Today I just got out of the hospital after having a minor surgery. It was the first time I've been checked in to a hospital myself, and the whole experience was quite interesting
I was in there to correct a deviated septum... basically my nose bridge was bent, and that restricted my breathing. It was a problem that had been bothering me for quite a while, so I decided to get done with the correction once and for all... rather than keep suffering in small amounts over time.
Well, one thing I've already figured out is that being a rebel isn't always good. If it hadn't been for my damn rebellious septum, it wouldn't have moved out of place, and I could have avoided the surgery.
I was getting admitted at night, and the surgery was only in the morning. Since I was going to be there for a few days, I packed a whole bunch of things with me. Laptop, iPod, a book, chargers for all my electronic devices... it felt almost as though I was going on some type of long trip. In retrospect... that's almost exactly what it was. Come to think of it, I think this is what my dad's ideal vacation is (minus the anesthetic and surgery of course).
After getting to the hospital, there was some paperwork, and lots and lots of waiting. I was getting quite frustrated, since the plan was timed so that I'd be able to catch a show on TV. Well, that plan went up in smoke as I waited for what seemed like an eternity for people to take me to get a few tests done. What's worse.. I didn't get a wheelchair!
After watching so many people on all medical shows being pushed around in a wheelchair, I thought the least I could expect was to avoid all walking around during my stay at the hospital. Well.. no such luck. I had to walk the short distance to get the tests done.. and soon I was in the rather comfortable room, watching TV. I listened to my latest musical obsession (at least that's what other people seem to call it).. the soundtrack from the show Dexter.
For those who haven't listened to it, or watched the show..you must check it out soon.
The next morning was the surgery... someone woke me up at the unearthly hour of 7 AM (especially considering the late night), and started with some antibiotics and fluids being put into the IV. After that they decided to pack my nose with some type of cotton in order to prep my for the surgery.
The rest of it was a blur of activity.. I finally got my wish of being pushed around when I was put onto a bed and rolled out to the OT for my actual surgery. I remember seeing my CT scans, where the doctors explained what they would be doing, some regular conversation... and the next thing I know I was back up... the packing in my nose was changed, and I was quite confused (more than normal).
I got a memento from the surgery though.. the bits of my cartilage that they removed. One of the nurses was showing me that bit, and I requested her to keep it around. When I got a proper look at it I was shocked... I wonder how there were that many EXTRA bones in my nose. No wonder I had trouble breathing. Oddly enough, the container did echo some bits of Dexter. Those who've seen the show will be able to make the connection

Yes... I like freaking out people who are slightly squeamish. And yes.. my nose is still intact. Contrary to a belief being spread on facebook, the result is NOT a Michael Jackson style false nose. Most of it is still around.. and it looks no different from before.
Anyway.. one bit that I did not expect was that there was not much pain associated with the surgery. Not immediately after I woke up, and not several hours I had recovered from the effects of the anesthetic. Although I'd been told that the surgery would be painless.. it was great to discover that this was, in fact, the whole truth.
Following this, I had to hang around in the hospital while the packing in my nose had enough time to steady my now-tamed septum, and also so that I could be pumped with a variety of medicines in order to speed up my recovery.
The discharge report I got from the hospital said that the recovery was "uneventful". Spot on! In fact... it was annoyingly uneventful. I slept most of the first day, but after that.. I was horribly bored. The fact that I couldn't sit up for too long without my nose dripping blood didn't give me a variety of options either.
Most of my time was spent messaging people, listening to my iPod (Muse was the flavor of the day.. needed something interesting but still soft since I couldn't move my head) and watching television. I even got my laptop for a few hours of internet surfing in order to change up my routine.... it seemed so much like home, except that I had a bed that tilted as per my controls.
One thing that I did like about the hospital was the food. It seemed that it was always time for some meal. Juice, a snack, lunch, tea, dinner.. the list went on. Surprisingly (this was the most surprising bit to me), the food was actually good. I would have no problem voluntarily paying for food from there if I was in the vicinity. I found myself enjoying every meal at the hospital.... it really made me wonder why hospital food has such a terrible reputation. Quite undeserved in my opinion.
Anyway.. today morning it was deemed that I'd been hanging around long enough, and the packing was removed. It was quite a bloody sight. Probably the only part of my whole stay at the hospital which actually hurt. When I left the hospital, it was strange to notice that the only bandages I had on were at the point where the IV was connected.... it didn't seem to fit, but I'm glad that more damage wasn't done.
Hardly as eventful, traumatic, exciting, or unexpected as a surgery post *should* be, but that's exactly what I thought as well. Still a bit peeved about the wheelchair though... it wouldn't have been too much of a bother to give me one to roam around in for a few days. Ah well... not everything can go the way one wants.