My Surgery Experience Part One: The Hospital
On Thursday, May 23, I woke up at 5:20am, took my last shower and washed my back with the special soap that the hospital provided for the third and final time. I then french braided my hair into two braids (scoliosis surgery hospital life hacks blog post coming soon), and got in the car to go to the hospital. I would be lying if I said I wasn't anxious and on edge, not because I didn't think that I was in good hands, but because knowing the severity of the surgery kind of freaked me out a bit. My parents and I got to the hospital and they gave me two gowns to change into, and put me on a stretcher with warm blankets and a heater (apparently having the blood warmer before surgery decreases the risk of potential infections). The hardest part of the morning was probably walking into the hospital, because that is when reality hit me. In my room there was a television, and my parents and I hung out for about an hour while the operating room prepared for me.
I was wheeled into the operating room and my mother got to come with me for support. I was not really nervous for the actual surgery itself, as I had come to terms with it and I knew how beneficial it would be for me in the long term.
I woke up from surgery and I was in a lot of pain. My pain was quickly managed by my doctors and nurses, and after about an hour I was brought up to my recovery room in the acute care building.
Me in my hospital room, Thursday night.
Friday, my first full day post-operation, was spent by mostly sleeping all day. I was woken up by physiotherapists to sit for the first time, which was one of the most bizarre feelings. It was quite painful, but my nurses made sure to line up my medication doses with my physical exertion levels. After sitting for about two minutes, I got to lay down again and go to sleep.
Sitting up for the first time (Friday)!
Saturday mirrored Friday in terms of rest; however, I stood for the first time! Going from sitting to standing was very painful at first, but it did get easier as time went on! As the next couple of days went by, I gradually started to walk, and on Tuesday I went up and down a few cases of stairs!
Waking up and down therapy stairs on Tuesday!
My IVs were removed on Tuesday and Wednesday, and being off the high doses of morphine really calmed my stomach pains. I went home from the hospital on Wednesday, and surprisingly, I found the car ride quite comfortable! Probably one of the most annoying aspects of the hospital was eating, as I was often nauseous and had no appetite.
I'm deciding to do my surgery experience in parts, so that it can be more focused, and I also find it difficult to sit and type for long periods of time! As I said in one of my instagram posts, I am so beyond, and forever, grateful to the medical team at BC Children's Hospital for changing my life. Although this isn’t the end of my journey, I can already say I have received amazing, world-class care from my surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, physiotherapists, and other health practitioners that were also aiding me. Of course, a big shoutout to my parents and sister for staying and caring for me at the hospital, and for their unwavering support. Also thank you to everyone who has reached out to me during these trying few weeks, your stories, encouragement, and love has definitely made an impact on my initial stages of recovery, and for that I am forever humbled and appreciative.
I will be posting the Part Two to my surgery recovery within about a week!
This blog is my own personal experience and journey with Scoliosis. It is not a medical blog, and if anyone has concerns about their own health, they should see a physician.