Okay today is the day! This time last year I was napping and becoming increasingly annoyed but the telephone ringing over and over again. Little did I know that it was the hospital-Brandi trying to contact me to tell me there was a possible match. When I finally answered the telephone it was around one. I’m surprised that the hospital did not give up on me and call the next in line. Lucky for me.
When I did answer the telephone I thought I was dreaming. Especially since I had never met Brandi before, usually I had dealt with Jay. At one point Brandi had to put Jay on the phone bc she could hear the confusion in my voice. I was so confused that I asked Brandi if I would have time to go get Scott?. She replied with “I think your boyfriend can find another way home from work”. Can you believe I thought of that before the BIGGER picture.
I was also a little disappointed because the Dodger’s were playing the Cub’s here and we had tickets. I really thought that Scott should go ahead and go to the game and catch up with me later. I’m glad he didn’t. What was I thinking? I believe that Dr Hodges was out of town, but he called me also to ask me what I thought. He really brought me out of the confusion and soon after our brief conversation I was running around the apartment trying to figure out what I needed. What does one need when going to the hospital for a double lung transplant?
The one thing that I had always wanted to wear during my surgery was my grandmother’s’ ring, it was actually her mother’s ring with my Dad and my uncle’s birth stone in it. Can you believe that I left the house without it? And the only reason I returned home was because I thought I had left a candle burning on the coffee table, once I came back in I realized there was no candle burning, but remembered that I wanted THAT RING! I grabbed it quickly and headed out the door. To my disappoinment I couldn’t wear in the surgery after all.
The ride to the hospital was long. Longer than usual. I really paid attention to the way things looked, the hills, houses, flowers, trees Everything just in case I would never see them again. I drove straight down Santa Monica Blvd East to the 101 South–alone. And I even stopped at a gas station on Santa Monica because we were low. How I did I will never know. I was calm and that is not always my strong point. The entire trip to the hospital took about an hour. I know this because I listened to the entire Jack Johnson, On and On CD and sang along with every song! Maybe that is what calmed me down, his music is very laid back, beach music with acoustic guitar. Thanks Jack. If you like laid back music you should take a listen to him!!! When I was alone Jack was there. I guess it gave my mind a chance to calm before the storm. I still LOVE Jack Johnson!!!!
So I get the hospital and find a meter. Wow was I lucky, that hardly ever happens. After Scott and Jill got to hospital, Scott double checked that I put money in the meter and was surprised that I had especially under the circumstances.
The next few hours were pretty crazy. I walked into the ICU department and sort of freaked out. I’m sure you have been into a ICU before, it is sad. Lots of monitors beeping and most people are just in their beds, sleeping or in commas. When I told the nurse behind the counter that I was there for a double lung TX she looked at me like I was crazy. Luckily a respiratory therapist that I know, Mike recognized me and said that I was a CF patient and yes I was on the transplant list. Thank good he happened to be there otherwise I would have been tripping on my words. I was actually on the wrong side of ICU and had to go to the other side where a room was ready for me.
The room was scarey and sometimes I still have bad dreams about it. Picture this: A bed that is VERY high off of the ground, about 15 machines behind the head of the bed and the front of the bed facing a HUGE window where people can watch you. It was like a fishbowl without the fun little toys at the bottom. I don’t like to be watched and especially doing something I’m not sure of. The fishbowl is a great thing because it allows the drs and nurses to watch your every move and see the machines behind you. I serves its purpose!
I think the 1st thing I had to do was many breathing treatments and paperwork out the wahoo. Just think about how much paper work you have when something like x-ray, labwork or other tests and multiply that by 25.There were nurses everywhere. I got a IV and I think an angel that gave it to me. In order for my IV to stay in the nurse had to find a large vein. He was so careful and only had to stick me once, surprising for my type of veins. Anyway the reason I think he was an angel because he came in for the IV + a cute little sticker with a smiley face on it and then I never saw him again! But also the way he spoke to me. You could tell by his voice and what he said that he was very spiritual man with an Alabama accent. He calmed me. After the surgery I wanted to try to contact him to tell him but for the life of me I couldn’t remember his name.
Scott and his sister Jill were there from the IV time and on. I don’t think I could have been in their position, to watch all of this take place and perhaps not seeing me after the surgery bc of any problems. My parents were not there. At first it really bothered me, but then after the surgery I was glad that I hadn’t seen them before. Otherwise I think I would have been a mess. When the donor lungs were a good match and good quality I was heading towards surgery.
And just like in the movies when they take the gurney from ICU down the halls to surgery. I remember feeling nauseous laying flat on my back and watching the ceiling lights as I’m speeding towards the operating room. When we got to the double doors I had to say goodbye to Scott and Jill. That was very hard. They were both calm which calmed me. If my Mom had been there I probably would have jumped from the gurney into her arms. That’s why I say I’m glad my parents weren’t there.
Next was the pre-operating room. I was alone, but had many warm fuzzy thoughts. Mostly of playing with my nephews, niece and Sosa. With a few people in gurneys waiting for surgery also, all different types of surgery. I laid there for a while and it was so cold and quite. A little while later a two young drs came to me and ask me if I am ready. I didn’t know how to respond. But before I knew it a guy came to me, injected me with something (pain killer or sleeping stuff)and said we were going in. The operating room was soooo scarey! I just remember how tall the ceiling was, but felt a little comfort when I saw a stereo. Music is so good for the soul. But when I asked what music the surgeons listened to the nurses responded with COUNTRY.
OH MY GOSH!!
The next thing I remember is being back in the fishbowl, looking for my parents and questioning if the surgery went through. My Mom was there and soon after my Dad appeared.
But I did so much in the little bit of time I was there. I attended Jacob’s graduation from pre-K, Alex’s event for Boy Scouts in which he became a Bear, two weddings, a reception and my very own birthday party. Well I should say the party was for Mike and Ike, but I celebrated more than they did. They even recieved a cake!!!! Have you ever seen a cake with lungs on it? Well you will when I post the picture it was unbelievable!!!!! If you have any bakery needs go to McArthur’s!!!!!!