This is what I did for the next few days.
Sorry if it grosses you out.
This picture is clearly b4 the surgery.
On December 1st I had my third neck operation. All other methods of treatment had failed to alleviate the pain and other symptoms my herniated disc had been causing. After consulting with two different doctors, it was prayerfully determined that surgery was the next best option.
We left for El Paso, TX at 6:15AM. We arrived at Sierra Medical Center at about 8AM. Ashley and my Dad were both there to offer their support. Shortly after we arrived, they took me into the back where I changed into my "sexy" hospital garb, had my vitals checked, and all that stuff. After a few minutes, they escorted Ashley and Dad to the back. After a few more questions and starting an IV, they moved us to the surgery waiting room.
That's when I starting getting nervous. I sort of got a little scared and angry. "Why me?" "Not again!", I asked. As they were wheeling me into the elevator, it occurred to me that Jesus suffered and died for us. He never did anything wrong. He did it because He loves us. Remembering that brought me comfort.
They wheeled us into the upstairs waiting room. Stall number three. I can remember eavesdropping as patients in adjacent stalls spoke with their respective doctors and asked questions. A couple of nurses were asking me more of the same questions. Then they pulled some white compression stockings on my legs to prevent blood clots. After that, they strapped on a pair of blue boot-like compression socks that inflated-and-deflated- to prevent blood clots.
I watched as patient-after-patient was wheeled to their respective operating room, and to an unknown fate. I just sat and watched.
As it turns out, my doctor was on-call, responding to another hospital. Apparently an unlucky guy took a digger off a bridge, and was in need of some serious work.
The doctor arrived at about half past noon. He met my Dad, then touched-base with Ashley and I- "It was go time!"
They put an anti-nausea sticker behind my left ear and gave me a dose of some "feel good meds". The last thing I remember was waving "bye" to Ashley and my Dad as I rounded the corner of the nurse's station. I remember hearing a male nurse offering reassuring words to my Dad, "Will take good care of him, Sir".
I awoke to the sound of Spanish. Bi-lingual myself, in my loopy state I tried to communicated to the voices, but I'm not sure if the words ever left my lips.
I suffered a herniated disc to my C6-c7, which is just below me C5-C6 fusion. The herniation was repaired by removing the herniated disc, along with some bone chips, and replacing the defective disc an artificial disc. In addition, they removed some of the hardware from the second surgery.
After surgery I was sore to say the least. But in comparison with the previous two operations I had, it was the best post-op experience to date. My Dad stood watch, then made his way back to the "Land of Enchantment", to take care of my autistic brother. Meanwhile, my Mother was at our house tendering to our "little angels".
Ashley slept in a nasty old hide-a-bed. She was my tender nurse. After staying the night, we were permitted to leave.
Since then, I have experienced a daily improvement to my condition. Teddie and Merci (Ashley's mom and sister) stayed with us for a few days and were a big help during the transition home. It is going to take some time to get used to my new neck. I will need to make some permanent changes to my lifestyle to ensure that this surgery will be my last...well at least...for a long time.
Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers.
We left for El Paso, TX at 6:15AM. We arrived at Sierra Medical Center at about 8AM. Ashley and my Dad were both there to offer their support. Shortly after we arrived, they took me into the back where I changed into my "sexy" hospital garb, had my vitals checked, and all that stuff. After a few minutes, they escorted Ashley and Dad to the back. After a few more questions and starting an IV, they moved us to the surgery waiting room.
That's when I starting getting nervous. I sort of got a little scared and angry. "Why me?" "Not again!", I asked. As they were wheeling me into the elevator, it occurred to me that Jesus suffered and died for us. He never did anything wrong. He did it because He loves us. Remembering that brought me comfort.
They wheeled us into the upstairs waiting room. Stall number three. I can remember eavesdropping as patients in adjacent stalls spoke with their respective doctors and asked questions. A couple of nurses were asking me more of the same questions. Then they pulled some white compression stockings on my legs to prevent blood clots. After that, they strapped on a pair of blue boot-like compression socks that inflated-and-deflated- to prevent blood clots.
I watched as patient-after-patient was wheeled to their respective operating room, and to an unknown fate. I just sat and watched.
As it turns out, my doctor was on-call, responding to another hospital. Apparently an unlucky guy took a digger off a bridge, and was in need of some serious work.
The doctor arrived at about half past noon. He met my Dad, then touched-base with Ashley and I- "It was go time!"
They put an anti-nausea sticker behind my left ear and gave me a dose of some "feel good meds". The last thing I remember was waving "bye" to Ashley and my Dad as I rounded the corner of the nurse's station. I remember hearing a male nurse offering reassuring words to my Dad, "Will take good care of him, Sir".
I awoke to the sound of Spanish. Bi-lingual myself, in my loopy state I tried to communicated to the voices, but I'm not sure if the words ever left my lips.
I suffered a herniated disc to my C6-c7, which is just below me C5-C6 fusion. The herniation was repaired by removing the herniated disc, along with some bone chips, and replacing the defective disc an artificial disc. In addition, they removed some of the hardware from the second surgery.
After surgery I was sore to say the least. But in comparison with the previous two operations I had, it was the best post-op experience to date. My Dad stood watch, then made his way back to the "Land of Enchantment", to take care of my autistic brother. Meanwhile, my Mother was at our house tendering to our "little angels".
Ashley slept in a nasty old hide-a-bed. She was my tender nurse. After staying the night, we were permitted to leave.
Since then, I have experienced a daily improvement to my condition. Teddie and Merci (Ashley's mom and sister) stayed with us for a few days and were a big help during the transition home. It is going to take some time to get used to my new neck. I will need to make some permanent changes to my lifestyle to ensure that this surgery will be my last...well at least...for a long time.
Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers.
