About three weeks ago, I had a terrible episode of flatulence and “rapid intestinal transit” that kept me running to the bathroom almost continuously for two or three days. I wondered how I would get through my cataract surgery in this condition.
Thankfully, the day of that surgery, the frequency of the attacks slowed way down, although some aspects of the episode continued for a number of days. I was going to call my oncologist, but things became normal after my reconstructive surgery on January 16.
However, I did talk to her about the episode at my appointment on January 23. I went into more detail than I wanted to give here and she asked me to contact my gastroenterologist. He planned to do a colonoscopy in June after my other treatments were over, but she thought he might want to do one sooner. She emphasized that there was no problem having one while being on Targeted Treatment.
So I called the nurse at my gastroenterologist’s office the next day and told her what I’d experienced. As I waited for her to get back to me, I suddenly remembered that if I had a colonoscopy, they’d want to do some kind of sedation. After my horrible experience in the recovery room on January 16, I’d postponed my second cataract surgery, which was scheduled on January 25. I didn’t think I could face another episode of sedation that soon, so I rescheduled on February 22, the ophthalmologist’s next opening.
When my call came from the gastroenterologist’s office the next day, I was told they’d had a cancellation for Monday, January 29, and the doctor could do my colonoscopy then. I groaned inwardly and tried to explain why I didn’t really want to have sedation again that soon. Then I learned that their next opening after the one on Monday wasn’t until February just a few days from my second cataract surgery.
I was torn and indecisive about what to do, but nurse Julie talked me through it, and I finally agreed to the first date. Julie told me to be sure to tell the anesthesiologist what happened last time I had anesthesia. I assured her I would! We made the appointment and Donn went to their office in Greenville to pick up my paperwork since it might not reach me in time by mail.
Ironic, I thought, that I had postponed a procedure on January 25 because I didn’t want to have anesthesia again that soon, only to find myself scheduled for a procedure that required anesthesia on January 29. But if I was destined to face this situation sooner than I wanted, I would have to trust the Lord to make a way for me to deal with it.
Since it was Friday, I only had a few days to think about the procedure, and our six-year-old granddaughter, Sarah, was going to be with us from Friday after school until Sunday after church. That helped a lot, but I still found myself rehearsing what I would say to the anesthesiologist when I lay in bed at night!
By the time Donn took me to Shenango Horizon Hospital on Monday, I weighed four pounds less and I had peace about having this procedure done. Somehow, the Lord and I would get through this together. There is little privacy in the area where people are separated only by curtains as one waits for procedures at this hospital, so I was entertained by the conversation through the curtain on my right.
I thought the man in that cubicle said his birth year was 1941 so I’m figuring he’s ten years older than me—in his eighties. Then his nurse asked how many children he had and their ages. He said he had five and started reporting their ages—they ranged from 20 to four years old! I was astonished! The man must be quite virile for his age! Later, I heard him say he was 42, so I must have misunderstood earlier.
No one had asked how many children I had or their ages so I wondered why he was being asked. But as I said there is little privacy in that area, at least when it comes to sound, so I soon learned what procedure the gentleman next to me was having—probably because of the four-year-old tag along after the 12-year-old!
While the conversation beside me was going on, several nurses came to take my information, but I doubt it was nearly as entertaining as the conversation I listened to! I’m amazed by the many ways the Lord uses to help us overcome fear.
And then at last, the anesthesiologist arrived. I spared him no details about the bad experience I’d had on the 16th. I told him clearly that in both my last two experiences, I think I would have been fine if they hadn’t pushed me to get up too soon. I begged him to tell whomever was my recovery nurse not to do that.
Soon I was wheeled into the operating room where several nurses were waiting for me. There was a large television-type screen strategically placed near my feet. I asked the nurses, “Is that so everyone can see the procedure taking place?”
I groaned when they told me it was. I said it reminded me of when I gave birth to our twins surrounded by doctors, nurses, and student nurses. I laughed as I said, “I didn’t even care. All modesty goes out the window at that point. I just wanted to get those babies born!”
Soon they placed a mask over my nose and mouth and the next thing I knew, I was back in the same curtained area which had become my recovery room. I couldn’t believe the difference in how I felt from how I’d felt the last two times I was sedated. I was alert as soon as I opened my eyes and never felt dizzy or sick. My recovery nurse, Seleena, was an angel. She offered me something to eat or drink, but assured me there was no hurry—that I could take as long as I needed to take. (She might have had some coaching!)
I told Seleena about my last experience and said perhaps that was why God had given me an angel this time during recovery! Eventually, I did eat and drink a small amount before the doctor came and then, after his visit, was able to get dressed with no problem. I hugged Seleena before we left and thanked her again and again for being so kind.
I feel so much better about my next cataract surgery on February 22 since the recovery from this procedure went so well. Even though I didn’t want to be sedated three times in eighteen days–from January 11 to January 29, I’m very thankful God provided this opportunity so that I have more peace about my next procedure. I’ll be much more proactive when I talk to the anesthesiologist before the procedure, and I’ll be armed with the information in my UPMC app about which sedation was used that I recovered from so easily. I will trust that once again, the Lord will make a way.
This is God’s invitation to us in every struggle and trial: Come. Sit at my table and rest. I’ve prepared a place for you in the presence of your enemies. (In Touch)
Health Update
I‘m happy to report that the results of my colonoscopy were good. I also had my second post-op visit on Monday with my surgeon’s PA after my surgery on January 16. He’s very pleased with my progress, and I won’t see him again for three months. During my first post op visit, I was telling Chris how much we appreciated him. We’ve seen a lot of him during the past eight months, and he’s been a huge blessing. After I finished, Donn said, “If we could give you a raise, we would!” So very thankful for the wonderful medical care I’ve had with Chris. Thank you so much for your prayers!