ADDENDUM TO MEDICAL UPDATE

So, it’s been six  days since my back-related surgery at Queen’s Medical Center.

Some afterthoughts:

• Can’t take a shower till Friday, and the alternative has been wipes. Wipe the head, face, arm, legs, back, head, and everywhere else. Refreshing, but not nearly as satisfying as a shower.

• My doctor removed the magnet from a no-longer-functioning alternative system and replaced it with a different but comparable product. It’s a device – call it a neurosurgical gizmo – that is an alternative to back surgery, the batter sending vibes to the brain that the pain is not that, well, painful.
• So It’s like sitting in an idling car, waiting to put your foot on the gas pedal. In this case, I’d use a “connector” to get the energy to ease the pain. So, for now, still awaiting the keys to operate the vehicle, so to speak.
• But Michael Chrysler, Boston Scientific representative in Hawaii, called this morn to check on me and the device that has been implanted. He stopped by the house to monitor and moderate it, so it’s kinda like ready to roll, but for the next few days, I’m asked to avoid touching any buttons in a remote device since it’s programmed in a trial run phase. Yes, I can feel a subtle buzz now.
• Meanwhile, my wound area – on the left side of my butt – is tender and fragile. The bandage zone is becoming hues of pink and gray, bruises that indicate healing. But it itches as hell, but scratching’s not allowed.
• Sleeping has not been easy; I’m a toss-and-turner, moving in all directions. When I this way or that, over the bandage, it hurts a skosh. And awakens me. No pain, no gain.
•  And do you remember I mentioned the bright yellow socks, which Queen’s provides for folks who have fall risks?  Showing proof – just so you believe me. It’s truly a keeper, for those rare 65 degree morns in winter.
• Further, the doc visits still forthcoming. And a possible colonoscopy. And a CTscan. And, gulp, a potential unrelated surgery in my tummy area, since I have intermittent minor pain in the center of my stomach, and also on the left side. Still no prognosis of what’s happening there; hence, doc visits and select probes. Not looking forward to drinking something that will enables dyes to be seen during the Ctscan; still hope the colonoscopy (and the stuff you need to drink before the procedure) is off the radar.
• Otherwise, all’s well, sort of. Have to visit the diagnostic lab tomorrow for another round of lab tests. So the beat goes on…