After years and years of horrid posture and ignoring pain; weakness, numbness, and muscle imbalances on my left side; a recent round of Physical Therapy; and a few MRIs, I've been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease in two discs in my neck. It turns out we all have it to some degree, but some of us are symptomatic and some are not.
A few weeks ago my orthopedist gave me a couple of treatment options and I chose the more agressive: An epidural steroid injection. A temporary solution, but will hopefully give me enough symptom relief to rehab properly and get the herniated disc healed up a little.
Today was my procedure, which was performed at Campbell Surgery Center. This facility and these people were truly amazing. Here's a recap. There may be TMI, but I don't care.
7:30: Arrive early at surgery center. Complete forms, pay copay.
8:15: Called back; check in by nurse Nancy. provide urine
specimen and 2 vials of blood. BP 98/60. Return to waiting room to wait
for lab results. (I assume pregnancy and platelet function). Am seated
directly across from a kitchenette with fresh hot coffee and fully
stocked, shiny vending machines. I, of course, have been NPO since
midnight. They are wrong for that.
8:45: Called back, tests passed, change into gown and get a warm
blanket. (My favorite part), IV started by nurse Holly, answer second
battery of questions, ID band check #2. BP still in the same range. Silver Fox retrieved by nurse Holly. We
sit and make fun of each other for having trouble staying awake.
9:15 or so: Physician check, meets Silver Fox, 3rd set of questions answered, tells me I'm on deck. I really like my doctor.
About 10 minutes later: Rad tech arrives in lead apron and
thyroid guard. I forget her name. Sweet and about 12 years old. LOL. 3rd
wristband check. I'm instructed to remove earrings and necklace.
"And wristwatch? Glasses?" I ask.
"No, just what's near your neck."
"Oh, okay. (embarrassment)"
"They're pretty, though."
That's right, little fluoroscopy lady, appeal to my vanity. Hee hee hee. Silver Fox is sent back to waiting room with my handbag and bag o' effects.
Down the hall I go into the surgery room. I turn in my eyeglasses and
put on the surgery hat. As I'm being helped face down onto the table,
the doctor enters rubbing his hands...
"Welcome to the laBORatory!"
"Thank you," I say. "Am I going to leave with sutures and electrodes?"
He laughs. "Have you met Igor?'
"It's EYE-gore!!"
*Dear readers, my doctor did not catch the Marty Feldman reference, but I forgive him because he's spent his life not watching Young Frankenstein so that he can instead study how not to nick the dura when he STICKS A STINKIN' NEEDLE INTO MY SPINE.*
I'm lying face down on an operating table with my face in a hole and I'm
wondering when they're gonna put that mask I see down there up to my
face. The nurse anesthetist lady is messing with my IV arm. The rad lady
puts a roll under my ankles. These people have this down to an art. Rad
lady goes to her place in the corner. Doctor preps my neck and asks me
questions about it -- I assume to gauge my lucidity. Then there is a
long discussion about upcoming schedule changes for the day. I hear the
NA singing. I have no idea what; but anyone who knows me will not be
surprised that my knee-jerk reaction was to commence to singing "I hear
singing but there's noooo one there!!!"
But I couldn't because that's the last thing I remember thinking.
*Part Two to follow*
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