I didn't expect that at all...
I woke up at 4:45 the next morning. I have never felt so much pain in my life. I had a tube down my throat to help provide oxygen whilst I was sleeping. The tube went about half way into my chest and was the most uncomfortable thing ever. I wasn’t able to speak properly, my hands were tied down the bed and I couldn’t feel half my body. The only way to get the attention from the nurses was to make eye contact with them. Thankfully one of my nurses realised I was awake, she came and spoke to me and I had just about enough energy to ask her when the tubes could come out. My voice wasn’t loud, it sounded like I was whispering but I was really trying my best to speak loud. She told me I’d have to wait for the doctor to come in the morning and only then, I would be able to take out the tube. I started crying. I just didn’t expect this at all, I do not have the words to describe how painful this was and how uncomfortable it was.
The nurses gave me more morphine and I was able to fall back asleep. I woke up later on at 7:30 and I started to vomit. Vomiting is one of the side-effects to going under anaesthesia. Because there were so many tubes down my throat, the vomit wasn’t able to come out and I started to think that this was the end. I’ve heard so many stories of drunk people chocking on their own vomit and the worst happening to them. I went into panic mode because I knew that if no one realised I was suffering I would really die. I started shaking so much and suddenly an alarm went off. The nurses realised I was vomiting and they somehow managed to put another tube down my throat to clear it all out so that I wouldn’t choke on it. Sorry, this must be all disgusting to read but its one of the biggest struggles I went through.
I went back to bed and was then woken up by my doctor. I had the biggest smile on my face and was praying that I’d finally be extubated. She said “take out all the tubes” and I felt some relief. The nurses started to take out all the tubes. The Ventilator’s tubes was about 40 centimetres and was all down my throat. It was extremely painful to take out and I tried screaming but just couldn’t. Everything was out and I couldn’t feel my throat. The nurses increased the morphine dosage and I knocked out again.
I woke up at 12 and my nurses asked me if I wanted to drink some water. They brought me a Watsons bottle with a little straw and said to drink slowly. I took my first sip and it felt like freedom (you guys must be thinking that im a little bit weird cause its just water but trust me this was the best thing). They then told me to call my parents and tell them to bring me some food so I could eat. I called my house and my dad picked up. He asked so many questions as if we were having a normal conversation and I didn’t have the energy to speak. I literally said bring Apple juice and then cut the phone.
He showed up 30 minutes later and didn’t bring any apple juice. I was disappointed. He spoke to my nurses and my doctor and they all said the same thing. The next couple of days were critical because if anything were to happen, they’d happen sooner rather than later. He went and got me the apple juice and I just counted that as my meal. In the afternoon my mum and sister came to see me. I had to eat hospital food and even though it wasn’t enjoyable at all, I was surprised that I was able to eat the food myself. I could move my arm properly and it was fine. I could see a massive wrapping all around my chest and I was scared to see what was under it.
I ended up falling asleep at 7:00 and remember just passing out.
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