Saturday, July 30, 2011

September 7, 2010 Tethered Cord Surgery SUCCESS

forgot to mention on the previous blog that the failed attempt was in July of 2010....

so I got the nerve and rescheduled the surgery for September 7, 2010.

Again, the family and I show up at the CC surgery center. Waiting room wait wasn't long AT ALL.

Took me back....I know the routine now... and I actually did do it myself because noone was waiting on me and I couldn't find a freaking nurse anywhere....my husband had to go and find me one!!!! put on my gown, took the cup, went down and pee'd in the cup.....this time....no IV....they were "too busy" nurse finally came in (NO BEDSIDE MANNERS AT ALL) and did my vitals

family wasn't in there but maybe 15-20 minutes and they took me back...cause guess what ???? I was FIRST!!!!

so, they took me out in MY hallway ( I think I deserve to call it MY hallway) LOL
and worked on my IV....and I mean work.....I have never had anyone have a hard time with IVs on me but it took 2 nurses a doctor, finally the anesthiologist got one in each arm and said he would fix them once I was asleep.... they put a lot more in once your asleep anyway and alot deeper....

they wheeled me into the surgery room to get those ivs in....I was starting to get nervous....seeing all of the people. I had already met the "team" but there were a lot more than that. just big, cold and very bright room.

I remember them quickly putting the mask on me and I was fighting (not trying to fight) the gas and then don't remember a thing....last thing I remember was them telling me to relax

next thing I remember is someone saying my name.....a male nurse in recovery...I woke up in pain. He asked if I was in pain....YES...so he put more meds in.

then awhile later, some guy came and said that 2 of my family members could come back and he would bring them back soon. He brought my mom and sister. They just stayed a minute. (I think)

I vaguely remember them wheeling me to my room....I do remember seeing my family members. I remember that some of my family members only stayed long enough to make sure I was ok and I was sad cause I needed them there. (emotionally)

The rest of my days there were HORRIBLE!! the staff was horrible. I had 2 out of 10 nurses/aides that were good. I had a transporter who took me for my ultrasound of my legs literally run me into the walls and then laugh about it as I lay crying on the stretcher/

1st Tethered Cord Surgery date FAIL!!

had to be at hospital at 9 in morning

went in for my surgery with my family in tow. My mom, dad, husband, daughters, granddaughter, sister. We all nervously awaited for them to call my name.

They finally called my name and once I was gowned up, IV in, vitals taken and don't forget some urine (can't be pregnant) they let my family come into the holding room with me.

The nurse tells us that I am just a few cases away from going back.
Well.....1 hour goes by, 2, 3, 4......

Not sure what they were talking about but they decided to take me to another area....and my family can come along...didn't realize till later that this is bad news...

the transporter does tell us that we are getting closer to the surgery area....BAHAHA

So, we sit there for another hour and then they take me back.....to the hallway...right outside the surgery suite

now....I am lying outside the surgery suite....by myself....

in the meantime, my family thinks that I am having surgery....but are confused at the same time because on the screens on the wall.....doesn't say the same

I am still laying there for what feels like hours.....once in a while, someone will walk by and say something to me...or ask a question.....I was feeling so alone and vulnerable... I really needed my mommy! :( someone even said something to me...I can't even remember what she said now but when she walked away....I started crying.

FINALLY someone comes out of the suite and says that they are waiting on staff to get finished with another surgery so they can start my surgery (AH HA) now I have an answer to WTH is going on!!

My doctor comes over as well, asks that person what is going on, hears about the staff, apologizes to me and clearly upsets, walks off

again, I lay there....

feels like hours.....I am lying by these huge windows and we are on the top floor of the hospital (I think) and the sky is beautiful....and I am praying to GOD....please let me make it through this surgery, please put your hands around Dr. Di's hands and also the staffs and guide them through this surgery.

later.....Dr. Di comes back, goes into the surgery suite.....comes out with a head nurse.

he tells me that they are closing up in the next suite but it will still be another hour, at least. He says that he thinks we should reschedule the surgery for everyones safety...mostly mine and that he is so sorry. He makes it very clear how upset he is about this situation. I am fine with it!! I just want to leave!!

so they wheel me back to that 2nd holding room......they go to get my family who must be thinking I am done!

they actually come running over thinking something is wrong! then to hear what happened....they were upset to hear that I lay over there for all that time....I was worried because they had to be in the waiting room all that time.....

This experience left the worse taste ever in my mouth for the CC! I wasn't sure that I would reschedule...that is for sure.

by the way....didn't leave hospital till 8 pm so was there 11 hours and NO surgery AGGGGGG

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

new date

Dr. Di's office called and were able to get me in for the Tethered cord surgery on July 30th.....thank goodness....not sure I can take any longer waiting!

Saturday, May 1, 2010

getting worse

I have good and bad things to talk about....will talk about the bad ones first...
like to end on good notes.

my legs and bowels symptoms are getting worse. My legs are aching, hurting, can't hold them still for long....can't even lay in one position in bed for long without them going numb. My bowels...well, they aren't cooperating the way they should either contipation or uncontrollable diarrhea EVERYDAY....
can't walk for very long anymore

so....I called Dr. Di's office and let them know and Dr. Di is going to to surgery for Tethered Cord first.....for now the surgery is in August....going to try for an earlier date but he is very busy.

I am praying that this surgery will make me better...I need to have my life back...be able to do the things I was able to do before. So hard to not fall into depression....even with great things happening around me. and of course it is also hard because so many people who are around me (at times) don't understand when I am not in the best of moods....they talk about me being moody or whatever...I try my hardest not to be that way....it is really hard.

Speaking of Great things....my daughter had my first grandbaby 3 days ago....Audrey Ella....she is absolutely adorable! She just melts my heart....

Friday, March 26, 2010

update time

was reminded today that I should update.... LOL

I kind of forgot about this blog....bad I know

I actually am kind of excited because I went to see Dr. Xiao Di at the Cleveland Clinic yesterday......he heard all my symptoms, looked at my MRIs and said that I have a "fatty filum" and thinks that I may have a tethered cord. He is going to go ahead with the Chiari surgery first because my head gives me the worst pain, and then if needed we will do the tethered cord surgery later, he and I both think that it will be needed.....so HAPPY to be listened to.... He is awesome!

in other parts of my life....my daughter is due to have a baby, my FIRST grandchild in less than a month :) YEAHHH a girl.... excited for that day!!

getting prepared for my 3 youngest daughter to graduate from high school....also preparing for my oldest to graduate from college/nursing school.
and my youngest to start high school....(I have 4 daughters :)

so....if we could get our money situation in order...things would be better LOL

Monday, November 30, 2009

change

After much thought and talking with my family, I have decided to reschedule my surgery to sometime in June. I have sooo much coming up before then that I really would like to enjoy without having to worry about recovery or any thing that could possibly go wrong. I left a message at the doctor's office today and hopefully will hear something tomorrow or at least Wednesday.

I helped my oldest study for her nursing final tonight. Wow, I am amazed at all that she keeps in her head. Not sure if it is because I can no longer keep much information in my head or what. My memory is just horrible. I would read something to her and forget it a minute later. Used to be so different for me.

She will graduate from nursing school in June of this coming year. My next to oldest is due to have my first grandbaby in April. My next to youngest is graduating from high school in May and then my youngest starts high school in the fall.

So many things - exciting things - happening. Things I don't want to miss. I can take the pain and "live" with it until after all of it is complete. I will then take care of me.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

40 more days

I have been trying to take several 10-15 minute walks a week to get my heart in better shape. Seems so weird for me to even say that. Before I was diagnosed, I was training twice a day for a figure/fitness competition. I was in very good shape and did 45 min to an hour of cardio a day. Makes me sad to think that I have got to this point....the point where I can barely make the 15 min walk, before my legs start itching so badly that I want to cry.

My walk today was great. I take my walks in our city cemetery. It is very pretty. I drive over to it and take a different route each time. Today the sky was so pretty, the weather was perfect and it was just so peaceful.

During my walk I thought about the fact that time goes so fast. I only have 40 days until my surgery. I have my list made and have been slowly checking it off as time allows. With Christmas coming and not having a job, it hasn't been easy. Thank goodness for Gary and his job!

During my walk I also had a talk with GOD. Praying to him to please let me live to see my girls live their lives. To watch them graduate, marry, have babies.

Next year is a huge year for us. We have Christmas, surgery, grandbaby coming, daughter graduating high school, daughter graduating college, daughter entering high school. I pray that I am here and this surgery makes me feel better. Makes me a stronger mom, wife, daughter, sister, and friend.