We arrived at the surgery center at 6am and they took him into pre-op at 630 - surgery at 730am. I was a nervous wreck! I had a book to occupy most of my time and could hear the doctors being called into surgery over the PA system - so generally, I knew where Brandon was. Where it got tricky was when I knew he should be out of surgery any minute - other family members were getting regular updates about their loved ones but since we aren't married, I couldn't get them. They could tell me, "he's in surgery" or "he'll be in recovery soon" but come on! I was allowed into recovery with him. While there, I started asking questions, the easy ones: was the surgery successful? does he have stitches or staples? when will the doctor come speak to us?? I was told, "I don't know" and "the doctor doesn't see his patients after his surgeries." Seriously! He schedules back to back surgeries and doesn't speak to patients until his back in the office - one word: RUDE. But rude doctor, no bedside manner = highly reccommend surgeon. Go figure.
I got Brandon home around 1030am and had my neighbors Sean and Don on stand-by to help get him up the stairs and into the apartment. He was in so much pain and the vicodin was just really kicking in. We got him settled on the couch and I starting working on his #1 request: COFFEE! It's all he could talk about since coming out of the anetesia. By the time I had his first cup ready, he was asleep. Poor baby :(
He woke up an hour later and needed to use the bathroom. I very slowly and patiently helped him to the bathroom and was SO worried - I have never, ever seen someone turn so many shades of GREEN! He became extremely nauseous from walking, the vicodin, and the anestia. I thought, "OH HEAVENS! He's 6'-1" and I'm 5'-1" and weighs much more than me - this is gonna be bad!!!! He can not throw up after having that surgery!!!!" Luckily, all was fine and after some deep breaths and resting, we headed back to the couch. He lived on the couch for the next three days with a 1/2 gallon milk jug by his side - it is TRUE LOVE to dump someone's pee! :)
After 24hrs we were able to remove the bandage. Let me preface this by saying at the consulation, the doctor told us he would perform the surgery laproscopically - three small holes and a few stitches. When we got the bandage off, he had a 3 inch incision and 9 staples!!!! I wanted to bust into tears!!!
And again, no one could answer my questions in recovery....
Here is a picture a few days after the surgery:
The next few days were exhausting and I was probably more tired from worry! I think I watched him more when he was asleep just so I'd know he was okay! Geez louise....
Getting up and off the couch was a definite problem so I called my favorite nurse, Nurse Pat! (Amber's mom) She told me to give him motrin along with the vicodin and it would help with the inflammation. Boy did it work! Not overnight, but he became much more mobile over the next few days - but only to the bathroom and back to the couch!
If you know Brandon at all, he LOVES to be outside and hang out at the pool! Here's how he stayed up on all the action over the weekend:
It's been a week since the surgery - his staples were removed on Monday and that will be the last visit to the doctor - kind of baffling isn't it? Consult, surgery, check-in, done! He even went back to work this week and is doing very well remembering the most important point: NO LIFTING of ANYTHING!! And I remind him every day :)
Feel Better!
And I was able to do one speed painting in between nurse duties!
Really, while he was sleeping....
High Falls State Park, GA
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