On August 29, bright and early dark and early, we headed to Provo to Utah Valley Hospital for my heart ablation surgery.
But let me back up. Saturday, August 27, we threw that block party. When neighbors found out how close it was to surgery, they wondered what in the world we were doing throwing a party. We responded that we needed a distraction so we didn't think about it. By the end of the party, we had several people volunteer to bring us meals post surgery. We felt so loved.
On August 28, Brian and I were both a total wreck. I did pretty good not thinking about it while we were at church, but once I got home, it was about all I could think about. So, I did something I don't normally do on a Sunday: I pulled out some crafts. I got all this stuff at the Dollar Tree for Halloween prep, and I decided to get going on it. So, when Kirt and Julie and Lea came over later, they found our kitchen counter a total mess, hot glue guns on and in use, napkins, Mod Podge, paint, and a ton of jars. I knew it wasn't the smart play; a housewife should probably make sure her house is in order before surgery, but I couldn't handle it. All I could think was that in the morning, they were going to have instruments inside my heart. MY HEART!
Before going to bed that night, Kirt helped Brian give me a blessing, and I suggested that Brian ask for one too. After the blessings, we both felt so much better--miraculously so. We were able to sleep instead of worrying all night, and we even listened to an upbeat playlist on the way to the hospital. I was singing as we walked up to the doors, even though it was 5 a.m.
We checked in, and then waited. They drew blood for some lab work. Then we waited.
I got changed, and we waited.
Truthfully, though, we didn't wait in the lobby too long. The medical assistant did a lot of prepping for surgery. I think the biggest thing we waited on was the bloodwork to come back from the lab.
We were watching a special on Stonehenge when they came for me. It's always a little strange for me to head into surgery, sit on the table, and wonder what I'm going to remember about the experience when I wake up. I felt so calm though, and I was so grateful for that.
Waking up from surgery was horrible. I had to go to the bathroom so badly, and my throat hurt like mad, and I felt so nauseous (despite my motion sickness patch and other anti-nausea meds they gave me). I seriously wondered why they took the anesthesia away so abruptly! I was so uncomfortable and awful. Waking up is never my favorite, and this was the worst wake up in a long time. (Brian's note: I've seen Devri under anesthesia a few times, and it's about like this every time. Maybe slightly worse since she had to lay on her back.)
They were quick to take care of my bladder, though it DID feel like forever. I had to lay flat on my back to 2 hours, and the first hour was wretched. I threw up/coughed up bloody mucus for a while, and Brian was so good to hold that bag and be right there when I needed it. My throat hurt so badly because of the intubation tube, but they were good about keeping me in a good slushy supply. Thankfully, Brian was super awesome and sweet, and they hooked my gown up to a heater, so at least I wasn't cold and wretched. Brian didn't bring his jacket inside, but he was grateful I convinced him to change into pants before we left the house because it was freezing in our room. He borrowed my sweatshirt for the day.
After two hours, I got to sit up a little bit more. We ordered some lunch and watched some TV. After six ish hours, I was released, and we headed home with only Tylenol for pain.
We got home, and I went straight to my room. I was so dizzy and uncomfortable, but I was grateful to not have to worry about anything. Each kid came and snuggled with me for a little bit before bed.
Brian was my communications expert, and he was so great about keeping everyone up to date on surgery. Jen texted all day, wondering if there was anything she could do. Serene and Dustin came by in the evening, and Serene came and talked to me for a little bit. I didn't talk much because my throat hurt so badly, but it meant so much to me that they drove out to see me and bring these flowers.
Of course, Gracie was my constant companion during recovery.
I watched lots of movies, and by day 3 post surgery, my throat finally stopped hurting. I had minor chest pain and general fatigue. Mostly, I would say that recovery was just a lot of uncomfortable. The verdict is still out on how effective it will be, but I'm grateful to Dr. Ron Chong-Yik for his expert surgical care. Fingers crossed that this works. It can take 3-6 months to know for sure.
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