It all started Sunday night, August 1, when I was supposed to drink a whole bottle of magnesium citrate to...well...clean out my system. Below is the picture of me drinking the pungent formula (not pictured: the result of my drinking magnesium citrate):
On August 2, Kim and I went to Tulane-Lakeside Hospital at 5:45 a.m. so a bunch of people in green outfits and hairnets could knock me out and cut me up. Here are a few pics of me pre-op:
Just put the gown on
Showing too much hairy leg...didn't know I could cover myself with a blanket
The five or six hours after that are quite a blur, partially because of the general anesthesia but principally because the only thing on TV was soap operas. But when I woke up, my beloved Kim was right there by my side...also present when I woke was a catheter. My first words to Kim? "I hate it, I hate it, I hate it!" I was of course referring to the catheter. Boo. Anyway, here are a few pics from after I woke up...and then fell back asleep:
It's hard to stay awake on this much anesthesia and painkillers
I threatened to smack Kim with my IV hand...I probably hallucinated that she was trying to take my drugs away or something
Video of me eating for the first time
Most flattering picture ever
Up and trying to walk around
I went home the next day, August 3:
During all this, there were some pretty intense moments where blood clots in my ureter caused some pretty intense pain. They eventually passed, and Kim was there the whole time. I know this was something she's never had to do before, but aside from torturing with the constant video and picture-taking, she was my rock. She was there for me in the middle of the night as I was crying out in pain and the nurse was taking forever to give me my drugs. I love you girl.
Background on why I had the surgery: in 2008 I discovered that there was a blockage in the junction where my right kidney and my ureter (a tube that takes urine from the kidney to the bladder) meet. Urine was still flowing through my kidney, but it would occasionally get backed up and cause quite a bit of flank pain. Although it wasn't life-threatening or even immediately kidney-threatening, my doctor here in New Orleans convinced me that it was better to get this surgery done now rather than later, and that he was the guy with the robotic surgery instruments and small built-for-surgery hands to do it. After much deliberation and insurance plan consultation, Kim and I decided that I should go ahead and go under the knife.
So glad "ur-ine" better shape! (Sorry, I couldn't resist!) I hope that this experience with hospitals and intense pelvic pain will make you a more compassionate husband during Kim's child bearing years...Love y'all!
ReplyDeleteI will now no longer threaten to hit anyone with my ring hand, but with my IV hand.
ReplyDeleteVery nice. Wish I could have been there to cut on you.
ReplyDeleteHey...that's the problem that is in Jared's genes...the ureter is too high on the kidney so it kinks and creates a blockage. You're lucky you got to keep your kidney John! Jared's brother wasn't so lucky. And Jared's other brother gets kidney stones from the same issue. Needless to say, we made sure that Tanner's kidneys were watched very closely...as should you guys when little John and Kim chicklets come along. :) Glad all is well, John! And Kim, sounds like you made a great nurse...you make me proud. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's crazy that we have similar conditions Erin! Mine is a little different though, which may be what allowed me to keep my kidney. Before my surgery, there was a blood vessel that crossed the ureter near the kidney and caused the blockage. I guess the blockage probably wasn't as severe as that of your brother-in-law. For me, fluid would still go through the ureter and would usually only back up when I drank a lot of liquids without sweating them out or something. For the surgery, the cut my ureter and reattached it so that the blood vessel no longer crossed it. Interesting huh?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post Er :) I kept thinking about you as I watched the nurses all day (and night!) long. hehe So cool to watch them work. But I can't believe they were working 12 hour shifts. Is that a normal schedule for nurses? Glad to know that baby T's kidneys are doin well so far. Miss you my dear!
ReplyDeletehaha! Ellen - you're almost as punny as me! :)
ReplyDeleteScott - I've learned not to mock John when he's got the hookup. That IV Hand carries a vengeance! But alas, the fact that he had on a gown that exposed his butt while he used said weapon really didn't help his street cred.
ReplyDeleteGerald - come back to New Orleans. We all miss you!
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