Battlescars

What a day. If you ever need a CT/Myelogram, here is what you can expect...

I woke up at 6:30 this morning and drank 3 pints of orange juice. At 8:00 Matt and I left for the hospital. I drank a low carb Monster and a bottle of water before being admitted into pre-op. (you need to be well-hydrated, and preferably have lots of caffeine in your system, for a Myelo.)

I was admitted to pre-op around 8:45. They gave me a hospital gown and took my vitals. I drank a Pepsi and more water, while relaxing in the room until about 11:00. At that point they wheeled me into the procedure room. The dr explained what was going to happen and the risks involved. He said the risks were that the puncture wouldn't seal and spinal fluid would leak out, causing a massive headache and requiring a blood patch. He also said dye could get into the head and cause a seizure. FUN! Of course I started crying. But I got it out of my system quickly and sent Matt off to wait for me in the cafeteria.

The dr and his assistant positioned me on my stomach a cold metal bed. They put a pillow under my stomach (when your tummy is full of soda -- not comfortable!) so my vertebra would spread out. I guess there was some paperwork issue so I had to lie flat on my stomach for like 5 minutes before they got started.

Then the dr rubbed my back with iodine. He injected a local anesthesia to numb the area. That hurt like a bitch. The assistant was really nice and let me squeeze the shit out of her hand. Then he inserted the epidural-like needle into my spinal canal. He had to move it around a bit to find the right position. I can't begin to describe how that felt. It made my whole lower half feel kind of warm and achy. At one point, my leg got all tingly and went numb. Luckily, it only lasted a second. Then my stomach started to turn; I felt like I was going to puke and then pass out.

The assistant brought over a bucket for me to throw up into. I think I did soon after the dye was in. All that Pepsi came right back up. Then they removed the pillow from beneath me and I was fine after that. Then they tipped the table forward so the dye would move to my cervical spine. I had to kink my neck so the dye wouldn't go into my head. They spent about 15 minutes taking x-rays before sending me for the CT scan. Luckily, that only took about 5 minutes.

Then I was reunited with Matt and wheeled back to recovery. I had to lie in bed at a 45 degree angle for 4 hours before being released. I still haven't gotten the infamous Myelo headache *fingers crossed*

I was released around 5:00. Upon standing up, I realized my lower back and hips were in terrible pain. I would compare it to PMS cramps from hell. I imagine it's what labor cramps feel like, actually. My back still hurts really bad, but I'm hoping it's better when I wake up.

All in all, it wasn't as bad as what I expected. But I can honestly say I hope I never have to go through it again!!