Thanks for the Mammories!

Hi, this is Matt the scribe/nurse/personal chef/cabana boy. I know many of you have been following Sue's journey and how much it has meant to her. So I/we wanted to be sure to catch you up as soon as we could today after her successful surgery. Sue's doing well! ... so here we go!!

Sue, Sandra and I had an early morning. We were off to St. Mary's hospital at 5:30 am to be there for 6 am. We arrived on the second floor at 5:50 and had no wait, registered immediately and were whisked right into the day surgery unit. The clerk, Nancy, escorted us to the bed that Sue would leave from to go to surgery and recover in after surgery ... bed 26. Nancy was also the fashion consultant who left the "beautiful" backless gown along with a "lovely" housecoat.

Our first visitor in the day surgery unit was Michele the RN who hooked up the IV. After being asked by many people what her name and birth date was and what procedure she was having done, we knew they had it right ... it is actually comforting to know that they confirm, re-confirm, re-re-confirm everything. They go so far as spelling her last name each time as they read it from her wrist band. The OR nurse Monica and the OR attendant Lisa were next to join us and reassured us that they would take good care of Sue. Sue was wheeled through the operating suite doors at 7:40 am and Sandra and I bid her adieu for a couple hours. Sue had a determined look of someone who was "in the zone" on her face. It was hard to watch her wheel away but I was confident because of all the appointments we had gone through in preparation for this day. Sandra and I retired to the comfort (and it is a beautiful facility after the renovations) of the waiting room where we were told Dr Judges would find us if he wanted to report after the surgery. Afterwards we learned that Sue's surgery started at 8:10 and completed at 9:53. At 8:15, Sandra and I visited Tim Horton's for some nourishment (chocolate dip donut and some bagels).

In the OR Sue met 2 other nurses, the anesthesiologist, and Dr Judges. After walking to the OR table, she let the anesthesiologist know she was "easily nauseated" and he said he would do his best to help her with that. Dr Judges also said, "Are you ready for this?" to which Sue replied, "Yep, let's go!". She was out within minutes of getting settled in the OR under many warm blankets provided by the lovely nurses.

At 10:40 the pager went off and I thought I was going in to talk with Dr Judges, but they told me Sue was out of recovery. So I walked to bed 26 and there she was, bright-eyed and welcoming. I said, "You did it babe!" and she said ,"Yep, I did. Can I have some water." I got to look at her dressing and the 2 drains and all looked good. We found out that Sue had a tube down her throat to help with breathing during the surgery which caused a bit of a sore throat.

The CCAC representative visited and described the service (likely 4 visits at home starting tomorrow) from the Comcare nurse.

Then the post-op nurse came by to describe Dr. Judges orders, the shoulder exercises, pain medication, and taught us how to empty and measure the drains.

Over the course of the next 2 1/2 hours Sue had more water and 1/4 of a digestive cookie. She caught a little sleep.

We left the hospital at 1:30ish and arrived home and she has been in and out of sleep and eating and drinking a little.

I feel inadequate as a fill-in blogger because Sue is such a good, eloquent and humorous writer. Have no fear, Sue will return to her regular column in a couple days.

Thanks from me for all of the love and support you have shown. It has been very meaningful.

Sue says, "Hey!"

Matt