The procedure and following days

Sorry for the delay in entries. I’ve been horizontal for a few days recovering from surgery.

The day of the procedure (3rd November) I headed in early but as this is the way of India, timing never really happens as planned. I ended up waiting until 11.30am for the anesthetist.

The procedure takes place upstairs from Dr Bhat’s clinic. There are 3 or so recovery rooms (see pics), the ‘operation theatre’ and a nurse’s station/reception.  

I was assigned to my little room which had a private bathroom, AC, TV and an extra bed for my carer person. I was joined by the lovely Nava who I met through the facebook group who so kindly stayed all day with me. One of my dearest friends Jen had come with me from Australia for the purposes of being my support but ended up ill! Poor poor Jen. I was prepared to undergo the surgery without anyone but am thankful for Nava’s presence. She’s truly been a massive support and I feel I have found a true friend in her. We have bonded and not just due to our asses!

I was gowned up and had a little injection on my forearm as a test patch for the epidural. I had an enema (never had one of those before!) and that was pretty easy peasy. The nurse inserted some sort of liquid into my butt and a short while later I had to go to the bathroom and was cleaned right out. I also had a cannula placed in my hand and was given liquids as I’d been fasting from 10pm the previous night. And that was it. We just chilled until the anesthetist arrived.

When it was time, I walked into the theatre and sat on the bed so the epidural could be administered into my back. Didn’t take long for that to kick in and then I was lay down with my legs in stirrups and arms to my side. I had admittedly taken 2 Valium prior and was pretty calm. I have never had a procedure done whilst awake and was freaking out at the thought of it, but it was actually ok!

I could hear them chattering, the anesthetist was playing on his mobile and whatnot which was a distraction. I even heard Dr Bhat say ‘Australian fistula’ which made me chuckle. I felt nothing through the procedure except pushing/prodding. It was a lot easier than I thought it would be and all up it was over within half an hour. I’d say the procedure itself was about 15-20 minutes. They worked as a team and all helped move me off the operating table, onto the gurney, and then onto my own bed. I then spent the day lying on my back, sleeping on and off. I regained feeling in my legs very quickly (I really had no concept of time, but if I had to guess I’d say within an hour or two). Doc came and checked on me at the end of his working day and sent me home to rest with painkillers.

I have been going in to the clinic for dressing changes/check up every day since. It took a few days for the pain to kick in and it’s been up and down with the severity. But this is the worst part of it really. Every day it’s easing more and more and I’m not going to lie – it does hurt, sometimes quite intensely. But as the doc has on his wall ‘no pain no gain’! Eye on the end prize really…a healthy, pain free butt and my life back! Once I have healed sufficiently the doc will start thread changes.

One of the biggest things for me was research – nothing was a surprise when I arrived. I was not blindsided by anything and as a result, it has all felt both foreign and totally normal at the same time. Seeing pics of the clinic and doctor, hearing first hand experiences, learning about Bangalore…it all helped me mentally prepare as much as I could prior.

There are many others here doing the same sort of treatment and it’s been amazing sharing our experiences. It helps more than words can say. You share stories of your pain and know that it’s all normal and you are not alone. You share stories of milestones and feel for the other person, truly feel their joy. It’s a massive emotional rollercoaster and I think it’s important to live in the moment each day. You cannot predict what will come next. Even the magical Dr Bhat can’t tell you exactly, so best to come with the mindset to just take it one step at a time and be present.

 

Soon I will do an entry about the accommodation I am staying at and some daily life stuff. 

















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