Daddy's Surgery

Friday, Daddy and Mommy went to Louisville for Daddy's hand surgery.

Poor Daddy has had carpal tunnel and it has been very painful.  Both arms and hands have been numb and it has gotten to the point where surgery is the best option. 

It was early morning when we arrived at Norton's hospital.  We checked in at registration and Dean was admitted and then we were taken to the surgery floor.  The nurses and aides were very nice!  Dean immediately requested that I have a more comfortable chair than those provided in his room, and they accomodated with a nice recliner.  Then the real work started and it was time to get Dean all ready...

Does he look like he needs a hug yet? 

The nurses did an IV and put an oxygen monitor on his right hand.  Since his blood pressure was a little high, most likely due to the stress of the upcoming surgery, Dean received a nice cocktail of meds.  He was a little loopy for a bit, but otherwise seemed his normal self.  During our wait, Dean did try to mess with his monitors, though.  He would hold his breath or tap his "ET" finger to change the numbers.  Silly Daddy...

On his right hand, the nurse put in a catheder.  She started by giving his hand a little dose of lidocane.  I was leaning over to watch and the "pop" surprsied me!  But the cathedar was painless to install after that!

We expected that Dean would be taken back for surgery around 11:00, but due to complications with the previous patient, we had a much longer wait.  Dean was very hungry, but he was in good spirits as we twirled our thumbs patiently.  We even took little naps!

The doctor stopped by to speak with us and to mark Dean's hand for the surgery.

The doctor told us all about the procedure and what recovery would be like.  He also gave Dean instructions on what exercises to do for his hand over the next couple of weeks. 

The anesthiologist returned and Dean had another round of cocktails since time was drawing near.  This time, the medications affected him much faster and much stronger.  He was more relaxed and the lack of food surely contributed.  He passed right out, causing me a touch of panic, but then he began snoring loudly so I knew he was ok.  That was my scary moment of the day!

At 1:20, the doctors and nurses came and took Dean back to the operating room.  He later told me about how they wrapped his arm tightly with a thick rubberband, like those exercise bands.  He remembers when they gave him the medication and off to dream land he went...

They nurses did a great job of keeping me well-informed.  The doctor's began working on him at 1:51 and by 2:25 they were closing up.  Dean was returned to me by 2:30.  He was alert, though he didn't know that I knew that and he tried to trick me again with a funny face.  He quickly recovered from the anesthetisia and was up walking and everything within minutes.  After some paperwork and normal discharge information, we were out the door and on our way to fill prescriptions and eat some food!  The surgery went well and so far, recovery has been better than I expected.  Daddy is doing well! 

When we got home that night, we found Daddy's message he had left for us...

Since he was so nice, Mommy and Waverly had to take good care of him.  He is already doing so well!  In a few weeks, we'll go back for surgery on his right hand.  Thanks to everyone for thinking of us over these last few days!