And ... as long as I'm waiting ... when you 1st woke up from surg ...

[OTO]

I remember having a bunch of people looking at me..  it was all a blur because I didn't have my glasses on ... but I assume it was one of the surgeons, the ICU nurse and the assigned hospitalist.    They wanted me to talk, blink my eyes and try to smile.   All I remember was thinking ... why are these people waking me up, when all I want to do is sleep.... leave me alone...

[alwaysthere]

As my surgery date of June 25th gets closer, I've wondered the same . This has been very interesting reading and a good laugh on a few. Having had several surgeries already, It is strange as to what you think of the very first thing upon waking.

Patty

[moe]

I woke up to my husband saying, "I'm going to leave now, OK?" (it was after midnight)
I thought why are you leaving, I just woke up?
Apparently, I was slow in coming around and maybe slightly awake, but do not remember talking to him.
The next thing I thought was  "I have a %$#^ of a headache" which continued through that long first night   along with throwing up
But the first 3 days don't count, remember!
Maureen

[leapyrtwins]

C

Definitely C

Jan

[Kaybo]

It was SUCH a long time ago...but I do remember them telling us that morning that they would not take me to Recovery - I would stay in the OR until they thought that they could move me and then take me straight to ICU since it would be so late.  They knew that the surgery would be at least 12 hours, possibly more...since it was 14, it was very late.  My SIL was a recovery room nurse and so she had tried to prepare everyone for what I would look like after being under for that long...guess she didn't get the point across because all I remember (besides all the crazy nightmares all night) is seeing the looks of horror on everyone's faces when I saw them in the hall when they were taking me to ICU.  For some reason, I remember being in the hall and next to the steel doors of the elevator!  The next few days were in & out...but I made it thru and am alive to tell about it!! 

K 

[Keri]

I woke up in my room in neuro ICU and saw my doctor then the clock and thought, 'gee it sure is late... I don't think I've ever slept so long in my life... I'm VERY VERY thirsty.'

[epodjn]

The first thing I thought about was can I blink. I remember trying and being very happy because i thought i could, but it was only Bell Phenomanon. But I didn't figure that out for another day or so.
Second thought was I wish someone would stop the room from spinning. It was making me so sick.
Third thought - I was so hot and wanted water but they wouldn't give it to me. The next best thing was my son's cold hands. They felt so good i didn't want to let go.
No one prepared my family for what i would look like after a 12 hour surgery so I did have a lot of shocked looks also. My poor daughter ran out of the room crying. I didn't realize it was me that had her upset. I really felt pretty good once the room stopped spinning. The next day I was allowed to get up and saw myself in the mirror and then I figured it out.
But the first three days don't count - that's for sure!!

[MissMolly]

Hey Jeepers,

This was a great topic, particularly since I'm waiting for surgery in less than 10 days now.  I most likely will be one of the "I'm gonna throw up" ones, but am hoping to avert that!!   

It's good to hear that people came through with a sense of humor.  That counts for sooooooo much.

Molly

[Kaybo]

You know what is so funny (ironic)?  I have had several surgeries since my AN & get VERY sick & nauseous after each - to the point of them now taking special precautions - but don't remember getting sick AT  ALL after 14 HOURS of anesthesia (so?)!!

K

[heyct]

1. I can't breathe! The oxygen face mask was just being pulled off my face. They must've turned it off a bit too soon.
2. I'm gonna throw up! and did.
3. My husband patting my arm telling me "they got it all". Relief, only 10 days later at my post-op appt. I found out there was still a small bit left 

[Jeepers]

I'll bet I'll be one of the pukers too! 

I'm counting on being very doped up. I've been known to succumb to anxiety attacks and as I ponder the upcoming event, I imagine panicing as I'm unable to move, have a mask over my face, or some similar scenario.   

[Dog Lover]

I remember
1. waking up and realizing that although the room wasn't spinning (my biggest fear) it wasn't exacly stable either, but as long as I kept my eyes closed it was tolerable.
2. Being very nauseous
3. wanting to go back to sleep but couldn't because some other dude in the ICU was out of his mind and yelling all night. It was horrible. I kept thinking that the ICU that my daughter was in way back when at Mayo Clinic in Rochester was NOTHING like this!

[anissa]

First I asked if they got it all...no answer
Then I asked how long I'd been out...around 11 hours
Where's my husband, did you tell him?  Did you tell him I'm ok???  Go get him, he's got to be worried sick!
They asked me for my pain level and I hollered back, ITS A NINE (didn't want to say 10 because, well, what if it got worse?) 
Ice chips were my very best friend and they will probably be yours too.

After about an hour my husband and parents were allowed to come back to neuro ICU and we visited for a couple of hours.  I don't remember much of the conversation but I do remember feeling no pain after the whole NINE incident (thank you morphine).

I stayed in the hospital for 3 nights and now only deal with SSD and manageable balance problems. 

Best wishes to you, when is your surgery? 

[nancyann]

All I remember is seeing the doctor,  3 friends/coworkers, & then vomiting forever !.  Then I realized 1/2 my face was paralyzed,  WHEW, what a nightmare !

[leapyrtwins]

I'll bet I'll be one of the pukers too! 

I'm counting on being very doped up. I've been known to succumb to anxiety attacks and as I ponder the upcoming event, I imagine panicing as I'm unable to move, have a mask over my face, or some similar scenario.   

Don't stress too much.  I don't recall being unable to move or having a mask over my face - or any other "freaky" scenarios.

I was a puker the first time they made me sit up and put my legs over the side of the bed - so if you lose your lunch, just remember you're in good company    I think in my case it was the spinning room that did me in.

I told Dr. Battista that the whole experience reminded me of the first (and last) time I was good and drunk - back in college.   The spinning room and the puking just added to the memory.  I recall him being quite amused 

Humor can get you through a lot of situations post-op; I highly recommend it.

Jan