Some of you have read this already, so yes, it's ok to skip it, but there are some updates! 
The procedure took place on March 7th.
I'm going to list some bullet points regarding the procedure and the
experience:
- Loved the IR nurse, Ellen, she rocked. She doesn't believe in inserting catheters until the drugs kick in - bless her cotton socks. She also is against those crazy shower caps that some people have to wear. She let my husband in with me until they were ready to begin the
procedure.
- I had two IRs work on my Dr. Gordon and another Dr. they're bringing up the ranks, I remember being asked to hold my breath and I remember the warm/hot dye being shot into my groin area.
- Afterwards when I was wheeled into the "waiting area" my husband came in and we chatted for awhile, I was groggy and my voice sounded like Bea Arthur's.
UCSF also sees inmates and when I opened my eyes at one point I saw 2 cops standing by the foot of my bed off to the right a bit. Then I looked over and I noticed the inmate was right next to me, GREAT! I made sure he was more than arm's length away from me...*sigh*
I mean, honestly, yes, they have needs too, but can we find a small private room for Mr. convict? Or close the curtains around him or ME? Just sayin'. The nurses in this area were scattered and poor organized. Not too happy with them. Glad when they moved me to the LSU (limited stay unit).
- Limited stay unit was good and bad. Good in that I had a comfy bed and great care. Bad because I was next to the ice machine and for some reason EVERYONE in the unit decided they couldn't go 10 minutes without cups of ice! I felt like I was a Motel 6! My daytime nurse,
Caroline was on the ball, my night iime nurse, Karen, was "meh", she did come and check on me often but she didn't speak much and did a number on my left hand when she drew blood, I'm still black and blue there. (STILL bruised!)
- The pain from the embo was non-existent, immediately afterwards and during the night ZERO PAIN, and can I just say I LOVE that med pump? At first the catheter was annoying but after a couple of hours, I didn't mind it at all and enjoyed the fact that I could empty my
bladder without having to get out of bed, or move, or concentrate - so don't be afraid of the catheter! It's a good thing for a small period of time. Of course the nurses have to scare you and said things like "Well, you know some people can't pee after the catheter is removed so they have to be re-catheterized" ok, now why put the fear of the catheter in me until
that time comes? Ay ay ay, anyway, I could pee afterwards, it was not an issue.
- Earplugs and eye mask were crucial - though they were no match against that noisy ice machine or the noise from the people in the bed next to me: husband and wife. Wife stayed over and then on Saturday morning they had 4 friends stop by at 7am! It sounded like a kegger!! At 7 am!!
- Food. OK the kitchen is NOT aware of your doctor's recommendations so don't think that the food they bring you has been approved by your docs. YOU have to make the intelligent choices here. For dinner they brought me a great big plate of spaghetti with meat sauce; #1 I don't eat red meat, so that was a no go for me. Luckily there was a green salad so I had a bit of lettuce, no dressing. They brought some hot water and I had brought my own tea so I made a couple of cups of decaf raspberry tea - yummy. I also brought some whole wheat crackers from home. Dinner = Lettuce, tea and crackers. I felt fine, no nausea, no hunger, just fine. Breakfast, they brought some black coffee - no thanks - caffeine not good for fibes - hello!! Orange juice was loaded with sugar, it tasted like soda, so passed on that too. I ate the banana, the scrambled egg and left the deep fried potatoes and greasy bun alone. Again, my
crackers saved the day and so did a breakfast bar (from trader joe's). I stuck to water and that was fine.
- Meds: The Motrin has been great, no break through pain at all (touch wood), the antibiotics are making me a bit nauseas but that's the norm. Update: I've had to pop a vicodin a couple of nights because I was feeling some "twinges", was able to sleep really well after that.
- The doc said that because of my quick recovery i could go back to the gym on MONDAY - uh, yeah, I don't think so - perhaps Wednesday or so...don't want to push things. Update: I haven't been back to the gym!
- Next period is on the 18th of March hopefully that will be the telltale sign on how successful the embo went because right now it really feels as if nothing has happened to my body - strange!
I go back to work on Monday and I'll be sure to take the motrin with me just in case. If they can't find me AT my desk, perhaps they should look UNDER it!
Thanks to everyone for their good thoughts, vibes, love and support - it has meant the world to me! Besos, Cee xox
