TORTURE!!!

I was able to go to the ENT today. When I made the appt., I asked if I needed to bring anyone with me. The nurse told me that they wouldn't do any procedures for this appt. WRONG! I'm glad it's fixed, but I definitely have a story to tell.

You might want to stop reading if you're squeamish

(it's not really that bad, but I'm giving you fair warning!)

I went to University Hospital since there were more doctors available on the insurance there. That also meant younger doctors. The doctor my appointment was made with saw me first (not young), while another doctor (young) was in the room typing all the notes on the computer. After the doctor decided it was broken and could be fixed, he went out and another young doctor came in. He talked to me about what the procedure was, had me sign the consent, and took me into the procedure (torture) room.

The first step is numbing. If I had known exactly how this happens, I might not have had it fixed... Anyway, the young doctor soaks some gauze on a wire with string hanging off of it (I wish I could find a picture, but I did see that they are called tampons...) with cocaine - now I'm a druggy ;). Then they put it in your nose (2 each nostril) and just when you think it can't possibly go any further up (or hurt worse), oh, yes it can!!! OUCH!!!!! So those get to sit in your nose for a while to start numbing things. Meanwhile, you're crying, and the young doctor doesn't offer you anything to wipe the tears and he leaves the room.

The young doctor comes back in a few minutes for the next part of the numbing procedure. This time it's a shot in each nostril. Think of the dentist... Since he's a young doctor, though, there are a few pokes before it's in the right spot, then the BURNING!!! More crying and this time some bleeding. Still no tissues or anything and alone again in the room. Eventually he comes back and sees I need something, puts one of those cute blue plastic things you sit on after having a baby on your chest (too late, blood already on the shirt...) and a gauze to wipe some of the blood.

After a few more minutes, it's time to numb the outside of the nose. Since my tongue was feeling numb, I figured it wouldn't be too bad. WRONG!!! One on each side again. I really was surprised how much those two still hurt after all of the other steps!!! Alone again.

Now it's time to move the nose back into place. The other young doctor comes in and offers his hand to squeeze. I said I'd just keep grabbing the bed. At this point I ask, "How many of these have you done." "I'm not really sure." Quiet. Other young doctor says, "It's definitely not the first time for any of us." FABULOUS! So, blunt instrument up the left nostril, a small pop, some pushing, etc. None of this really hurts, thank goodness, except for the apparent poke in the nose that still hasn't quite stopped bleeding... Not young doctor comes in to look, it needs a little more, still doesn't really hurt and done with that part. A little cleaning of the nose, placement of the tape, placement of the guard, cleaning of the blood between my nose and mouth (most of it, at least) and I'm done. Gee, that was easy.

I am glad to have it fixed, but I do wish that someone was with me to at least help me wipe my tears! It's probably good that Jim is out of town and didn't have to witness the blood, though!