| Time Is Getting Short The process of going through SRS for me was definitely bittersweet. The pain was more than I had imagined it would be, albeit it certainly wasn�t intolerable, and I managed to deal with it with the help of the painkillers. That part of the experience was certianly not what I would remember the most after I left, rather, it was the emotional attachment of being there. Sure, there were uncomfortable moments involving some of the other residents, Eva in particular, but overall most of the people were kind and enjoyable to be around. I was fortunate to have a bevy of phone calls from family and friends while I was there. Whenever the phone rang people would joke that the call was for me. I spent alot of time on the phone relating my experience to a variety of folks who were concerned for my well being. My younger sister sent me a beautiful bouquet of flowers which I gave away one by one to the girls who were heading home. She also wrote me a very tender letter after she arrived home, it was so touching that I couldn�t read it without tears coming to my eyes. I felt blessed in many ways being in Montr�al for my surgery. I bonded with the staff and many of the others present there. I felt very taken care of by the staff. Whether it was my vegetarian meals or Linda obliging me with a shampoo in the kitchen sink (because I was told not to get the bandages wet over my nose), my needs were more than accommodated. As my days there became less and less I knew it would be extremely difficult to leave all that behind me. I stayed up late once again Monday night watching Syracuse beat Kansas in the NCAA final. For a few hours I was able to forget about the discomfort by indulging in some fanatical behavior. I went to bed early in the morning lamenting the fact that I only had 2-1/2 more days left in Montr�al. It seemed like the days just flew by. The time I had left was spent dilating five times a day, bathing twice a day, caring for the wounds, and finding time to eat and socialize. Janet and Kate were leaving on Thursday along with me. I felt a real kinship with them. We went through an amazing experience together and helped each other as much as we could. I knew I would be thinking about them, and their new lives, as they flew to their Canadian domiciles and I drove back to mine in the States. There will always be a place in my heart for them. On Wednesday Dr. M�nard stopped by in the afternoon to remove the bandages over my new nose. The surgery on my nose was not that painful, it was more of a nuisance due to the plastic pieces sewn in my nostrils to keep it straight. Dr. M�nard was pleased with the result and so was I, even though at first it didn�t appear to be drastically different. My nose was slightly swollen and discolored, but I was spared any widespread bruising. I felt my pre-surgery protocol of supplementation really helped with the swelling and bruising on both of my surgical sites. Dr. M�nard told me the minor swelling would last a month or two and the numbness would subside over the next 12-18 months. He also told me after thirty days I could have a doctor remove the plastic pieces, and to make sure I did everything possible to avoid any blunt trauma on my new nose. Before he left I expressed my heartfelt gratitude to him. I told him how much of an utter miracle this procedure was to me, I was truly humbled by the whole experience in Montr�al. He was very modest and preferred to mention the technical aspects of the procedure. I remember once using the expression �Oh my God� in front of him, he replied by joking �I�m not God, just a son of God�. Nonetheless, he did acknowledge my praise and indebtedness by telling me I was quite welcome. We shook hands and then heartily hugged each other. I asked him for a couple of photos together, he agreed and suggested the pool area. We snapped some photos together, and some with Janet and Kate. He left with my appreciation and highest respect. I know there were those who found it hard to bond with Dr. M�nard, thankfully I was not one of them. <<BACK<< >>NEXT>> |