I really liked the dream I was having...but I couldn't remember it at all once the pain hit! I got my very heavy eyelids open and noticed Bill to my right. He was reassuring me that he was going to get my medicine just right and it wouldn't hurt so much any more.
"Ok, another 5mm" . There was a young lady on his right who was repeating his orders and writing them down. Wasn't really aware of that at first. I think it was after the fourth or fifth time he spoke to her regarding how much he was adding and of what that both of their bodies became clearer to me and the pain was starting to subside.
I was so thankful Walt had taken the time to tell me, "Remember, when you come out of recovery they will ask you about your pain and to rate it on a scale of 1-10. If it is a 5, say it is a 9, don't be afraid to say it hurts and ask for more pain medication. This isn't the time to tough it out because if you do, you'll regret it because you'll hurt more later." He was SO right.
When Bill first asked me, that 9 WAS a 9 to me! I had two spots to deal with, one on the top of my breast and one incision under my left arm...ouch! Next, I was an 8, then a 6, then a 4 and it was perfect. What he gave me I could more than tolerate the pain and it helped the whole rest of the day go better too.
They brought me back to the "staging area" as I call it, back to cubicle "E" once again to make my efforts to clear my head, see my friends, and join the real world. Carol and Sandy joined me there and I know, at first, they did more of the chatting than I did, mainly because I can't remember much of it to share with you here. Things started to become clearer and I was asked if I wanted some water. I never heard a more wonderful thing than that! I hadn't had any water in 12 hours...do you know how much more that beverage is appreciated, how magnificent it tastes, when you've been without it that long? Hallelujah!
While I was enjoying that, Walt walked in too and joined in on all the jokes and chatter. It was close to 5pm and I was amazed! I was waking up pretty well now, enjoying my water and my friends. Martha brought my clothes to me and I got the ok to change and prepare to go home. Walt stepped out, Sandy and Carol were ready to help when I looked at them and said, "I got this girls." With a question about needing help and a "no, but thank you" from me, they stepped outside the curtain too and joined Walt, a little surprised for sure. With that pain medicine, I was able to get myself dressed with very little discomfort,then pulled the curtain open with a smile, ready to go. Martha got the wheel chair, sent Sandy after her car, Carol took the prescription for my medicine, and we were all on our way out of there.
Getting outside felt great! I got out of the chair, hugged Carol with thanks for getting my meds and said that I would see her at home. Hugged Walt and thanked him for getting me there in the morning and wished him a safe trip east to be with his partner. Then slid into the car for the trip home, chattering with Sandy all the way.
When we arrived at my house, I had Sandy use her key so she knew it worked. Then walked her through my clean rooms and it felt so good. That's when it struck me...I'm hungry! No food since 7 pm the night before either...ugh! I went into the kitchen and she was ready to do it for me. Nope, got it...how about some cheese and crackers? Sliced up cheese, put out some crackers, poured a cold coffee beverage I had to share, and sat down to snack and waited for Carol to join us bringing the meds. I told them the stories I have shared with all of you about my visits to the various rooms and the delightful people I spent time with. It was just great to be alive and be home!
They left about 6...long day for them and certain that I would be asleep soon...HA! I watched a movie, played a few games on Pogo.com, and talked to one of my friends for about 2 hours. Before going to bed, I noticed that my generic vicodin said to take one or two capsules every 4 to 6 hours as needed for pain. So...the first night, I took two before I went to sleep because I could feel things coming back to life on the left side and knew I didn't want to feel the full force of it. Then I set my alarm on my phone to wake me in 5 hours, at which time I took one. I kept ahead of the pain and will continue to do that over the next few days... at least, that's my plan. I hope to be off the powerful stuff and onto the lighter stuff by next weekend. We'll see how it goes.
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