Am I sane?

Last night was dramatic for both of us (Annie). Well, we ended up went to ER. No fear, I'm okay. It was one of our fears from the paper that caused us to worry. Let me tell you the story how it happened.

At first I got home from the surgery and had nap then woke up. Eat food. Pee lots. Mom called me to sure I'm okay. I got up and feel pain from my left behind knee. It hurts when I straight my knee. I told Annie about it. She read the paper and saw it said I need to call the doctor if I have any legs pain etc. The doctor was worried for any patient who were under anesthesia longer than usually. It might caused to have a blood clots. Leg pain was one of signs.

Annie called one of ENT and he couldn't make up decision if we should go to ER or not. At first he said it was up to us but after my blah blah about knee pain. He gave up and told us to go to ER but emphasized that we should call him when we get there so we don't have to wait there FOREVER. Oh umm okay.

Annie and I left our apartment at around 8pm. Grins, it's not good starter for me since I got home from surgery! We drove to John Hopkins Hospital and walk FAR to the ER. We finally found ER through maze. Seriously, I couldn't find it without asking for help to find that ER. We saw there are LOTS of umm interesting people who sat there for many hours to get service. Annie overhear one woman said she have been waited for six hours and still not have seen doctor. Gulp, that's why ENT said we should call him right away or we will stuck here for many hours just like that woman stayed there for six hours. Weird. I admitted it's creepy to sit down and be one of them.

We found right place to tell the nurse to call the doctor, but the nurse just blinked and said go sit down--basically ignored us. She thinks we are one of them. Add to this, I have a weird big white cup bandage on my right ear. Duh. AND Annie DID told her that I had a surgery this morning. Is that important enough to go through in her head... But I don't think it didn't hit her through many visitors drama.

After about five minutes, there are no way for us to pull the white flag to wave and get our attention so Annie fed up and called the doctor herself with her dying cell as hoping it won't die on her when she contacts the doctor. Whew, it did got through and paged the ENT to come and get us. We waited another thirty minutes until the nurse decided to notice us and get us in her cubicle room. My friend, Annie, of course blah blah blah why I am here. Well, I did too. At first Nurse didn't get it. Annie had to repeat until the nurse get her bulb working. Finally she tried to call the doctor but at that time ENT arrived and got us.

ENT had to borrow one of their ER room to do test on me. That was very interesting part because ENT asked a woman (a weird doctor) if we can use that room. The woman stared at him and said we cannot do that. It started a little firework as trying to find a room for us. The woman said it's low risk of blood clots while ENT said it could be dangerous. It seems both of them couldn't make a decision. We ended up went a room. Still both were blah blah blah what if what if what if. My head feel like a ping pong ball. Of course, I couldn't move my head fast enough and gave up. My head have been spinning because its too much drama here in the room. ENT touched my behind of knee to see if there is any blood clots. He don't know what to look for, so ask her to see if she could identify the problem. She touched and said it's fluid like blah blah blah. She thought I strained against it during surgery and knee thing popped out. It looked like she is trying to be smarter than he is. At last both of them finally decided to give me a ultrasounds to see if I have a blood. And they talked about risk and benefit. It means if I have a blood clot, they cannot treat it because of my surgery. Both left the room leaving us alone.

Annie and I were not sure what to do but decided to call my dad what he thinks. He told us it's low risk and it's up to me. I feel much better and think dad and the surgeon are right. It's possibly sprain while I was in OR. Annie gave a good point, if we stayed here for ultrasounds and other tests, then we won't get home until maybe 2 or 3 in the morning. We will become one of weird people in the ER. I decided not to be one of them and told the woman forget it.

Funny, when we told the woman and she blinked at us. She acted weird and said we need to sign AMA. Funny that she did not thinks it was a blood clot but then she said it's still possible blah blah. It's low risk but nonzero. UH?! Okay, that's it. She finally printed the AMA and made me sign my name it so I cannot sue if I die. Uh, how can I sue if I died?! Well, she was nice when we left. She said if it's still the problem, I can return to her. And she added before we walked out of the room, she said hope I can hear. Funny, I had my left cochlear implant on. She didn't know that I have second one.

Oh boy, we finally left the ER and went home exhausted.

But am I sane that I decided to go to school the next morning? Yes, I had to get up early and Annie came along with me. Of course, I didn't go to school with my big white cup bandage. I took it off!! Annie careful not wash my surgery area, just my waxy hair. We left and got there a little late because washing my wax hair took forever!

I survived through long class and left home. That morning killed me and left me fell on my bed snooze for about two hours. I think I have killed Annie as well cuz she took two hours nap too. Wow, it's long day for both of us yesterday. Today was much better but still feel sore and blah. I'm looking forward tomorrow for a real shower. Yay! Now am I really sane?

Second Surgery

Before the surgery

You'll need to read some from my first surgery experience to understand what's up with this. (Click on that highlight to access this)

After the surgery, didn't I look like unn high drug?

HAHA! See the wire straight up? The coil is a magnet and it stuck to the lid because it's metal!

My second surgery has ended! I'm home and resting. Wow, the surgery took longer than first surgery last January. My first surgery has took about a little less longer than second because the surgeon had to cut a nerve for my taste. (Annie didn't tell me until I ate something!!) I'll tell you more later on that.

Anyway, I was brought to the recovery room. Well, I had hard time recovering because I felt pain behind my ear and nausea! I was not feeling GREAT. Nurse said I was still on Stage 1, haven't transfer to Stage 2 yet which Annie was not here. I ended up stayed there for about three hours! That was double longer than my first recovery!

It was very different experience for me between first and second surgery. It's so funny because it's only six months apart even same surgeon. (Of course, different nurses, OR, anesthesiologist, etc). Still they are nice and friendly. And my interpreter was MUCH better and I liked her lots. She was so nice and made sure everything okay with me.

Well, I got home and couldn't keep my eyes open so had to take a nap. I had hard time to find comfortable to sleep with a cup on my right ear PLUS I have to be elevated. UGH! At least I got some sleep and woke up feeling much better. So I have been up since from that nap. I put my cochlear implant on. AHH, I was able to hear the movie! Not like first surgery! Whew! Interesting, it didn't affect anything much as Steve was curious about.... OH I ate a few of pretzel with peanut butter, ramen noodles, and ice cream! Well, I want more... I want to eat something.. UMM what's next to eat? That shows I'm okay.

Oh about my taste, I got home I feel something in my mouth--obviously I wanted something to eat or drink. I ended up had a popsicle--a orange. I was so happy because I was able to taste the orange. I told Annie about it. Annie's facial expression changed to a giggle. Something going on here. I asked her why it was funny? Annie asked me funny question, can you taste a whole like right side of tongue, etc. I was puzzled and tried what she told me to do.. I think I can taste all of side. I was curious. Annie told me that the surgeon emphasized not to tell me UNTIL I commented about taste. UH?! Annie explained what the surgeon told her. Basically he had to cut a nerve of taste because it was blocking him from inserting the electrodes. He moved the nerve and sewed it back together. He didn't want me to know about it because I would probably look for it and complained or call him or freak out. He said maybe it wouldn't affect me, so wait and see what I say about it.

Interesting!! That's why my interpreter made that expression when I was drinking ginger ale and cookies, and I talked about I was glad it tasted fine! She was with Annie when the surgeon talked to Annie. Hahaha, everything made sense to me. She was sneaky!!

Alright, I'm done with this. I want to find something feed my stomach!

Is It Really Happening?

Okay.. Remember, this journal that I have wrote to my family. You’ll see the different fonts and you know why. I did fix some but not much...just fix the mistake or add some more information. :D

I didn't get very good sleep last night. I kept waking up every hour for different reasons. I woke up for pee.. water.. move around.. blah. I slept on airbed in the livingroom so I can watch t.v. I had to put about four pillows under me. I have to keep my head above than my chest for two weeks. Ugh!

Funny story but sad. Before I leave the hospital, I was about to get dressed. Everyone left to do their duties especially one new nurse with me to help me dressed while Annie left to get car and get me. Before Annie leaves, the nurse asked me how I'm feeling right now. I told her my ear hurts. So the nurse gave me one medicine and said it's oxycodone. Wow, it's small white medicine so I took it.

Annie got me in car and left. I was resting. My ear starting to throbbing..hurt.. I was hoping the medicine will work soon! We arrived home and still hurts. I was like..wow the numb is fading. I cannot take the medicine until specific time. So I waited until around 11pm to take oxycodone and promethazine (to prevent nausea). Annie is giving me the medicine (she is boss with medicine and keep track to make sure not overdose or forget to take one medicine cedadroxil (antibiotic).

Annie came and opened her mouth--"You won't believe this..the nurse gave you promethazine instead oxycodone!! That's why you still feel pains since you left the hospital!!" No wonder!! So I took two medicine of oxycodone to help stop the pains. I went bed and two hours later..wow that stuff does work! Finally!! But I only can take oxycodone eight pills a day..THAT'S ALL!

Whew, they did not rip the hairs out of my arm when they removed the IV. But I had to removed a masking tape off..THAT HURTS. OH OH FUNNY.. The nurse put the masking tape on my arm and it wouldn't stay on. She just blunt oh you have hairy arms! Oh brother.. I think they don't need to put needle more than just IV. They put anesthesia in the same tube as IV. And they put about three blood pressure cuffs. One on my right arm, one on calf, and one on thigh. Legs thing.. I HATE THAT!

Seriously they have FANCY operation room! MUCH FANCIER than I had before in Utah. My mouth fell on the floor when I entered the operation room. There were so many machines around the bed. White almost everything except some machines. Also I saw a television front of my bed. They are preparing little camera that will goes in my head. Wow.. Everything went so fast.. When I get on the bed, they put EKG on me blah blah blah put on me stuff.. Mary, one of nurses, put anesthesia in my tube. And put oxygen mask but it was weird.. so they all wait for me to go bye.. Funny because two nurses and assistance were standing front of me and waiting.. Mary was nice nurse.. She patted me and smooth me to calm me down. My heart must pounding so big and loud! I remember I started to feel weird--BANG! That's it. I cannot remember how I shut my eyes! Like I was drop dead. (When I get on that bed, I was thinking.. that's it. I'm really HERE.. I can't believe this. Is it really happening to me? It was unbelievable moment..I felt like I was dreaming..)

I woke up..of course.. confused but much better than past surgery because I thought I was in car accident. :D This one I was confused with temperature and throat.

About eating...you won't believe this. I drank ginger ale at hospital to take a medicine. Hahaha, amazing it didn't make me nausea. I guess I didn't feel because I took TWO nausea medicine in less than an hour!! Oops, but that's okay!! I don't like the feeling of nausea anyway... When I got home, I ate ice pop and it taste funny. I even ate a few of cracker. :D Amazing uh? Of course, I had to chew careful because when my jaws move, it hurts a bit (ear).

This morning I was READY to eat my REAL BREAKFAST!! Yay!! YUMMY... Oh the anesthesiologist told me that I can eat anything that night when I get home except fried or spicy. He even said pizza, hamburger, etc! :D Mom, remember I ate pizza next day? (from preview surgery with my elbow) :D

The anesthesiologist has STRONG accent! When he came to meet me and explain how it works before the surgery. The interpreter, Carol, got up and ready to interpret but her facial expression was puzzled and tried to understand him! She said he has strong accent. His name is Akos Kalmar. He got paged and had to leave for a few minutes. Carol and Annie started to discuss where he from. Carol guessed he was from Germany but Annie guessed Czech. Annie is funny because she took her iphone out of her purse and google on him!! :D She found him that he attended Budapest University! No wonder... :D I told Carol what Annie has told me. She laughed.. :D That was funny. Dr. Kalmar was so nice. He was trying to gesture with me to communicate. He even knelt down to level with my eyes. Wow, nice to do that. Dr. Della Santina did that too even his assistance too.

I'm serious ALL of staffs there were so friendly and kindly. I suddenly feel so comfortable even I was very nervous. :D

Missy, sweatshirt that she gave me for Christmas was worth of it. :D I wore it after the surgery. It's perfect sweatshirt because it's thin and light also easy to access to put on me instead over my head. I post that (above) picture to show you the prove. :D

Oh I remember...Annie and I got there around 11:20am which is very early. But after we paid the clerk and signed some forms. The interpreter was here early as well. I thought we would sit in the lobby and wait.. NO! After I signed the paper and they said they are ready for me to go in and change clothes and put IV in. Wow.. that was FAST! That was good but I had to wait awhile in the pre-op area while IV. There were nurses blah blah came to me. Whew. I'm glad that I did not have to wait much longer than past surgery! Everything was on time.. dots. :D

OH I just read Missy's question and almost forget to answer that question.. Will it bleed a lot? I don't think so. Dr. Della Santina said it might drain and some bleed but not much. Dr. Della Santina put packing inside and outside of my ear (canal). One inside will fade itself. But not outside, he will take it out next Thursday when I came to see him for check up.

I’m glad to know that I do not have to go to work or school until 26th. That would give me two weeks to recuperate. :D Oh that’s right I do have a meeting this Thursday. I don’t know about that yet. Annie will have to drive me because I cannot drive while I take oxycodone. :S

Umm oh cow I gave you lot of information!!! I guess that’s it as what I can think of. It’s about three pages! Geez, sorry if I have put you sleep! :D

Missy asked me when I can wash my hair. The question is when can I wash my hair. I looked at the paper and it said I can wash my hair after 48 hours from the surgery. Means I can wash my hair tomorrow night. I'm looking forward to it! Because I feel yucky, itchy, and grossy. :D

So far I have been laying on the bed to be still and not move my head very much. It hurts if I move rotate. I feel like tag muscle near my ear. If I stay up like stand too long, then I can feel red start to fill up my head. A bit dizzy..whew! Gotta to lay.. :D Wow tomorrow night I'll find out what my head look like.. It'll be weird to see that--that is my head--computer implant in my ear as well the magnet inside of my head. If anyone want to see grossy pictures, then I'll be happy to post for you tomorrow night. So keep your eyes open. :D

Is it amazing to see that I’m up and doing a long journal the next day from the surgery?! Or am I insane? But it shows that I’m fine. :D It works as charming.

The Surgery

Yes, I'm still alive. Does that picture looked happy or scary? I do not know what to react that picture because I KNOW how feel at that moment!

I was wacky nervous and time was ticking. Actually I was a bit uncomfortable. Maybe it’s wrong to use uncomfortable. Let me try my best to explain why I’m “uncomfortable” at that time. When I arrived at the hospital, St. Johns Hopkins, I was ready right away to go in to change my clothes into famous hospital clothes. And the nurse, Maria, gave me strange long white socks. That long white socks has one big hole and one small hole. It’s obviously small hole goes to feet. Maria said put those on. So I did but surprisely how hard to put those ON because those socks were so tight! I felt like I’m too fat for those socks! But it fits and that socks goes from feet to almost top of my hips. One thing was strange because I was sit in one of booth and there were several booths as well for the patients who ready for surgery. This floor (basement of a huge building with uhh I think 12 floors) was for surgery only. So when people were resting and waiting for their turn to go in operation room. I noticed that they are not wearing the same socks I’m wearing. Am I only one wearing this socks? I wondered why.. Maybe their surgery is not complex as mine? Short surgery? I’m so curious! Oh well, I won’t know for sure. :D



Okay, I’m going to paste some of my journal that I wrote to my family. Save my hands. :D

Right now it's almost 9:40pm and I'm sitting up on the couch and feeling pains in my left ear. Of course, the medicine is starting to fade. (I think the shot for numb start to fade as well.) I cannot take the medicine until soon. I am thinking to wait a bit longer so I can take another medicine to prevent feeling nausea. The painkiller might make me feel nausea because basically it's illegal. :D Oxycodone! Well, I hope it will help less pain in my ear. I guess I better stop and rest. My ear is starting to throbbing. :S

Ugh, I cannot lay to sleep. I have to keep my body elevated. :S Let's see how much I can get sleep overnight! I hope I can get lot of sleep so Annie can sleep through the night as well.

That’s it for today. Whew! Wait for next day with full of details.