The longest night ever was in ICU expected to be there for another three days was going to be hell. It's a horrible place, small window next to you and patients around you who are much worse off than you gives you pain. Had a really nice nurse standing by me watching closely. The night felt like forever and all I wanted was to see my family. In ICU visiting hours weren't allowed to 11am in the morning and already wanting to see my family at 2am, 4am etc etc.
I remember being x-rayed on my chest and was thrilled that I didn't have to move at all really. Amazing! Two lovely gentleman had a portable one. The reason why I was getting x-rayed on my chest is because I dropped dead for 2 minutes during surgery due to lack of oxygen to the brain.
Anyway time went by and I started regaining strength. Was able to start drinking by 5am and went into a good sleep. Woke up around 7am and met with the neurosurgeon who was so impressed with the progress with me. Blood pressure was fantastic and none of my 5 senses were effected. I AM ALIVE! Feeling groggy as hell but good.
Infact I was shocked when the nurse came over and asked what would you like for breakfast? And you will be transferred back to you're room. Hang on a sec? Did I hear that correctly? I'm going to be out of this place? Praise Jesus! Got a good feed for breakfast and was sitting up nicely. The nurse put the blinds up and had a beautiful lookout to the city of Melbourne. I just couldn't wait to get out. But I can't move though. Bedside trauma will kick in and won't be moving for the next 3 days. I had machines strapped to my feet and legs for circulation and constant hand movement exercises.
After breakfast I was not looking forward to the next part. Which in many cases its "character building" especially for a guy. Getting a nurse to remove heaps of wiring while you're awake which involves removing a huge catheter from you're bladder and a 15cm brain fluid tube from you're head. I speak no more as makes me weak thinking about it. However it's an educational experience I would not like to learn again. Plus removing the buns and seeing the nurse gown up for the needles in my veins. The horror was over and was so sore. 10:45am and I was being transferred to my room again and seeing the family was amazing and then from everything I slept for days and woke up a few times. However day 3 I hadn't actually urinated and I was sweating, shaking, and going crazy. My body needed to go. But I couldn't major brain surgery and I'm tied down to a bed with a railing and can't walk. The nurse said if you dont wee we have to put the catheter back in so quickly thought of water and successfully did it and the next day I couldn't wait to start physiotherapy so I can walk to my toilet in my room by myself. From now on I am never taking the small things for granted such as going to the toilet or appreciating walking and the ability to do small things. I feel so sorry for those with major bladder and prostate cancers.
The next day I was excited as a kid who got the best remote control car at Christmas time. A physiotherapist arrived and after 2 hours of small exercises I was walking again and doing small activities and I couldn't be happier. Being able to sit in arm chair or go to the bathroom was a blessing. And when the family came everyday I was able to gain more strength and go for coffees downstairs and get dressed and feel more human again. I was happy. I was me again. I couldn't imagine the pain other patients get in their bodies after being in bed for 2-6 weeks straight or more. Even after a month later I am still got muscle pain. I know the surgery was intense and we were waiting to found out the result of the Tumor. But during the meantime I was spending time with family and I gained strength to get out of the hospital and enjoy a cooked breakfast with the family.
However the day was coming that the neurosurgeon would come in and tell us the news. I was emotionally ready for anything but I had a gut feeling it wasn't going to be pleasant. But I was enjoying every moment and the nurses who I made great friends with along the way were so impressed with my recovery. There are so many blessings and positives I can look at this.
However Saturday came and that's when everything changed.
I remember being x-rayed on my chest and was thrilled that I didn't have to move at all really. Amazing! Two lovely gentleman had a portable one. The reason why I was getting x-rayed on my chest is because I dropped dead for 2 minutes during surgery due to lack of oxygen to the brain.
Anyway time went by and I started regaining strength. Was able to start drinking by 5am and went into a good sleep. Woke up around 7am and met with the neurosurgeon who was so impressed with the progress with me. Blood pressure was fantastic and none of my 5 senses were effected. I AM ALIVE! Feeling groggy as hell but good.
Infact I was shocked when the nurse came over and asked what would you like for breakfast? And you will be transferred back to you're room. Hang on a sec? Did I hear that correctly? I'm going to be out of this place? Praise Jesus! Got a good feed for breakfast and was sitting up nicely. The nurse put the blinds up and had a beautiful lookout to the city of Melbourne. I just couldn't wait to get out. But I can't move though. Bedside trauma will kick in and won't be moving for the next 3 days. I had machines strapped to my feet and legs for circulation and constant hand movement exercises.
After breakfast I was not looking forward to the next part. Which in many cases its "character building" especially for a guy. Getting a nurse to remove heaps of wiring while you're awake which involves removing a huge catheter from you're bladder and a 15cm brain fluid tube from you're head. I speak no more as makes me weak thinking about it. However it's an educational experience I would not like to learn again. Plus removing the buns and seeing the nurse gown up for the needles in my veins. The horror was over and was so sore. 10:45am and I was being transferred to my room again and seeing the family was amazing and then from everything I slept for days and woke up a few times. However day 3 I hadn't actually urinated and I was sweating, shaking, and going crazy. My body needed to go. But I couldn't major brain surgery and I'm tied down to a bed with a railing and can't walk. The nurse said if you dont wee we have to put the catheter back in so quickly thought of water and successfully did it and the next day I couldn't wait to start physiotherapy so I can walk to my toilet in my room by myself. From now on I am never taking the small things for granted such as going to the toilet or appreciating walking and the ability to do small things. I feel so sorry for those with major bladder and prostate cancers.
The next day I was excited as a kid who got the best remote control car at Christmas time. A physiotherapist arrived and after 2 hours of small exercises I was walking again and doing small activities and I couldn't be happier. Being able to sit in arm chair or go to the bathroom was a blessing. And when the family came everyday I was able to gain more strength and go for coffees downstairs and get dressed and feel more human again. I was happy. I was me again. I couldn't imagine the pain other patients get in their bodies after being in bed for 2-6 weeks straight or more. Even after a month later I am still got muscle pain. I know the surgery was intense and we were waiting to found out the result of the Tumor. But during the meantime I was spending time with family and I gained strength to get out of the hospital and enjoy a cooked breakfast with the family.
However the day was coming that the neurosurgeon would come in and tell us the news. I was emotionally ready for anything but I had a gut feeling it wasn't going to be pleasant. But I was enjoying every moment and the nurses who I made great friends with along the way were so impressed with my recovery. There are so many blessings and positives I can look at this.
However Saturday came and that's when everything changed.
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