Entries this day: first-day-in-hospital its-been-a-minute remove-titanium-plate-surgery-photos-nsfl

first day in hospital

10:10

I checked in to the hospital today to get the titanium plate removed from my shoulder. It's been there for 19 years, so it's time for it to move out to its own home.

14:57

A few nurses have come by to check my vitals and my awareness: "what's your full name?" "where on your body will the surgery be?"

I've been asked twice so far, and the second time I asked why she's asking. She said it's to double check, and they'll ask me again tomorrow before and after surgery (I think)

The most recent nurse asked me if I have any questions. "Hai~ Can y'all take photos for me during the surgery?"

She was like "???" so I showed her the photos from when I got the plate inserted. She said she'll ask the doctor. I'm optimistic!

16:12

Yayyy!! My original surgeon will be doing the surgery tomorrow. He came by and said hello and that he'll have them take photos for me. I'm so happy!

its been a minute

My surgeon just came by to say hi and check on me.

He said a thin layer of bone had grown over the plate (during the 19 years since it was attached to my clavicle)

I'm bummed they didn't give me a picture of that.

remove titanium plate surgery photos nsfl

It took the nurse a while to decide where to insert this IV. She checked my arm for a while then went with the back of my hand.

https://b.robnugen.com/journal/2025/surgery/2025_aug_13_iv_in_back_of_my_hand_1000.jpeg

Curious about the drip chamber, I turned it sideways, inadvertently sending an air bubble down the tube. Oops! I went to the nursing station and one of the nurses flicked the tube to sort it out.

https://b.robnugen.com/journal/2025/surgery/2025_aug_13_don't_tip_drip_chamber_1000.jpeg

The most unexpected part: The anaesthesiologist said in Japanese "okay, I'm beginning to inject the medicine.." 薬始まります (or something), I thought "okay, I wonder when.. " and then the surgery was done!

There didn't seem to be any passage of time. It was weird amazing 😳

But apparently they did it!

https://b.robnugen.com/journal/2025/surgery/2025_aug_13_plate_in_1000.jpeg

https://b.robnugen.com/journal/2025/surgery/2025_aug_13_ricoh_plate_in_1000.jpeg

https://b.robnugen.com/journal/2025/surgery/2025_aug_13_plate_coming_out_1000.jpeg

https://b.robnugen.com/journal/2025/surgery/2025_aug_13_plate_still_coming_out_1000.jpeg

I took a couple of photos once I got back to my room.

https://b.robnugen.com/journal/2025/surgery/2025_aug_13_yall_got_any_more_of_them_plates_1000.jpeg https://b.robnugen.com/journal/2025/surgery/2025_aug_13_peace_1000.jpeg

One of the nurses elevated my lower arm, so it was hard to use my phone. I guess I should sleep.

https://b.robnugen.com/journal/2025/surgery/2025_aug_13_keep_arm_elevated_1000.jpeg

I couldn't sleep at first, but I rested without falling asleep and then I noticed the sound from the oxygen tube stopped for a second then came back on.

It's coming from a supply in the wall, so I'm 99.99% sure it was my ears falling asleep for little micro naps.

Consciousness is fascinating!