After a delayed start to the theatre list I went into the anaesthetic room at midday. I can’t really tell you much after that until I came round in recovery about 5-5.30.
Coming round from the anaesthetic was very surreal. I think the best I can describe it as would be a phase of mixed reality. I was aware that some of it was actually happening, but then I kept drifting into a world that was very similar but clearly not real – I’m pretty sure I wasn’t being shot at in recovery for example – although I haven’t checked the local news today! 😱🤣 I kept asking or telling the recovery nurse her name so I could check which world I was in. Mr Mundil came to see me during one of my other world episodes, which was very welcome as it snapped me back to reality. He said the op had taken longer as he tried to get the paddle optimally positioned, but he feels it was successful. I didn’t actually ask whether he was able to release the adhesions as well as sorting the other things. I remember him telling me that I was to tell the nurses to change the dressings if I get any sense of dampness, even if nothing has come through the dressing, as there may be CSF leakage, and particularly with the hot weather, I’d be a prime candidate for infection. I say I remember him telling me this, but I think he actually went through all that in the morning with me, and was just reminding. Seems a lot for me to have taken in given my spaced-out state. 😀
The technician came to start programming the temporary device. It felt like so much was going on at the time – blood pressure cuff inflating, compression VTE devices on my legs going, and people coming to check things. The tech was very patient but I think I started getting a bit despondent. He was trying all sorts of settings and I could feel sensations in my shoulders, arms and hands, and occasionally my right leg, but I couldn’t feel anything across my shoulder blades where they’re trying to target. The main thing I suppose is that I didn’t actually seem to have any pain in the usual areas. He showed me through the controller that he’s left me (an iPod Touch) but explained I only really need it to turn the device off if I should want to. Him or a colleague will be back on Monday to see how it’s going and to change the settings if necessary.
I got taken to the ward not long after 7pm and I was worried there wouldn’t be time for Ruth to visit, but she came about 20 minutes later and was able to stay until about 9.30 I think.
Mr Mundil said that the site where he’s put the temporary device will be sore, and he wasn’t wrong. He also said that, where he had to cut through the neck muscles, my neck would be very painful. That turned out to be an underestimate! 😒