Today was my Pre-Op Testing for my pending Cyborg Parts removal surgery (this coming Monday, the 21st). In medical terms, I’m having the previously installed Spinal Cord Stimulator (leads and battery) removed.

This marks my 11th “anesthesia” – I say that because 2 of the procedures I went under for failed. The first one, an ACL Reconstruction surgery by an Ortho who was probably a decade past his prime, said I needed this surgery. Day of, they deadened my leg, put me under, and when he got in there he made the executive decision NOT to do the surgery because – and I quote – it had healed itself (in a span of 2 weeks, mind you). The other was done at an Outpatient Clinic, which apparently doesn’t use a scope to guide the intubation thingy, and my unconscious mind refused to be violated like that… hahaha. I think it’s quite funny, tbh. But yeah, had to reschedule that one – the removal of an IUD piece that was lodged in my caesarian scar.

All the same, here we are, doing the same Pro-Op thing I’ve done numerous times, but this time in an entirely new state and hospital. The Boyfriend went with me for moral support. I feel bad, because it’s mostly just a lot of waiting for him, not much “getting to see my girlfriend’s various tortures.” 😛 It was a bit of a clusterfuck, honestly, but I’m used to that. Pre-Registration wanted me to go to the walk-in for the tests first and had me wait for the go-ahead in their waiting room, which meant making me late for my scheduled appointment, this caused us have to wait an extra 45 minutes for the P/A to see me. I get it, they have appointments for a reason, but damn… I wish they’d been more clear when they called and told me what I needed to do when I showed up. *shrug* It is what it is.

ECG is tickly and not bad at all. Peeing in a cup is slightly difficult given my anatomy, but that’s aight, I know how to wash my hands – lmao. Getting x-rays done is slightly uncomfortable because of positioning (my body hates this). The REALLY rough part?! I very much abhor needles, especially the Vampiric kind. I always feel bad for the phlebotomist, because I’m pretty sure my veins are in cahoots with my brain’s traumatic age 18 memory of being jabbed in the arm by a newb, who – because I was a guinea pig – moved the needle around inside my inner elbow fleshes. It was not a fun time. Thus, every phlebotomist since then has had a very hard time finding my vein and they apologize to ME for not being able to, but I know the truth. This one had to exit my inner elbow and switch to my hand… and instead of “small ouch” she said, “Ok, big ouch. Big ouch.” Aaaaand yeah, it was. My ass was gettin a bit moist with sweat before we even got to the hand, but after that, I was quite damp. 😐

At least I got a nifty purple carry bag for my fancy pre-surgery soap and instructions [I have memorized at this point]. She tried to give me a pink one, but I saw the purple ones and boldly asked if I could swap. Hehe. I hate pink. Very nice of her to allow me this smol party favor.

Needless to say, it wasn’t an overall fun time. I might consider bringing a leather strap to bite on for any future blood suckage from the Vampiric Phlebotomists… not that I think it would help, really. But it WOULD be funny!

I admit that I am still nervous about surgery. I’m definitely LESS anxious about it because I HAVE done it numerous times already and I’m “used” to it, but… there’s always that fear in the back of my mind that something will go wrong.

Kinda hoping they’ll do like my last one and put me on Ketamine for the pain… boy, was that a wild trip! I’m not very experienced in drugs, so I didn’t know what “tripping balls” was even like, but damn… weird and a little unnerving here and there, but overall pretty rad, if I say so myself! 😛 Maybe I’ll get lucky again…