All sorts of pain

Sometimes I wish life were a little boring, but apparently not this time around. I've quit my job at the university and starting Monday, I'll be a technical writer for Telvent. It's totally outside my comfort zone, but it has a lot of appeal: challenge, NO boredom, working with at least some people I already know I like and not least - more money! :)

I didn't start the new job right away, because I had some stuff to take care of first. Stuart ran the Lost Souls race on the weekend. He was a bit worried, since due to the puppy and his injuries, he hasn't been able to train nearly as much as he'd like. However, even in the 27C heat, he did really well. He finished 53km through the coulees in 9hrs and 17 minutes!!!

We got home from Lethbridge in time to take Ursa in to the vet for her to get fixed. They also took a bit out of her upper gum, to make space for one of her canines, which is coming in at a bit of an angle. We actually got instructions to use her toys to try and pull her teeth out a bit. We picked her up once she'd finished and hit the road for Edmonton. 'Cause it was time for Mummy to get her tubes tied.

Yup, short of a full hysterectomy, I'm now as pregnancy free as it's possible to be. Following the "no food, no water after midnight" instructions, Stuart brought me to the Royal Alex Women's Hospital to check in at 11am. I was sent up to my ward and got changed into my charming hospital gown. I sent Stuart off to run errands, but I should have kept my book, since I had to wait until 2:30pm for surgery. The ward nurse was supposed to put in my IV, but even I could have done a better job and she didn't manage it. Around 2pm, I got wheeled through about 100 miles of corridors (without my glasses!) to the pre-surgery ward. I finally got some warm blankets, my lovely blue hair net and met with most of the surgical team.

The anaesthesiologist was quite friendly, but somewhat grouchy. Apparently, the ward nurses had only managed to run one IV all day and had left the rest to him. He popped it in without a problem, but then, I think his technique was better! Overall, I was much happier with my surgical team this time than when I had my reduction surgery. They were much friendlier and more laid-back (the last group was pretty uptight and full of themselves.) And then it was night-night time.

I woke up back in the ward. Apparently, the fear of the egg-white allergy is no longer an issue with the anaesthetic, but I still can't say I like the new stuff. I did wake up a little more, but not a LOT more and I was still a bit nauseous and groggy. How come I can't just wake up, like everyone else does? Of course, the shot of Gravol and morphine probably didn't help. Stuart arrived about half an hour after I woke up and kept me company. Or more accurately, texted people while I drifted in and out and help keep my hair out of the way when I vomited. Finally, they released me and Stuart took me home. As per usual, I just crawled into bed and passed out!

Also as usual, I feel a lot better after a chance to sleep off the rest of the anaesthetic. I don't have as much pain as I was afraid of, but between all the needles and the surgery sites, I feel a bit like a Swiss cheese covered in bandages. I'm not going to be tap dancing soon, but I have hopes that this recovery will go faster than the last one!