Why have one surgery when you can have two?!

...I woke up in the recovery room feeling pretty good. Actually, my doc told my parents that my first words were "I'm hungry." That was a relief for my mom, and we all know that I don't do well with fasting. ;) During surgery, my parents were in the waiting room getting periodic updates. The surgery ended up taking about nine hours. (My parents were freaking out). At least my mom was. Apparently, my dad fell asleep...typical, haha. Anyway, when my parents were allowed in to see me, I was very happy and told them I felt "straight", and they were surprised how alert I was. I ended up calling my sisters and Matt, and it was nice to talk to them. I was also soooooooooooo relieved I was not blind or paralyzed that I didn't give a hoot about any pain, but, of course, I was on narcotics anyway...

After spending the night in ICU, I was woken up at 5 a.m. by a nurse who made Nurse Ratched seem like a delight (don't even get me started) telling me my doc ordered a CT scan asap (with no explanation). Freaking out, I called my mom at home to tell her the news, still wondering what was happening. My parents were soon on their way, despite a blizzard where over a foot of snow was expected. In the meantime, my doc eventually showed up in my room to explain to me that he was suspicious about a screw that may had been misaligned and may cause severe pain issues in the future, and a riskier operation down the road, if that was the case. (fyi, the x-rays did not show this; a 3-D image was necessary to confirm). Anyway, long story short, after the CT scan confirmed the doc's suspicions, I agreed to have another surgery (better now than later), and was scheduled for that operation that afternoon.

The surgery took about 4 hours this time, and I woke up in a lot more pain than expected. I was extremely weak and uncomfortable. After spending four miserable nights in ICU, I was finally moved to a regular room, but soon started to experience chest pain. A pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs) was suspected. After another CT scan (ugh...enough radiation already!?) ruled this out, it was reported that I had an excessive amount of fluid around my lungs and heart. And, because my blood count had dropped so low between the two surgeries, I was given two blood transfusions overnight. I woke up feeling a bit stronger, and from there, I knew the worst was over with. Although I had trouble sleeping the next few nights due to excruciating pain, difficulty finding a comfortable position, and being woken up every 4 hours for "vital checks" and pain meds, I was still relieved the surgeriES were done with!! The only "upside" of this whole ordeal was snuggling up with "warming" blankets that my mom stole from the nursers' closet every half hour, haha. I spent the last two days in the hospital with the physical therapists, who helped me to practice getting in and out of bed, walking, sitting, climbing stairs, etc. I must say...I was pretty proud of myself after picking it all up like a pro! ;)

After seven LONG days in the hospital, it felt like heaven to finally go home...as a straighter, stronger, and TALLER person. That's right...I'm now a whopping 5'4" and proud of it! hahaha

I'll end this note by saying that, obviously, I am still in excruciating pain (I feel like I've been hit by a freight train)! After all, it's a painstakingly-slow process of recovery from this traumatic surgery, and after virtually every nerve in my trunk and spine has been shifted; assorted pains, jabs, shocks, spasms, stiffness and unscratchable itches, plus lack of sleep, are to be expected. But, I'm grateful for my family, Matt, and friends who have been thinking and praying for me this whole time(especially my mom... who actually slept in the hospital with me every night, even on her birthday!). There is no way I could get through this without them. Going forward, I just have to remember that, throughout this whole process, "pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional" (thanks to Valium, Percocet and Oxycontin!) ;)