The Surgery - Part One

Annette (my wife) and I were 5 minutes early for my check-in time of 7:45 AM at LDS Hospital this last Wednesday, April 25th. After signing a few forms and being "tagged," we were called back by a nurse a little after eight. She asked a number of questions including my name and birth date. I learned through "much" repetition that my name and birth date were being used as a security check at each step. I wasn't sure what to think when they asked whether I knew my name and birth date — this was before any anesthesia.

We were led to a prep room. Here I was given my hospital formal wear, shaved (not my face), had blood drawn, given my first of four heparin shots (sting!), and attached to an IV drip. Around 9:30 AM, I was escorted to a waiting gurney. I was wheeled down the hall until we reached a waiting room door, where Annette was asked — of all things — to wait.

I got a quick glimpse of the surgery board as I was rolled by; and yes, it did look just like the one on Scrubs. It appeared that I was the third surgery for Dr. Smith this morning. I point this out because I know I was the first to signup for surgery on this day. I was told at the same time that this didn't guarantee me the first open spot and that a number of "medical" factors would determine the order. Sesh! So much for that early bird.

My gurney was stopped below a yellow sign that designated the area as the operating room parking zone. I was left to my own thoughts for a short period. It was at this point that the immensity of the situation began to hit. I was going to be put to sleep, have my abdomen cut open, and my guts rearranged. And, just in case you were wondering, from a reclined position, you can't see the exit signs.

I do feel I was very blessed in the hospital. I felt the thoughts and prayers of my family and friends; and I knew I wasn't alone.

One blessing came in the form of one of the operating room nurses. During some of the wait time, she told me that she had the same surgery, by the same surgeon, just seven months earlier. Now I know that Dr. Smith had performed this surgery hundreds, if not thousands, of times. However, knowing that one of my nurses had just gone through what I was going through — it brought me some comfort.

All quiet quickly disappeared as I was interviewed by another nurse, the anesthesiologist, and the surgeon. A little after 10 AM, it was time to be moved into the surgery room. The anesthesiologist stopped the gurney in the surgery room doors to give me my first dose of medication.

I was moved from the gurney onto a very narrow operating table. The nurses secured my arms to my side in foam. I think I was also belted to the table. I was given another dose of medication. The surgery room had some five monitors around the table. It appeared that a number of them were for the laparoscopic cameras and others for displaying vitals. It was about this time that I thought I heard something about a third dose of medication.

* * *

Around 11:30 AM Annette was called into a consultation room. A few minutes later Dr. Smith joined her and let her know that the procedure went smoothly. They didn't need to remove my gallbladder, even though it is very common to do so. He mentioned that he wished every patient was built so well for this surgery — I am not exactly sure what this means, but it sounds good.