On the other side of the IV

[Sonjailana]

First, I'm an RN in Med/Surg/Onc/Tele with 2 years experience. I take care of post ops everyday, but I was still very scared going to OR as I've never had anything done myself. I went and signed in, and the clerk was helpful as I was in the wrong section of our big hospital. My mom and I were walked down to the right room, and I was all checked in. Then they brought me back alone, weighed me, and did a pregnancy test, asked me the most embarrassing questions alone, got me in a gown, and THEN brought my mom back. I was impressed at the considerate behavior.

After the usual pre-op screens, pepcid, decadron, and versed IV, I wasbrought back to the OR. The staff was jovial, teasing me about being skinny, and the next thing I knew I was under. The next thing I remember was being in PACU. I couldn't talk at all. Mind you, this was a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. I was in excruciating pain and I started bawling. I felt like I was still on fire from the cauterizing machine.

The RN says to me "WHY ARE YOU CRYING???" Then, my anesthesiologist apparently heard my commotion and backed me up and asked the nurse what was going on.

So, in my post op brilliancy I remembered that I could make non verbal signs of pain. I squeezed my eyes shut, clenched my fists, curled my toes, and furrowed my brows. Then I started heaving and the RN says "SONJAILANA, SIT DOWN." OMG!!

Should I lay down to vomit so it can go in my lungs??

Finally she gave me 1.5 mg of dilaudid and 12.5mg of phenergan. My pressure was 140/80 and I usually run 110/60. I was disappointed with my RN because I always expected a PACU RN to be assessing my pain level and actually ask me what it is, instead of assume that for a small procedure it was nothing. I had to ask for an ice collar, ask for ice chips, and a tonsil tip (haha) suction for all my drool.

I think I must have finally gotten the drugs, because my nurse was nowhere to be found, and I kept waking up to myself desatting into the mid 80's, with no nasal cannula to be found ( I would have put it back on if I could have). Whenever I get report from PACU nurses, they're right there with the patient, but I can only guess where my nurse went to do it.

Next, I went to Short Stay. The nurse immediately asked if I was pain. Again, the bawling started and I was looking for my mom. I kept trying to talk but I couldn't. She explained that I had local anesthesia, intubation, and general, and even at 24, still had adenoids that had to come out. She explained that the coordination of my throat muscles would be poor for several hours, and that's why I couldn't talk.

Next time I opened my eyes, my mom was at my side and morphine was going in my IV. Next set of vitals, sherbet and reassurance. I was much more pleased and then she started me on po meds with a popsicle. Someone was there holding my arm when I needed to use the restroom and guiding me when I was so dizzy.

Even better, I wasn't pushed out the door. My RN suggested I take a nap to see if it would help some of my nausea and fogginess wear off.

I went home and felt pretty good and pushed the limit on full liquids. Around 10pm the decadron seemed to be wearing off my uvula is the size of a small finger. The pain is intense, but I'm waking every 4 hours to take my lortab elixir, drink some water, and change my ice bag and humidifier.

All things considered I'm happy with my experience at my own hospital..and I'll remember that pain is what the patient says it is!

[gentlenurse4762]

first of all i hope and pray that you start to feel better soon and i am also sorry that your nurse wasn't doing her job as well as she should have been. one of the reasons i became a nurse was because i had spent so much time being a patient ( i've had fibromyalgia syndrome for over 27 years and know pain all to well). i wanted to be a great nurse who is an even better advocate for her patients. no matter how long you've been a nurse you should be willing to hear constructive critcism and i think we should all step back to ask ourselves if we are taking care of our patients the same way we would want ourselves & family members treated if they were the patients.

[Preeps]

I don't think it is a good thing to say that a nurse should have to be hospitalized every few years to experince it from the patient's perspective. I believe that a sign of a compassionate individual is to be able to emphathize with a fellow human without having to experience themselves. It is really sad to think that some people need a surgery and some pain (lol) to be able to interact compassionately with their patient. Don't get me wrong I have nurses on my floor who fit this model and I surely wouldn't want to be under their watch.

I once saw a Dateline NBC or 20/20 episode regarding a big time doctor who had a health crisis and he admited he had always been some what impatient and hard on his patients and went by the "buck up" mindset. After he had his surgery and felt so weak and vulnerable the light finally came on and he got it. I remember feeling oh, is that what it took after being an MD for 30 years. Sad.

[niculonghornrn]

It is strange to be on the other side...I had an outpatient procedure done and I was totally loopy! My nurse just gave me my clothes to put on and I totally gave everyone in that recovery a SHOW! She didn't help me or even cover me! My friend had to come to my rescue and save my dignity!