Open Heart Surgery Round 2

5 pm Tuesday

Doug came through surgery just fine and is now doing his best impression of Frankenstein's monster by moaning and attempting to rise from his bed. After what his surgeon called a difficult 6.5 hour surgery, he is awake but still very groggy. Because it was his 2nd surgery, there was a lot of scar tissue to work around, hence the length of his surgery today.

It's unfortunate that he is too sedated to remember any of it, but the nurses had to put his arms in restraints when he initially woke up. He began to fight his breathing tube and started raising his arms and legs, attempting to remove the tube and get out of bed. As you can imagine, this was not an activity encouraged by the hospital staff after one's chest has just been cracked open. His poor nurse (only one at this point) draped himself over Doug's stomach trying to pin down both arms and legs while at the same time trying to suction Doug's throat clear of saliva to help him breath better. The nurse called out for help from the nurse in the next room, but unfortunately, the same situation was happening with her patient. I didn't know if I should jump in and sit on Doug's legs to help.... Another nurse eventually arrived and his arms were strapped to the bed so that he would be unable to pull out anything he wasn't supposed to.

Mercifully for all of you, I did not take any photos of Doug's front torso being shaved to prep for surgery this morning. Though I have to say that along with his shaved head (voluntary), shaved chin and upper lip (involuntary but required), it is not a look that inspires indecent thoughts, especially after 30 years of marriage.

And did I mention that today is our 30th wedding anniversary? We are both very glad that it is not more memorable than it has been.

Thank you for all your love and support. More tomorrow.

Mel

(the long suffering wife)