How am I feeling today?

EXCELLENT.

Let me run down the events of yesterday for you:

My mom and I arrived at the hospital right at noon, as we were supposed to. After I checked in, I found a seat in the waiting room and pulled out a book that I had brought, expecting to have a long wait.

A little after 1:00 PM they called me in to the prep area, where a nurse went over some information with me and had me sign some release forms. She told me that the doctor had just called and that he was on his way. There were no emergencies to deal with and no one scheduled ahead of me, so it looked like I'd be going into surgery on time (or as close as hospitals get to on time), which was good. She then hooked up the IV to my left wrist (last time it was hooked up to my right wrist).

The same anesthesiologist came over and asked me if I had any questions, which I did not. Shortly after the doc came over to say hi. He asked me if my medical history had changed since last time (jokingly, since I was there a week ago) and also if I had any questions for him, which I did. I wanted to know if the surgery was sucessful, would he take the stent out during the procedure. He said that he would, but it might be necessary to put another one in there. The reason escapes me now, but I said ok lets do it.

The anesthesiologists came over that would actually be with me during the surgery came over and explained to me what they were going to do. They also asked me if I had any questions, which I did not.

By this time it was probably a little after 1:30 PM. The nurse who would be assisting the doc during surgery came over and introduced herself. She and the two anesthesiologists wheeled me down several corridors thru several automatic doors into the operating room, passing the waiting doc on the way. They raised the bed I was on and asked me to slide over onto the surgical table, since I was not yet out of it. The table was metallic and had a big x-ray type machine hovering over top with big bright lights all around.


Then they started administering one anesthesia....and a bit of a stronger one....


I woke up what seemed to be minutes later in the recovery area, still a bit groggy from the experience.

My mom told me that the doc said that the surgery was successful, that he was able to blast the stone and actually was able to flush most of it out. I still may pass some remnants of it in the next few days. I do still have a stent in me and the doc said that he'd be able to take that out during a short office visit next week, once some of the inflammation and swelling goes down. I hope I'll be able to see the pieces of the stone when I go in next week.

After I woke up, I'd say it took me about an hour or so to regain my bearings in the recovery area before I was able to be discharged.

We made a quick stop at the grocery store on the way back to my apartment, and walked in the door just in time to catch the 6:00 PM news. My mom stayed here with me last night for precautionary reasons, as suggested by the hospital.

I was still a bit tired, but got my second wind during the big football game, and didn't end up going to bed until after 2:00 AM. I didn't need to take any pain medication before going to bed last night, which was nice.

---

I took the day off today, as a recovery day, which is good. I'll probably take some naproxen later today, because I'm still a bit sore. Other than that, I'm in good shape.

So it'll be back to work and the regular routine for me on Wednesday.

I'm going to try to become a more frequent water drinker now and in the future to help prevent more stones. I'm more likely to produce them now that I've had one.

Before I end this post, I must say thanks to my mom for all of her help yesterday, and in the last few weeks. I also appreciate all of your concerns, thoughts and prayers for me as well. I can't tell you how imortant that was for me. So thanks. :>)