9-1-21
Today marks 4 weeks since my open heart surgery from which I am recovering nicely albeit too slow for me.
Delirium is a condition common after operations like mine causing the victim to be temporarily confused, disoriented, and often agitated. It is serious and never taken lightly by medical teams.
On the other hand, in cases like mine, the outcome can be somewhat humorous. Please understand both of the episodes I experienced were totally real and very scary until I became grounded in reality.
It was my second night in the “step-down unit” where I was moved following 30 hours in the ICU. Bobbi had departed and immediately before turning off the TV I was watching a news program outlining the many problems facing the United States.
Several hours after lights out a nurse noticed I was talking in my sleep, gesturing emphatically with my arms, and was obviously pretty agitated. She of course woke me up and started working calmly to get me settled down. We had a long conversation reviewing where I was and reassuring me I was safe.
As she prepared to turn off my lights and leave I ask her if she’d answer one last question for me? She was willing so this was my question: “Can you assure me that I’m not the President of the United States?”
She laughed and made sure I understood and off to sleep I went. It’s funny now, but very real that night.
My second trip into the state of delirium came two nights later at about 2:30 in the morning. I awoke in my dark hospital room, but I was completely baffled as to where I was. My hospital bed didn’t seem like a bed but rather some kind of trough where I thought I’d been thrown. Having no idea I was still in the hospital I was convinced there had been some kind of airplane accident. My IV was tangled and my gown was wet. At one point I got on my hands and knees thinking I needed to crawl over the side of the trough I was in, but my legs wouldn’t cooperate so exhausted I laid down to think.
Then, I noticed my cell phone next to my bed. I grabbed it and considered calling Bobbi, my wife, but decided it wouldn’t be good to disturb her at three in the morning. So, after careful consideration I calmly dialed 911.
A very professional lady answered and listened as I told her I had been a patient at the Cleveland Clinic, but there had been an accident and I did not know where I was. I was able to tell her my name, date of birth, and even my building and room number. We had a nice conversation and then she asked me if I’d tried yelling for help.
Since I had not tried yelling for help I gave it a try but to no avail. But, in just a few minutes my nurse; Max opened my door and looked surprised that I was awake. I shared my story with him, told the 911 lady all was well, and turned my attention to Max who seemed unfazed by my story.
He assured me events like my mine did happen often to which I asked “Are you telling me someone goes bat (blank) crazy almost every night. He assured me that was correct. Still baffled I called Bobbi who came immediately and found me still somewhat upset and confused.
My surgeon shared some delirium stories with me the next morning assuring me they were normal following surgeries. I’ve since heard some other good ones. Delirium is scary when it happens, but is often good for a laugh later. You know, I’d never called 911 before – that was a thrill. The Cleveland Clinic has its own police force and 911 number, so my call didn’t cause widespread panic.
Being confused after surgery is serious and should never be taken lightly. I’m just glad both my adventures had happy endings.
I’m Steve Sauder
