The Last, and A New Beginning

I've had my share of procedures, and I've never had any foreboding, even when I had emergency brain surgery. I cracked a joke while they wheeled me away, knowing full well I would emerge whole on the other side. I always wake up to the hustle and bustle of the recovery room, and then someone notices my eyes are open. They reassure me and make sure I'm comfy. Once I woke up panicky with a breathing tube because I hadn't been warned ahead of time, but it was ok.

This week, I look forward to being pain-free at last and not depend on anyone (or the fire dept) to pick me up when my leg refuses to work. Before, I fell often ("I've fallen and can't get up" literally) because of a brain tumor. Now I fall from just plain ole arthritis. With Spinal Stenosis, my spinal cord is crushed by vertebrae so spinal laminectomy and fusion surgery will solve all and I'll be out and about long before Christmas. Snow hiking? You betcha! I've tried PT and epidurals, no dice, so am I excited? Yes!!

Instead of making numerous entries, I'll update my progress in this post if I can. Tomorrow is my last day of freedom for a few weeks. I'll be hospitalized for a few days, then I'll go to rehab, since they won't release me until I can care for myself. I'll be alone most of the time when I return home.

Happy happy days ahead!

Update 9/8: check in 5:30 am. Night night. zzzzzz

Mvanslette@gmail.com 

Update 9/9: I survived! Had a painful afternoon without any meds til my blood pressure was stabilized. Tonight my daughter Carla, drove down from NY to have a girl's SLUMBER party in ICU! I also stood up and my leg is working and pain free. I was fitted with the back brace to keep everything in place while I heal. Yay me, what a day.

Update 9/11:

I'm  still in the ICU until my blood pressure has stabilized. It has been consistently low and last night it dropped to 60 over 30. I was sound asleep and woke up to a roomful of people, including a trauma doctor, and  they hooked me up to a drip to raise my blood pressure, and probably other stuff.

I wasn't worried because I was in the right place at the right time but after everyone left, I began hallucinating. One of the machines was reading a story to me.  The room turned into a research lab and looked nothing like a hospital room. I thought I was in an w abandoned building and almost called out if anyone was out there. 

After an hour, some came back and I gradually came back. I told the staff everything. I knew the experience wasn't real, but had no control over it.  

I finally went back to sleep soundly... until beakfast came, ate a little bit and drifted off into again into a deep sleep.

A therapist came in later and I did some walking, sitting and standing. She showed me how to put on shorts with some help.

I have paperwork to go to Landis Homes where Nina works for PT if there is a bed available whenever I get out of this ICU.

Despite a few setbacks I've already discovered the pressure is off my spine and my left leg is pain free and works perfectly. 

The staff here is incredibly attentive and I'm looking for great days ahead 

See you real soon.