Weird surgery thing

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Califchief - 27 Feb 2007 19:08 GMT

Sharon wrote:

> Many years ago when I went in to have a tubal, upon coming
> out of anesthesia, I faintly remember the anesthesiologist
> telling me in a very annoyed, almost accusatory tone that
> he was unable to intubate me and that I should let the
> doctors know that before going into surgery from now on.

> Flash forward to today, or rather yesterday......
> But I did tell them that my neck was stiff from a couple
> of fused vertebra. The anesthesiologists looked at me
> beforehand and proceeded to take me in to the OR...

> So now I know and I know why. Some combination of my stiff
> neck and stiff jaw - they couldn't see clearly into my
> throat to place the tube.

> Has this happened to anybody else?

My former rheumatologist (1991-99) was a real BITCH!!!
Kept telling me to put off surgery until I couldn't
stand the pain any longer.

In summer '99 I told her it was time. She replied,
"Wellllllllllllllll, it may be too late. Because of
your fused neck, the anesthesiologist may paralize
you when he intubates. But I'll ask." (I have about
15 degree - vs 90 - rotation in each direction)

Next (and last) appointment - "Oh, I forgot."

Same (last) appointment (me) "What are these?" (I had
a list of the new DMARDs and NSAIDs I'd read about at
ASA) She (YELLING), "I KNOW WHAT'S BEST FOR YOU!"

I got a new PCP in January 2000. She sent me to a
new rheumy in March. He sent me to a surgeon, and
I had the THR in July. I told the surgeon about
the bitch's remarks and he didn't seem bothered
at all.

At 7:00 on the morning of the 8:00 surgery I was
taken to a prep room. I remember someone saying
he was going to coat my tongue to prevent gagging
when I was intubated. I recall, 1, 2, 3 swipes
of a Q-Tip -- and I awoke at 12:30 p.m., in my
own room - not in recovery.

No problems, no side effects. Transfer to rehab
was within 72 hours.

... Aquamortis: To continue watering a plant weeks after it has died.
___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.12

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Sharon - 28 Feb 2007 16:54 GMT

> In summer '99 I told her it was time. She replied,
> "Wellllllllllllllll, it may be too late. Because of
> your fused neck, the anesthesiologist may paralize
> you when he intubates. But I'll ask." (I have about
> 15 degree - vs 90 - rotation in each direction)

Nice way to freak out a patient, sheesh. I know it's potentially
possible, but I don't think you should tell a patient that - at least not that
way.

> At 7:00 on the morning of the 8:00 surgery I was
> taken to a prep room. I remember someone saying
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> No problems, no side effects. Transfer to rehab
> was within 72 hours.

The coating the tongue thing... did they start the intubation while you were
still conscious? My anesthesiologist suggested that as a possibility for me,
but I don't think I could keep still for it. It would freak me the hell out.
I think they can do it with me out cold as long as they use the kind with a
camera on the end. I looked it up last night online and they have lots of
neato types of tubes with endoscopes on them. I'm going to ask the doc about
it.

- Sharon
"Gravity... is a harsh mistress!"

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Fire Chief - 28 Feb 2007 21:34 GMT

Joe wrote:

>> At 7:00 on the morning of the 8:00 surgery I was
>> taken to a prep room. I remember someone saying
>> he was going to coat my tongue to prevent gagging
>> when I was intubated. I recall, 1, 2, 3 swipes
>> of a Q-Tip -- and I awoke at 12:30 p.m., in my
>> own room - not in recovery.

And Sharon asked:

> The coating the tongue thing... did they start the intubation
> while you were still conscious?

I was out of it after that 3rd swipe across the tongue.

I have no idea what happened between then and 12:30. <g>

... Chronesia - the tendency to forget the time after looking at a
clock.

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