Devonia's surgery....

We arrived at the hospital at 5:30 a.m. bleary eyed, partially asleep but there none the less. After Devonia checked herself in we sat waiting for the nurse to come and take us to the prep-area. Almost 45 min's later we were escourted to the prep room and Devonia began the painful process of them trying to start an IV. I had no idea that chemo blows your veins. Oh my gosh. What a painful experience it was for her AND me, watching. The nurse attempted the IV once and then left Devonia alone for the Anesthesiologist to do the IV. The usual entrance and exit of physicians and nurses followed and eventually Shelva arrived (7:05) and was with me when they decided to use her port for the IV until they could get her into the OR and start another.

The Anesthesiologist (Dr. Freeman) gave Devonia some meds that immediately started the slurred speech and very relaxed attitued. We all laughed as Devonia was wheeled out feeling NO PAIN. We were told the surgery was expected to last about 3 hours and we'd be informed of the progress every hour.

So Shelva and I began our long wait in the waiting area. As the morning wore on, more and more people arrived for their own surgeries and everyone quickly learned who was waiting and who was having the surgery. We all were a very congenial bunch considering most of us had been there since before the crack of dawn. Eventually Dr. Sparenburg stepped out to let us know that the surgery was over and Devonia was doing well. Relief! Devonia came out of the anesthesia quickly and we were on our way back to the house in just about 2 hours.

We went by CVS to fill her scripts and then we shot to the house so that I could get some lunch started for her. She was very hungry, as expected, and really enjoyed the grilled cheese and tomato soup with a few grapes. Devonia is now resting and I hope the pain killers will keep her comfortable for a while.