My surgery was scheduled for 7:30 in the morning. They wanted me to arrive there for 5:30. Anyone who knows me well, knows I am not a morning person! I awoke at 4am, took a quick shower and got dressed. It was still a bit dark out when we arrived at the hospital. We checked in and then sat in the waiting room. I filled out another form and very soon after, they whisked me away.
I must say, I felt all the prayers carrying me, just like I did prior to my brain surgery. It was incredible. I actually felt like I had taken a tranquilizer. I felt such peace. I got into the fashionable Johnny and then Michael was called in. We were left alone for about 10 minutes and then an orderly came to wheel me away. I kissed my husband and off I went. I was lying flat on my back so all I could see where the overhead fluorescent lights rolling by. When I got to my destination, I was greeted by the Nurse Anesthetist. He was a middle aged man with a white beard and a double hoop earring. He had the kindest face. I asked him a gazillion questions and gave him a few requests. He was so patient and reassuring. He promised me that he would do everything that I asked him to do and that he would take good care of me for the next six hours or so. He made me feel so comfortable. There is a down fall to being a nurse. You know every possible thing that could go wrong! I was then wheeled right into the operating room. This was a first for me. In the past, I was always prepped and sedated in a pre-op room. I was lying flat on my back and could not really see who was in the small closet like surgical suite. I called out "who is my Anesthesiologist"? He quickly walked over and introduced himself. I told him that I would like to meet all the people who would be working on me. So one by one, he introduced me to all the attendees. I think it's important for people to see you as a person, not just a patient. The nurse took my arm and started the IV. We were laughing and joking around. The sedative was then given. I looked up to the Anesthesiologist who was telling me a story and said "you better finish your sentence now because I'm leaving yoooooooooooooooou". I could feel myself being pulled into Never Never Land......
