so. surgery was a bit rough. and then my first night was completely restless.
with chest tubes installed, entering at my diaphragm and extending all the way up to my heart, it was volatile to move in any direction without massive shots of pain moving across my body. even with the PCA, i was struggling to maintain the pain. as usualy, the nurses were constantly coming in to check up and take my vitals to make sure i was alive and doing ok. i had to sleep sitting up in order for the chest tubes to drain properly as well as minimize the chance my partially collapsed lungs would fill with fluid. i had an induced spirometer that i was to use as often as possible in order to re-inflate parts of my lung that were still not fully expanded.
my dad stayed with me that first night, and i was thankful to have someone there by my side. upon waking up [didn't really sleep, but in the early morning hours...] the doctors came in to see how i was doing. i had an xray through the night, and they were highly concerned about the massive pooling of fluid around my right lung that was not reducing in size, rather expanding by the hour. they said they would have to install a third drain tube along the right side of my rib cage.
would i get put under? no. would i get extra pain management? kinda, use your pca. dr’s cheng and quade showed up to do the procedure. dr quade did not hide the fact that this procedure would be highly painful. just then bromley and her dad showed up for a visit. what timing.
the procedure was going to happen in my hospital room. and it seemed as though the room was packed full of people right then. i knew i would have a tough time, so i asked bromley if i could hold her hand during the procedure. i promised i would do my best not to crush her hand if the pain got really bad. thanks for being there for me bromley. sorry you had to watch that.
as for the procedure, i could feel every single action. from the scalpal cutting me open, to the doctors both having their fingers inside me to feel out the best path for the tube to go with the muscle and bone structure. i want to say i passed out at this point, but i didn’t. i can’t even describe the pain. i wanted to be anywhere else, anywhere besides on that table right then. the tube they stuck in me was porous, allowing all fluids to drain into it.
now, these tubes are just left in there to freely float around. they are stitched into your skin so they do not slide out inadvertantly. the minute they sealed up the cut on my side and stitched in my tube, mostly blood started to fill up the tank almost immediately. it was impressive.
so now i had three tubes to deal with when trying to move around on my bed. don’t forget.. i still had a foley catheter in me, so i was really bed bound. for those of you who’ve never had the profound pleasure of having a foley catheter… it’s a mixed bag. i mean, on one hand, you don’t even think about going pee. on the other hand, it’s kinda weird to look at the tube and notice you’re peeing, but you had no clue. the fear factor only increases when you think about it coming out. don’t think about it. just don’t. fill your mind with other painful thoughts… like how your chest feels extremely tight from being clamped back together with stainless cabling.
the rest of the day was spent holding onto the PCA for dear life and trying to force food down my throat. needless to say, i didn’t sleep much again.
oh, and the 16 gauge catheter for the IV that was on my left hand? it was literally about to leap out of my skin.. they swiftly took care of that and stuck me with an IV right in the crease of my right elbow. worst spot possible. everytime i would move my right hand to scratch an itch, or lift water to my mouth, the catheter would poke itself around in my elbow. not pleasant. i was beginning to see it would be quite a pain filled weekend. i was useless.
double eeeks. The visual of the doctors sticking their fingers into your side is gruesome, Kevin. I’m so sorry you had so much pain.
Of course, “Little Jack Horner…. stuck in his thumb and pulled out a plum” came to mind, stuffing a turkey, 10 pin bowling….
again, thank you for sharing the tale, and so glad you’re over the worst. I hope you’re home or will be there soon. I expect you are feeling better every day. love. danna.xxoo.
Holey Moley Kev. Man, ….that sounds horrible. The hardest part is over, right? Good thing you’re so tough, buddy! If you need me to do some chores at your house, feel free to ask. I go by there when I paddle, which I’m trying to do more often, so let me know if there’s anything I can do to help. Aloha, Jamer
OY VEY Kevin, you’re killing me!
How do you ever put all those thoughts together? This is absolutely a book waiting to be written! Well, It will be New Years Eve tomorrow and at least the worst is behind you and you can rejoice in knowing that 2009 will be better for you and your family.
I am so glad your family is such good friends with Dave and Jen. David thinks the world of you and has bonded with your sister, Chris and those two beautiful kids. I hear they are quite something. At least I know that there is such a great support team in Seattle and that gives me peace of mind.
Love,
Sallie ( you know, Davie’s Mommy in West Palm Beach Fl.
Kev-
Dude-this is a bit surreal. I feel like I’m watching a crazy episode of a Discovery Health afterschool special! You have really missed your calling and should be a writer-pretty graphic. We’re so sorry you are having to endure all of this crazy pain, endless tubage and iv’s. Good thing you are so healthy otherwise. If your dad is still around, tell him hi for me – Still sending some good vibes your way (and Grandma McHugh would be disappointed in me if I didn’t tell you we were praying for you). Peace! Aunt Ruth & Doyle
hey Kev. fuck man…
stay up.
Kelly and Dylan just watched Alien in your honor. Kelly says he can now relate to all the stuff coming out of your body. EEEWWWWWWW
I on the other hand never watch Alien but love
the discovery channel gore. So your writing is right up my alley. I want a copy of your first book as I need some fun stuff to read.
It is NYE and by some blessing we got to get away to the lake without kids or gramps. Yahoo.You are in our thoughts and yes our prayers to the Higher Spirits to heal you fast and keep you down so you can completely heal.
I will do a healing dance to the Indian Spirits at the lake for your speedy recovery.
Hugs to you, Carissa, Kristofer, Max, Sadie, Auntie Kate,Mike and Linda. Happy New Year Bro from the sh*tlens oh sorry teenieboopers
We love you
Hi Kevin,
Had the pleasure of speaking with your sister, they were spending New Years with David and Jennie.
Wishing you a healthy New Year and getting this all behind you.
It will be nice to read a blog soon where you say you feel 100%.
Love,
Sallie
AUWIE, reading this just sobered me up at 0148 on the first AM of 2009! Whoa.
Happy New Year Kevin. There is only one way to go and that is up. Wishing you a wonderful 2009. May all your dreams come true. Hugs to you and the family.
Kevin, reading your words here is like entering into the experience of what you are going through. I know you have a huge amount of love and support from your family and friends. Wanting to think of some way to help, I took inspiration from one of your friends who wrote that they prayed for you at sunset on the North Shore–thought I would go to a beautiful place and think healing thoughts. Here in Seattle, that meant walking along the Ballard Locks. So, on a soggy grey day here is hoping you feel much much better, that you sleep pain free, that your healing progresses quickly. Love, Ginny
Rev,
Man oh man. Bike racing must seem like the easiest thing you ever did compared to this. Hang in there. I know I would be crying for mercy every second. Hope the pain subsides ASAP
Chia