MEMORIAL REGIONAL HOSPITAL, FLORIDA

En Route to Miami, FL

I don't recall how I got through immigration in Jamaica. I remember when the ambulance staff were trying to put me on the plane and it was a problem. I also remember waking up and seeing my grandson being ohhh so quiet sitting beside his Mommy on the plane. My sister Debbie was also on board.

I do not remember much about the flight ( as I had been kept sedated )or even clearing immigration in Miami. But I do remember arriving at Memorial's operation theatre. I remember they wheeled me down to a room that was empty and someone shouted..........no they are waiting in the big theatre! :-)

These doors opened and it was a HUGE room with bright lights and about 10 persons inside.  I remember Dr Seong Lee and his asking me what had happened. He said he was amazed that I was still conscious. Then they just started sticking needles, attaching wires and I was then out like a light switch!

I woke up on a ventilator

Thank you Mr Ventilator.....for breathing for me when I couldn't!

 

Off the Ventilator...and brave smile ( Benefits of Morphine!)

I was assigned to trauma surgeon Dr Antonio Pepe! I could not have asked for a more pleasant and professional surgeon and as an added bonus he was handsome too! Another bald headed sexy surgeon! Mmmmm. Let's be realistic here, when one may be considering their last moments on earth: at least let the views be good ones! :-)

Dr Pepe explained that the damage was pretty bad and that if left to heal that way, I would probably have limited lung capacity for the rest of my life ( as the ribs had collapsed on the lungs) and pain for the rest of my life ( as the ribs are always moving and if they heal malformed it won't be possible for them to expand and contract properly).

He asked me to consider a new procedure. He explained that it had never been done in Memorial before nor had he ever done it himself, but he had watched it being done by a doctor at Jackson. He had discussed my case with him and both felt I was the ideal candidate for the procedure. Of course, I didn't even have to think twice...I said YES! He said it would take a few days to set it up. They had to get permission for the other doctor to oversee the procedure and as he was not set up to work at Memorial, it required some paperwork. In the meantime, I had to prepare and get my Living Will, Will etc set up: notary public to witness and gather all my family to declare my wishes should I not come back out of that surgery alive.

Two days later the doctors came to see me with the hardware kit!  Dr Ksychi from Jackson and Dr Pepe. The kit had all the ribs and special screws in it . Red for left and blue for the right if I recall well. All neat in a box with a space for each part. They started to explain to me, but I really wasn't that interested in the technical details. I knew it was the right thing for ME, if I was to have hope to return to my active lifestyle. I just said, where do I sign...and signed, and signed, and signed again!

A lot of tubes and a lot of machines! My bed and room in ICU, Memorial Regional Hospital. Those compression socks were not comfortable nor flattering.

 They packed  up my monitors and my "tank" into a cart and made me walk down the hall. Photo here with Tobi and another with grandson. Don't let the big smile fool you. My heart was racing! I was so out of breath and thought I would never be able to make it down the hall of ICU. But I made it and from then on, I just improved in leaps and bounds.




Sure sign that I was back on track...was when I moved my "office" into ICU! Poor TOBI!!! I am talking computers, printers, files and of course I was always out of the bed in the chair that should have been for visitors as I had to work! And I remember I had that huge needle thing in my neck! Freaked out my visitors. Thank God for drugs!