My friend picked me up about 10 am, and we headed to the hospital. I was at a facility called the Mount Carmel New Albany Surgical Hospital. It is just for orthopedic surgeries, so there aren't "sick" people there. I believe that greatly reduces the chance of infection. This is really a lovely facility - it looks more like a luxury hotel than a hospital. Everyone I worked with there was great!
I checked in at the front desk and was sent to registration. I had already pre-registered, but I still had to show my driver's license, insurance card, and my Living Will and Health Care POA. Next we were taken to the surgical waiting room where I check in. In just a couple of minutes a nurse came to get me, and I was told to bring my CPAP machine with me. I was taken to a large area that sort of looked like an emergency room, with bed/areas that were curtained off. I was put in a little cubicle and told to take my clothes off, put them in a bag, and then put on a gown and little booties. Then I was to make myself comfy on the bed. A nurse came in and asked me lots of medical history questions, which I had already answered several times. She also drew blood. Then they let my friend come sit with me.
A little while later, I spoke with the head anesthesiologist and then later with a student on his team. They both explained that I would be getting a spinal as well as another anesthesia. They explained the benefits of both - that I would wake up faster, be less groggy and get more help with pain for a longer time. They had me sign a consent form for that plan.
Around noonish, my friend was asked to go back to the waiting room, and I was given my spinal, and then wheeled into the operating room. I could feel the spinal immediately. My hands could feel my body, but my body couldn't feel my hands. Then a mask was put on my face and I was gone. The next thing I knew I was waking up in recovery.
More to come - stay tuned!
:)Amy
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