ANA Discussion Forum
Archive => Archives => Topic started by: msuscottie on August 30, 2005, 10:18:16 am
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Just curious, how quickly did everyone wake up after your surgery? What was your first thought? The first thing you saw?
Just curious because after my first surgery I was out for almost 3 days because of complications and I don't really remember the instant that I woke up. I'm heading inti stage 2 surgery within the next year or so, and just wanted to get an idea on what to expect.
Thanks!
Scott
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3.5cm AN Partially Removed
10/7/04 Providence Hospital, Southfield, MI
Dr. Pieper & Dr. LaRouere
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Oh I remember. I woke up and thought, "These damn doctors haven't even started the surgery. I will have to go thru all these doctors poking me again with needles." And then I realized that they had finished and I had a huge bandage around my head. Then I got dizzy and threw up water everywhere. I hated waking up, really. Then I passed out again, and found myself in intensive care with some nurse trying to lay my head down on the insition (sp) and trying to brush my teeth. I was in surgery for 12 hours, and I guess I had dry mouth, and the nurse saying, I would like my teeth brushed. What was really funny, was while I was in intensive care for 3 days, I had the temp in the room at the very lowest it would go, about 55 degrees. And me laying there with just a light blanket on me. Why??? And the nurses were always so cold when they came in to see me. I even asked if they could turn down the temp for me, and they said that was the lowest it went. Funny.
What do you mean that you are heading into stage 2 surgery. What else are you having done?!
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Well, In my first surgery the could only remove about 70% of the tumor, so I have to do it all again so they can get the rest, because, it will eventually grow again and being that I haven't turned 30 yet, I still have some life in front of me ...
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Time sure flew for me, but not for my family; I was in for 12 hours. When I awoke, it seemed as though it had just started. My husband was holding my hand, telling me it was over and they had gotten all of the tumor. My kids were all there; each hugged me as best they could with all the stuff on and around and hooked to me. They say I smiled at them. I don't really remember the trip to my ICU room. Didn't sleep much that night; bits and pieces. Nurses frequently checking on me, asking me questions. Electric massagers on my legs, med students peering at me. Nauseated the next day; up and around the next.
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heyyouconnie-My husband tells me that I had the hospital room freezing cold as well. I wanted it colder too. He said it was really hot outside and yet he had to bundle up to come see me. It must be a reaction to all those drugs that made us so warm.
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Pembo, yep, must be those drugs! ...and I had a fear of overheating and getting a headache from it (I do that in the best of situations). Sounds funny, a headache over being overheated, when I had just had surgery on my head. He had to bundle up? hahaha and the nurses too, I bet. Mine would come in a rub their hands together to warm them up before touching me.
msuscottie, oh man, only got 70% of it. Damn! yes, you need to go in again, thinking about your age, but you are a brave person to face all that again. We do what we have to do, don't we. My sister got a knee replaced, and dreaded having to go in and do the second one. She waited almost 2 years to do it. I have to get my knees replaced too, but I just keep putting it off, hoping they will come up with a easier process. My dear, good luck on the second surgery and be brave. God only gives us what we can handle, and I always say, He must think I am made of steel. You too.
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Just curious, how quickly did everyone wake up after your surgery? What was your first thought? The first thing you saw?
I woke up in ICU. I think it was near 8:30 pm. My surgery began at 6:30 am. My family told me surgery was 9.5 hours long. The first thing I remember seeing was all the monitors and all the things I was attached too...very frightening.
My very first thing to say, believe it or not, even at 49 years old, was "momma". I vaguely remember calling out for her a few times before she heard me and let me know she was with me. I couldnt focus very well and didnt really want to open my eyes much. I did see my mom, my sister, and my two daughters. They told me all information the doctors had given them...that the tumor was actually growing on my facial nerve, that my acoustic nerve was undamaged, that the nerve monitors showed some remaining movement in my face but that I probably would have permanent paralysis.
The strangest thing I recall was laying very still and feeling my hearing fade away, feeling my face grow weaker by the minute. I was thinking "I wonder how many more times will I be able to smile?"
My head hurt really bad and like many others here, I had terrible nausea each time I was given intravenous medications. Most of my pain meds were given by injection in the tops of my legs.(My doctors said it was a good way to monitor my pain response and that the meds would be more effective adminstered in that way.....OUCH!!!)
I have nothing but praise for the nursing staff during my 3 days in ICU and my 4 days in intermediate care. They were wonderful to me. Each morning during the entire stay I would be checked over by 6 to 7 doctors with what I felt to be "no stone unturned". Every possible problem was checked out. After reading some of the posts here I feel so grateful for my care and sooooooooo angry at the lack of care others have recieved. Post-surgery is a very scary time. How sad that many are left alone during that time.
Scottie I wish the very best for you and really admire your courage. Please keep us all posted. My thoughts are with you.
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:) Oh.......My room was freezing too ;) but I still thought it was too hot!! :-\
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Remember my husband coming in for about 2 seconds that evening. On second day I remember nurse brushing my teeth and making me turn on my side. I wanted her to leave me alone. Second evening woke up and and threw up. Third day I was awake and felt alot better.
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I remember waking up with that stupid intubator in my throat and strapped down in retraints. Which of course made me freak, gag and puke. I apparently didn't wake up right away so they left the tube in for precautions and they strap your hands down so you don't grab it out. Good thing they did cause I sure as heck tried!
I remember just being happy I woke up! Next thing was tumor completely gone then the nurse yelling don't move don't move you're going to stroke out as my blood pressure went crazy.
I kept complaining it's hot..everyone else's teeth were chattering. Laughing a lot too. Major happy swing :o)
Funniest thing was I had saved a banana from my breakfast tray because I was always so hungry. Well, decided I wanted that banana and couldn't find it and remember loudly telling my mom that the stupid nurse ate it. I was so irate..heck I was on a decadron starve! When they finally moved me to a regular room (was in ICU for 5 days) they found that banana in a pan rotted LOL My Mom kept asking me if I still wanted that dern banana ....OOPS :-[
Scott best of luck to you. I know it's got to be mentally hard to go back in for round 2!
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I became aware of things in the evening of the next day, my surgery was 15-16 hours long. When I woke up my father and sister were there calling my name. I tried to talk and then realised I was on a respirator. I have very little memory of "awakeness" in NICU but when I was awake I was fully aware of everything going on around me and able to communicate with people by gestures. That was the first AN surgery.
Then second AN surgery was much shorter and I woke up in NICU again with my family there and no respirator. I was able to talk but quickly keep falling asleep. I was kept pretty well medicated. I was given less medication the day after and was up outta bed the day after that and on the move.
I remember each time one of my first thought was "I lived!", the first time around with being on a respirator, one of the next thoughts was "$%@&, what now?"
Kathleen
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I woke up and I was already in the ICU. My first word when I woke up was, "Water" "I want some water, I'm thirsty." I remember the nurse calling my name and asking me to open my eyes and saw this annoying very bright flashlight right to my eyeballs =). She told me that the doctor was able to removed the whole tumor. She gave me a couple of ice chips then I started throwing-up. The next two days in the ICU were nothing but tortured. Looking back, I'm kinda proud of myself. I guess I under estimated myself. 3 weeks in the hospital seems like 3 years. My husband and I spent our Thanksgiving there. Good thing that St. Vincent's cafeteria foods are good!!! Pretty Cheap, too!
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The first thing I saw when I woke up was my glamourous cousin hovering over me with a concerned look on her face and saying,"do you know where you are?" "No" sez I. "Who the hell are you?" The whole room cracked up.
Captain Deb 8)
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I woke up 4 weeks latter. I went in a comma, so I don't know of any pain. ;D
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Hey B.P.........
I woke up the same way, after 13.5 hours in surgery in the ICU with that damned feeding tude down my gullet and my arms in restraints. Couldn't utter a word because of it even though I was in pain and needed drugs. The next day they must have freed my arms from the restraints because the first thing I did was pull that feeding tube out on my own. The nurse walked in and freaked, "You're not supposed to do that!" I had to. I couldn't breath properly with it in there. It was like that scene in "The Matrix" when Neo wakes up in that pod and pulls that tube out of his gullet. What a trip!!! I paid for that one though. They didn't feed me for four days until I could prove that I could swallow food. I survived for four days on the I.V.
Paul
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Oh funny Paul...I remember asking for food and them saying I needed a swallow test....
To which I grabbed some jello I had convinced my mom to bring me, ate a bite in front of the doctor and said.."there did I pass" I didn't know that wasn't exactly the type of swallow test they had in mind LOL worked for me though ;)
My eyes were moving so rapidly after I woke up and was trying to tell them because I couldn't see anyone but had that darn tube. They took it out so I could tell them and because I kept throwing up from the tube ;D That's one way to make them take it out ;D
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I had to wait until they administered a "gag reflex test" four days later. They brought this machine in my room with a fiber optic cable. The cable was fed in to my nostril and run down the back of my sinus cavity into my throat where they had me make some vocalizations. The response was seen on a monitor. I passed the test and was then given soft food.
I had been given the same test the first time I visited the ENT surgeon before my operation.
Paul
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Wow Cakes!!!!
That's incredible.......What you've been through.......
Paul
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Paul, I hated that feeding tube too. It never hurt but it was a weird thing in the way all the time. After I woke up I had it with me for 4 more weeks, and I was eating just fine. I would beg to get this thing out! One day 2 doctorss came in the room and a few nurses and said they were going to pull it out. They had these shields over there faces and they we're all around my bed and said "I will pull up and it will pop. You will feel alot of pain at first, then after 1 or 2 min. it will go num and you will feel nothing. Thats exactly what happened, but it was more scary seeing all these people around me with these sheilds on. That reminds me, in one of the other threads I talked about never having pain, I guess thats an exception. The shields were for the "splatter" of blood when they pop the tube out. {sorry for being gross} :)
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I didn't have an nasogastic feeding tube, I survived on IV for quiet a number of days and I didn't have any swallowing test either, I was given a drink and I drank it but I suspect the day they tried to extubate me and it didn't work when they re-intubated me they likely got an idea the gag reflex was there.
Kathleen
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I woke up briefly in post-op and I remember my wife and daughter said something. As is typical I suppose I don't remember what my wife said, but my daughter told me they didn't shave too much of my head so I wouldn't look too bad when I got home:-) That occurred about 7 hours after start of surgery...the next thing I remember was waking up in the ICU and the nurse asking me too smile, wrinkle my nose, and blink. All of which I did happily because I still could. A great relief off my mind.
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I talked before about waking up 4 weeks later. I am greatful in a small way. The dr. said I was in a lot of pain.{I guess I would mone}I remember nothing, but I feel so sorry for my husband and kids, they had to look at me every day like that. I am sure glad it was me, not them, because I don't think I could take that.
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thecakes: I know what you mean about being glad it was you and not them, I have a picture of my father sitting next to my bed about 4 days post-op and he looks terrible...worried and afraid....and I think being the patient was the better end of the stick in some ways.
Kathleen
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Kathleen, My poor Mother still cries at the drop of a hat if we ever talk about the tumor days. Its sad. Her eyes tear up in a matter of seconds, but then I think, if I had to go through that with one of my kids, I'd probably die of grief. I have been through alot but my family has too. I think i always have to apologize for this stupid tumor. :-\
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My surgery took 14 hours but they didn't wake my for another 18 hour so i was out cool for 32 hours. When i did finally start to wake i panicked because i was still on the breathing meachine thingy and i could feel the tube down my throut and i was trying to breath on my own but couldn't cos of the tube. I knew i was ok cos the mechine was doing my breathing for me but i still panicked. Once they took it out i was asleep again.When i woke again i was intensive care. i was there for another 24 hours. I remember my dad feeding me yoghurt. I hate yogurt!
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I had a 17 hour surgery and woke up in the recovery room, I asked for my mother, they said she had just left they did not expect me to awaken so soon. Asked another nurse a question and I remember not hearing him and replied with" hello micfly" I forgot I would not be able to hear. I stayed awake most of the night, I remember the nurse coming in and out of my room
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my surgry was 7 hours, I had a very weird experience. I actually woke during surgery. I remember being aware of my surroundings and I could hear everyone in the operating room. I couldn't open my eyes or move any part of my body, but my mind was awake and I was in a panic thinking I have to let them know I am awake. It seemed like forever but was probably only a few seconds. I have no idea what stage of the surgery I was in but I know I did wake up. After surgery when I woke up in ICU, I woke in convulsions. My entire body was shaking and convulsing, I was throwing up and shaking violently. I was in so much pain. The nurses gave me something, but it didn;t calm me down. Then the anesthesiologist was tracked down, he came in and gave me a shot of something that helped the pain and calmed me down. the he proceeded to question me ( I vaugely remember this, my mom told me) He was very concerned about the wake up during surgery. he wanted to know what I heard, smelled, saw, and felt. (by the way, i did not experience any pain when i woke during surger, just panic) He kept coming in and cheking on me for hours. He seemed very concerned about my experience in surgery. Later I was told that they get sured for stuff like that. I don't remember much about that night except that whenever I woke, I was in the worst pain I have ever experienced.
Thats my story, pretty weird, huh?
Patti UT ( yootee)
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I had many ops close together (4?) and was then put into a coma
for a few days. By the time I awoke I was experiancing an extreme
withdrawel reaction to the drugs - or if you prefer "cold turkey"
I was convinced, for about a week, that they were trying to kill me.
Paranoid delusions ? I think so.
even now I cannot easily determin
the real from the semi-dream state for 6-8 weeks
I plan, in the future, to stick with
wine, women, and song
if you get my drift
Best regards
Tony
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I woke up 7 hours after i was put under for my open head surgery. When i woke up my first thought was were is my mom and boyfriend and am i okay. I didn't have any pain but i vomited for 2 day straight.
rat
:P
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I feel a need to post just to say that not everyone has "horrible" experiences. Don't get me wrong though, I don't mean to imply that it was much fun! My surgery lasted 8 hours, I woke up briefly one hour after surgery, napped a lot and peridically woke up for the next round of nurse stuff. I spent 24 hours in IC, then 48 hours more in a private room. I was discharged 72 hours after arriving for surgery. My worse experience has been total facial paralysis from bruising of the 7th (?) nerve. It has been 16 weeks now and my face has improved a bunch. Still drink with a straw, have problems chewing on the AN side, and wish I had a buck for every time I have bit my lower lip! My hearing loss is measured at 20%, though periodically it is pretty close to 100% loss. I returned to work five weeks after surgery. At that time, the eye on the AN side was the limiting factor for determining how long I could stay at work. I tired easily. Now at 16 weeks, I would say that my balance is the limiting factor.
Take care bud - I don't envy you needing to repeat the process. - John