It's me!! I'm alive! I made it!
Ok, I'll type until I get too tired to continue. As you know, 11 hours, whew, poor Chirs and my parents. My parents were not prepared at all and from the little poll we had here we figured on about 8 hours, hoping of course not to go longer. They really worked and worked on that facial nerve and they still had to leave some cells, 2mm of tumor.
However, they honored my wishes and left it there to preserve the nerve. I'm not sure exactly what that means, if its just a thin strip stuck to the nerve or what. The Dr. told my parents that there was a 90-95% chance that it wouldn't re-grow.
When they woke me up my first question was "did you get it all?" no answer then "how long have I been out?" When they told me how long I just started asking for Chris, know that was too long and he must be worried sick. After they found out I was finished they went to grab a bite to eat because they hadn't eaten since breakfast, figuring a 4-6 hour ordeal and didn't want to leave. What he didn't tell you was that everybody was looking for them and when they finally found me the first words I said was "where have you been???" I feel bad now and apologized.
I am on steroids and percoset. The steroids should stop today. The doctor told me that since they worked so hard on the facial nerve that he would be surprised if I didn't have facial weakness/paralysis but since the nerve is working fine so far that it would only be temporary. My blood sugar is being monitored, its really high (205 this morning and just now 170) because of the steroids. I had a shot of insulin this morning.
I've just been moved to my regular room and they say discharge on Saturday. I've walked a little bit (to the bathroom) but plan on hitting the hall in a few minutes. I did call my bff last night mostly because she's the one that had to put up with my bad jokes and gory details when she probably didn't really want to. Coming out of the anesthesia was not bad, they didn't gas me, all through IV. I visited with Chris and my parents for 2 hours after the surgery and actually laughed a lot.
Well, I'm worn out for now. I'm walking a bit and considered a "rock star" in the ENT Dept.
Oh and good news, they are taking my IV out so I'm pretty much free from machines. Believe me, after having two IV lines, an arterial line, and all the sensors its such a relief. Now, if only I can get a look at my head...