Checking in sounds nicer than being admitted, right? It sounds more like a hotel stay and less a terrifying stint at the hospital.
Anyway, hi guys! I’m back to tell you a bit more of the story of Bradys surgery. Don’t worry, the lead up will be done soon. We’re currently at the day before surgery. The day Brady “checked in.” March 20th.
Brady was asked to come in around noonish, and thats about when a bed would be open for him. Dr. Fourney even called personally and informed Brady of the timeline. He said to get some lunch and then make our way in. So we did! I don’t know what it is, but Brady and I almost always get junior bacon cheeseburgers from Wendy’s when we’re going in just the two of us. Our kids don’t like Wendys as much as McDonalds, but we both LOVE JBCs, so we got a few of those, plus some drinks, and headed to RUH to register Brady for surgery.
We went sent up to the neuro ward right away. The 6300s. The same place Brady was in for his spinal surgery, before he was sent to rehab. Its a pretty bleak place, and its no ones fault. I mean no disrespect when I say it, but that is a brutally hard ward, and I hate so much having Brady there. Consider what neuro is. Nerves. Brains. Strokes. Lots of noise. Restraints. Combative patients. Struggle and sadness. It is VERY hard to be in and around there. Plus, just about every room is a shared room. So Brady was nestled into a four patient room, separated with sheets, from three other people, all with their own issues. Nothing about that is easy. Conveniently, at least we were together for a little bit 💜
We snuggled in for a little bit and watched some Netflix. You may want to say we shouldn’t spend that time watching tv, but let me tell you, both of us needed that rest to just be together. Our hearts, brains, and bodies were freakishly exhausted.
Supper came at one point, and it was quite the menu for Brady! It consisted of three bean soup, chilli, and check it out! Beans on the side!!
We just laughed. It was rough. I offered to go get something else from the cafeteria but we opted to just be close while we could.
I didn’t leave too terribly late, considering I planned to be at the hospital at balls am in order to see Brady into surgery. I think we both tried to sleep really early. I’m not sure either of us succeeded in much sleeping. But thanks to Rae’s willing heart, I was able to leave home around 6am the next day and be with Brady around 7am, which was the plan his neurosurgeon had made with us the day before.
It was very quiet. We sat close for a short while until the nurses came to get Brady transferred down to the surgery ward. I was wholeheartedly welcomed to join them on the walk down and for that last hour or so wait before he went in.
It was bright and lively down in surgery. There were a handful of patients on beds, waiting for things to start up. Tons of surgical teams were making their way through the space, connecting with patients, having conversations and making plans. It wasn’t too ominous at that point. Seemed pretty low key somehow. The vibe was really nice, actually.
Dr Fourney came and talked to us. He left all the room open for questions, and reassured us as best as he could. He took a marker and wrote my pho number on his pants and promised to call me as soon as things were done. I laughed at that, but also felt warm and cared for. We met and chatted with the anesthesiologist, who was a bit of a hoot. There was brief conversation about shaving Bradys beard, which was probably the most serious I saw him the entire time. He did NOT want that. They explained that they need to tape the breathing tube to his face, and it can’t move. And he still said “I am resistant to my beard being shaved.” I think we all agreed, though, however hesitantly, that if it came to life or death, shave the stinking thing. Goodness.
Finally, a nurse came to bring Brady’s bed in. She got him to take all of his rings and glasses off, which he handed to me. She told us we had a minute to get a good hug and kiss in, and then he would be off.
I might’ve cried. Maybe he did, too. We prayed, and then in he went.
Watching him go just never ever feels good :/ Both of his surgeries have felt like battles to me. But I was overwhelmed with gratefulness at how much nicer this send off was than the last one. The last one was awful. We couldn’t be together for any of the lead up, thanks to covid. This one carried some peace. Some comfort. Thank the Lord.
As you already know, he did come through, as did the beard. We’ll talk more about that again soon. This is enough for today 💜
Happy Easter weekend, lovely friends 💜 Thanks for following along!