The Surgery Virgin's Random Notes

Yesterday I had surgery on my freaky left foot. I have extremely flat feet -- so much so that they don't look like normal feet to me, but more like hobbit feet (except not hairy!) The problem with having freaky flat hobbit feet is the excruciating pain I feel after running/walking/hiking long and not-so-long distances. I began seeing a podiatrist last October who took x-rays to confirm that I actually have 2 extra bones in my left foot. When I told my mom that, she laughed and reminded me that I had a couple extra teeth that had to be taken out of my mouth when I was younger. Now that explains a lot -- I have this theory that there were supposed to be two of me, but I ate my twin in utero and now she's trying to break her way out of me. It would definitely explain the crazy voices in my head!

I've never been under general anesthesia before. Even when my wisdom teeth were taken out I had local anesthesia and remember how odd it was that the oral surgeon was practically straddling me, yanking at my teeth with pliers, and how I didn't feel a thing. I wasn't freaked out by being put under, but I have seen J come out of surgery a couple times before and wasn't looking forward to that. But really, life is so fleeting -- anything can happen. I realized that I wasn't afraid to die, if it was my time to go and that's a comforting thought, I guess.

The anesthesiologist was funny. He was alert and confident, which put me at ease. The last thing I remember was him saying, "This one that I'm putting in now will feel a little weird, but you don't have to worry -- you're off to Never Never Land! Ha! Ha! Ha!" And sure enough, 2 seconds later I was out...

I woke up about 75 minutes later after having a dream about the podiatrist saying, "I'll come back when she's more awake" (really not a dream). Apparently I didn't amuse or entertain anyone while under or waking up. Oh well -- J's amusing enough for both of us when he wakes up.

The Surgical Center is like a factory -- they just pump people through. I laid there half-asleep watching everyone come out of surgery -- older people, people my age, little kids -- fast asleep, being wheeled by the OR nurse and anesthesiologist in their blue scrubs with their blue shower-cap-like things. Like a factory. Interesting.

So what are my thoughts about my first (and hopefully last) surgery?
*Not a fan
*General anesthesia is weird
*Ouch
*Better be worth it. I'm clinging to the hope that I will soon be able to "run and not be weary, walk and not faint."
*Lortab -- not a fan, but grateful, none-the-less
*I have the sweetest husband who is taking care of me, the kids, the house, and working from home all at the same time. He's amazing! Too bad I feel so yucky I can't enjoy being waited on!

Updates will follow.