A Peek Inside a Covid19 Hospital

[Big RR]

Best of luck BSG; you'll be on the mend soon.

[RayThom]

Remember, once you are administered a general anesthetic you are entirely in the surgeon(s) hands. Be sure you're on good terms with them as you're wheeled into the OR. On the other hand, if something goes wrong you'll be the last to know.

My recent hospital visit was for 30 days. I'm guessing your visit will be out-patient, right?

Suck it up, you'll be fine.

[ex-khobar Andy]

Good luck BSG. I still have some stainless steel brackets and screws in my pelvis and femur from an unsuccessful interaction (i.e., I lost) with a tree 29 years ago. Long healed, but they saw no point in taking them out. No problems, nor does it give me trouble at airport security lines.

PS the tree is fine. Thanks for asking.

[BoSoxGal]

I am gratified that this is outpatient surgery and I will sleep in my own bed Friday barring any complications - this also obviously reduces my risk of contracting covid19 in hospital.

I was most concerned about having the hardware for future MRIs, but apparently it’s ok to have hardware attached to bones - it’s only the stuff attached only to flesh that the magnet tears out of one’s body.

I no longer have an expectation of flights being on my future itinerary, unless I win the lottery and can fly privately to far flung locations. Even still I would rather sail there given my choice, which the lottery would allow.

[MajGenl.Meade]

All will be well . . . like Arnie, you'll be back!

(But my fake knees set off the airport detectors every single time)

[eddieq]

Wishing you well, BSG!

[TPFKA@W]

I have to have surgery - orthopedic surgeon was ready for tomorrow, but there are no more rapid covid19 tests in stock so I can’t have surgery until Friday when my test results come back - everyone gets covid19 tested as pre-op these days.

The nasal swab is fucking horrible - it goes all the way up until they tickle the brain, I swear. My eyes both gushed from the reflex and discomfort - they swab both nostrils so 2x the brain tickling.

I like the surgeon, he’s a Canadian - from Toronto - and says aboot. We chatted about the Nova Scotia massacre and Canada’s reasonable response, and the clusterfuck American government response to the pandemic. I feel very confident about him drilling my bones. I’m going to have permanent hardware unless it causes pain, in which case I might need it removed sometime down the road.

Anyway scared about general anesthesia as I always am, but hopefully it goes well as it always has. If I die, I loved most of you more than I hated you.

I am always afraid of the anesthesia too. It's a balancing act, but statistically there is little chance of it going wrong. The bad thing about gas passers is they like to talk smack about you while you are under. Been there and listened in on several. The egos in the OR are terrible.

[Scooter]

I almost made a date with my anesthesiologist when I started to get happy under the influence of drugs. At least, I told myself that he would have accepted if I hadn't passed out so quickly.

[Joe Guy]

I almost made a date with my anesthesiologist when I started to get happy under the influence of drugs. At least, I told myself that he would have accepted if I hadn't passed out so quickly.

It's possible that you may have had a date and don't remember it.

[RayThom]

PROPOFOL -- this guy's solution for a really deep sleep.

I was joking about this drug with my surgeon while I was lying on the operating table moments before they strapped the oxygen mask onto my face. I started a countdown with my fingers but I don't remember how far I got. Eight hours later I awoke in the Recovery room. Refreshed, bright eyed and bushy tailed... NOT!

Oh, the Places You'll Go!

[dales]

I went under the knife 2 years ago.

Never made it past 98 counting down from 100.

Oh yes, the surgery was successful.

Hydrocephalus -or- water on the brain.

[RayThom]

Exactly.

Drill, slice and dice, big ass endoscopic tools... once you're under, life on the outside no longer matters.

[dales]

They ran a long length of tubing from the interior of my brain to my bladder,

It's operated by a magnetic shunt device which is implanted under my scalp.

Outside of having to pee more often, everything is good.

The wonders of modern science.

[BoSoxGal]

Sorry suckers, I made it through anesthesia!

They did a nerve block on my afflicted arm so now I cannot feel it at all - VERY STRANGE SENSATION! It’s like a foreign appendage. Doc says take some pain meds before bed even if block hasn’t worn off yet, as it could during night and leave me in screaming pain - joy!

Today was the second day of surgeries at my local hospital since they started reopening from being a covid19 facility - the staff was kept busy scrubbing walls and reconfiguring for post pandemic care, but it was obvious how happy they all were to be back to patient care. My nurses were fantastic including my charge nurse who held my hand and comforted me when I had some waves of anxiety prior to the anesthesiologist’s arrival. He was funny and nice and made me feel blissful very quickly. Everyone was masked of course, but they all were excellent eye smilers.

I wonder what nurses appreciate most as thank you gifts? Flowers? Cards? Pastries? Perhaps our resident Nurse Ratched can give me some ideas . . .

Gonna catch up on Morning Joe now with a softener of residual anesthesia to tamper the usual frustration and anger the news makes me feel.

[Joe Guy]

I wonder what nurses appreciate most as thank you gifts? Flowers? Cards? Pastries? Perhaps our resident Nurse Ratched can give me some ideas . . .

Not sure about other nurses, but ours would probably like this...



P.S. I'm glad your surgery went well. You deserve a hand.

[Crackpot]

They did that to me for one of the surgeries on my finger after I crushed it. DO NOT TRY LIFTING THAT ARM WHILE LYING DOWN! I popped myself in the nose pretty good.

[RayThom]

Sorry suckers, I made it through anesthesia!

They did a nerve block on my afflicted arm so now I cannot feel it at all - VERY STRANGE SENSATION! It’s like a foreign appendage. Doc says take some pain meds before bed even if block hasn’t worn off yet, as it could during night and leave me in screaming pain - joy!

So I guess you could say you're on a wrist watch, heh?

Remember, taking copious quantities of oxycodone throughout the day. That will be your best shot at a full recovery.

I bet Dr. Darren, MD / PhD will agree.

[BoSoxGal]

This nerve block is really beginning to unnerve me! At first i didn't understand why someone would decline it, but now maybe I do. My brain isn't even recognizing the location of my arm and when I touch my fingers I only know I'm touching them because the 'awake' hand can feel it. Bizarre and unsettling. Also my left eye is droopy and my pupils are unequal and unreactive - all normal side effects but still freaking weird! Ready for it to wear off.

Still I'm blessed.

[Bicycle Bill]

Sorry suckers, I made it through anesthesia!

Despite the occasional sniping, potshots, and cheap shots we've exchanged, I'm really and truly glad to hear that.  Hope you're soon back on top of your game.

I wonder what nurses appreciate most as thank you gifts? Flowers? Cards? Pastries? Perhaps our resident Nurse Ratched can give me some ideas . . .

I've never had anyone complain about a gift card for a little self-pampering.  Even a card from the local mini-mart that could be used for gas is something that is likely to be appreciated and put to good use.

-"BB"-

[dales]

I wonder what nurses appreciate most as thank you gifts? Flowers? Cards? Pastries?

With the Trump fcuk up regarding personal protection, I would imagine masks, gloves, gowns, etc.