OPERATION TIME.
The next couple of days were a haze after my operation. I remember little about them. I have a vague recollection of coming to after the op and seeing my Raven beside my bed. I was apparently on some heavy duty pain meds. But I did feel so much joy. I was OK; well I had made it through the operation at least and my baby was there. Raven told me that my doctors were pleased but also that the blood supply to my lower body had been stopped for 30-40 minutes. This is par for the course in this operation as the aorta is clamped off below the heart allowing it to be repaired further down. Obviously this can lead to complications such as nerve damage and even heart problems later on. But I was alive!
I remember that my baby had brought my Boofie with her. She had bought him for me as my good luck charm and hospital companion, but unfortunately he couldn’t stay with me during my time on the recovery ward. But I think I had few conscious moments the rest of that day. Occasional moments of wakefulness before sleep claimed me again.
BOOFIE ON DUTY.
Day two dawned in the recovery room but again I remember little of it. I know it was busy with nurses, care assistants and doctors rushing about. I felt very uncomfortable and could hardly move. I had a tube up my nose and an oxygen mask plus various different tubes sprouting from my arms and shoulder. Also I had the indignity of a catheter attached to my old chap. The nurses did try to make me a little more comfortable but it was a lost cause. I had to grimly put up with it.
IT BEEPED A LOT.
Raven arrived sometime later that Friday. Her beautiful smile and voice were just the medication I needed. I was still doped up so I remember little of our conversations but just having her there was such a pleasure. I do remember gasping for a cup of tea and I think I did get one although I’m not sure that I should have as my liquid intake was limited to just a tiny cup per hour. I was so dry. But things did start to happen later that day and I was wheeled up to a ward. The journey seemed tortuous. I felt every bump and turn but we eventually arrived at L5 ward Vascular Unit in the new part of Addenbrookes. I had my own room and shower toilet. I also had a window. I couldn’t appreciate it though as I was confined to my bed.
I do remember my baby massaging my feet as I drifted in and out of sleep. I also had a pain button beside me. I could self-dose myself with pain killers as required by just pushing it. It was used a lot. And so day 2 ended for me. I just had to recover now and that was going to start with another 10 days in Addenbrookes.
Stan M Rogers 