A Procedural Kind Of Day

Behold – a gourmet meal!

At least it seemed like it at the time.
Yesterday I was in for an endoscopy, a procedure I have done every couple of years or so. It requires fasting from food and drink for a period of time, so this was a feast by the time I got to see it.
Everything went smoothly – the procedure itself apparently takes about ten minutes, but there’s the waiting around and the prep and recovery time. For some reason, in the last year or so, I’ve had trouble having blood taken/drips put in. My veins seem to hide or disappear, and even when they get a line in the blood doesn’t always come out… the anaesthetist had trouble yesterday and had to use an ultrasound machine to find a vein. She got the line in but it only drew blood sporadically, so she had to use the other arm, and eventually put it into my hand. I find that very painful, but you have to go with what works…
Apparently as you age your veins can get a bit “valve-y” (obviously a medical term) and the valves resist the needle. At least it worked in the end, and the sedation went quickly.

I can’t remember how many endoscopies I’ve had, but I know they’ve changed a lot since my first one. The first time I don’t remember as much talking, although the procedure was explained to me. This time I had a good old chat with the nurse, the anaesthetist, the orderly who wheeled me in, and a little bit with the doctor. This was mostly about procedures and any fears I might have, but also about our families and whatever else.
These days I believe the sedatives are a lot lighter – just enough to keep you under. My first time I had to be wheeled in to recovery on the bed and then come to at some point. I don’t remember a lot of that, as I was unconscious. Eventually I was able to get off the bed onto a chair, then try to eat something. This time (and last time) I woke up in the procedure room, walked to the recovery area, and had my gourmet meal straight away.
I hate the process of going under sedation, and always feel a bit panicky at that point. It’s quick, though, so I don’t have time for too much panic! There’s also the memories of earlier times, when I would feel a bit sick and scarily disorientated after. It would also take three or more days to get over the sedatives. Thankfully it’s different now! I was having a lovely dream when I woke up. Something about books, but I can’t remember what… I still feel groggy today (I feel like I’ve been in a fight…), and will probably take it easy, but it’s a lot different to earlier times.
I still have to have a “responsible adult” around for 24 hours after the procedure, so if you want me to sign anything or operate heavy machinery, you’ll have to wait 😀

That was a lot more writing than I thought I was going to do!
Long story short, hospital procedures don’t need to be scary, at least the planned ones – I’ve not had emergency surgery before, so I can’t speak to that. I do know that whatever I’ve had done lately, I’ve come across competent, professional people who know what they need to do but also understand that we might be a bit worried and need reassurance.

I also have another source of comfort…I knew on Monday that I might be a bit out of it yesterday, so I did my Bible readings for both days.
Here’s my verse for yesterday –

“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
– Isaiah 41:10

😀

What other procedures yesterday?
More like “procedurals”, and murder mysteries. Since I knew I wasn’t going to be good for much in the way of deep thinking, I decided to just read and sleep yesterday. I went with the classics (Ngaio Marsh, Agatha Christie, P.D.James)
Also – zinnias!
❤
They’re Mambo Pink, and are bright enough for this greyish day.