my hospital stay part 1

[Guest guest]

Well, I'm back. I was in the hospital for 4 days. Dr. B asked me when I

wanted to go home and then asked me who was going to feed me!!! I said it

was all taken care of and I wasn't kidding. Everyone has been terrific!!!!!!

This is going to have to be in parts. There is too much to write in one

sitting, even taking breaks!!!!

The surgery went great, only 4 hours. Dr. B didn't have to shrink my

tonsils. EVERYONE at the hospital was great!!!!!!!! I had a nurse that sat

by my side in recovery. I even felt great in recovery but when I got to ICU

I didn't feel that way.

One of the problems I had before the surgery was my breathing. It feels like

the front of my throat is closing in on the back of my throat. While I was

in ICU I couldn't fall asleep because every time I tried this happened.

Well, I didn't bring my CPAP machine with me because I just knew I wasn't

going to need it. After the surgery and that first night I needed it!!!!

was my nurse in ICU that night and I called him in it seems like a

hundred times!!!

I told him that I had sleep apnea and I didn't bring my machine and needed on

now!!! He was so nice and another person (you don't know too much of what or

who is helping you) from respiratory (I think) came with a CPAP machine. I

finally was able to relax because that feeling stopped.

I was getting morphine every hour and was asked what range my pain was at. I

was at a 8/9 up until I got into a regular room, then the pain starting going

down to a 3/4. By the time I left the hospital I was at a 2!!!!!!!!!! I

can't remember ever being at a 2!!!!!!!!! without laying about it.

I haven't used my CPAP machine since I have been home so I know I will have

to go in and be tested again.

The first night in the regular room the nurse made me use the machine. I can

understand that, they didn't have anything from Dr. B that I didn't need it

so the next day I begged Dr. B to let them know so they wouldn't have to

bother me with it again. It was nothing like the one I have at home.

I can't say enough about how great the nurses and caregivers are at UCLA.

Every time they took my oxygen satiation level I had to know what it was.

It's the first time in years that it's been over 93%. The highest was 98%.

One morning it was 97% after a nights sleep without the CPAP machine!!!!!

Well, that's enough for right now. Next I will tell you how well Jake was

taken care of, my service dog. That's the best part!!!!! It even brings

tears to my eyes how well he was taken care of. Hopefully, tomorrow I will

be able to write about that.

love, hugs and prayers,

Foxy