I woke up fairly refreshed and calm on the morning of my surgery after surprising myself with 6 hours sleep!
I think I have my lovely friends to thank for tiring me out with an 8 mile walk and a feast of Dominoes Pizza the previous day.
I’ve been very fortunate to have 5 days off work before my surgery to prepare myself, and the house. It gave me time to clean, sort, pack, batch cook soup, fill the fridge, freezer and cupboards with supplies and food, and most importantly allowed me to spend some time with family and friends.
Keeping busy with friends the previous day took definitely took my mind off the operation, and kept the majority of my anxiety at bay. Naturally I’ve been nervous about this procedure, as it’s pretty massive and there’s no going back once it’s done. Sadly it’s been delayed 3 times which has had quite a mental impact as well as a physical one with the jaw issues pain, clicking, sticking, locking and headaches being as persistent as ever.
It was only 3 days before the surgery that my biggest fear entered my mind... at 2am Saturday morning I woke in a panic worrying ‘what if I have to have my jaw wired after surgery?’ I’m claustrophobic at the best of times in lifts, MRI scanners and toilets, there’s no way I could feel so restricted in my own body. I had visions of waking up in recovery, unable to open my mouth and entering into a deep panic attack. I had images of my violently throwing up as I regularly do after anaesthetic and choking. I Googled and Googled until the early hours and there was nothing to support when wiring is and isn’t used. My other fears were loss of hearing and paralysis to my face but I could rationalise them... the wiring however, I couldn’t.
I arrived at the hospital at 7:30 with Matt my husband, and my mum on the morning of the surgery, and headed to Surgical Forward wait. During the course of the morning I had my observations done, got measured for my sexy stockings, and met with my Anaesthetist.
My brief to the anaesthetist was simple ‘Make sure I don’t die’ it’s the same every time I have surgery. I’m certain I’ll not wake up again. It’s got to be a control thing, I like to be in control, and here am I am not. He took my comment in good humour and talked me through everything. I mentioned about being sick after anaesthetic previously, and he said whilst this is common after oral surgery, he would give me plenty of anti-sickness and painkillers to try and prevent vomiting. I also asked if I could hold my own oxygen mask after a previous incident of a trainee anaesthetist forcing a mask onto my face too tight and making me feel claustrophobic. He said that would be no problem. I also asked for a gel heat pad to lie on if there was one going spare and he said they’d sort it! Haha always a diva!!
Next I met Mr Dodd, and mentioned the wiring fear, he said he was fairly confident he wouldn’t have to, and said he’d explain more in theatre. I’d had my hair plaited to keep it out the way for him, and he was made up saying it had made his life a lot easier.
At 9:45 I was called, and it was time to say goodbye to Matt and mum. I changed into my gown, donned my hair net and walked into the theatre with my nurse Stella.
On the door outside the theatre was a sign saying ‘Joint replacement in progress, masks must be worn’ when I went inside there were about 12 people, it was a large room very bright, clean and sterile space with loads of machines and equipment. Mr Dodd called me to the back of the theatre were there where numerous images of my skull and the implant. He explained that the manufacturer provided a cutting guide that is so intricate and accurate that he suspected wires wouldn’t be needed.
I made my way over to me bed, and got myself into position onto my gel heated like a little cat. The anaesthetist from earlier was there, along with another called Hilary. She announced that I’d be having two anaesthetists looking after me during my surgery.
I had heart monitor pads stuck all over me, and a canular put in my right hand. I reminded Mr Dodd to look after my hair, was given the oxygen mask to hold. They injected my canular with something that made me feel woozy, I took in the oxygen, and 5 hours later I was being woken in the recovery room.
Wow I was soooo tired when I woke up, it took a long time for me to come too. Whilst I didn’t wake up in pain other than a sore throat, it was an overwhelmingly dry mouth that was causing me the most discomfort. I couldn’t speak for obvious reasons, but mouthed to the nurse for some water. She helped me sip some from a cup and wrapped me in a warm blanket.
I had double vision for a long time after waking up, when Mr Dodd popped into recovery he asked me to raise my brows which I couldn’t, this meant my eye was a little slow to respond to movements therefore making my eye slow to respond, he also asked me to smile, and there was some paralysis to the lower lip too so I had a wonky smile.
An hour or so after waking up, I was taken to ward 28. I messaged Matt and told him and mum to come and visit. I waited for them to arrive before I got myself up and got washed and changed into my own pjs.
My pain was very manageable at this point, everything was numb apart from my throat and nose. I really struggled with my right nostril pouring with blood. This was unpleasant as I could also feel blood going down my throat too that was making me feel quite sickly.
My bladder was also retaining urine, this is something that I’ve had previously when I’ve had Anaesthetic so I was aware the first thing to do was to monitor the liquid in, vs the liquids out. I alerted the nurses who kept an eye on things for the next few days.
I managed some carrot & coriander soup for my tea, although I couldn’t really taste it, I did feel ready for something. Annoyingly my bed was sent a breaded chicken breast initially ... now I know I was up and about... but I wasn’t ready for breaded chicken two hours after major surgery!
Mr Dodd popped round midway through my soup, just to check in. He was pleased I was sat up and he talked up through the surgery and where I was up to.
The nose bleed really intensified around 6pm, and was making me very nauseous. I was certain I was going to vomit, and I didn’t want Matt and Mum seeing that, so I sent them on their way.
I drank loads of water to try and clear my throat, and concentrated on my breathing. Thankfully I managed to hold off the vomit and eventually started to feel a little more comfortable.
Throughout the evening / night I was plied with numerous painkillers, antibiotics and steroids, some intravenous thus restricting me to my bed.
I slept on and off that night, but was regular disturbed having obs taken and drips changed. When I wasn’t hooked up to the IV, I was in the loo, as I was still struggling with my bladder retention.
I spent two nights, and three days on ward 28 before being discharged to manage my pain relief myself. I was really quite overwhelmed and felt quite vulnerable for those first few hours at home. I was very well supported by my husband and parents, but just felt a little strange not having the support of the nursing staff and Mr Dodd. It was a liquid diet so soup and ready brek were as exciting as it got on the food front.
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