What a Breeze!!!!!!!!!

Never thought I would be saying, "What a breeze!" and blogging only a few hours after leaving the hospital. As you can see above, my new rockstar hairdo and smile just out of the recovery room. Feeling so incredibly grateful!

So this what outpatient feels like!! I don't know if it was the doctor (he was very awesome!) with this way of doing surgery or the anesthesiologist working hard for me to not be nauseous this time around, but I seriously feel 500 times better than my first time! I also need to applaud Mayo Clinic! Seriously the best staff ever! They gave me the best attention and care as well as communicated well with my parents, which makes this process so much easier. I had to repeat my name, birthdate and what procedure I was having done, probably 25 times, just to make sure they got the right person and procedure! I guess some people complain about this, but not me it gave me peace and ease of mind.

***The next part is a little long, but about the day of the surgery for those of you who may be considering one in the future or interested...

The day started with arriving at St. Mary's Hospital at 8:30 a.m. I was checked in, then was wheeled down to my room. I changed into my gown and started to get cozy because I thought I would be sitting three until 1:00 p.m., simliar to last time. I asked my Dad what time he thought and he guessed 10:00 a.m. I was not this optimistic.

A few minutes later the first nurse (I wish I could remember all of their names, they were so good to me) walked in to put in the IV, then for a few minutes I got a few pep talks from my Mom and some jokes from my Dad to calm the nerves. The nurse returned to start doing the vitals and asked a few simple questions. I asked if she had any idea of when the surgery was and she was not sure, then all of the sudden she got a page and she said, "They would like you to go in now, so we should go quick." I kind of panicked, we were supposed to go at 1:00 p.m.! I got up to the use the restroom quick then another nurse came in with the gurney. She was real spunky, I think she has to be if she is the "gurney pusher".

At 9:50, I was on my way. I gave my parents hugs (my Dad hugged me hard and I wasn't sure if he was going to let me go) and kisses. I said "we've been through this before", then I saw the tears in my dad's eyes. This always kills me. I couldn't say anything after that without possibly losing it. The spunky nurse worked on getting me situated on the gurney in the hallway, then when I rolled passed the room, I gave the "I love you" sign to my parents and blew kisses, then cried for a few minutes until I got to the Prep Room. The spunky nurse pulled some tricks and I was able to control the water works. I was just a little excited and nervous!

Said goodbye to Ms. Spunky, then got another very kind nurse. She talked to me about the process coming up, checked my blood pressure, oxygen, let me go to the bathroom again, figured out how to put my cochlear implant on for the recovery room, showed me how to use the TV, all the important stuff. My anesthesiologist came in and was already aware of my severe nausea from my previous surgery. He said he wanted to be sure I did not have the same experience again. First, he recommended a patch behind my right ear called Scopolamine Patch which helps with nausea after surgeries, then he said he would add three different nausea medications along with a different anesthestic to use during surgery. I thought this was a bit much, but I was not going to complain one bit! If all goes well, I have a lot of crackers and 7Up stocked at my parents house to last a lifetime.

Next, Dr. Beatty's resident stopped by, she was very bubbly and friendly. She answered whatever questions I had and initialed my left ear with the letters, C.B. for my doctor's initials, so he knows which ear to implant :), I like this system. She reassured me that they do many checks on identifying which ear prior to surgery. Next, I talked with her about the bandage and being able to put on my right speech processor to hear when I was out of surgery. She said she can make it happen, so that's good!

Now I am all set and another nurse showed up to roll me out of the room to the operating room. There were three more people in there, all very jolly and cheerful working in their own areas, introducing themselves. I felt like I was at Disney World where all the staff are extremely happy! It was kind of interesting, five years ago, I really struggled hearing anyone because of the masks on their faces. I did okay today even with the loud fan noise with my first implant.

Then, I was moved to the skinny operating table, not as comfortable as the gurney, but this is not about comfort. The anesthesiologist started putting monitors on my body, on the sides and upper chest. I am a little ticklish, so it was nice to giggle. Then all sudden at my side was Dr. Beatty! Full of smiles and gentle eyes. He patted my shoulder and asked how I was doing. Five years ago, I was in the operating room with two people who were not my doctors as they put me under. This time, it seemed like I was having a party! This is definitely the way to go!

I was getting a little nervous and asked my doctor about his earlier surgery with the 11-year-old boy. He said it went well. He had operated on him before and was putting a skin graft on a hole in his eardrum, so I am guessing my surgery was a little bit more exciting. Then, I asked, "who is the barber in this group?" Dr. Beatty smiled and said it was him and that he gives good haircuts, haha. They even washed my hair after the surgery was done! Last time, it was hard and crusty when I woke up.

What happened next was interesting...they inserted drugs in the IV and I could tell right away that all of the background noise went away (fan, etc.) and I could only hear their voices. I guess it was something to relax the nerve and prevent tinnitus after surgery. I was nervous that they were putting me under already and I asked, "will you tell me when you put me under?" They all laughed and said "of course!". I said "Don't you want to take out my hearing aids beforehand?" Dr. Beatty and other staff said, we want you to hear us when you go through that process. After that felt like I was in yoga... they told me to think happy thoughts and you will have happy dreams.

The time has come, Dr. Beatty held my hand, I was saying my prayers, then they put on the oxygen mask while they injected the anesthetic. Dr. Beatty said, "I will take care of you" with a smile and a few other staff kept saying to me, you are in good hands, we will keep you safe, etc. This was the best way to go under and be confident that they will do a good job.

I woke up by hearing, "Kristine". I was in the operating room with my old implant on and the first thing I noticed was that I did NOT feel NAUSEOUS!!!!!!!!!!! Hallelujah!!!!! Sooooooo happy! I slowly opened my eyes and felt very tired, but was coming through.  After a little bit, they wheeled me into the recovery room and I stayed there for less than an hour. I was feeling great, no pain, no nausea, but REALLY had to go to the bathroom!

They wheeled me to back to my room around 4:30, I guess the surgery took three hours. My dad was able to watch my code on a display screen for updates of which stage I was while I was gone. He said he felt like walked about 20 miles in the halls during the whole surgery. I walked to my bed with help, I was a little wobbly and slight dizzy, but not bad at all. Then finally was able to get to the bathroom!

After a few minutes of talking with my parents, the nurse came in to explain all of my restrictions and how to clean the wound, etc. She was very thorough. Then, she wanted me to the walk test. I had to walk about 20 feet then turn around. I did pretty good, just needed to walk very slow and have help. This meant I was ready to be discharged!!! I got the IV out, then another person picked me up in a wheelchair to head to the pharmacy. Got my medication, which is antibotics, 4 times a day for 10 days (Cephalexin 500 MG) and they gave me Vicodin. I don't like Vicodin, this makes me very nauseous and sleepy. I wanted to see if I could avoid taking it and going straight to the Tylenol Extra Strength (500 mg).

Yay! I was leaving the hospital and not staying overnight! Got into the hotel with only a few funny looks of my fancy bandage, then we ordered pizza and I was able to eat it with no problem! Pizza is my favorite, so it's never a problem to eat it even after I get my head cut open! Also, I was able to skip the Vicodin and have a Tylenol instead! Life is good!

Whew, that was my day and it is almost 10:00. I plan to go to bed soon, obviously sleeping on my right side. Right now, I just have a dull pain like when you press on a bruise. I plan to take another Tylenol before going to bed and will probably get up in four to take more. I can have eight of them within 24 hours (4000 mg).

Thanks for reading. I am so glad all of this went so well since I have seriously dreaded it for years. If you read about my first surgery you will understand. I was terribly sick in the recovery room, had to stay overnight, then was extremely nauseous for four solid days and could not eat / drink anything except crackers and 7Up. So this is a huge improvement and I truly felt confident in my doctor, that was the most important.

Thanks family and friends, especially my parents for all of your support through my journey. Thanks for all of the well wishes, prayers and support today, it helped!  I feel so blessed and fortunate to have such wonderful people in my life. Much love to you all,

Kristine, Krissy, KC