All Is Well

At least it was when I left Jimmy yesterday evening. It was a long day of waiting but it went smoothly from what the doc said. We got there around 10:00 and they did all their pre-op stuff (IV, a million questions, vitals, more questions, quick checks with a million nurses, the anesthesiologist, OR nurse and finally Dr. Ertel). They took Jim back to the OR around noon, thus began what seemed like the longest wait of my life. (Of course his heart surgery was 5 times as long but it sure didn't feel that way yesterday.) 

The doc said it would take about 2 hours for the whole procedure but that it could take longer if there was a lot of scar tissue. Around 3:30, the recovery nurse called to say he was with her, awake, drinking Powerade and talking and that the doc would be out to talk to me. Dr. Ertel said everything went as planned and his hernias were in better shape than she expected with hardly any scar tissues. I got another call from the PACU nurse to say she'd eventually let me know what room he'd be in when he was ready. I waited, and waited and waited and FINALLY around 5:00 I got the call that he was headed up. 

I stayed with Jimmy as he got settled and was able to get up and walk to the bathroom. He was certainly in pain but tolerating it pretty well. I left around 6:00 with promises to talk to him later. We spoke around 7:30 and he said he was sitting in his chair and his dinner had just been delivered. However, he was very frustrated because he couldn't eat. I guess he was having a lot of pressure in his chest and he was concerned. I think (and he said this first) he was freaking out because his blood pressure was elevated and had been all day. He kept saying he felt like he should be on a monitor. I told him that when I was there, though his BP was elevated, his heartrate was normal and steady. I read his chart and saw they gave him some meds for gas, which they believed was the culprit. 

I just talked to Jim and he said he didn't sleep great last night. Typical. He's waiting now for the kitchen to open so he can order breakfast. I don't think he'll see the doc on rounds until around 9:00 so won't leave here until then. 

Plans for the day: When I finish here, I need to go get on the elliptical. I wanted to do that yesterday but ran out of time and then it was too late and I was too tire when I got home last night. I'll walk the dogs once it gets light and then shower. Fingers crossed that Jim is sprung by noon. Then I can get him home, settled and make a quick trip to Aldi (I'm in dire need of supplies).

Dinner tonight: Taco pie with all the fixins. Yummy. 

BTW - I slept really well last night. When Jim's not there, I get to sleep smack dab in the middle of the bed and I think this is a relief on my back. It didn't hurt at all when I woke up but of course, now it does. I think I've just got arthristis and a wonky right hip. Getting old sucks. 

K - best get a move on. I'm going to finally watch The Pitt while I ellipticize. Happy Tuesday! (So happy that I'll get a short week at work...again.) Later!