Eventful day

[aadler]

This morning, following up on the issue described here, I had eye surgery at the clinic to which the VA had referred me.

Susan drove me there, because 1) I would need a driver to take me home afterward, and 2) we had to go there very early, and these days her night vision is better than mine.

And, because part of the after-surgery requirements was that I refrain for several weeks from lifting more than 5-10 pounds, she used the walker rather than her new electric wheelchair (being that I’d have to fold it and put it back into the trunk when we left). She did great. It was an effort for her, but didn’t seem to cause her any (or much) actual pain. After a brief post-surgery assessment, I was allowed to dress and we left, stopping at the pharmacy to pick up some post-op medications before going ‘home’ to our motorhome.

Problem was, I hadn’t been able to pass urine since before the operation, including attempts in the hospital before we left, at a gas station on the way home, and standing in a warm shower for twenty minutes. Quick googling showed that urinary retention was a common after-effect of general anesthesia, and I was becoming increasingly uncomfortable, so Susan put in a call to the surgeon’s office, where it was recommended that I go to the VA.

By the time we made it to the VA, I was very uncomfortable. Fortunately (and commendably, and much appreciated), everyone at the ER moved the issue along as fast as it could possibly be done. It wasn’t medically urgent, but I was hurting, and the treatment — insertion of a Foley catheter to drain my bladder — was straightforward. I was in severe distress by this point (cold sweats, involuntary jerks of pain and groaning), and relief came within minutes once the necessary steps were taken. (No surprise: there was 700 mL collected there, and I was quite happy to have that reduced.)

Less welcome news? There’s no telling yet when the paralysis of the urinary sphincter will go away, so I’ll have to keep the catheter for … well, I don’t know yet how long. I might be lucky enough to get it out tomorrow, it might be more than a week.

Oh, well, I’ll go back to the surgery tomorrow for a check-up. They might have something encouraging to say about that, and meanwhile Susan and I will work at getting a urology appointment at the VA. I’ve gone from serious pain to minor discomfort/annoyance, so I’ll just see how things play out.