Starting Cpr

I love that moment where the anesthesiologist is standing over you and you’re watching the mask descend onto your face by her tightly-gloved hands. “Chin up, take some deep breaths for me,” she commands.

Then, the mask is on. She’s holding it on with enough pressure to create a tight seal, and you feel it on the bridge of your nose. The oxygen is pure, but the mask smells plasticky.

The other nurse then reaches over and holds the mask while the anesthesiologist attaches a large, white syringe to your IV and tells you that you’re about to feel sleepy. She starts to inject the propofol, and you feel the warmth in your vein.

The propofol is almost gone, and so are you. Your vision softens and blurs, sounds feel further away, warmth creeps up your vein. A brief moment of euphoria, then your eyelids flutter, and you’re gone.

You’re blissfully unaware of everything happening now. The anesthesiologist takes control of the mask again. For a brief moment, both nurses have their gloved hands on the mask, making sure it is on tight.

The anesthesiologist lets the nurse hold the mask once more. She picks up a medium, clear syringe and attaches it to your IV. She injects the paralytic quickly, lavender hands working in practiced precision.

She asks the nurse to remove the mask. She rips off a piece of tape, shuts your left eye, with her right pointer finger, and secures it with tape.

She rips another piece, closes your left eye with her left pointer finger, and secures it with tape. She runs her fingers over both eyes, ensuring the tape will stay in place.

The anesthesiologist retakes control of the mask. Her left hand clamps it on, her grip much more firm than before. Her fingers wrap and your chin and squeeze to ensure a tight seal, while her right hand squeezes the breathing bag, forcing oxygen into your lungs.

This lovely anesthesiologist is going to take us on an all-encompassing anesthesia journey. This is Part 1: Pre-Op. This stage covers the first few things that patients go through before a procedure.

First, the nurse takes you into the prep room. You change into a gown, and she puts a hairnet on your head. Then she asks you questions. What medications do you take? When did you last eat? Do you smoke? Drink? Do recreational drugs? Have you had surgery before?

Then she takes your vitals. Her stethoscope roams across your chest and back as you take deep breaths. A pulse oximeter goes on your pointer finger. Everything is slightly high from nerves, but we move forward.

Next, she puts on purple gloves. They’re tight, and she releases each with a snap of the wrist cuff. Then she takes your hand and has you hold your arm out. She lets go, and starts poking with her finger to find a good vein. She finds one, and reaches for a wipe to clean it the area. It’s cold and smells like antiseptics. Then she gets the needle, uncaps it, lines it up, and says “big pinch.” You get scared, but the needle slides in with little more than a pinch. She connects your fluids, which feel cool as they enter your vein.

Then the anesthesiologist comes in. She talks to you and begins to move you to the OR. She’s pushing from behind you while the nurse steers from the side. You watch the square ceiling tiles roll by as they talk to you and try to keep you calm.

Then you turn the corner. The gurney stops as the nurse scans her badge, quickly followed by the OR doors opening with a hiss.

The gurney starts moving once again. As you cross the threshold of the OR, it begins to feel like there’s no going back. The cold air and antiseptic smell hits you as they push you in further.

As you approach the operating table, the nurse walks around the other side as the anesthesiologist parks the gurney. The anesthesiologist grabs the IV bag and the nurse move the IV line out of the way as she asks (tells) you to scoot over.

You put your hand on the operating table and start to scoot over. It’s tricky because your gown gets caught under you, so you have to move slowly. The cool air of the OR hits your arms, giving you chills.

The anesthesiologist hangs the IV bag as you settle onto the table. The nurse pushes the gurney away, comes back, and raises the armrest. You lay back as they start working around you.

Since I can only post 10 photos at a time, it will take a few installments to tell the whole story…

She collapsed to the ground, curled up in pain from the unbearable pressure in her chest.

All her coworkers had already clocked out, but she had insisted on finishing the work she had left undone.

Her breathing grew rapid, and the pain spread from her chest to her arm.

Was this what a heart attack felt like?