So I’d posted a bit ago sharing the things I was planning to pack and what I thought would happen before surgery. This is a continuation of that post.
A couple of days before surgery, I got an email letting me know that several prescriptions were ready for pickup at my pharmacy. Dr. Schwartz had called in everything he can across state lines, so an antibiotic, something for physical nerves in the legs, a stool softener, and ibuprofen. I grabbed those a couple of days before flight time and then watched the weather. Unfortunately, the big blizzard to cover the entire USA was coming and I’d probably miss my flight. I changed my flights a couple of times, leaving a full day earlier than planned and also to fly through Phoenix instead of Dallas, which did end up being hit hard with the blizzard.
I got up super early on Valentines day and drove in already blizzard conditions to get to the airport before things began shutting down. While I did have some delays and a missed flight, I got to California while the sun was up, checked into the hotel and had carry out for dinner.
For pre-surgery days, I stayed at The Residence Inn Marina Del Rey on Marriott points (I was a prolific traveler before COVID). This is a brand new hotel on the water – giant yachts are right outside the window, and the restaurant overlooks the water. I was easily able to call an Uber or Lyft from this location and jet into LA or Beverly Hills. This hotel has suites with kitchenettes and such a nice atmosphere that I will stay there again. In the evenings I enjoyed walking by the water (very safe area), and then heading up to the rooftop bar area (closed bar) to enjoy the firepit and the LA skyline. They also offer a free breakfast, which helps a little on an expensive LA trip. Here’s a view from my room and the rooftop bar area:
On Monday, I had a free day since I’d travelled early. It was a holiday as well. I had the free breakfast, and then decided to not waste the day. California had just reopened outside only dining. I hopped in a Lyft and rode up to Santa Monica. I saw a Fantastic Sams hair place, and since I hadn’t had a haircut in now 14 months, I decided to treat myself. I had the lyft driver turn around and drop me off. Sams had the windows and doors open, and the weather was perfect. I really enjoyed chatting with the few folks in there while I got a cut and color. When I got done, I walked next door and grabbed a few groceries from the store, just enough to fit in my backpack. Originally I was going to go to the CVS pharmacy to pick up my protein drinks, but I decided instead to walk up and down the pier and beach, and I enjoyed dining at an actual restaurant for the first time in forever, outside at Blue Plate Taco. Food was amazing. The sun felt amazing. I walked around until close to dark and then caught a Lyft back to the hotel as it feels like things could get a little sketchy at dark around there. Always a safe bet to be in by dark in an unknown city alone.
Tuesday was pre-op day! I had an 8 am appt. so I made myself a quick oatmeal breakfast in the room, caught a Lyft into Beverly Hills and was on time. I met with a nurse, who had me undress to the underwear and put on a bariatric sized gown (YES), took vitals and asked about my blood pressure. I noticed while we were in the exam room that the Beatles were playing, and this relaxed me (I’ve travelled FAR to see Paul McCartney a couple of times and am a huge fan).
We talked about whether I’d gotten my meds yet, if I had any questions, etc. for a while. I signed all of the paperwork for surgery on an iPad. Dr. Schwartz came in and talked with me, then had his first in-person look at my legs. We decided that the back of the calves was the worst and most fibrotic area and that should be where my treatment starts. I had several opportunities to ask questions and would also meet with him again the next day. They went over that the anesthesiologist would be calling me that evening and then I went in for pictures. I signed a photo release to photograph everything, share everything and give me copies of everything because I blog and I want to help other people.
Dr. Schwartz’s office has a whole picture room. You go in, pull up your gown, stand on a little dial, and rotate while the tech takes a series of pictures. I loved this room and took pictures of it to share.
Unfortunately, I have white coat syndrome and high blood pressure. I go called back into the room to do a BP check again. I had a med change two weeks prior and had been logging my bp – I shared my most recent numbers with the nurses as well, and that seemed to satisfy the doctor, who was getting updates bit by bit. Then I was released to do covid testing and pick up my opioid pain meds.
I was able to go downstairs to another doctor’s office and grab a quick covid test – no issues there. Then I went to the Hepps pharmacy, which is also in the same building, to grab my script. I was planning on getting some hibeclens to wash with before surgery, but they were out. So I took a Lyft to another pharmacy where I grabbed he hibeclens and a canister of on-sale protein shake mix. Ready to go! The rest of the evening, I rested in the hotel room, took Goodbye Pics of my legs, and packed up for the morning.
The next morning, I met my arranged Lyft driver at the hotel. He dove me to the Viceroy Hotel which is, as my driver described, “very very luxury hotel.” The viceroy front desk was expecting me, and walked me to the elevator and pushed the button for m to go up to the Pearl Recovery Center to drop my bags. I then returned to the Lyft and headed to the surgery center in Dr. Schwartz’s office for my surgery.
At the surgery center, no time was wasted. They had me change into a gown, and gave me surgery panties that didn’t fit. I didn’t wear them and mentioned it. It’s like my only close-to-a-constructive-feedback I’d offer about Dr. Schwartz’s office.
They took my blood pressure, which was fine, thankfully. They had me take I think gabapentin with a little water, pee in a cup for a pregnancy test, hooked me up to an IV line, and had me meet with the anesthesiologist. We went over meds and I filled out forms for the anesthesiologist. All the time, I chatted with the nurse, and Jerry who is the surgery assistant – they were both friendly and did a good job laughing at my nervous jokes. Dr. Schwartz came in and examined me again. He got out a big marker and had me lay on the table and marked up his plan. He marked me all the way up to the diseased tissue on my hips and rear end, noting he would go as far as he could for patient safety.
Then the best thing happened.
Dr. Schwartz handed me a red marker and told me to mark up what was hurting me and bugging me. I said, “This is Cathartic,” while holding back tears. He told me that’s why he does it. I asked him if I could write anything I wanted and he said, “Yep.” So I circled Larry the Lump and I wrote, “F U Larry!” We all laughed so hard. Things moved quickly from here.
Dr. Schwartz disappeared, the nurse and I took one more round of photos with the markups, then I got back in the bed. The nurses asked if I liked any music in particular and I said Beatles. As they wheeled me in, someone yelled, “Hey Alexa, play the Beatles!”
The anesthesiologist placed a mask on my face and I started singing “Hey Jude” along with the song that came up. I said I’d seen Paul McCartney sing this live in Madison Square Garden. As I started to tell about seeing him in Illinois with Aunt Linda, I raised my hand to talk, and Paul McCartney said, “don’t make it bad.” Then I was out.
Every time I think of this moment, I get teary eyed. Thanks, Paul for being there with me and knocking me out.
