94 – Out for The Count
Today is the day scheduled for my medical procedure. I’m going to have the metal pins unscrewed from my shinbone, allowing the whole apparatus to be removed from the exterior of my leg.
I change into hospital garb and then meet the anesthesiologist who interviews me.
I make my way into the operating theatre, where I chat with Dr. Lopez and the anesthesiologist. My wife is allowed in to take a couple photos.
Sterilizing goo is spread over my leg --and courtesy of a simple half-inch wrench-- the nuts, which hold the external fixator in place, are loosened (This is a prelude to the metal anchors being removed from the bone once I am out, accomplished with an electric drill that reverses the metal pins out of my leg.)
I remember asking the anesthesiologist how quickly it will take for me to be knocked out for the operation. In mid-sentence, I am to find out this happensimmediately. --As soon as she opens the valve releasing the drug into m system, I am out for the count.
I wake up in another room, looking up to see my beautiful wife sitting beside me smiling, still dressed in medical garb. I ask if the operation is over, while meanwhile looking down at my leg, answering my own question. Now instead of a metal brace that I've been sporting for 6 months, I have a black walking cast that looks like it came out of Darth Vader's shoe rack.
I am amazed to find out from Sharon that I’ve been unconscious for 3 hours. The doctor later explains that this sometimes happens, that is the effects of the drugs last longer than anticipated when the patient is not accustomed to taking antibiotics or anesthesia. I figure I just must have needed the sleep!
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I change into hospital garb and then meet the anesthesiologist who interviews me.
I make my way into the operating theatre, where I chat with Dr. Lopez and the anesthesiologist. My wife is allowed in to take a couple photos.
Sterilizing goo is spread over my leg --and courtesy of a simple half-inch wrench-- the nuts, which hold the external fixator in place, are loosened (This is a prelude to the metal anchors being removed from the bone once I am out, accomplished with an electric drill that reverses the metal pins out of my leg.)I remember asking the anesthesiologist how quickly it will take for me to be knocked out for the operation. In mid-sentence, I am to find out this happensimmediately. --As soon as she opens the valve releasing the drug into m system, I am out for the count.
I wake up in another room, looking up to see my beautiful wife sitting beside me smiling, still dressed in medical garb. I ask if the operation is over, while meanwhile looking down at my leg, answering my own question. Now instead of a metal brace that I've been sporting for 6 months, I have a black walking cast that looks like it came out of Darth Vader's shoe rack.
I am amazed to find out from Sharon that I’ve been unconscious for 3 hours. The doctor later explains that this sometimes happens, that is the effects of the drugs last longer than anticipated when the patient is not accustomed to taking antibiotics or anesthesia. I figure I just must have needed the sleep!
next chapter
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