Before we begin...

     What follows is some of the most haunting parts of my surgery.  Haunting because I'm not always so sure what was and was not.  I've done a bit of research and find no real good explanations.
     I wish to put these things in order.  This are just my recollections, with a good bit of fantasy around it.  You will be able to tell, even though I shall point out which I thing is which.
     There will be no discussion of pain, for I was not in pain or on pain medications.  Nor will there be much....in the way of.....medical talk.
     Let me start by saying my first 3 OPH surgeries, I ran extremely high temperatures because of the anesthesia.  We're talking 104 range if I remember being told.  My experiences were varied then.
     The first I vaguely remember being there.  Old fashioned ventilator, on which to this day I can still remember watching with fascination when I somehow got hiccups.  Remember a older roommate named Barney, he'd had a bypass, be lieing to you if I told you I remembered how much.  Cannot simply remember much more, don't think I stayed to long.
     The second.  This was under the auspices of my new pediatric cardiologist, whom I refer to as the butcher of my life.  That is another story.  He kept me in ICU for over a week.  This was when hospitals didn't even have t.v. in rooms then. Best 2 memories there was that I was rarely alone.  There was an amazing blue eyed baby named Tommy I think, all the nurses loved him.  My surgeon, who did all 3 of my surgeries came to see me.  I was chipper, a little anxious.  I remember him smiling, saying we'll get you out of here, outside of the room yelling, "Get me, dumb asses name here, on the phone!  There's no reason to have him in ICU over a week!"  Bless that dude.
     First 2 surgeries I was in the hospital minimum 4 months after surgery.
     Third, I remember almost nothing.  In and out of of the hospital a day to a week. 
     There are little memories I could recall I suppose.  Friends, nurses vaguely.  Myself being a wretched being I think.  The excruciating boredom of a child being held in a hospital.  Oh there is so much more, but I digress.
     In conclusion I shall give you the best description I can of ICU as I remember it, and of course the rest of my stay.  Until then.