| I was extremely fortunate to have my sisters there with me for the surgery. They made the whole experience infinitely more remarkable for me. So many girls who make this journey usually do it on their own. My heart goes out to the ones who lack the kind of love and support I received from my dear sisters. I suppose I have been dealt some fairly poor cards in my life. Having such wonderful sisters is a true blessing for me and has gone a long way towards balancing my ill-perceived fate. A Breath Of Fresh Air Later in the afternoon Dr. M�nard stopped in to remove the packing from my nose. I can't begin to describe how wonderful it was to finally be able to breath through my nose again. The rush of air into my sinuses seemed to penetrate areas never before occupied by any oxygen. The elation of being able to breath again would be short lived though, my nose would be a source of frustration for the next month. Dr. M�nard informed me that he needed to suture two pieces of plastic inside my nose to keep it in place because my deviated septum was more severe than he had first anticipated. To remove the plastic pieces would be a simple procedure, eventually my only problem would be finding another doctor who wanted to do it. I had no idea how aggravating the next month would be with those plastic pieces in place. Dr. M�nard instructed me not to blow my nose at all and he told me the other bandages over my nose would have to stay on for another week. After he left the nurses brought in a bowl of water and a washcloth for me to clean up the dried blood on my face. My mind was still fairly scattered as I tried to assess the situation. I was hoping someone might help me out, no such luck with that expectation. I had a hard time distinguishing the blood from the bruising with the mirror I was given. I asked one of the nurses for some assistance. She was probably the most unpleasant one of the group, in other words it was a bad choice on my part. She harshly warned me not to blow my nose each time I tried to communicate my dilemma. I finally just ignored her and proceeded to cleanse my very tender nose alone. After doing a slighty competent job with the washcloth I could see my nose and face looked free from any major bruising, I had hoped I wouldn't end up looking like a prize fighter after the rhinoplasty procedure. I was pleased with the outcome despite its swollen appearance and minor discoloration. After dinner a male nurse came in to get us out of our beds and onto to our feet for the first time. I wasn't looking forward to this moment at all, the pain and grogginess were sure to complicate matters. After he got the tubes from the catheter repositioned he helped me slide out of the bed and gingerly walk over to the chair with my rubber donut on it. The pressure I felt in my pelvic area was immense and almost intolerable to withstand. I sat there perched on the chair like a weeble about to wobble over. I started feeling queasy and light headed at the same time, I thought for sure I was going to puke or pass out. The nurse started changing the sheets and then he vanished while I was struggling to keep myself from tipping over. I started to wonder how long I could balance on the donut when he finally reappeared in the room. I was anxious to get back in that bed as soon as possible. It was a great relief for me to finally get back in a horizontal position after he helped me hobble back to the bed. After that episode I had serious doubts I could walk out of the hospital the next day, get in the limo and ride back to the residence. I don't remember much else from that night. I certainly underestimated the amount of pain I was feeling. I have never had much of a tolerance for pain. I didn't think I was a wimpy gal or a whiner, but those traits were sure to rise to the surface in the next week if the experience of that night was any indication. Thank god for the pain meds and the sleeping pills. Back Next |