I jumped when the phone rang, it was recovery to say Dana was ready to be seen. I was directed by the receptionist who kindly helped me earlier to the recovery area. There were so many doors I nearly ended up in the surgical area but fortunately the doors closed as I approached them. That would have been way to scary. Dana was in bed 13,yes I started to think 13 why couldn't she be in 11 or 12 and my mind started thinking of how I will find her, will she be asleep, alert, how will she look. I was pre warned she may still have a breathing tube. I was thinking the worst. I approached bed 13 and there she was lying on her back face so swollen and lips which looked as if she had just had collagen implants. She was in pain, the nurse who was looking after Dana said she was able to have valium when in intensive care. It wasn't long before the nurse advised me to wait by the lifts as Dana was being taken to intensive care.
We followed as Dana was being wheeled in the lift and out towards intensive care. The doors were so big it was easier to press the automatic button to open them rather than push. Dana was in cubicle 3 and soon was settled and hooked the monitors. Micki was Dana's nurse and was so kind and thoughtful, again nothing was too much trouble. Dana has to be turned every few hours which was so painful and she hated it. Throughout the day and night Dana complained about her back and her hands because of the IV. The nurses were in straight away when the machines bleeped. They were really worried about her falling BP so much so they ordered blood samples which were taken from her middle finger and results were back within 10 mins. A doctor was called to assess Dana whom is part of Dr Park's team and was excellent. What I found there is no 'let's wait and see' or fobbing off to someone else, all nurses help each other and act on their decisions. Dana started a habit of saying " don't hurt me" ' you won't hurt me will you' this is one of the drugs talking yet you couldn't reason with her. Nobody took offence. The blood results came back normal and by this point two other ICU doctors were assisting Dana which really scared me. They gave directions to increase fluids and this fortunately did the trick.
That night was hell I got about two hours sleep and Dana was in pain. The monitors were bleeping and nurses were always checking on Dana. They were also concerns about the IV drips themselves as her hands were puffy and she was in pain. They made a support for her hands which calmed her for a time. It was soon 4.45 am and I said to the nurse I thought we'd never get here, she smiled. More drugs for Dana. We had a visit from Dr Park who said the surgery went really well which was so great to hear. Again he said very few words but very meaning full words.
I was told the few days after surgery were tough, that is an understatement. You feel helpless not able to help your child. Seeing them in so much pain a sense of guilt comes over you once again. I am reassured by the nurses which doesn't help when it's happening to you it feels it's never going to end. Dana continues with her sharp words and saying please don't hurt me, which upsets me thinking she feels this way. It's the drugs. It feels like my well natured little girl has disappeared. She will be back.
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