreasonable, even when I felt like I was being unreasonable, and they got my jokes.
Back to the first day post-surgery. I was hot, the room was hot, the blankets were wrinkled, my gown was askew, and all the seams were in the wrong places. Between the heat and the plastic pillow I was sticky with sweat.
I did badger them a little about getting cleaned up. I was able to do that myself though! And they kept turning the heat back and back and back and eventually brought me a little battery operated fan and that fixed almost everything.
At some point I said to someone checking on me that I needed to get the catheter out. I told them I’m asexual and the contact was incredibly distressing and I was sure I’d feel better once it was out.
I felt so much better once it was out. THAT fixed everything.
Tuesday I was up and walking and peeing like a grownup and feeling much better. I got to cut my pain meds way back — I was off the painkiller pump and down to a muscle relaxer and an oxy. Physical Therapy signed off and I got a referral for outpatient PT if I feel like I need it. So far I don’t.
I got home mid afternoon on Wednesday and slept a lot, but I got to do it in my own bed, in my own clothes, with my own cat. I think the pets might get a short post of their own.
It’s Thursday afternoon. I’ve been home a little over 24 hours and it’s fantastic how much better I feel each time I fall asleep.
Tomorrow I have an appointment to have the surgical drain removed. Next week I have follow-up number one. In October, I have the second and final follow-up.