Gall Bladder Stories.
Who doesn't love a good gall-bladder story ? I mean really. Well I have
some good detailed information on mine. (This may be a bit long, but it gets
worth it)
A bit of background info. The flu was going around, and I thought I had
the flu. I'd get sick after I ate anything other than Chicken noodle soup.
If I ate anything else I'd be miserable in a few hours. This went on for
about a week, then I hit the internet and looked up my symptoms and lo and
behold--Gall Stones just jumped up on every search. It was pretty early in
the morning (about 4 a.m.) but I called my parents and told them that I was
going to go to the hospital because I thought I had gall bladder problems.
Apparently I did. I was orange. Not jaundice yellow mind
you, but Cheetos fucking ORANGE. I am even more
disappointed in my friends and family for not getting a single picture of me in
my Great Pumpkin costume.
Anyway, they had me living off of bags of sugar water in my
veins till the bile (source of my orange color) went away and my fever came down
so they could do surgery.
Now Gall Bladder surgery has 2 main methods. Poke 3 holes in
you--suck out the gall bladder--on your way the next day. Then there is
option #2. Otherwise known as the way they did it to me. I have a 10
inch scar across mah belly. Was in the hospital for about a week afterward.
I realize most of you are in a great big "who cares" mode now,
but here comes the funny parts. My loving woman Sherry stayed with me the
first few nights. I am not sure if this was the night before surgery and
the 2 nights after or just the 2 nights after or what. As you are about to
see Morphine is a hellava drug. Sherry took incredible notes, documenting
many disgusting things. Also she documented a few of my drug induced
hallucinations. I'll try to recreate the notes she took below. I'll
put the disgusting parts in Green so you can avoid
reading that if you want. I'll also put the hallucinations in
Orange if you want to skip to the good parts.
Purple words are my thoughts added to my woman's
notes. Side note--its day 3 before the funny stuff.
Log is as follows:
July 9, 2005
- 3pm Brian was alone and sleeping comfortably.
Apparently he had an injection of morphine and phenagren @ 2:20 pm. Next
dose is suppose to get @ 5:20.
- As of 3:40 no one (except me) has been in here.
Sherry, my woman, worked in a hospital for a long time
so she is very critical of hospital staff and how they take care of her loved
ones.
- Nighters have been in to check. Vitals were normal
97 O2 Sat. Kay in at 3:45 - does not know anything.
- 3:50 Brian woke up and said he was in pain but more worried
about sick to his stomach. iz - the phenergan
- 4:50 He woke up and said he was uncomfortable. Next dose of
morphine is 5:20 & phenergan is 6:20? *But he needs the meds to calm his
stomach... more he is not comfortable
- 6:20 Dose of Morphine and phenergan. Glucose stick
141
- 7:10 urinated in pee jug measured 545
ccs volume on wall chart
- 8:30 Nausea is worse. Pain scale 3.5 to 4.5 or 2.5 -
3.5 (I'm guessing out of 5)
- 10:00 called for medicine
- 10:20 hasn't shown up yet
- 10:30 CALLED AGAIN
- 10:35 Med in 25/phenagren (the most they give)
July 10
- 12:30am peed 250cc
- 2:35 ok no meds
- 5:25 IV bag changed
- 5:40 peed 350 cc Asked for meds
- 5:50 meds morphine and phenagren
- 6:14 blood sugar 146
- 8:15 temp 97.9 152/88 O2 92
- 10:05 Peed 250cc
- <notes from mom in here about now-think sherry went home to
catch a nap--not sure but she was back at 2 p.m.>
- 2 pm Told nurse aide that I am his fiancé and he gave them
permission to let us know his vital signs and any changes in his blood work or
condition. He is still jaundice.
- 2:50 Lab is taking more blood for testing
- 3:00 Pain increase so I called the Nurse
- 3:20 They gave him morphine and phenergan. I am washing him
off and going to try and change his gown. Glucose stick 121.
- 3:30-4:00 Brian is conscious and itching violently. He is
uncomfortable. I did get him washed off and his gown changed.
- 3:40 Called Nurse and informed her about Brian's skin
itching. She said it was probably due to the Bilirubin and that she will call
Dr. Sandaval to see if there is anything that can be done. She also gave me
regular lotion to put on his back.
- 4:00 The nurse aide (Laura?) came in to take vital signs.
His temp is normal, but his blood pressure is elevated 111/98. She asked him
if he was in pain, he said he was uncomfortable.
- 5:00 The nurse (Margrite) brought in a dose of atarax-medicine
for the itching. Dr. Sandaval prescribed this
- 5:15 Brian is resting
- 6:50 pm Peed 650+cc Asked for
IV change Hand swollen
- 7:25 changed IV
- 7:40 147/83 BP 100.2 temp
- 8:15 Notified nurse sheryl putting in IV.... asked to
get pain med and notify doctor
- 8:45 Still no IV, sheryl tried 3X w/o success/ Brian
is in pain and they are supposed to call the doctor due to fever and worsening
condition. Sheryl tried 2 more times w/o success
- 9:00 They came to withdraw 2 blood cultures 1 out of each
arm. They called the doctor, Dr. Poos is on call. He ordered tylenol and
IV antibiotics ASAP.
- 9:35 meds
- 10:00 meds & IV site in... No IV flowing yet or IV
antibiotics
- 10:35 no flow yet
- 10:55 Nurse aide blew the new IV site. No glucose or
antibiotic flowing yet.
- 11:00 Temp is 99.7 after Tylenol 2 hrs ago. New IV placed
and finally worked piggyback of CEFAZOLIN going in 50 cc mini bag w/ 0.9
sodium chloride. Infuse over 30 minutes. No one has put him back on the
glucose drip yet and will find out blood sugar level @ 12 midnight.
- 11:10 Brian is slightly irritated but morphine did help.
Next dose should be put in around 1:50 - 2 am
- 11:45 Blood glucose 115 regular dextrose bag now flowing
through IV
July 11
- 12:10 IV bag needs changing. he feels got to me
- 12:20 Temp 99.0 He is now NPO... No ice chips or sips due
to tests ordered for morning
-
2:20 Brian awoke confused... I asked
Brian (as he looked at me)are you ok? He said well... and muttered something.
So I asked Hey do you know where you are? He said Yeah, I guess I know. I am
at the end of the 6th Star Wars chapter. And I am going to sell that
painted house. I said which one? The sixth house! I told you. The Star
Wars house. *Morphine is a hell of a drug.
Urinated approx 550cc - very dark color. Took pill for itching but did
not need other meds yet...
- 2:55am Brian back to sleep. No meds taken yet. He has
been sweating. Don't know temp and they haven't given him any more tylenol. He
is going to have some testing in the morning (NPO)
- 3:20 Temp 99.1 weight 308
- 4:05 Lab took blood. Brian was conscious and talked to me
for 15 minutes. Still little to no pain. So he has been w/o meds since 10 pm.
A little over 6 hours
- 5:25 Except for horrible itching of his back he is doing
good. I washed his back with a cold cloth and put lotion on it. He said he is
in no pain at this time.
- 6:25 another bag of antibiotic hung same as before. Brian
still wants to wait for any other meds if needed.
- 6:30 Glucose is 141
- 6:45 BP 148/88 Temp 98.9 Nurse aide until 4 is Pat
- 7:30 IV bag flowing (antibiotics in) He is feeling nauseous
and we requested pepcid, phenergan morphine
- 7:55 meds in
- <notes show mom back and sherry gone to sleep some. In this
time they decided that early afternoon the next day I would have surgery.
Sherry returned later that night>
- 6:50 pm 625 CCs
- 7:00 pm Glucose 127
- 7:15pm IV antibiotics hung. Told him NG tube and foley catheter will be
in when he wakes from surgery. Also he will have a PCA pump flowing that he
will be able to push for pain.
- 11:05 Temp 99.5 - told aide to notify Nurse that his temp is back up
July 12
- 11:15 Brian is resting. his last dose of morphine really seemed to help
him rest. Not much drainage from wound. Urinary output is
about 500CCs and flowing. Total Morphine delivered so far is 24.0 MG Last
time they took BP before they moved him 150/98 O2 sat 100% and temp is 98.0
Everything is OK. (BP still elevated due to pain and that is to be expected.)
- 11:30 Melisa is aide for the night and taking vitals. 145/94 BP
- 11:40 Nurse Farrah Aide Melisa Super nice and taking good care of him.
note-his color is already turning
July 13
- 12:00 27.9 morphine delivered and it is empty. Farrah came right away and
refilled morphine pump. Said this was a tremendous surgery so he is going to
have a large amount of pain. Refill placed @ midnight & not used yet. -So when
Brian is hurting do not hessitate to hit morphine pump. -The morphine can be
replaced every 4 hours. So he is doing great. -He is resting comfortable at 12.
Farrah also told me that Dr. Hohman is the best when it ocomes to this
procedure. He knows what he is doing. He will be in approx 6 or so in
morning.
- 12:20 T-Tube hurting. Farrah said the T-Tube sutured in is irritating.
Also the two hemo-vac bags are sutured in and he says that area and tube hurts
the worst.
- 12:25 2.0 mg of morphine in at this time and he has gone back into a comfy
rest.
- 12:50 Brian hit his morphine again PCA has delivered 4.0 MG He is warm to
the touch (my opinion) so I am anxious to see if he is getting a temp.
Urinary output is still good. approx 800CCs although the
color is pretty dark brown.
- 12:55 just noting the hemovacs have not been emptied and the #2 is only
one draining much at this time. NG tube is around 200CCs and slowing.
Brian just waved at some truckers Morphine is a hell of a
drug.
- 1:05 am Brian is itchy and uncomfortable. Being on his side is extremely
irritating. Been on side for about 2 hours now.
- 1:12 Brian is hurting and asked if he could hit morphine, yes, and now 6.0
mg has been delivered. Hit total of 3x since midnight.
- 1:50 Brian felt feverish so I called for them to turn him back to his back
and check his temp. it was 99.3 which was charted. I have wiped his face
with wash cloth and put cold cloth on his head. We also took the heavy cover off
him and replaced it w/ a sheet. 8.0 mg morphine has now been delivered and he is
sleeping comfortably (as possible) -Also washed around his nose and put a bit of
lotion right inside his nostrils to make him a bit more comfortable.
- 2:08 Brian in pain hit PCA 10.0 mg delivered now.
*delusion note. Saw dad coming back from a party. morphine, hell of a drug.
- 2:10 Resting Well.
- 2:45 Still a bit feverish but ok
- 2:55 Brian could not stand the pain. PCA pump hit 12.0 mg delivered
- 3:00-3:15 I took a cold wash cloth and wiped his face and eyes, head. He
is now resting
3:30 More pain hit PCA pump 14.0 mg Brian said are
you hiding cigarettes? Then opened his eyes and said I am sorry baby, I am
stupid. Then the story about him being a groomsman in a wedding for one of his
cousins. The father said get as many people to fill the pews as possible, I will
pay if necessary. The the father of the bride said if this baby is a mutant, we
are not even going through with this whole thing. -I can't believe this medicine
is mess me up this bad. -Also he said I (me) Sherry
that is. was the one who figured out the scientific
process. And I have been in all of his weird dreams. So thats
good at least.- 3:50 Pain still intolerable hit it again 16.0 mg delivered total
- 3:57 he is now resting comfortably.
- 4:15 Brian-pain PCA pump total delivered 18mg
- 4:20 He had bad (sharp) pain through his hemovac drains. resting but can
have more medicine when he needs it.
- 4:27 asked for pain med - Total delivered 20.0 New delusion You can rent
out whole stores to go shop in and Brian rented out Circuit City & Kohls for he
and I to shop exclusively.
- 4:45 asked for p[ain meds again total delivered 22.0mg He is OK and not
overtaking He could have refilleed pump @ 4 but still has 3 more to go and they
said for him to try and stay comfortable. No-one has been in to move or check
any fluids I am watching everything close.
- 5 am T-Tube is draining a large volume of bile. Nothing has been done
other than I told the RN to please check his temp and vitals again..
- 5:05 Pain pump hit 24.0 total. Brian awoke and said "probably not" then
looked at me and said I was just answering you in a dream. I said probably not
what? He said "I will probably not go get the mail right now." I said No, don't
worry about the mail I will get it. He said "you are in all of my dreams
tonight." ©
- 5:15 Stifeels feverish even though they said it was 98.0. (I had just
given him ice chips and told her so) T-Tube still pulling
out a lot of billirubin and urine (foley cath) is a brownish-yellow. The
T-Tube is really bothering him.
- 5:25 Brian has been scratching and said that mainly the tape is itching
more than everything else. I do think I have been able to keep him
relatively comfortable through the worst part of the night. He has gone w/o
hitting the PCA pump for a while now and sill has 3 doses left. They will
replace it when he is done w/o wait though.
- 5:40 T-Tube & Foley emptied. moved him to left side again so hit PCA pump
- 5:45 still in extreme pain on side. He said "I can't
believe I am getting turned over... in a van down by the river." Wants
more meds ASAP PCA 28.0 mg taken
- 5:50 one more dose & they will change the pump.
Brian is having a reoccurring dream,. 3 guys in a lounge all with same problem
(surgery) Go into a room to take turns playing pool. He said "I think I am going
to stop before one of those balls bounce up and hit my belly"
- 6:05 Hit PCA pump again. appears to be one more dose probably in 15
minutes it will be finished up. PCA pump finally changed.
- 7:10 coughing & hurting extremely bad, pump was not working
- 7:15 He is hurting - extreme pain muscles tense and sweating profusely.
The anesthesia is trying to work its way out of the lungs.
This is the end of Sherry's log. I was in the clear at this point
and largely much better by the end of the day. Sherry left for the day to
get some rest , but her mother became quite ill and she ended up having to stay
with her. However, I had my nose tube out the same day and was doing much
better so there was no need for constant babysitting.
Two more funny things happened which I will now relate. One is
another delusion and the other is my mother's phrasing of one of the activities
I had to undertake in order to recover. The VERY next note in the log was penned
by my mother I will add it and then explain it.
- 7:50 Blow Job (Breathing)
See when you undergo surgery your lung capacity diminishes. So they
give you this little contraption that you have to blow into at a steady pace and
it lifts a disk gradually. You can measure your progress by how far up the disc
goes. I'll try to take a pic of it and get that in here. Anyway, they
described this too my mom and the best thing she could think of to log was
listed above. Grats dad.
The second "other"
funny thing was another delusion, that both Sherry and I remember. I do
not recall where it fell amongst my stay at the
hospital, but I do recall having a conversation where I was explaining to
someone the difference between red and blue potions. Red being for
healing, and blue replenishes mana. Standard video RPG color coding for
magic potions. Apparently I was explaining this out loud because Sherry
said "What are you talking about?" As soon as I heard her voice I knew I
was hallucinating, because I would never have this conversation with her.
If any of my other buddies had asked what, I am sure I would not have snapped
out of it, and probably would have chastised them for not knowing.
Needless to say I got better and lived. I even have a nice big scar
to impress people with. Though I normally tell them i got it in a knife
fight.