9 Moons Ago

O.K. Finally! A run-down for those of you in the know, and those who I neglected to inform before now….

The biggest part of the unexpected news was the short notice of Cam’s surgery date.
He went in on Monday to have his gall bladder removed.
Cam was told he was the first patient of the day.
We expected a one hour operation.
After 3 hours, I was quite nervous.
After the nurse told the second person scheduled -who was sitting in the very waiting room I was in- that he “needed to be re-scheduled, or he’d get dehydrated, because there were complications with the first surgery….” I shot up out of my seat and asked quietly, but with angry nervousness, what had happened to patient numero uno?! The nurse took me aside and reassured me that nothing untoward had happened, it was just taking longer than expected…

Nice of them to tell me that before saying to someone else “COMPLICATIONS with THE FIRST PATIENT”.

To their credit, they found me a quieter spot and a cup of coffee, and I was much calmer as I listened to wonderful cheeseball Chicago and Peter Sarstedt songs on my lovely new iPod nano.

Later, a sweet family who were possibly going to lose their precious Nanna, age 94, came in the room to wait to visit her. I told them I could give them privacy and go elsewhere, but they didn’t mind, and chatted with me once in a while. Two middle generations watched “Nanna’s” great-grandson building with blocks on the floor. All our eyes were focused intently on his building as our heads were filled with our individual worries and sadness.
But it was sweet to see his grandfather look on in silent admiration, with a twitchy smile now and then, and nod of approval. The boy gave him a sidelong glance, so his grandpa looked away again briefly and the determined building continued…

Because I know the place so well by now, after spending a lot of time there this year, I was showing confused visitors where all the facilities were located.

Two and a half hours later, I asked the staff for another update and they told me that Cameron would soon be brought back to his room and that everything was well.

Much relief, and a phone call to the in-laws who were also waiting for the updates…

So..I’ll skip all the in-between stuff from there and get to the current news, which is that Cam is doing well. He has good colour back in his skin, rather than the pale complexion he’s had over the past weeks. He’s no longer on IV drip, or morphine, down from 3 drainage tubes to one, and he has been taking short walks with his visitors… even to the courtyard by the cafeteria for a bit of fresh air.

I might add that he is also looking better after a shave and the recent haircut I gave him before Monday. He no longer has the wild ‘fro from the recent flickr pictures.

The doctors saw him tonight and were so impressed with his swift recovery that they say it looks like he’ll be going home on Saturday. Initially they were going to keep him there for 7 to 10 days since they had to do a more extensive surgery.
So..I’ll update when things calm down again. Which looks to be soon.

Well, time for me to get some sleep, because it’s our 5th year Anniversary tomorrow.
Cam thinks I’m staying home to rest before work since I go in at 4, but I’m going to get the bus to the hospital in the morning or early afternoon to surprise him. It’s actually better if I do that anyway, because the bus is more reliable from the hospital, so I know I will get to work on time. Besides that, I bought a multi-use bus/train ticket already. Might as well use it!

The buses out here in the “rural” patch of the suburbs are a little trickier because not many people use them.
(We live among the SUV / hobby farm* / fake tudor manor house / swimming pool / tennis court / mini-vineyard and olive grove and maybe-even-some-sheep-or-alpacas set.) *There are a few real farms left, though.
I found out, after waiting a while at the local bus stop for the first time, and not seeing one bus go by, that there a service where you call the company and let them know when you want to take the bus. And less than a dollar extra for them to pick me up right at our place, apparently.
If the one I call for doesn’t show, I’ll just get a cab. It’s worth it, just for tomorrow. Heee!

I will be learning to drive here sometime soon. This makes me a bit more determined that “it’s about time”! I never was thrilled about driving in the States either, but it’s more than a bit daunting to try driving on the wrong side of the road.
It was enough over the past five years to adjust to moving to a new country, learning new “protocols” and expressions in all different situations, adjusting to marriage, Christmas in summer, no winter snow, no real Cherry coke or black cherry ice cream, and being away from my support system and loved ones, among other things.. I now feel more confidant and at peace with the idea of taking driving lessons!
Even if I STILL go to the wrong side of the car when someone drives me somewhere. :-)

Much love to everyone! I’ll be in touch as soon as I’m better rested! Thank you for all the emails!
xo Amy

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 11th, 2007 at 11:16 am and is filed under Family, Friends, General, Health, Loved Ones, Music. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.