Okay. First off – Ann is fine. If you happen to know her very well and speak to her by phone or email in the next few days , just be aware that whatever she may say or type is heavily influenced by the presence of liquid narcotics mixed with many medicines that have been shaped into pill form – all prescribed – and some of which she takes on a regular basis even when she isn’t lying prone in a designer hospital room. Secondly – her hospital room is bigger than several of the apartments we have lived in over the years. She is being cared for by a slew of highly trained doctors and nurses with a medical staff that includes a pain team, a comfort team and even a concierge. I’m not kidding. She validated my parking garage ticket. The concierge, not Ann. I’ve gone from being very thankful and impressed to wishing there was an actual parking valet. Mount Sinai is a fabulous hospital. They have a Starbucks in the lobby. They have room service. There is a chef. The menu is four pages long. Anyways – Ann is due to come home next Monday but has decided to stay for at least another week or until she has eaten her way through the pasta selections – whichever comes first. By the way – I think there may also be a spa. Which means she won’t be home for at least a month. So the good news is the surgery went extremely well and the bad news is visiting hours extend from now until Thanksgiving. I will say this – the hours you spend alone waiting for the one you love to come out of surgery are – perhaps – the definition of being alone. You wait with a forced feeling of calm and maybe a magazine or three and once you’ve gotten past the first two hours and a gaggle of People pictures featuring trout-pouted celebrities, Sports Illustrated’s NFL Preview Issue and fifteen overly-clever New Yorker cartoons – one of which contains a pit bull wearing lipstick and a hockey mom reference - an itchy little panic begins to grow in the back of your mind and you give up the half-assed reading and start to wonder just exactly what the hell is going on. But every single staff person you can find has the exact same piece of information: Still in the O.R. So the itch becomes an urge beneath an angst that begins to mulch into an ulcer of worry and fretful pacing. You pace and sit and fidget and pace. And then – she arrives. Bruised and sleepy – but there. I was never happier to see her face. My love. My wife. I’m not big on prayer – but I said many hopeful ones during those empty hours and several more in gratitude on my way back from the spa to the apartment.
Comments (18)
I've never had to deal with my husband being in surgery yet, but you captured exactly what I imagine I'd be feeling. Since risk comes with surgery, there will always be fear until it is done and over with and your loved one is safe at home. Even though I've never dealt with it, I know my husband felt as terrified when I went under the knife during an emergency c-section. Of course, he wasn't relegated to the waiting room, and I imagine being in there with me made it easier.
I'm glad Ann is recovering in the lap of luxury! Certainly after what she went through, she deserves it! So glad it all went well.
Posted by Alyson | October 1, 2008 6:15 PM
Posted on October 1, 2008 18:15
Excellent news, and here's to a speedy recovery.
Posted by Joseph J. Finn | October 1, 2008 6:32 PM
Posted on October 1, 2008 18:32
Denis, Thank you so much for the update...I am so happy to hear Ann is doing well (I knew she would)....Sounds like they are taking excellent care of her....
Please give her my best and to relax, sit back and enjoy all the pampering.....
I will keep praying for her speedy recovery....
Posted by Kathie | October 1, 2008 7:06 PM
Posted on October 1, 2008 19:06
Thanks for the update,Denis. I miss Ann,and am wishing her a smooth recovery.
Posted by Annie | October 1, 2008 7:06 PM
Posted on October 1, 2008 19:06
thank you for updating us and writing such a great blog. your description of the range of emotions one feels while in the waiting room is spot on. tell ann we miss her and hope she feels better soon!
Posted by courtney | October 1, 2008 7:19 PM
Posted on October 1, 2008 19:19
How lucky you are to have each other. Glad to hear she made it through the surgery and is on the road to recovery. I love Ann, her blog and her husband (your talent sir, nothing more). Also loved your writing style here and am looking forward to your book release (I've already purchased one through Amazon).
Wishing Ann a quick recovery!
Lisa
Posted by Lisa | October 1, 2008 8:08 PM
Posted on October 1, 2008 20:08
Thank you so much for the update. So glad to hear it, knew she'd be just fine; but as a spouse who's sat in the waiting room, know well that segue of prayer from anxiety to appreciation. Please let her know we're all rooting for her speedy recovery...and for you to get a bite or two of pasta in edgewise.
Posted by Cheryl | October 1, 2008 8:10 PM
Posted on October 1, 2008 20:10
Great news! My husband related to your blog. When I had surgery last year, the gal working in the family waiting area gently pointed out that he was reading "Working Mother" magazine.... upside down .... and we don't have kids!!
Best wishes to Ann for a speedy recovery.
Posted by lisa | October 1, 2008 8:54 PM
Posted on October 1, 2008 20:54
Great news - and congratulations on such a terrific blog. Glad to hear she did well, and that that particular issue is now history. Thanks for keeping everyone in the loop - we were, of course, concerned, as Ann's become everyone's new best friend.
Posted by Gail Moore | October 1, 2008 9:52 PM
Posted on October 1, 2008 21:52
Thanks for updating. I'm glad everything went okay! I definitely know the heavily medicated, loopy feeling after surgery. Evidently, I propositioned the anesthesiologist as he brought me out of sedation. Wish Ann a quick recovery!
Posted by Aine | October 1, 2008 10:43 PM
Posted on October 1, 2008 22:43
Thanks for the informative and heartfelt blog, Denis. It's reassuring to know Ann came through her surgery in good shape and is recovering in such luxury and with such expert and attentive care.
The range of emotions you experienced while waiting for Ann to emerge from surgery were, of course, expertly and intelligently described. The words "I was never happier to see her face. My love. My wife." made my heart clench. My husband has never undergone surgery, but my fears and anxieties would surely be similar to yours.
Thanks again for updating those of us for whom Ann's blog has become a daily pleasure. As Gail wrote, Ann has become everyone's new best friend. She is a treasure, Denis. As you have known for decades.
Posted by Elizabeth Madlem | October 1, 2008 10:50 PM
Posted on October 1, 2008 22:50
Thanks so much Denis, for giving us the much anticipated update on Ann. Even though we KNEW she would do great - it is still such a relief to hear that she did! And thank you for sharing your emotions as well. It's times like these, when we realize that our lives are delicately balanced in this world. We sometimes tend to take all we have for granted, when in reality it is by God's grace that we are here, with those we love.
I am sure you will be thrilled to get her back home, but it sounds like she is going to be treated like Royalty while there!
Give her our best. Ditto Gail's comment - that Ann has become everyone's new Best Friend - she is a jewel!
But - you already know that! :) :)
Posted by Sandy | October 1, 2008 11:19 PM
Posted on October 1, 2008 23:19
Thank god she is ok! I am so glad she is being pampered. I must insist she continues to be treated with such care when she is home. Such a lovely,clever and sweet woman deserves no less.
Posted by tammy | October 2, 2008 6:15 AM
Posted on October 2, 2008 06:15
Thank you for the update on Ann...Lots of sighs of relief being breathed out here and not just from me, I'm sure. I sure know the feelings you've just been through...I did my stint almost 2 years ago with my husband in surgery.
Just curious...would she like all her friends out here to visit her at the spa?
Okay, just tell her "come back soon and well".
Mary
Posted by Mary Reeves | October 2, 2008 8:10 AM
Posted on October 2, 2008 08:10
Denis,
Thank you for the update and for your depiction of what anyone who has ever had a loved on in surgery has gone through. The imagination plays a wild theme in the mind. Glad to know all is well with Ann and the family. Will hold good thoughts until she is home safe and sound.
Posted by Mary L | October 2, 2008 8:29 AM
Posted on October 2, 2008 08:29
What a sweet post Denis! I'm so glad Ann is doing well! :)
Posted by Jessica | October 2, 2008 10:29 AM
Posted on October 2, 2008 10:29
What a nice guest blogger he is. Very sweet words for his wife.
Posted by Janet Taylor | October 2, 2008 1:46 PM
Posted on October 2, 2008 13:46
Thank you so very much for the update; glad to hear all is well. My husband also related to all of your feelings and emotions. Last March I underwent my double mastectomy and he and my daughter described the wait as unbearable. When they were told surgery would be 2 hours, at 2 hours 1 minute, my 22 yr old wanted to know where I was and why couldn't they see me. So he definitely understood all of your feelings. But now you can feel relief that it's over....take good care of each other
Posted by Barbara | October 2, 2008 4:30 PM
Posted on October 2, 2008 16:30