So yesterday I had a Hemithyroidectomy (they cut out half my thyroid) due to it being highly suspicious of cancerous cells.
I came round feeling groggier than I ever have from a general anaesthetic. I couldn’t see properly. In fact all I could see was a shaky blur. I drifted in and out of consciousness for a while, relaxed and aware that there was a very kind man watching over me. When I could speak, I told him I was having trouble seeing. He called a doctor and every now and then, shone a torch in my eyes. This reminded me of holby city, so I pointed out that I was indeed still alive and he smiled. It took me a few hours to come round and a fair few shots of morphine to get me comfortable. The recovery nurse was wonderful, he couldn’t do enough for me. Eventually I moved back up to the ward sometime around 1pm (I went into theatre at 9am). My vision was still blurry and I had the shakes. They moved me to a better bed and I let out the biggest and most forced, yet uncontrolled burp of my life. As soon as I did, the F2 doctor sitting with me noticed ny neck beginning to swell and fetched one of my surgeons. I then vomitted and blood started dripping from my neck. The burp had torn something inside and I was rushed back down to theatre.
I was relieved to have the exact same surgical team and went back in for a second general anaesthetic. This time with no tears and no panicking. I didn’t really need the sedation because I was still sedated from the last time, but they gave it again anyway. Then another full anaesthetic. I came round with much better vision but more pain. My same recovert nurse grinning from ear to ear. I asked him why he was so happy. He said “nobody has ever requested me as their recovery nurse before”. I made his day and that made me feel like a good person. The poor guy had missed his lunch break to sit with me for a second time.
I went back to the ward just in time for visiting hours so I got to see Jonny, bunny and my mum. I was pleased but I wasn’t me. I spent the night in a lot of pain as they only gave me paracetamol. I filled a cardboard hat with vomit and got put back on a drip. i didnt sleep for paranoia of more internal bleeding. I ended up babysitting two other patients who were much older than me. One was 92 and kept getting stuck in the railings of her bed in attempt to “get home”. The other who talked incessantly as she was lonely. Talking hurt like hell but I didnt like the thought of her being unhappy so I went along with it.
I was bedbound until this morning as I was too shaky to stand and my blood pressure so low it set off alarms. Eventually I persuaded them to give me Tramadol instead of morphine and now the pain is bearable. I’m having to stay in an extra night as I just haven’t recovered enough to go home yet. At lunchtime though, I managed to keep down what little food i could swallow.
I really appreciate all the support from friends, family, bloggers, Facebook and Twitter. Your kind words and wishes mean a lot to me.
Much love to you all and my sincere apologies for the grammar in this post. I’m writing it on a mobile phone, in a tramadol induced state, from my hospital bed! And for those of you who aren’t squeamish… Here’s a pic of me post surgery..
Look away if you don’t like gory pics….
Of scars….
And wounds…
Oh bless you. It sounds like a nightmare but you appear to be receiving some really good care. You’re so good comforting the older people too. Wishing you a speedy recovery and good results xx
(Doobietots on twitter)
You are one very… brave… lady! Every good wish for your ongoing treatment and care, and a full recovery. xx
Wishing you a very quick and simple recovery. All the best.
Thankyou muchly for your support xx
Sounds awful yet at the same time it sounds like you are in safe hands.
I hope it proves non cancerous and that you are on the mend soon.
Do me a favour; ignore the old ladies and get yourself a good night’s sleep tonight.
Xx
Well I took your advice, only to wake at 4am to the old lady hovering over me. Scared the shit out of me! xx
Bloody hell! How have you managed to go through all that and blog about it! I admire your balls lady! X
Haha never been told I have balls before! Awesome! 🙂 XX
you poor thing – hope you have a speedy recovery from that surgery. xxx
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Thanks xx
You are totally awesome. That all sounds so awful, yet you’ve told the story factually and clearly and have even found time to look after a 92 year old lady! Hoping you feel a lot better and get out of hospital today. Take it easy and look after yourself. Crossing fingers for your results. X
Thankyou xxx
Wow – you’re someone to admire! I don’t know how you sound so upbeat and chilled! Best wishes for a complete and fast recovery!
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Thankyou. I didn’t feel very upbeat but the “chilled” was probably to do with the Tramadol! x
Ouch! Hope you’re back on form soon x
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What an ordeal. Emma wishing you all the very best for a full and speedy recovery. Start dreaming of that glam dress for MADS in a quiet moment!
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haha thankyou – I need to get some more nominations first! 🙂 xx
Oh bless you Emma, in one way so sorry you are in hospital and in other so glad they are taking this serioulsy and looking out for yoru longer term health. Wishing you a speedy recovery from these ops.
Mich x
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Thankyou Mich, I am recovering well, but still worrying about the results once pathology have finished playing with the nasty that they cut out of me :S xx
Bless you. I do hope that you are going to be ok and the results come back good. such an inspirational person. I will definitely be following your journey. Wishing you a speedy recovery. Much love to you xx
Thankyou so much for your kind words. I am really surprised by the number of people who have used the “I” word recently. I don’t feel it and I never knew I was. I am just me. But I am chuffed to pieces if people do genuinely think me an inspiration. Thankyou for commenting xx
You’re so brave.
I know you’ll probably say you’re not and that you’re just getting on with things but to be able to go through that, help other patients and manage to blog about it to let everyone know how you’re doing is amazing.
Take care of yourself and have some fun choosing a dress for the MADS x x
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Thankyou, you are too kind! I thought it easier to blog than to try and respond to every message and tweet individually.
As for the MADS… I can but dream! 🙂 xx