Just popping in to say that surgery went totally fine yesterday! It was probably the easiest surgery I've had of the 8 I've had. Yes - 8 surgeries! Nuts, huh? I've had my wisdom teeth removed, tonsil/adnoids removed, sinus surgery, hip surgery to repair a torn labrum, 2 c-sections, and a d&c when I had my miscarriage in 2019. This is the 4th surgery with my OB so Phil joked that we must be due for a free surgery soon. But hopefully this is the last of my surgeries? Time will tell.
I felt tired/foggy afterwards and had minor cramping but was pretty much fine otherwise. My OB talked to Phil after the surgery and it sounds like I didn't actually have polyps - they were something else that present like polyps that are even less concerning. I'll see my OB in 2 weeks so will get a chance to ask more about what was found. The biopsy of the tissue will be back in a week but even when she thought they were polyps she wasn't worried they would find anything.
I also had one of the best IV insertion experiences ever! I've had a lot of IVs between all these surgeries and other hospital admissions. There have been times that it takes 3 attempts to place the IV, especially when I have fasted before a surgery. I told the nurse to not even try to put it on the top of my hand by my knuckles because it's rarely successful so she used the big veins by my elbow where blood is typically drawn and it went in so easily. I commented on how I have good veins and Phil said he'd never heard someone say they have good veins! I said he is lucky to not have blood drawn a ridiculous number of times in his life. Phlebotomists have commented on how great my veins are for blood draws - thank goodness I am an "easy stick" because I have to get routine blood work to monitor side effects of my RA drugs.
Hopefully this is the last surgery for our family for a long, long time. The last 5 years have been kind of brutal between all the surgeries I've had and both boys getting tubes! As nice as they are, I'd like to not speak to an anesthesiologist again in my life if possible! But I recognize the chances of that are probably not great!
I am envious of what I call Phil's "medical privilege." The only doctor appointment he has, typically, is his annual physical. It's rare for him to take any medications. Meanwhile, I have so many different doctor appointments and a days of the week pillbox with am/pm slots since I have too many medications to keep track of. I meet my deductible in January because of my expensive RA injections and typically meet our out-of-pocket max by the fall. But at least one of us is very healthy. He got life insurance this past year but we didn't even consider getting life insurance for me because we knew the cost would be horrible with all my ailments!
Are you medically "privileged" like my husband or do you have a hefty health history like me? I wish my medical history was shorter but I'm very grateful to have excellent access to incredible physicians!
12 comments:
I'm very fortunate to not have any serious medical conditions. The only thorn in my side has been extremely heavy periods, but I'm set to have a hysterectomy in 2023.
I have had a lot of blood work, though. Because of iron level issues from my periods and I do have high cholesterol. I also have excellent veins and think nothing of having routine blood work, while I know for some people is agonizing.
I had a HORRIBLE IV for my first C-section. It hurt so badly and it was honestly one thing I was terrified of when I went in for my second C-section, but the second time it went flawlessly. I also needed an IV for iron infusions a few years ago (again - back to issues from those heavy periods!), and was so nervous, but they always managed to get them in on the first try.
I'm so glad your surgery went well! Best wishes for a restful recovery. Even though it went smoothly, I hope you're able to take it easy for a while <3
I am so glad the surgery went smoothly! And I laughed at your "good veins" comment -- I also have good veins, although I mostly hear about them when I get blood drawn.
Medical privilege is real and something so many of us take for granted. I try to take time to be very grateful for my health because it is so precious. I'm glad that you have such good management of your RA and that your husband and kiddos are healthy. I hope this is your last surgery for a very long time!
This has me thinking about how many surgeries I've had -- you mentioned wisdom teeth, which I don't think I'd ever considered for the simple fact that it is dental rather than medical! But that's silly. So I suppose, counting wisdom teeth and the root canal (does that count??? maybe not, but I got put to sleep because I was so anxious, so I'm adding it to the list!) I have had three total.
First of all I'm so glad your surgery was pretty easy and what they found was even less of a concern! Such great news. I had to laugh though because my husband and I have this conversation all the time about "frequent fliers" at the hospital as I am the "medically privelaged" one and he is definitely not (he's had a kidney transplant, 2 hip replacements, brain tumor removed, rotator cuff repair in the last 15 years). He's the one with all the health issues and we also meet our deductible so soon it's insane. Ah well thank GOD for health insurance and an advanced medical system. My husband would definitely not be alive if not for that.
Oof... I'm not that far off you filling my punch card: tonsils/adenoids, wisdom teeth removed, 3-sections and surgical repair to fix a broken nose. I'm in NO hurry to have another one.
I'm so glad your surgery went well!
I am definitely medically privileged, the only surgeries I have ever had are LASIK eye surgery and varicose vein stripping. That latter was not fun, and also I developed NEW varicose veins, which wasn't supposed to happen. Oh well! I don't take any medication other than vitamins and supplements. My husband has a lot for his blood pressure though.
Oh, no one in our house is medically privileged! BUT. We're so lucky that there are treatments for our maladies, so we try hard not to complain. I just spent the afternoon with someone who is two years younger than me who has colorectal cancer and it really puts into perspective our issues.
I'm so happy to hear that your surgery went well and I'm sending you easy recovery vibes!
I am so glad that you came out the other side unscathed! I am sorry to say that I am in Phil's camp.. I have had a few surgeries (wisdom teeth, pins in my finger and a Bartholin gland removal) though so I am not totally privileged. However, my usual yearly routine is a wellness check and the normal preventative appointments (gyno, eyes, teeth, mammogram), which luckily have not turned up anything!
I hope that the rest of your recovery goes well and that you are getting ready for the holidays!
so glad to know that it went well. And so many surgeries you've had. No wonder you are not nervous anymore. Hope that's the last one for you for decades to come.
My eye surgery IV part was the most painful/discomfort part of the entire process. It just feels so weird.
I am so happy to hear that the surgery went well! I am fairly medically privileged, as I very rarely need to see a doctor (only for annuals) and my last surgery was when I was 4 (to get my tonsils out). I will say that I have TERRIBLE veins. It's always a struggle when I get blood drawn and they always have to call in the "special" phlebotomist who can find hidden veins.
I'm glad everything went well! Yes, any time they take anything out of your body they have to biopsy it, even if it seems perfectly harmless. My husband also has no medical issues. I'm somewhere in the middle- I take a thyroid medication which means I have to get my blood drawn every six months. Anyway, I hope you're recovered and enjoying Christmas!
Phil sounds like Rick (except in the case of a bike crash). I'm like you. Saw the doc today to try to get to the root of my mobility issues and at least we have a plan. I'm glad I have insurance. And very glad your surgery wasn't too bad. (I hate IVs too -- glad you had a good one.)
I am so glad to hear your surgery went well. You'd think you handle them like a pro now after everything you've been through in the last 8 years.
I am lucky to say that I am "medically priviledged" at this point. I suffered from iron-deficiency anemia in my 20's but it hasn't been a problem since.
My (new) PCP was somewhat surprised when I went in for my annual check-up that I wasn't on any medications. I hope it stays this way for a very long time.
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