spinal surgery

the morning of surgery i woke up at 4:00am. i wasn't allowed to eat, drink, or take any pain pills since midnight, so i was A LOT nervous about the pain i would be feeling. i had packed my bag the night before knowing i would be staying at least one night at the hospital. so i was pretty much ready to go after i brushed my teeth and got dressed. my parents (Bunny & Poppy) came over about 4:30 to stay with the boys. Peyton woke up early, which i was glad because i really wanted to see him before we left. i knew Jayden would sleep until about 7:00 or so.

once we got to the hospital they checked us in pretty quick and before i knew it i was on a gurney with an IV in my arm and waiting for Jason to come see me before they took me in. i was scared, i tried not to cry but it was hard not to. it was strange because the lady next to me, who was also about to have surgery was talking like it was just a regular day. i couldn't see her, there was a curtain between her and i.... i just thought it was odd how scared i was, and how relaxed she seemed. i thought maybe there was something wrong with me that i was so nervous. i was so glad to see Jason when they let him in. we didn't talk much. he just sat next to me and held my hand. the anesthesiologist came to talk to us, and so did my doctor. of course the more they talked the more i would tear up. they were nice and told me it was normal to feel that way. a nurse brought me some kleenex. finally the anesthesiologist told me he was going to put something in my IV to take the edge off a little.... from there i don't remember anything.

next thing i remember i thought i was in my kitchen and wanted to go lay in my bedroom, but then i heard 'Mandy, Mandy, Mandy?'. i opened my eyes and realized i was at the hospital. i had nurses telling me i was waking up from surgery and it went well. i think they asked me my birthday, i asked for water. they brought me ice chips. they told me a few things, which i have no idea now what they were. i only remember them telling me Jason was waiting in my room for me, and i couldn't wait for them to wheel me in there so i could see him. i must have fallen back to sleep again but when i woke up i saw Jason. i was so happy to see him and the surgery was over.

apparently the surgery started around 7:30 and Jason didn't get to see me again until about 11:00. to me it felt like no time had passed but Jason told me it felt like forever for him. we talked in my room for awhile. i was really tired so Jason went home to check on the boys and then my parents came to see me a little later. i was happy to see them too. i don't remember much of anything. i just know i wanted to see my family the most and when i did, i felt good.
Jason brought the boys to see me for a little while. they thought it was exciting. Peyton found his pre-school from my hospital window. i was surprised.... i didn't even notice it until he said it.they had fun visiting.... they drew pictures for me on the dry erase board. Peyton made the moose & heart, and Jayden made the smile and the right eye on the smiley face. (Jason finished it for him). Jayden also drew the scribbles. im so glad i had Jason take a picture of their drawings before they left because the night nurse erased them when she came in. boo night nurse.i was in a lot of pain as the day went on. at first they kept giving me pills and putting stuff into my IV drips. but as evening came i had the worst migraine, which i had never had one before so i was really uncomfortable and couldn't seem to get the nurse to understand how bad it was. my cousins Lisa and Callie came to visit. i think Lisa had a lot to do with the nurse finally giving me some valium for all of my pain. which worked. thank goodness! and THANK YOU LISA! they were even lucky enough to see me get sick. all of the medicine the nurses had put in my IV, plus the valium made me a little sick to my stomach. Lisa and Callie just came by to say hi and gave me an edible arrangement and a balloon, which its so cute. all of the pictures were taken from my bed, (yes my camera came to the hospital with me). i feel horrible that Lisa and Callie had to see me go through so much stuff while they were visiting. they stayed until i fell asleep. they are both so sweet! i love them. the nurses woke me up A LOT that night. seems like every time i got comfortable someone was checking on me. it got annoying. plus when someone wasn't waking me up, i felt like i had to pee every 5 minutes. but once i got myself and IV thingy in the bathroom, i couldn't go! apparently that was a side effect from the anesthesia, as well as the migraine meds i had earlier. not a great night.... but i am SO GLAD we decided i should stay one night in the hospital. it would have been horrible to go through all of this at home.

the next day they brought me pills, crackers, and breakfast.... starbucks, cheerios, and pancakes. i only ate the cheerios and of course crackers. i think by the time this is all over i am going to HATE crackers.my day consisted of laying in bed, eating crackers, taking pills, and talking to doctors and nurses. i also took a few more pictures from my bed. my massaging spanx. total win. my tv and the stop sign that drove me crazy. it kept reading it wrong.... blame the drugs maybe? i kept reading it as DONT CALL FALL. confused me the first few times i read it.
my best friend who went everywhere with me. so fun.my parents came to see again, and after they left i had a few other visitors too.... my boys!they were excited to see me again.i missed seeing Jayden's silly faces. they also had a tennis shoe puppet show behind the curtain. my boys are so entertaining!Lisa and Callie came to see me again as well. Jason came to get me around 5:00pm. i was ready to be home and in my own bed, but a little scared how the night would go at home. which actually went pretty well. im SO GLAD the surgery is over.... i am just hoping for an easy recovery.