Home from the Hospital

After a day of eating ice chips and popsicles, I'm home again to my normal diet and I'm so glad. I have a rather large incision on my neck now from having my thyroid removed because of a rather large nodule which required a one night stay in the hospital. My sister-in-law, Shelley, is an anesthesiologist here so I was in good hands and constantly being comforted. You can't beat that if you must have surgery. When you have surgery, they always ask you about your pain level.

When you have a relative who is the anesthesiologist, it doesn't get much over 2. So, I can't really complain about any of it.

I am lucky that I don't have any problems with anesthesia. For this surgery, the problem was a sore throat from the intubation. Shelley warned me that my surgeon uses a tube that is larger than most so I would definitely be sore so thus ice chips and popsicles.

But it didn't stop me from talking on the phone.

My hospital room had the usual white board where the nurses put information that is important for the patient to know. For my hospital stay, the important thing was…food and the phone number. I bonded quickly with my nurses so they got to know me very well and knew my priorities.

What about my goals? I guess I didn't have any. No day-of-the-week? I wasn't dazed and confused. No special diet? I had no restrictions once I passed clear liquids. No blood sugars? I don't have diabetes. These are all the things I see on the board of my patients when I'm at work. I was a pretty boring patient... the kind nurses love to have. But I did have to wait until my labs came back normal since this surgery can effect your blood calcium levels. Mine was low so I had wait today for another blood draw to see if it would trend upward. As I waited, I enjoyed the view from my room.

I had a lovely Room with a View.

I ate lots of calcium rich foods for breakfast and lunch today, then had my blood drawn again and it was normal. I was discharge. As soon as I got home...nap time.

Home Sweet Home

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