I mentioned it was a good idea for your ENT to check your breathing sitting up and lying down with the monitoring scope stuck up your nose and down your throat to get a good idea of what's really wrong with you (physically)...
Well, I just learned another thing today...
The following was posted by another Friend, and it got me to thinking about today (Note: June 3, 2008 "Exploratory surgery").
"Oh NOOOOO! I don't understand...they couldn't figure this out earlier, that this particular surgery would not have helped? Did they have you attend a sleep clinic where they would have observed this? Unreal... I don't blame you for having a stiff one. I'd have the entire bottle!"
My Reply
I actually drank three bottles of ale tonight; may not sound like much, but at 8.4% they have a kick.
The type of surgical observation the ENT team made today isn't done in a typical sleep study lab; so most forms of obstructive sleep apnea are never discovered; unless the patient or doctor continues seaching for an answer.
Even in the ENT's exam office, where a scope is inserted thru the nasal cavity to view the throat, palate. and rear of the tongue, etc. on a TV monitor not everything is revealed.
My last exam was done such, sitting up and lying back in the chair, to simulate the two extremes in breathing and compare physical conditions to reveal POSSIBLE reasons for breathing difficulty.
This is why the ENT opted for the hyoid suspension and redoing one or both of my last surgeries. But I didn't know they find other issues and that the surgery options this time would not have corrected them; same as the first time.
Unfortunately, it takes the body time to heal and adjust itself and more examinations. Like this surgery turned out to be, another exam exploration by the ENT team. They put me into different sleep stages and monitored what was happening in my throat area.
What they determined was not to proceed with the surgical options outlined, as they would have little to no effect on my condition; saving me some pain, insurance cost, and wasted physician time.
Of course, I didn't understand or see this immediately.
The doctors usually tell the patient of possible degrees of success or failure; my first surgeries were to prove 50-70% successful, which they weren't and that optimism was based on the limited exam room findings. More than what an ordinary sleep lab study would reveal, but less than what was findable in the OR.
I'm not at all looking forward to this other surgery (the Revision UP3); it's like something routine, as all types of this surgery are done as the work proceeds. The surgeon may have a good idea of what he/she wants to do, but until doing it, that actually decides the course of action taken.
And, there's always the healing time, and all the rest to determine if it is truly successful and for how long.
I'm glad you asked these questions, as it got me to thinking about and not feeling so angry and frustrated by the whole day.
Thanks Friend.
Great big hug,
Mike
Members: I'm taking some of my previous postings/replies to highlight some important issues dealing with determining what are the actual physical problems that "might be" corrected to relieve/eliminate my "obstructive sleep apnea" condition.
Well, I just learned another thing today...
The following was posted by another Friend, and it got me to thinking about today (Note: June 3, 2008 "Exploratory surgery").
"Oh NOOOOO! I don't understand...they couldn't figure this out earlier, that this particular surgery would not have helped? Did they have you attend a sleep clinic where they would have observed this? Unreal... I don't blame you for having a stiff one. I'd have the entire bottle!"
My Reply
I actually drank three bottles of ale tonight; may not sound like much, but at 8.4% they have a kick.
The type of surgical observation the ENT team made today isn't done in a typical sleep study lab; so most forms of obstructive sleep apnea are never discovered; unless the patient or doctor continues seaching for an answer.
Even in the ENT's exam office, where a scope is inserted thru the nasal cavity to view the throat, palate. and rear of the tongue, etc. on a TV monitor not everything is revealed.
My last exam was done such, sitting up and lying back in the chair, to simulate the two extremes in breathing and compare physical conditions to reveal POSSIBLE reasons for breathing difficulty.
This is why the ENT opted for the hyoid suspension and redoing one or both of my last surgeries. But I didn't know they find other issues and that the surgery options this time would not have corrected them; same as the first time.
Unfortunately, it takes the body time to heal and adjust itself and more examinations. Like this surgery turned out to be, another exam exploration by the ENT team. They put me into different sleep stages and monitored what was happening in my throat area.
What they determined was not to proceed with the surgical options outlined, as they would have little to no effect on my condition; saving me some pain, insurance cost, and wasted physician time.
Of course, I didn't understand or see this immediately.
The doctors usually tell the patient of possible degrees of success or failure; my first surgeries were to prove 50-70% successful, which they weren't and that optimism was based on the limited exam room findings. More than what an ordinary sleep lab study would reveal, but less than what was findable in the OR.
I'm not at all looking forward to this other surgery (the Revision UP3); it's like something routine, as all types of this surgery are done as the work proceeds. The surgeon may have a good idea of what he/she wants to do, but until doing it, that actually decides the course of action taken.
And, there's always the healing time, and all the rest to determine if it is truly successful and for how long.
I'm glad you asked these questions, as it got me to thinking about and not feeling so angry and frustrated by the whole day.
Thanks Friend.
Great big hug,
Mike
Members: I'm taking some of my previous postings/replies to highlight some important issues dealing with determining what are the actual physical problems that "might be" corrected to relieve/eliminate my "obstructive sleep apnea" condition.
3 months ago
One main issue I wanted to know was whether the surgery would be performed at the same degree of sedation that they took me to on June 3rd.
"My concern" was if the surgery today (Friday, June 13, 2008) could be done "better" if the same physical characteristics existed.
The ENT surgeon pretty much said he didn't think it would matter much. Until they got in there, they wouldn't know completely what needed to be done.
So I was going into surgery knowing they would be performing some type of UP3 treatment, and possibily the "hyoid suspension". If it appeared, it would add additional breathing airway space.
"My concern" was if the surgery today (Friday, June 13, 2008) could be done "better" if the same physical characteristics existed.
The ENT surgeon pretty much said he didn't think it would matter much. Until they got in there, they wouldn't know completely what needed to be done.
So I was going into surgery knowing they would be performing some type of UP3 treatment, and possibily the "hyoid suspension". If it appeared, it would add additional breathing airway space.
3 months ago
I have no recollections after the "lights went out" in the OR until I "woke up" in the Extended Recovery Area (ERA) room.
They had me on nasal oxygen with no humidification. I asked for a face mask and humidifcation to sleep later. This is a MUST to have when trying to sleep, same idea as using a warm air humidifier with your CPAP. Your entire mouth area quickly dries out from the air movement, and your "comfort level" goes down very fast.
The nurse brought me a a "Disposable Oral Swab" called a "Toothette", which is a small rectangular soft sponge on a plastic stick about 6 inches long. This little remarkable device allowed me to dip it into my ice water, and swap my dry lips, and as my lips compressed the sponge head, "drink" from it. It was a "life-saver!!!"
You may be asking why not just use a straw to drink with?
When your throat area is very sore and dry, the last thing you want to do is cause compression within the mouth area from sucking a straw. In addition, everytime you suck on the straw, you're "sucking air".
Chances are (as I did) you're full of air/gases from the surgery, and may be blenching (as I was) it up...for sore throat and tongue - this isn't good for!!!
That why that little "Toothette" was a life-saver; helps reduce your air intake, yet adequately help relieve your dryness and thirst.
"Drinking the tasteless water" prompted me to then ask for popsicles to melt in my water cups to flavor the taste. Much better and it encouraged me to "drink more" fluids.
Which is definitely what you need to do, and the nurses bug you to do.
They had me on nasal oxygen with no humidification. I asked for a face mask and humidifcation to sleep later. This is a MUST to have when trying to sleep, same idea as using a warm air humidifier with your CPAP. Your entire mouth area quickly dries out from the air movement, and your "comfort level" goes down very fast.
The nurse brought me a a "Disposable Oral Swab" called a "Toothette", which is a small rectangular soft sponge on a plastic stick about 6 inches long. This little remarkable device allowed me to dip it into my ice water, and swap my dry lips, and as my lips compressed the sponge head, "drink" from it. It was a "life-saver!!!"
You may be asking why not just use a straw to drink with?
When your throat area is very sore and dry, the last thing you want to do is cause compression within the mouth area from sucking a straw. In addition, everytime you suck on the straw, you're "sucking air".
Chances are (as I did) you're full of air/gases from the surgery, and may be blenching (as I was) it up...for sore throat and tongue - this isn't good for!!!
That why that little "Toothette" was a life-saver; helps reduce your air intake, yet adequately help relieve your dryness and thirst.
"Drinking the tasteless water" prompted me to then ask for popsicles to melt in my water cups to flavor the taste. Much better and it encouraged me to "drink more" fluids.
Which is definitely what you need to do, and the nurses bug you to do.
3 months ago
Members and Friends - Feel free to respond to my posting comments; I have more to add but I'd like to hear your opinions.
Mike
When the ENT doctor finally arrived Saturday we talked about what happened in surgery; he explained that during the UP3 portion of the operation, he discovered "scar tissue" from apparently my first UP3 done 6 years ago. This scar tissue caused the soft palate tissue to actually close up the airway (I was told that the muscle/tissue had relaxed over the first year and caused the closing). When he removed the scar tissues the soft palate airway opened up on their own, then he did additional reconstruction of the tissues.
This really bothered me, to think that an operation done to help your physical obstruction, actually made it worse. Why did the scar tissue occur? I don't know; maybe poor post-op recovery? And why wasn't this discovered earlier? Folks, when you've had something like this done, you don't always pause to wonder why; you're more concerned that it didn't work, and now you're stuck using your CPAP machine for a life-time - unless you want your jaws disassembled and relocated.
The ENT surgeon also performed the "hyoid suspension" on me which meant that my original incision from January 29th was reopened to place another "screw" to anchor the hyoid bone. So I think I have two screws in the chin (neither of which are adjustable), another incision lower where they inserted the hyoid suspension cord (fishing line) and a third one (lower yet) to provide a drainage outlet.
The ENT surgeon removed the small drainage tube while he was present instead of waiting for the two resident doctors to return. He placed a large gauze over it and taped it in placed with a strip that ran from one lower ear (then under my chin) to the other ear. I removed this the next day, since it was preventing my chin area from expanding from the drainage/tissue shock; it was more comfortable not having any dressing on (I looked like hell with or without it on). I've bloodied a couple of shirts, but I figure it's worth the lessening the pain.
Mike
When the ENT doctor finally arrived Saturday we talked about what happened in surgery; he explained that during the UP3 portion of the operation, he discovered "scar tissue" from apparently my first UP3 done 6 years ago. This scar tissue caused the soft palate tissue to actually close up the airway (I was told that the muscle/tissue had relaxed over the first year and caused the closing). When he removed the scar tissues the soft palate airway opened up on their own, then he did additional reconstruction of the tissues.
This really bothered me, to think that an operation done to help your physical obstruction, actually made it worse. Why did the scar tissue occur? I don't know; maybe poor post-op recovery? And why wasn't this discovered earlier? Folks, when you've had something like this done, you don't always pause to wonder why; you're more concerned that it didn't work, and now you're stuck using your CPAP machine for a life-time - unless you want your jaws disassembled and relocated.
The ENT surgeon also performed the "hyoid suspension" on me which meant that my original incision from January 29th was reopened to place another "screw" to anchor the hyoid bone. So I think I have two screws in the chin (neither of which are adjustable), another incision lower where they inserted the hyoid suspension cord (fishing line) and a third one (lower yet) to provide a drainage outlet.
The ENT surgeon removed the small drainage tube while he was present instead of waiting for the two resident doctors to return. He placed a large gauze over it and taped it in placed with a strip that ran from one lower ear (then under my chin) to the other ear. I removed this the next day, since it was preventing my chin area from expanding from the drainage/tissue shock; it was more comfortable not having any dressing on (I looked like hell with or without it on). I've bloodied a couple of shirts, but I figure it's worth the lessening the pain.
3 months ago
Michael,
What a lot you have been through. I am sure you must feel exhausted with it all. It sounds terribly negligent of the surgeons and after care team from your first operation having somehow left you with scar tissue that caused the obstruction necessitating further surgery to enable you to breathe properly so you can get some quality sleep.
It sounds like your idea of the sponge in order to get some fluid into your mouth, was effective and I can see what you mean about sucking on a straw causing air and discomfort and pain. Good idea too to ask for popsicles to flavour the water.
I'm sorry you had to endure so much pain and discomfort and feel it may have even not been effective.
June
What a lot you have been through. I am sure you must feel exhausted with it all. It sounds terribly negligent of the surgeons and after care team from your first operation having somehow left you with scar tissue that caused the obstruction necessitating further surgery to enable you to breathe properly so you can get some quality sleep.
It sounds like your idea of the sponge in order to get some fluid into your mouth, was effective and I can see what you mean about sucking on a straw causing air and discomfort and pain. Good idea too to ask for popsicles to flavour the water.
I'm sorry you had to endure so much pain and discomfort and feel it may have even not been effective.
June
3 months ago
As Saturday night wore on (at home) my right shoulder began to ache, then it spread across to the left side. By Sunday morning I could hardly lift my left arm without severe flinching (and pain), but little in the right. I was thinking, did the surgical team "drop" me on the floor in the OR while transporting me back to recovery? But I couldn't find any bruising!
I don't know what happened, part of that mysterious extra long surgery time. But I ached, and it was Father's Day. Even the narcotic pain killer did nothing to ease the pain. And with all of the other stuff I had pumped into me, what do I dare take to try to relieve the pain?
I resorted to using a product that I sell online...OPC-3, part of it reduces inflammation. I knew it had no known drug interactions, so I took six doses along with two doses of Vitamin B Complex (good for headaches), mixed it with 16 oz of water and slowly drank it. Took me about an hour to down it, not because of taste, I just wanted to have it work slowly, if it did anything. Within another 1/2 hour, all of the shoulder pain was gone, and hasn't come back.
I was relieved...this wasn't meant to be a cheap form of advertising...I was desperate to get some relief from the pain and enjoy my day (which I eventually did). I just wish I knew what caused it. I know that the anesthesia wearing off was going to reveal some things, but the shoulder pain was totally unexpected (and unwelcomed).
I don't know what happened, part of that mysterious extra long surgery time. But I ached, and it was Father's Day. Even the narcotic pain killer did nothing to ease the pain. And with all of the other stuff I had pumped into me, what do I dare take to try to relieve the pain?
I resorted to using a product that I sell online...OPC-3, part of it reduces inflammation. I knew it had no known drug interactions, so I took six doses along with two doses of Vitamin B Complex (good for headaches), mixed it with 16 oz of water and slowly drank it. Took me about an hour to down it, not because of taste, I just wanted to have it work slowly, if it did anything. Within another 1/2 hour, all of the shoulder pain was gone, and hasn't come back.
I was relieved...this wasn't meant to be a cheap form of advertising...I was desperate to get some relief from the pain and enjoy my day (which I eventually did). I just wish I knew what caused it. I know that the anesthesia wearing off was going to reveal some things, but the shoulder pain was totally unexpected (and unwelcomed).
3 months ago
Since my arrival in the ERA, I never saw a doctor or nurse, someone that could tell me what had all happened. Kris had told me that one doctor had said I had come thru the operation ok, but very limited details.
Finally saw the 3rd shift nurse, and had a frustrating time trying to explain what I had gone thru and that I needed the oxygen humidified. She finally got a nurse/tech from Respiratory Therapy dept to come up. I explained my need and she was helpful in getting me set up with the proper mask and a different humidity canister.
The oxygen monitor warning kept going off as my levels would go under 90-95%; then I'd have to breathe deeply to get it to shut up. But everytime I removed the mask to take a drink, the damn thing would go off.
The ERA tech was a longer time employee and seemed to know her stuff; she also had various sinus surgeries performed by the same ENT surgeon, and was somewhat versed in it. But she wasn't responsible for the nursing care that night, though she did provide me with popsicles.
My fever was still high and I doubted I could take regular Tylenol in pill form, so she had to get the ok for liquid form, which took another hour or so. After I finally got a dose, I later learned I couldn't get another until 8 hours later; meanwhile my fever wasn't really coming down. She did provide a cold compress for my forehead.
I also had to ask for an ice pack for the back of my neck to prevent inflammation of the upper vertabrae; my head was up and it was difficult to turn to see anything to the side. Couldn't see to operate the bed controls, had to ask for adjustment.
The nurse and I finally seemed to get to some higher level of understanding; after waiting for her help to the bathroom, I decided to fend for myself and use the "bottle" which I'd leave for her to check and empty out. Only thing was, my room door was kept open most of the time, and despite the lack of hallway traffic, I still felt put out trying to relieve myself when anyone could come walking by the room doorway.
The tech had brought in a clock, which was good and bad, for time just ticked away. I tried to sleep, but just dosed for minutes at a time.
The nurses were monitoring my blood pressure, and I remember one time on 3rd shift it was in the high 160's over ? The nurse got someone to prescribe a blood pressure pill which I downed with a small container of apple sauce. I later learned that when first coming out of either the OR or initial rcovery, my BP was 198 over ?, then in the 180's. When early morning came, I was consistently in the 140's over mid-70's.
I ate two more apple sauce, ate all their orange popsicles, leaving me with all the cherry I could melt and down. I was constantly mixing them with cold water; not the easiest to do when all trussed up the way I was. I didn't want a lap full of sticky cherry flavored water.
The 3rd shift nurse gave me a breakfast menu but I could only have a "Full Liquid Menu", the most solid item was Cream of wheat cereal. Now other than the apple sauce, water and popsicles, I hadn't eaten anything for over 34 hours; so when the ordering time of 6am came around I got on the phone asap.
I ordered two containers of vanilla soy milk, two bowls of cream of wheat cereal, and two bowls of cream of mushroom soup (Yes, soup!). 45 minutes later I was carefully pourly all in my mouth and down the throat without spilling a drop. What I ordered doesn't sound like much, but I wasn't going to put a bunch of junk in my gut after everything else; besides it tasted good and I was full.
One thing you find out quickly enough is that your shift nurse usually disappears at least a half hour before her shift ends; hopefully to do a shift over-lap, but sometimes I wonder how much they talk, especially when the off-shifts are so over-taxed with patient load.
Also, you don't see your next shift nurse for half hour to an hour or more after they come on.
My last temperature reading showed I was at 99 point something, and I was feeling more comfortable.
Still no doctor report.
Finally saw the 3rd shift nurse, and had a frustrating time trying to explain what I had gone thru and that I needed the oxygen humidified. She finally got a nurse/tech from Respiratory Therapy dept to come up. I explained my need and she was helpful in getting me set up with the proper mask and a different humidity canister.
The oxygen monitor warning kept going off as my levels would go under 90-95%; then I'd have to breathe deeply to get it to shut up. But everytime I removed the mask to take a drink, the damn thing would go off.
The ERA tech was a longer time employee and seemed to know her stuff; she also had various sinus surgeries performed by the same ENT surgeon, and was somewhat versed in it. But she wasn't responsible for the nursing care that night, though she did provide me with popsicles.
My fever was still high and I doubted I could take regular Tylenol in pill form, so she had to get the ok for liquid form, which took another hour or so. After I finally got a dose, I later learned I couldn't get another until 8 hours later; meanwhile my fever wasn't really coming down. She did provide a cold compress for my forehead.
I also had to ask for an ice pack for the back of my neck to prevent inflammation of the upper vertabrae; my head was up and it was difficult to turn to see anything to the side. Couldn't see to operate the bed controls, had to ask for adjustment.
The nurse and I finally seemed to get to some higher level of understanding; after waiting for her help to the bathroom, I decided to fend for myself and use the "bottle" which I'd leave for her to check and empty out. Only thing was, my room door was kept open most of the time, and despite the lack of hallway traffic, I still felt put out trying to relieve myself when anyone could come walking by the room doorway.
The tech had brought in a clock, which was good and bad, for time just ticked away. I tried to sleep, but just dosed for minutes at a time.
The nurses were monitoring my blood pressure, and I remember one time on 3rd shift it was in the high 160's over ? The nurse got someone to prescribe a blood pressure pill which I downed with a small container of apple sauce. I later learned that when first coming out of either the OR or initial rcovery, my BP was 198 over ?, then in the 180's. When early morning came, I was consistently in the 140's over mid-70's.
I ate two more apple sauce, ate all their orange popsicles, leaving me with all the cherry I could melt and down. I was constantly mixing them with cold water; not the easiest to do when all trussed up the way I was. I didn't want a lap full of sticky cherry flavored water.
The 3rd shift nurse gave me a breakfast menu but I could only have a "Full Liquid Menu", the most solid item was Cream of wheat cereal. Now other than the apple sauce, water and popsicles, I hadn't eaten anything for over 34 hours; so when the ordering time of 6am came around I got on the phone asap.
I ordered two containers of vanilla soy milk, two bowls of cream of wheat cereal, and two bowls of cream of mushroom soup (Yes, soup!). 45 minutes later I was carefully pourly all in my mouth and down the throat without spilling a drop. What I ordered doesn't sound like much, but I wasn't going to put a bunch of junk in my gut after everything else; besides it tasted good and I was full.
One thing you find out quickly enough is that your shift nurse usually disappears at least a half hour before her shift ends; hopefully to do a shift over-lap, but sometimes I wonder how much they talk, especially when the off-shifts are so over-taxed with patient load.
Also, you don't see your next shift nurse for half hour to an hour or more after they come on.
My last temperature reading showed I was at 99 point something, and I was feeling more comfortable.
Still no doctor report.
3 months ago
1st shift nurse to come in a little after 7am who said she would be helping my day shift nurse out; she didn't know who. She took my vital signs Saturday 1st shift was supposed to be nurse (from 2nd shift the night before, but supposedly she was told to not come in (not as big a patient load?).
The two resident doctors, came in around 7:30am as they were making their rounds. Maybe around 8am my 1st shift nurse comes in.
The Residents said a drainage tube would be removed later on, no need for any oxygen therapy for home use; that I would be given plenty of medication but don't become to dependent on them especially the narcotic one. One replied that I would have enough of that for 7-10 days (Note: as it is, to retain a decent comfort level, I may be out of it (300ml bottle at 10-15 mls per dose, on Wednesday, June 18 or after 4 1/2 days) they don't multiply and divide too well. They left and said that The ENT doctor would be in later to discuss my leaving and other post-op home recovery need-do's.
My nurse came in soon after; asked how I was doing, etc. I asked her what kind of crazy shift she was working (70 hours on over 7 days, then an entire 7 days off). I told her about breakfast, and she said she'd change the menu to anything I felt I could eat (Ok!), She seemed very caring, but she was also over-loaded (then why was the other nurse told not to come in at 7am?).
The residents had told me to get up and move around to get things circulating (I still had the leg cuffs on stimulating blood flow), so the 1st shift nurse got me out of them, and gave me another gown (a "cape") to wear so my backside wasn't showing. She helped me into it and lace me up.
I was then able to walk around the room and into bathroom with the intraveneous along side me. Walked and stood for nearly an hour. I still wasn't sitting on the toilet, instead, I took the "bottle" and held it in front of me while standing in the bathroom area, then capped the lid and set it aside for examination and dumping.
I called my wife during this time; I couldn't call direct even though my home phone was local (I kind of wondered how to commnuicate from this place). Anyway, got in touch with her around 9am; she hadn't heard any news herself. I asked her to call me direct (she had a direct line number to my room) in a while after I talked to the nurse on getting her best bet on an out time for me.
The nurse came in and said I really didn't need the IV in me (don't know if she made this decision or the ENT had called). It then enabled me to walk the hallway with just the catheter, still attached at my right wrist. After few passes, the ENT showed up at my door.
When the ENT finally arrived Saturday we talked about what happened in surgery; he explained that during the UP3 portion of the operation, he discovered "scar tissue" from apparently my first UP3 done 6 years ago. This scar tissue caused the soft palate tissue to actually close up the airway (I was told that the muscle/tissue had relaxed over the first year and caused the closing). When he removed the scar tissues the soft palate airway opened up on their own, then he did additional reconstruction of the tissues.
This really bothered me, to think that an operation done to help your physical obstruction, actually made it worse. Why did the scar tissue occur? I don't know; maybe poor post-op recovery? And why wasn't this discovered earlier?
Folks, when you've had something like this done, you don't always pause to wonder why; you're more concerned that it didn't work, and now you're stuck using your CPAP machine for a life-time - unless you want your jaws disassembled and relocated.
The ENT surgeon also performed the "hyoid suspension" on me which meant that my original incision from January 29th was reopened to place another "screw" to anchor the hyoid bone. So I think I have two screws in the chin (neither of which are adjustable), another incision lower where they inserted the hyoid suspension cord (fishing line) and a third one (lower yet) to provide a drainage outlet.
The two resident doctors, came in around 7:30am as they were making their rounds. Maybe around 8am my 1st shift nurse comes in.
The Residents said a drainage tube would be removed later on, no need for any oxygen therapy for home use; that I would be given plenty of medication but don't become to dependent on them especially the narcotic one. One replied that I would have enough of that for 7-10 days (Note: as it is, to retain a decent comfort level, I may be out of it (300ml bottle at 10-15 mls per dose, on Wednesday, June 18 or after 4 1/2 days) they don't multiply and divide too well. They left and said that The ENT doctor would be in later to discuss my leaving and other post-op home recovery need-do's.
My nurse came in soon after; asked how I was doing, etc. I asked her what kind of crazy shift she was working (70 hours on over 7 days, then an entire 7 days off). I told her about breakfast, and she said she'd change the menu to anything I felt I could eat (Ok!), She seemed very caring, but she was also over-loaded (then why was the other nurse told not to come in at 7am?).
The residents had told me to get up and move around to get things circulating (I still had the leg cuffs on stimulating blood flow), so the 1st shift nurse got me out of them, and gave me another gown (a "cape") to wear so my backside wasn't showing. She helped me into it and lace me up.
I was then able to walk around the room and into bathroom with the intraveneous along side me. Walked and stood for nearly an hour. I still wasn't sitting on the toilet, instead, I took the "bottle" and held it in front of me while standing in the bathroom area, then capped the lid and set it aside for examination and dumping.
I called my wife during this time; I couldn't call direct even though my home phone was local (I kind of wondered how to commnuicate from this place). Anyway, got in touch with her around 9am; she hadn't heard any news herself. I asked her to call me direct (she had a direct line number to my room) in a while after I talked to the nurse on getting her best bet on an out time for me.
The nurse came in and said I really didn't need the IV in me (don't know if she made this decision or the ENT had called). It then enabled me to walk the hallway with just the catheter, still attached at my right wrist. After few passes, the ENT showed up at my door.
When the ENT finally arrived Saturday we talked about what happened in surgery; he explained that during the UP3 portion of the operation, he discovered "scar tissue" from apparently my first UP3 done 6 years ago. This scar tissue caused the soft palate tissue to actually close up the airway (I was told that the muscle/tissue had relaxed over the first year and caused the closing). When he removed the scar tissues the soft palate airway opened up on their own, then he did additional reconstruction of the tissues.
This really bothered me, to think that an operation done to help your physical obstruction, actually made it worse. Why did the scar tissue occur? I don't know; maybe poor post-op recovery? And why wasn't this discovered earlier?
Folks, when you've had something like this done, you don't always pause to wonder why; you're more concerned that it didn't work, and now you're stuck using your CPAP machine for a life-time - unless you want your jaws disassembled and relocated.
The ENT surgeon also performed the "hyoid suspension" on me which meant that my original incision from January 29th was reopened to place another "screw" to anchor the hyoid bone. So I think I have two screws in the chin (neither of which are adjustable), another incision lower where they inserted the hyoid suspension cord (fishing line) and a third one (lower yet) to provide a drainage outlet.
3 months ago
Sorry about some of the dulpication or event out of place going on here...
I wanted to get some important info out to people, and I'm revising certain earlier entries as I remember more of it.
---------------
I asked about how to sleep tonight at home, thought I could use the soft mask from last night with my APAP machine, but he pointed that because of the imperfect fit, the machine would try to over-compensate increased air pressure I hadn't thought of that but it made sense, so then what?).
He suggested I sleep inclined as it would help keep the airway open (Ok). The surgeon was going to leave after stating that the residents would be back to remove the drainage tube, but I said I hadn't seen them since 7:30am and no one knew when they'd be back - so he decided to remove it himself.
The ENT surgeon removed the small drainage tube while he was present instead of waiting for the two resident doctors to return. He placed a large gauze over it and taped it in placed with a strip that ran from one lower ear (then under my chin) to the other ear. I removed this the next day, since it was preventing my chin area from expanding from the drainage/tissue shock; it was more comfortable not having any dressing on (I looked like hell with or without it on). I've bloodied a couple of shirts, but I figure it's worth the lessening the pain.
My nurse came back in before 10am and I asked when patients normally order lunch, and she said after 10am would be alright. My wife called the room and we discussed when she could come and get me. The nurse said I needed to have an antibiotic-laced IV put in me before leaving, and time to get the paperwork done. So we decided to have my wife pick me up outside the main West Clinic entrance at 1:00pm.
Sounded like a plan!
All the plans of mice and men...
I wanted to get some important info out to people, and I'm revising certain earlier entries as I remember more of it.
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I asked about how to sleep tonight at home, thought I could use the soft mask from last night with my APAP machine, but he pointed that because of the imperfect fit, the machine would try to over-compensate increased air pressure I hadn't thought of that but it made sense, so then what?).
He suggested I sleep inclined as it would help keep the airway open (Ok). The surgeon was going to leave after stating that the residents would be back to remove the drainage tube, but I said I hadn't seen them since 7:30am and no one knew when they'd be back - so he decided to remove it himself.
The ENT surgeon removed the small drainage tube while he was present instead of waiting for the two resident doctors to return. He placed a large gauze over it and taped it in placed with a strip that ran from one lower ear (then under my chin) to the other ear. I removed this the next day, since it was preventing my chin area from expanding from the drainage/tissue shock; it was more comfortable not having any dressing on (I looked like hell with or without it on). I've bloodied a couple of shirts, but I figure it's worth the lessening the pain.
My nurse came back in before 10am and I asked when patients normally order lunch, and she said after 10am would be alright. My wife called the room and we discussed when she could come and get me. The nurse said I needed to have an antibiotic-laced IV put in me before leaving, and time to get the paperwork done. So we decided to have my wife pick me up outside the main West Clinic entrance at 1:00pm.
Sounded like a plan!
All the plans of mice and men...
3 months ago
The IV drip actually took over an hour to finish up; then my nurse was tied up so by patient load, I couldn't get her back to discuss the out-going/discharge patient paperwork.
Along comes 1:10pm Saturday and my wife is calling me from the main front entrance - Gee, guess what I'm doing...just laying around again with nothing to do.
1:20pm, nurse finally arrives, then my wife after parking the car. Nurse is very sweet and apologetic...gets the catheter out of me and we discuss discharge paperwork.
Fortunately, all but the narcotic pain killer was called into Walgreen's earlier; so I didn't have to wait long in the car for my wife to get the prescription filled and other things done.
Here's something to take note of - All of my prescriptions were in liquid form...all of them dispensed in milliliter doses (not teaspoon or tablespoon ANYMORE). When I looked at these later at home, I said something like...Now what the hell!!!
Fortunately (I did have some good fortunate that Saturday), the Walgreen's pharmiscist gave my wife a ouple of different dose dispensing items. She told her she wasn't obligated to provide these, but obviously this change in milliliter dispensing just recently occurred.
One was a syringe like item, and on it's side it had milliliters and teaspoon equivalents on it. But trying to stick this thing into some of the narrow neck bottles wouldn't work too well (then cleaning/rinsing them out after use)?
The other item was a closed narrow tube, similar markings, but your poured the liquid into one end with a small bucket-like end, then bottoms up. This was more practical to use!!!
How does one dispense a dosage of 11.9 milliliters or 10.2 milliliters if you didn't have one or more of these litle devices? How would a paitent know how to convert milliliters to teaspoons accurately?
Yeah... Google it, if you even thought about it or were mentally/physically capable of doing it.
What a crock!!!
Along comes 1:10pm Saturday and my wife is calling me from the main front entrance - Gee, guess what I'm doing...just laying around again with nothing to do.
1:20pm, nurse finally arrives, then my wife after parking the car. Nurse is very sweet and apologetic...gets the catheter out of me and we discuss discharge paperwork.
Fortunately, all but the narcotic pain killer was called into Walgreen's earlier; so I didn't have to wait long in the car for my wife to get the prescription filled and other things done.
Here's something to take note of - All of my prescriptions were in liquid form...all of them dispensed in milliliter doses (not teaspoon or tablespoon ANYMORE). When I looked at these later at home, I said something like...Now what the hell!!!
Fortunately (I did have some good fortunate that Saturday), the Walgreen's pharmiscist gave my wife a ouple of different dose dispensing items. She told her she wasn't obligated to provide these, but obviously this change in milliliter dispensing just recently occurred.
One was a syringe like item, and on it's side it had milliliters and teaspoon equivalents on it. But trying to stick this thing into some of the narrow neck bottles wouldn't work too well (then cleaning/rinsing them out after use)?
The other item was a closed narrow tube, similar markings, but your poured the liquid into one end with a small bucket-like end, then bottoms up. This was more practical to use!!!
How does one dispense a dosage of 11.9 milliliters or 10.2 milliliters if you didn't have one or more of these litle devices? How would a paitent know how to convert milliliters to teaspoons accurately?
Yeah... Google it, if you even thought about it or were mentally/physically capable of doing it.
What a crock!!!
3 months ago
