Entrance to Mass General Hospital
The tallest building on back left is Ellison tower where I was.
Preop-
I can’t quite remember the preop nurses names. My time with them was very short. They took my vitals and asked questions about my health history. Don and Donna Millican, along with my parents, and Jason circled around my bed and read verses and prayed with me. It was very comforting and helped it set up a peaceful transition when they came to take me. What I do remember is that my preop nurse had been at Mass. General Hospital (MGH) for 28 years. She was very kind and reassuring that this was the place to be and that Dr. Mathisen was the doctor to be with. She had been there when Dr. Grillo was still there. He is the doctor that perfected this procedure and actually trained Dr. M. It was a comfort knowing we were finally at a place that I wasn’t the only patient with this…or the one in however-so-many that they had taken care of.
Off to Surgery-
I wish I could remember the name of the “host” as we call them at Saint Francis, I think they call them transport techs at MGH. He was a funny guy. We got to talk quite a bit. He had been in Vietnam and then served on the Boston PD as an investigator. I want to say his name was “Don” or “Bob”. Something shortened. J He used to investigate corrupt police officers. He told me that a corrupt officer was worse than a bad guy off the streets a lot of time because they thought they were so far above the law. He had retired from that and decided and wanted to do something in healthcare. He had been at MGH for a while and nearly everyone we passed said hello to him. He told me he wanted to to write a book someday about all he had seen and done. I of course, encouraged that! Good for him! I hope he does it. Next, he parked my stretcher in this tiny closet type thing. It was directly across the hall from what would be my Operating room (OR). It was an opening in the wall, kind of like a little cubby with all sorts of “getting ready for surgery” things. That is where I met my OR nurse, Maura and said goodbye to “Bob”. Oh, I loved Maura! She was young, super sweet, and explained everything. She spent a good bit of time talking to me about Dr. M, the surgery, what to expect, answering questions, and then just asking about me…marriage, kids, where I was from. I never once felt like a number or just a patient at MGH. I always felt like a person. Maura, actually was in on my Bronchoscopy at the end of my stay at MGH as well. She skipped her break so she could go through that with me. So sweet! After Maura was done talking with me she introduced me to the resident anesthesiologist. This was another girl, she was probably a little older than me. Also super nice. I can’t remember her name sadly. I was getting a little nervous by this time. She immediately started talking to me like she had known me forever. I asked how she knew so much about me and she said “ I read your entire chart last night”. How’s that for feeling comfortable? I made me feel so much better. She placed my IV, did some labwork, and while we were waiting for the labwork to come back she placed an arterial line. Now, I have seen and assisted on dozens of A-lines being placed. NEVER, did I think I would be fully aware that one was being placed on myself. She really did great and although I wouldn’t say it was “comfortable”, it really wasn’t that bad. After all that, I met the rest of the team (another nurse, the anesthesiologist, another surgeon) and we rolled into the OR. After a few minutes of getting all hooked up, Dr. M joined us. I can only remember them saying we are right here with you…and me saying “thank you, thank you” over and over and I guess I was out.
Waking from Surgery
Waking from surgery is such a fog and actually up until a couple days afterward my memories are the same. I remembered that Maura had told me I would only have a catheter if they were able to do the entire surgery. So, with that, as I was waking up, I felt a little tug when they were moving me over to the stretcher. I knew that feeling, and I knew that they must have been able to do the resection. Next thing I remember was my neck being thrust forward and pillows being stacked behind it. That, and being extremely uncomfortable. ICU
I remember voices in and out as I woke in the ICU. I can vaguely remember looking at a clock and it being either 3 or 4 something. Another indication that they must have been able to do the surgery. I was so uncomfortable and had a newby Jason was able to tell me more about how good to me she was then what I can actually remember. I am grateful to nurses who do an amazing job when they know that the patient will never remember what all was done for them. Thoracic Floor
The next day I was moved to the thoracic floor. This is where I stayed for the remainder of my time at MGH. Each morning a crew of doctors and my nurse (one doctor was one of the surgeons in on my case) would round on me. This would happen around 7:20-7:40. I was amazed at this type of teamwork and continuity of care. They met on me every morning and every one of them knew what had happened through the night or during the previous day, and they all had the same game plan. Dr. M would come in around 2:30 later that afternoon. I had many great nurses, Ashley, Joyce, Stacy, Kerri, Caroline, Jesse, Rick…all just names to you, but to me, I will always appreciate the time that they took to take care of me.One nurse I have to mention specifically, her name was Nikki. She had the sweetest spirit. She spent much time comforting me when I was frustrated with myself or missing my kids. She spent time with Jason and my parents, learning about them. Sometimes, the time someone takes to be your friend is so special to you. It was like this with Nikki. She has only been a nurse for 5 months. She is a wonderful one. I did all I could to recruit her back to Oklahoma to work with me! J One day she sweetly asked me about Jason. She couldn’t believe that a husband would be that caring. Her words were “ it melts my heart to watch him with you”. That tells you a lot about my sweet husband as well. She took good care of me physically and emotionally.
There is one other staff member I want to mention who meant a lot to me. Typically tracheal resection patients don’t have anything to do with physical therapist. Since I was on crutches they were a little concerned with my balance since my head was stitched forward and they did not want me to pull on my throat area with my arms over the crutches. I first met Megan on a Monday. She helped me get up and walk “the loop”. This was the first time I made it all the way around. I was somewhat frustrated with myself as other patients were “looping” and passing me. She was so sweet and encouraged me that I was right where I should be. When we got back to my room my neck and shoulders hurt SOOO bad. She said she had been taking some classes in massage and she took time to massage my shoulders for about 15 to 30 minutes. She came back and did this for me on other days of my stay as well. I wish they would have massage therapy come in for all resection patients. I cannot even tell you how painful it is for your shoulders and neck. She was wonderful and took time to help me and encourage me. Things she didn’t have to do. Love her! She was another that I tried to recruit to Oklahoma J
Megan and I hours before we left Boston
Other help
I want to mention a few other people that were physically there helping me. Not staff, but family. My sweet Jason was so far out of his comfort zone but he helped me each time he saw an opportunity. He held my hand while nurses or PA’s took drains out or stuck me (something I know he can barely stomach). He helped me try to get comfortable, walk, clean up, and prayed and read verses with me. He was such sweet support. Mom and Dad were wonderful as well. That sat endless hours with me, walked with me, encouraged me, helped reposition me and helped me clean up. I am thankful to all of them. It can be very difficult when the person you are helping can’t verbally communicate and is so uncomfortable. They had great patience with me and I appreciate all that they did for me. This is a lot of information but I want to remember the sweet people that were at the hospital with me. I hope if you are reading my blog that you are encouraged and see, as overwhelmingly, as we did, God’s hand in all that we experienced. Whether it be all those who weren’t with us but were praying or those who were with us caring for us, God is amazing, and was involved in each step.
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