Hubby gazes into the distance at Laupahoehoe (Big Island)
I had never seen him in such pain: the kind of pain that brings you to your knees and brings tears to your eyes.
With numbness and shooting pain in his leg, in addition to the excruciating back pain, the doctor diagnosed him with a pinched nerve. The MRI indicated that he actually had 2 herniated discs and the two words that Hubby hoped never to hear: “back surgery” fell from his doctor’s lips like a ton of bricks.
He was admitted on Wednesday for the first surgery of his life. Sitting in the waiting room to be called seemed like an eternity, watching the breaking news coverage on the arrest of the JonBenet Ramsey murder suspect on CNN. When his name finally came up, they escorted him in and made me wait outside while they got him changed and hooked up to the IV.
Hubby donned a hospital gown, complete with paper shower cap and booties and I stood by and watched as they prepared him for the procedure. I gave him a quick kiss, said “I love you” and watched as they rolled his gurney to the OR. As I caught his glance and he gave me a grin, tears immediately started flowing down my cheeks. I grinned like a goof, waved and turned away. I was so disappointed in myself because I had so wanted to give him a brave face, a bright smile, and a strong aura of confidence. Instead, the last image he had before heading off to the OR was my tear-stained face. Good job, Donna, you big wuss.
Instead of driving all the way home, I opted to stay in town and wait for Hubby. I went to Ala Moana, had lunch at 2:30 at Shirokiya and walked aimlessly around the mall for 3-1/2 hours. Honestly, I don’t enjoy my own company and rarely go out by myself, so cruising the mall for an extended period of time like that was a first for me. Honestly, it was quite nice. When my cell phone rang at 6 pm, I was relieved to hear the surgeon’s voice telling me that the surgery went well and that Hubby was doing just fine.
I sat in the empty hospital room that they had prepared for him. About 10 minutes later, they wheeled him in. Obviously still feeling the effects of the anesthesia, he asked me, “where am I? Did they do the surgery yet?”
Those were the same post-op thoughts that I had following my tonsillectomy. It took a couple of hours for the anesthesia to wear off, but I was so glad that he was doing well.
Later that evening, Hubby was walking around, albeit very slowly, but walking nonetheless. I didn’t realize how much back surgery has progressed. I had always thought of back surgery as a very iffy procedure with a lengthy recovery period, rendering the patient bedridden for weeks. I never expected that Hubby would be on his feet in a matter of hours. The miracles of modern medicine!
Hubby is still in quite a bit of pain and trying to refrain from taking the Percocet because he doesn’t like the sedated feeling. It’s still difficult for me to see him in such pain, but I am confident that the back surgery will help him in the long run. If you are so inclined, I would certainly appreciate your prayers for Hubby as he is on the road to recovery.
iTuned to: “Seabird” by Olomana
