Waiting for someone in surgery, depending on the seriousness of the surgery, is not for the faint-hearted. I don’t get easily rattled or nervous, but waiting for our girl is nerve-wracking. She is a little over half-way through her abductor tenotomy and hip replacement surgery and I find my hands a little shaky and my heart is racing a bit. I’m confident in the skills of all those involved, but still.
A couple surprises came up while discussing everything with the anesthesiologist that are adding to my anxiety. Due to the spinal fusion surgery of 3 years ago pain medication that would bathe the spinal cord in anesthesia can’t be used. Another option not available is the patient controlled pain option. So, we’re left with heavy narcotics which they are concerned about due to her compromised pulmonary system. When pain is generally controlled I can handle most anything. Seeing her in uncontrolled pain, that’s a tough one, especially if you can’t advocate for something else because there are no other options.
The other concern is that there is a GI bug here and she is particularly susceptible. We will do our best and stay away from the areas where it is most rampant as well as constantly hand-washing and insisting on visitors doing the same. You can only do what you can do.
Hopefully she’ll be out soon. Somehow just seeing her no matter how many tubes are hanging off her makes me feel better. This waiting is a killer.
