I went to the doctor about a month ago and he sent me in for an MRI. Yes, I was stuck in one of those scary white tube machines you always see on medical shows while it took x-rays of my upper and lower spine. When the doctor examined these he diagnosed me with lumbar disc degeneration. Pretty much a couple of disks in my very low spine are dead. I was given three options; do nothing, start physical therapy, or get a few injections that will help jump start physical therapy making it more effective. I of course went with the most logical choice, get the injections! That meant a day trip to the hospital.
This was the first time I have actually been admitted to a hospital, luckily I was only in for day care. My room was lush though. Private with tv, own bathroom and very comfy bed. I didn't ask too much beforehand about what they would be doing because I didn't want to get too scared. I just knew I was in there for an epidural and few other injections of steriods into joints near my spine, but the good part is I would be asleep the entire time.
I was admitted to the hospital at 11:30. The first three hours were boring waiting. A couple nurses came in asking questions/filling out forms, I read a Cosmo and then flipped through aweful daytime television. Finally they came to wheel me away. I was almost laughing as they rolled me to the Theatre as I felt like I was in a hospital TV program, especially as I didn't feel ill. Then it was time to be put under. Not a highlight of my day. They couldn't get into the vien in my little hand because it's too delicate. After prodding about a couple of time I nearly started to feint! My head hurt, I got really hot it was horrible, I felt so ill! Luckily they revived me and jabbed the anesthetic into my arm. I was out.
When I started to wake I was freaking out a little. They were wheeling my and I started exclaiming, "I need more, I'm awake, I don't want to feel anything, I need more drugs!" The kind nurse man then reassured me everything was over already. "Oh, okay" I said as I went half asleep again. I was slowly coming out of it, and wanted to be comforted. I told the nurse man, "I want my boyfriend, Toom Niiiccolas" and friendly nurse man kindly called and let Tom know I would be fully awake in half an hour. Then I was confused at why my throat hurt so bad and why it was hard to talk. Nurse lady told me because of my breathing tube. Yikes! I tried to not really think about the fact they shoved a tube down my throat. She said it would feel better once I had something to drink. My last question in this confused state was how they got injections into my back, when I was lying on my back. Nurse man said they just flipped me over like a pancake. Nice.
Back up in my lush private room, I arrived in time to recieve a text from Tom letting me know he was on his way. South African nurse man, Charles, was surprised that he was going to come and wait with me for four hours. "Four hours! I'm not going to be here for four hours." I scoffed. Completly thought he was joking. About that time Tom walked in surprised at how fragile I looked. He was excellent though and sat and entertained me. An hour went by. A man came to check my forms and I told him I was ready for food soon (I had ordered a prawn wrap and pineapple juice before the procedure). Half an hour later food arrived. Half an hour after that (6pm now) the man who prodded my poor hand came to check on me. He did mention he was shocked at how white I can go. Thanks. He also let me know I should be dismissed soon. That was good news. An hour and ten minuets later Charles finally came back. I told him I had all feeling back in my legs and he was about to let me go as I am young and fit and should recover well. Excellent news, especially as Tom was becoming restless. However, I underestimated the effects of general anesthetic. As I tried to stand my legs were shakey and after a few paces around my room I almost feinted again. Straight back in bed I went. Forty-five minuets later I finally felt like trying to stand and walk again. Took life more slowly and was successful this time. Four hours later as Charles had said I was leaving the hospital. It was eight o'clock and I missed the sunny day. I was happy though to be out of the hospital, and on my way to ice cream.
Love
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