Surgery.
24 weeks pregnant.
I never thought I would ever be putting those two things together, but there I was 24-weeks pregnant and checked into the hospital preparing for just that. Having never had surgery before I had no idea what to expect or even how to mentally prepare myself for it. They wheeled me up to the operating room and after a quick kiss from my husband, I was brought inside the sterile looking room. I was dressed to the nines of course in my lovely hospital issue smock, with its very revealing back. Since I was pregnant and it was safer for me to be awake during the surgery, my doctor opted to give me an epidural (where they basically freeze you from the middle down).
The anesthesiologist put a needle into my back (oh fun!) and it wasn't long before I started to go numb. He would be around for the entire surgery to make sure I stayed that way, which would have been really comforting except for the fact that he was actually really cute (go figure) and would be seeing me in my birthday suit.
Next up was the insertion of the catheter (even more fun!) at this point I am thinking that at least I'm not a guy because I can just imagine how this must feel for them! Enter my amazing doctor, who I will refer to as Dr. N. They do some more checks to make sure that I am in fact entirely numb in all of the places that I am supposed to be. I was, by the way, lying down with my arms stretched out to the sides and there was a sheet that blocked my view of my midsection, where I was basically naked. So much for being shy!
Time to start the surgery.
Even though I couldn't see directly what they were doing, I was able to see my reflection in the lights above them so I actually saw when the doctor cut into my stomach. It was a surreal feeling, being cut open and being able to see it. I tried not to look too much after that, I wasn't sure I could handle it. I couldn't however do anything about what I felt. Since I was awake and only numbed, I could still feel them tugging and manipulating my stomach, I just didn't feel any pain. I can't even put into words just how weird that feeling is (and not an enjoyable weird either).
Both the anesthesiologist and Dr. N. were great, they told me what was going on throughout the entire surgery. Because of where the cyst was positioned (it was somewhat hidden behind my uterus) the doctor wasn't able to completely remove it, but instead had to drain it. It ended up being what they referred to as a chocolate cyst since the colour of the fluid that drained out of it was brown. I don't remember exactly how much liquid they drained (it was after all 5 years ago), but I do know it was a fair amount.
What I found interesting about the whole experience was getting to listen to what the doctor's and nurses talk about during surgery - it was not at all what I expected. At one point they were trying to figure out some math problem (huh?) They also tried to include me in their conversations at times (perhaps as a way to distract me), but ultimately there was no juicy gossip being tossed around.
When the surgery was finished, they sewed me back up and then I had to go and wait in the ICU where they would monitor me for the next hour. This was probably the most boring part of the entire surgery - hanging out in a room with a bunch of patients, most of whom were still completely knocked out from their anesthesia - when all I really wanted to do was go see my husband.
That was the best part, finally getting to see my husband and my family, knowing that the surgery was over and had been successful.
The scary part wasn't the surgery though, no, that came later that night when I suddenly woke with a strange feeling in my abdomen..."oh no", I thought, "I think I'm having contractions". And sure enough, I was. It was at this point that I started praying "Please, please, let them stop! This little one is not ready to be born yet...please..." It is such a helpless feeling to have, it almost feels like your body is betraying you, going against everything you want. There was definitely a feeling of having no control over the situation. I am just grateful for the amazing nurses and the drugs that finally helped answer my prayers, as I felt my body slowly give in and the contractions cease.
I had to stay in the hospital for a couple of days after the surgery to recover. During that time there were some other fun things that I got to experience: having to throw up despite not being able to move very much, the removal of my catheter (even more fun than having it inserted!), my restless leg syndrome that had me up walking the halls during the wee hours of one night, oh and my personal favourite - where the nurses had to insert some of my medication (use your imagination).
When I was finally released from the hospital it was so good to be home - within a week I was back on my feet, walking normally again. I remember how surprised my doctor was by how quickly I was recovering, but I'm not one who likes to be down and out for long.
Besides, it was time to get back to having a normal pregnancy again!
Or was it...
to be continued.
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