23 January 2016

Post-surgery (out of chronological order)

So, now two days past the surgery. Enough drugs cleared out of my brain to begin to communicate.
Vignettes of memory-being wheeled into the operating room. Four or five nurses all turn to me. They are all dressed in identical  turquoise scrubs, with caps and face masks on. Cheerful greetings from all, and introductions to all. Mental giggle about introductions being no use, as I  can't tell them apart.
Another vignette-I am in another room, with people bustling around, and I am ALL DONE. I babble incessantly, and the person attending me seems to find it all pleasant and enjoyable. What good manners! I am sure that I said nothing sensible!
I spent ALL DAY trying to rehydrate. Total cottonmouth. Backs of sinuses were even dry. Hot beef broth and Graham crackers for my first snack/meal. 
And yes, they do get you onto your feet the very same day as surgery. The first day, I got to stand to get to the commode. Day two, I was escorted part way down the hall, and was allowed to walk (escorted), to the toilet. Day three, I got to walked down the hall twice, and walked to the shower. I even had a shower! Washing all the sweat out of my hair was such a relief. Ahh, simple pleasures.
Late last evening, I am sitting on the toilet, all bare, to urinate, hope for a bowel movement, get a sponge bath, and allow the nurse to change my sheets. Along come several more nurses needing to do things to me, and I invite them all in. They blink once or twice at my state of undress, and I tell them that modesty is over-rated, at least in a medical setting. We proceed to chat up a storm, giggle immensely, and accomplish all that is needed with great cheer.

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