3 days after surgery

I think things are going pretty good. The first few days were a little rough, but I feel like I have turned the corner to recovery.

Let me start with what I remember. I remember getting a dose of valium and being wheeled off to the MRI operating room. It did look a little different with metal panels on the walls. Then there were a lot of instruments. Then the anesthesiologist told me he was giving me the propofol and I remember nothing else about the surgery.

When I woke up after the surgery I was doing okay. I saw the anesthesiologist's face right in front of me talking to me. I could hear and understand everything,  but my vision was really blurry. I mean like room spinning stuff. Then I felt my had being squeezed and it was Aaron. I was so happy to see him.

After I was done recovering they brought me to the ICU. At that time my head started hurting a lot and the medication wasn't coming as quickly as I anticipated and Aaron had to advocate for me a little. Later that night, I had a big episode of a headache and it felt like I was back in labor and delivery. I was writhing my legs and just repeating "please, please, please." That was my worst pain. After that it got better.

Also, it was during that night when I found out I had bad veins. They poked me over AND over again.  I just kept my eyes shut and let them poke over and over. I really had no choice  Not a restful night,

Oh, I should say the craziest thing that I did NOT anticipate is that my tongue has become swollen. It was really bad the first two nights, but now it is better (but not perfect). When they monitored my cranial nerves during surgery, they put a lot of electrodes IN my muscles, including my tongue. I can feel there was one on my chin, my forehead and on my scalp. I never had any problems breathing, but swallowing had become difficult. I guess about 25% of people get this outcome, but I never knew about it.  Right now my tongue is slightly bigger than normal, tender and is starting to scab.

The last night of my ICU experiences, I had a peripheral IV that infiltrated. The problem with this is the liquid going in was a high dose of sodium it was causing pain and could cause permanent damage. So my nurse removed the IV, gave me shots around the infiltration site and told me to keep it elevated and put an ice pack on it as much as I could. I have been doing this and it helps. 

Really though, my arms and hand are so bruised and scabbed, it is scary. Right now I have one peripheral IV that I am not really using. I am drinking all the fluid I need, I am taking all of my medications orally, so it is just there for precautions.

I will keep you updated when I know more.

Laura