The Hospital

I had to be at the hospital by 7 AM.  This required me to rise at 5:50.  Sad to say that Mick, once again, woke up at 4:30 AM.  Maybe he is getting ready for my return to school.  I fed Mick and LU and then headed upstairs for a shower.  I was just finishing the drying process when I heard Mick start to bark.  I suspected it was Becky, who was ready to take me to the hospital.  It was now 6:30 AM.  Traffic going into town was really heavy so I was glad that we left early.  Arriving at LGH - we parked at the Lime Street B Lot.  Earl, a band parent from by gone days was the greeter and parking attendant.  Earl is really a great guy.  I had his daughter Val in my film class and low and behold - she is making short movies and getting them shown at film festivals.   In fact several won awards,  Ugh and to think it started in my course, makes me so happy and proud.  Earl was busy so I found my way into the hospital.  As I was leaving, Becky told me that if I needed someone to pick me up, to call her.

The woman that checked me in was delightful despite being coffee less.  We both joked about our respective needs for college in the morning.  After a very brief time, She walked another couple back to the pre-op center along with me.  I cannot begin to tell you how nice the people are at LGH.  I recognized several of the nurses from my previous visits.  The one male nurse went to the Syracuse / Duke basketball game last season.   This is when Duke was beaten by Syracuse in a wild game.  He told me a little about the experience while he was prepping me. I was taken downstairs for an ultra sound of my legs to make sure there were no clots in my legs.  I am sure glad I wore nice under wear today because I was flashing a whole heck of a lot of people.  There was also a chance that they would have to go up through the groin if the filter was stuck.  My legs were cleaned and it was time to go upstairs to get ready for procedure.

I was stuck, prodded, and questioned before the surgery.  The doctor who was performing the procedure was fairly humorous as he explained what he planned to do and what he hoped would not happen!  Another Male nurse wheeled me down to the OR, which was freezing cold.  The nurses all introduced themselves and the other doctor who was assisting also introduced himself.  We were all laughing and joking quite a bit.  Once they moved me on to the other bed and hooked me up to the oxygen, the world slowly began to spin.  Conversations were fading in and out.  They were asking me to do things, and I was, but I felt like I was watching from above.  I never felt when he put the needle and catheter in my neck.  I did come back around to hear that the hook of the filter was in the perfect position.  Unfortunately, the filter had hooked itself in and they had trouble getting it out.   I know that I was talking to everyone and joking about being stuck, but there are other things I just don't remember.  I do recall being wheeled back to my room and then fading in and out.  The doctor came in to tell me what to do.  Thankfully it was written down because I could not remember a word he said!  My nurse Steve - who called me John, brought me some apple juice and pretzels.  As it had been quite a while since I had last eaten.

It was not too long after that they determined I was well enough to go home.  I had arranged for my brother Kris to pick-me-up.  Unfortunately, I did not bother to take my cell phone, nor did I bother to write down his number.  The anesthesia short circuited my brain, and I could not recall his number at all.  They were ready to discharge me, and I had no place to actually go.  Steve, my nurse gave me a boxed lunch and some water so I could eat out in the lobby while waiting for someone to pick me up.  The women at the check in desk were very helpful in trying to help me get home.  I called Becky and left a message.  Then I called back and told her co-worker what had happened to me so Becky would know that I needed a ride home after all.  It was either that or be stuck at the hospital until someone figured out I was missing.

I finished my lunch and had just thrown away the box, when Becky came walking into the waiting area.  I was so glad to see her I nearly teared up!  She got me home and of course Mick wanted to go out immediately.  Becky tried to take Mick for a walk.  Apparently he was not interested in going for a walk with his Aunt Becky.  Mick  was so happy to see me he would not stop jumping on me.  However once he was fed, he calmed down and relaxed.

At this point I am really tired and kind of still out of it.  My neck hurts quite a bit as well.  It will be interesting to see how I am feeling tomorrow.