Post-Op News!

 Surgery was a success!

I was really happy with the service in the hospital: the doctors and nurses were great! 

On Wednesday, June 12, I was admitted at noon but had to wait about 5 1/2 hours until the actual surgery. I was really nervous and anxious since this was my first (ever) surgery and I didn't know what to expect as far as pain and success. The day before was really overwhelming because I got lost in the hospital, I didn't understand people who didn't understand me, and I had to fill out paperwork in Afrikaans (mixture of Dutch, German, Portuguese, etc.) with the help of some nurses. So the day before was scary. But being able to talk to Trenton and the family on Skype, my best friends, and new friends here was nice and very reassuring. I am glad I have caring, loving people in my life.

Getting pushed in to the "theatre" (OR) as they say here.

The day of the surgery came with a good surprise! I was told by my program manager that the headmaster  at the primary school (I live on the primary school teachers' quarters) had approved the sub-district council to go into my house to install electricity! I felt like that was the light that would shine on me that day and it made me feel hopeful! Plus, heelllooooo charging my electronics, refrigeration, and lighting at home! Woohoo! The day was already starting out great. Anyway, the surgery was fairly quick. Trenton told me that with anaesthesia a person usually doesn't remember what happens right before or right after so in an attempt to prove him wrong and prove that I remember everything, I focused on really small details before I went "under." haha (Yeah Bub, I'm a brat that way.) I guess it actually worked though because I came out of surgery and I remembered everything they did: from the anaesthesiologist giving me three specific shots (one for nausea, thank goodness!) to joking with the doctor about how he made me starve for 10 hours and wanting a stack of food immediately after surgery, and to the very last seconds I heard the words, "In a few seconds you will feel very restless...Sleep well..." and then BAM, I was out. Who knows how many hours later I was awoken by a lady telling me to "Take deep breaths for me, deep breaths. Take deep breaths, honey. Deep breaths." It was really irritating because I was trying to and it didn't help that she sounded frustrated when I was trying my best considering the excruciating pain I felt whenever I'd breathe. Maybe it was the meds but I wanted to tell her to be quiet and cover me with blankets. I just remember waking up and feeling extremely cold and shivering. I mean really shivering. Then the same lady was asking me if I knew where I was to which I replied, in a state of confusion, "In a hospital with food. It hurts. I'm hungry. And cold. Food." And I fell asleep soon after. haha I guess some things don't change...?

I was soon drugged up and feeling awesome. I'm afraid that I may have addictive tendencies because the only other time I was in a hospital I kept asking for more Morphine and the nurse kept telling me I couldn't have anymore. This time I asked for more too. The pain was different, I can't even explain it. I feel like I had a really bad nose job done or something. haha Anyway, thank goodness I don't drink or smoke, right? Also, I am apparently really amusing according to the nurses, doctors, Trenton, and the family. I said some WEIRD things when I was drugged up. Here are a few examples:

• doctor: How are you feeling Diane? Me: (with a big smile on my face) Vibrant!
• nurse: Can I do anything for you or get you anything? Me: Get me out of here...
• another nurse: You're looking better! Me: My bloody nose, chapped lips, and raw throat aren't cute.
• doctor: (after looking at my chart) 49 kilos?! Do you eat, ever? Me: I will outeat you anytime. Name a time and place. Also, can my food be on my lap as soon as I am wheeled out?
• me to Trenton: but WHY can't we take fluids immediately after surgery? Whhhyyy?? I just wait for those ice chips to melt anyway and drink it. Be right back, gotta pee. Ohhhh, now I know why.
• nurse: (after tying the gauze piece around my head) good? Me: Yeah. Wait, is there anything on my face?

I guess I'm extra weird when I'm all drugged up. haha

The next morning the doctor/surgeon himself came to see how I was doing! He came down from his office and asked me if I needed anything. If I wanted a nasal rinse and if I was okay. He also made sure to give me the medications and explain everything to me. (Apparently, they don't give generics. Hey!) This would never happen in America. I've never had the actual doctor come check up on me days after. Then, coincidently, right after he left, the regional medical officer from the Peace Corps walked in. He drove from the office to see how I was doing and how I was feeling and called a driver to pick me up and go to the guest house. He also said he'd take care of scheduling the next few follow-up appointments for me and that I needn't worry, just to get rest. I really feel cared for here. :)

So the point is that I think I am in really good hands. For my family and friends, don't worry about me here, I am getting the care that I need and maybe even better than I would have ever had in America. I really appreciate everyone's well wishes and prayers my way! I can't thank you all enough. The support is appreciated more than you'll ever know. Just that makes it easier to cope with life away from home, to know that people are wishing good things for me and supporting all my endeavours, no matter what, makes me get through tough days. So I really thank everyone a million times! I love you guys and gals.

Hardest shower I ever took.

The conclusion is this: the doctor said everything was successful. He was able to remove all the pus that was filling my sinus cavities and he said there was so much. He was able to make an incision to drain everything and successfully corrected my septal deviation. I asked if it is possible that the symptoms come back and he said he doesn't think it will, it is very rare. So I'm hoping that this whole process will alleviate my symptoms now and in the future I will never have to deal with this again. Although I'm experiencing lots of pain in the facial area (mainly around my eyes and nose) I know it will be gone in a matter of time. I am on antibiotics, saline rinse a few times a day, nasal ointment for congestion from dried blood and mucous, and was prescribed really strong pain meds to take for a while. I think I will have one or two follow up appointments and hopefully I will be back in Botswana in no time (and then soon after to New Jersey, New York, and London!). I miss my village, believe it or not, and electricity? Heeeeyyyy. So I am okay! I have to wear this gauze pad under my nose that ties around my head because my nose is still bloody and runny but other than looking like Scorpion from Mortal Kombat when I walk out, I'm good. I'll be making a new fashion statement. 

So that's that! I'm just trying to recover and do what the doc says.  I can't blow my nose for a week (whhhyyyyyyyyyy?) even though that is the only thing I think about all day. I have to keep telling myself not to even though it's tempting. I mean, what do you do when you have something in your nose? Blow it out. UGH! I would also like to taste food again. That'd be nice. Anyway, I have a saline sinus rinse I do three times a day and is uncomfortable but not painful. I just hate that I have to squeeze it up my nose and let the water, mucous, and blood drain out of my mouth. Ugh. I also have a nasal gel I stick up my nostrils and it helps with de-congestion from the mixture of mucous and dried blood. And of course antibiotics and pain pills will be taken on the daily. I seem to be doing good so far. Sometimes when I bend over I immediately have to remember to put my head back because blood will leak out. (Sorry for the stained pillow and sheet, B&B staff! :/ )Thank you to everyone for caring and supporting me! You will never know how much it means to me. Lots of love a million times over...  :) <3