Breakfast in bed

Breakfast

I came through the surgery fine. The procedure was successful, I had no infection, and they took my appendix out for good measure.

Now it's morning. So far, I'm in a room with no room-mate. I slept fine overnight, and I'm allowed to have clear fluids. Unsalted chicken broth never tasted so good.

Waking up in the recovery room, the first thing I noticed was how horribly dry my mouth was. The next thing I noticed was the pain from the incision.

I am - still, even at this writing - hooked to an epidural catheter that regularly feeds numbing and pain relief through my spine. I'm allowed to push the Magic Green Button if I need more pain relief.

In the recovery room, I pushed the Button four times. But once the nurse gave me some ice for my mouth, I think my reptilian comfort-seeking brain's focus shifted to that. The breathing tube for anesthesia went down my throat (so they say, I don't remember) and because of that my upper palate feels sore and my lower lip is both swollen and chapped.

Fat lip

Since moving to my room, I've felt no need for the Magic Green Button. I'm also wearing a pair of inflatable pads on my lower legs - these are intended to prevent blood clots in my legs while I lie idly. The pads automatically pump up at intervals - it feels like a leg massage!

Breakfast is broth, herbal tea, and juice. I'm told that the popsicles featured on the lunch menu are a MUST!

Continuing the spa-like feel of all this, I just need to look out the window of my room. It looks west over Santa Monica, and there's a view of the ocean.

With this and all the support and good wishes from friends and family - can anyone be luckier than I am right now?