Knowing that, now you have some understanding of why I was so anxious about this kidney stone experience. This was an optional surgery instead of emergency, but necessary because the stone had started causing infections.
I arrived at noon, surgery being scheduled for 12:45. I arrived in the OR well after 2:00 pm. They had trouble getting an IV in because of being dehydrated due to the pre-surgery fast - nothing unusual, right? Ha! I wish. (More on that in a moment.) Surgery went well and I was awake before I left the OR. Recovery was uneventful except one of the failed IV sites was bleeding more than it really should be. We seemed to get it under control and I arrived at my room for a 23 hour observation period (usually it's a same day procedure, but I requested the overnight just to be safe and it turned out to be a wise choice.) My dear classmate Denise and my beloved PCA Mary Kay were there waiting for me. (Having them there meant the world to me.)
Later that evening the old IV site began to bleed quite profusely - uncommon. For 2 1/2 hours I experienced bone crushing pressure while they: tried ice; tried to find a physician for advice; considered sending me to the ER since they couldn't find a doctor to come; finally they called the Rapid Response Team. Just as they got a hold of a physician to come in to suture it (remember, we're 2 1/2 hours into this - sure glad it wasn't more serious than a torn vein [she types sarcastically]), it stopped on its own. Sure glad I insisted on staying overnight.
I never seem to be able to do it by the book - maybe one of these days. At least I was wise enough to know I should stay for a while. I was not impressed with the lack of availability of physicians that night, especially since it was the med./surg. floor. To be quite frank, all but one of the nurses I had, really didn't know what to do. Finally the one holding the pressure on (and whose hand was quickly starting to cramp) called her supervisor with her free hand and her supervisor was the one who told them to call the RRT. Well it worked, I think it scared the vein into clotting!
I still have to get the stent removed on Thursday but only have to go to Glencoe (nearby town) and then antibiotics for another week or so.
I made it through another one, thanks to all the love, support, prayers, healing energies, faith, and humor. You all have been such blessing to me. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
