Tuesday – Pre-procedure appointment with Dr. R and her nurse S. She talked to me about my options and if I understood the diagnosis. Sign paperwork, go over questions. I declined having any genetic testing done on the baby. The Husband left the room and Dr. R inserted laminaria in my cervix to help with dilation and to soften it. This, by far, was the worst experience (physically) of the whole procedure. I was already upset and this made everything worse for me. At one point I felt lightheaded and dizzy after they were inserted. I was given a prescription of oxy to fill if I needed it. I was also given two pills of misoprostol to take the next morning. After this I went upstairs to the lab to have blood drawn, then home. I was told I could go about my daily activities but the cramping was so bad that I couldn’t do much other than lay in bed or on the recliner. I took ibuprofen at one point and vomited about half an hour later, so the The Husband went and had the oxy prescription filled and picked up a heating pad. When he came home I took the oxy and it dulled the pain and cramping, but didn’t make it go away. I was also given an antibiotic that I took the night before the procedure to prevent infection. I could shower but not take a bath, no eating or drinking after midnight. I didn’t sleep very well – although I was taking the oxy it really just dulled the pain and as soon as it wore off I was awake.
Wednesday- Had to be at the hospital by 7AM. Due to the traffic when going in to the city from the south we left at 5:30AM. I took the misoprostol (2 pills of 200 mcg each) by putting them between my cheek and gum at around 6:30AM. Dr. R asked if her resident could be in the room for the procedure, as it is a teaching hospital, and I said yes. Then they allowed The Husband in to see me before I had the procedure. I was already hooked up to the IV and with the big silly gown on and he said I looked so very small sitting in that big chair with all of that around me. I met with two different people from anesthesiology, the nurse, Dr. R for a few minutes each before going in. Then the husband left and we went in to the procedure room and it all happened rather quickly from there. I could feel myself slipping when they started the IV drip and S held my hand – I think I said I was scared. Then I was out. The procedure lasted 30 min. if that. The next thing I remember is waking up in a recovery room and The Husband was there. He said I was so sweet when I was still coming out of the sedation – asking if I was okay, over and over, asking what time it was, over and over. Asking him to call my father and tell him I was awake. I vaguely remember some of these things. The nurse in the PACU was an older woman, very outgoing and very kind. I got some ginger ale and some graham crackers to eat and was discharged at 10:40AM.
After care: Pelvic rest for 2 weeks (no tampons, no douching, no vaginal intercourse). No baths for 1 week, showers okay. Activity as tolerated. Exercise as tolerated, avoid strenuous activity for 1 week. Pain medication due at 3PM (Motrin). No alcohol for 24 hours. Do not drive, make legal decisions or return to work for 24 hours.
I was out of work February 24 and returned March 3 (a week later.)
| Date | Service | Billed Amt. | Out of Pocket |
| 2/25/14 | Surgery (Dilator Insertion) | 125.00 | 78.03 |
| 2/25/14 | Office Visit | 238.00 | 57.16 |
| 2/25/14 | Hospital Services | 1,567.00 | 251.70 |
| 2/25/14 | Laboratory | 61.00 | 3.37 |
| 2/25/14 | Immunology | 57.00 | 8.54 |
| 2/25/14 | Laboratory | 27.00 | 3.75 |
| 2/25/14 | Hematology | 27.00 | 3.78 |
| 2/25/14 | Laboratory | 27.00 | 0.00 |
| 2/26/14 | Anesthesia | 700.00 | 114.91 |
| 2/26/14 | Surgery | 987.00 | 633.86 |
| 2/26/14 | Diagnostic Ultrasound | 178.00 | 0.00 |
| 2/26/14 | Operating Room | 1,944.00 | 332.34 |
| 2/26/14 | Histology | 129.00 | 23.29 |
| 2/26/14 | Med/Surgical Supply | 33.00 | 4.89 |
| 6,100.00 | 1,515.62 |
