I have since designed my own website on this subject. I'm hoping that it will help other people to become aware to prevent this from happening to them or a loved one.

http://www.geocities.com/farmrz_daughter/OperationWakeUp.html

Got up at 2:30 a.m. unable to sleep and posted a well thought out thread about the above. Received reply from Carol W., President and founder of Anesthesia Awareness saying that she was busy with family matters, but that I should call if I was a victim. I called, she called back. Talked for over an hour. I called hospital for medical reports from 11/16. They will be ready for pickup on Wed. 11/30. Called and left a message for John K. (A-man). He returned call. Said that he had been informed by Judy S. (fellow A-woman) of me relating my experience to her at hospital. Said he was glad that I called as about 5 minutes after I was put to sleep, that my blood pressure and pulse jumped sky high. He made appropriate adjustments so I went back under. He did NOT just increase paralytic drug which is a good thing. Did NOT use a brain monitoring machine for the procedure. Said that they just have 1 at hospital and only use it for patients that they know might have trouble. I can request it though before my next surgery. He has not filed an official report with anyone. I can double check to see if it was mentioned though on the medical report. Said I should call him back if I have any other questions/concerns. He did remember me. Said that my current meds have nothing to do with bringing about my awareness episode. I was also put to sleep under the current height and weight requirements. There was no clinical reason why I woke up. The hospital is starting a review on my case. REMEMBER THIS WEBSITE: http://www.anesthesiaawareness.com/

Nick visited but I dozed most of the time and sent him home. Sister Karen called but I told her it wasn't a good day for visitors. She understood. Didn't have a roommate till Thurs. a.m., so I had a private room for a day (heaven). Ordered the pre-op lunch. Ate only a little orange jello and a soda cracker. Got sick. Drank lots of water. Catheter took care of that. Didn't even know it was in. Ordered beef broth. Friend Julie Vasquez visited at about 7 p.m. Vomited twice while she was there. Nice visit. I didn't sleep much that night. Too wired. My doctor visited this morning and I related to her about my 'experience' in the OR. She was horrified. My assistant anesthesiologist was also notified when she made her rounds later that day. She said she would relay the information to my main A-man (this was done I later found out). Roommate arrived at around 10:00 Thurs. a.m. Right away she had visitors. Mom and dad visited at noon. I still didn't feel good and gave myself a shot of pain killer. Up to that point I had let the drip take care of things at about .02/hour I think, not sure. Low doseage. Dad peed in my bathroom (twice) even after being scolded by the nurse. I ordered soup after they left. Drank the broth only. Supper was 1 piece of toast, apple sauce, fruit juice and some cottage cheese. I kept that down. Doctor had IV removed. Only on Ibuprofen. Ears were plugged. Found out this was because of the position of having my head back for 2 hours during surgery with the breathing tube. Nurse gave me Sudafed. Miserable. Ended up being released at around 7:00.

Arrived at the hospital at 5:45 a.m. for registration. Off to out-patient for the gowning of the princess. Took blood pressure, kinda high but hey, I'm kinda nervous. Onto the gurney without my glasses to the 'holding area'. A nurse inserted an IV which sometimes would drip, sometimes wouldn't (I should have demanded a new one, but she told me that it was for her to worry about and not me). This is called a 'positional' IV. They put on leggings which filled with air to prevent blood clots. Kind of cool. Felt like a blow up doll. Dr. visited for a bit to finalize, then anethesiologist (John K.) plus EMT talked to me for about 5 minutes. Proceeded to bring me to OR. He told me on the gurney ride there that I didn't have a choice about which type of 'drug' put me out due to my surgery (LSH). That it would be a general anesthesia. Also, he never received a copy from my previous hospital about my c-section reports after I questioned him. Great, all my leg work was for nothing. What else would go wrong? In the OR, they put on my blood pressure cuff and attached the EKG electrodes. He said he was giving me a little 'drug' to relax me. Asked if I was claustrophobic. Then an oxygen mask. I remember him asking someone if I was to be in stirrups. They answered yes. I was out for the insertion of the breathing tube (thankfully) but came to and heard the breathing tube 'breathe' for me. Tape was being placed over my eyes. I tried to breathe on my own but couldn't. It was ok though because the machine was breathing for me. I wanted to let someone know that I was still aware, but I couldn't move a finger or any body part nor could I talk. I willed my finger to move but with no luck. I kept trying and trying, but my entire body was paralyzed except for my brain. I want to stress that I experienced NO PHYSICAL PAIN during this time as I awoke before the actual surgery, only mental frustration. I was aware for about 20 seconds, then I was out and next thing awake in the recovery room.

Today is my last day (I hope) of bloating and pain and discomfort due to my large fibroids. I have everything pretty much packed and ready to go. Walked my last 3 miles on the treadmill for a bit. Will try to get back at it as soon as the doctor allows me to. Saw Marilyn and Karen and Mom called. I will notify them all of how things went and just how long my hospital stay should be. I haven't had to cook all week! Hooray! Will say more prayers that everything goes my way. It's in your hands now Lord, as it always has been. Please keep me focused, give me courage and strength. I know that you are with me always. Keep me safe! Amen.

I called Jessica first this morning to see if there was any news. She said that Dr. Munns was at that moment downstairs conferring with Dr. Nann for the possible LSH. Jessica called back with great news! The LSH is a go for Wed. I will have to sign another consent form the morning of surgery to approve that it is ok for them to perform an abdominal if they are unsuccessful with the LSH. That's fine as I have a good feeling about the LSH. At least there's a chance that they can do it. The rest is in God's hands. Amen!

Here's hoping that Dr. Nann is available to assist Dr. Munns on Wed. I could actually wait another couple of weeks, but I would be miserable I know. It is getting harder to pass BM's now. I only weighed 158 this morning! Maybe my walking is finally paying off. Getting a little more apprehensive, but will be glad to wake up in recovery (without a breathing tube attached to me). lol

Doctor suspected a malignant tumor based on the growth spurt from 12 cm to 30 cm within a year. Turns out that the radiologist dictated 13 cm and it was transcribed as 30 cm. Glad my doctor checked it out as she was discussing a possible vertical incision plus removing everything if she found cancer. So now I'm looking at an LSH if the assistant to my doctor is available on my Nov. 16 surgery date. I should receive a call on Mon. If not, I will pursue. I am constantly bloated, especially after I eat. Am still faithfully walking 3 miles each day. I wonder how soon I'll be able to resume the walking after surgery. I have to remember to take time out to heal, lean on my DH and son and friends. Pampering is good.