A Sequel To "Eternity"~ While She Was Sleeping.

Chapter Eleven~The Two Important Operations.

-Joe-

It was midday and I drove Marcus to the hospital for his operation. We didn't speak  the whole journey, most likely because we were both sick from all the nerves that were brimming in the surface in our stomachs. He was also pale as he had to fast for eight hours for this operation, but he did not complain once, and I respected him for that. As soon as we arrived, he followed me onto the specific ward when we met up with the doctor. Marcus was told to change into a gown (followed by him making me laugh by him flashing his bottom at me) before having the intravenous (IV) line started in his arm. A catheter was then inserted into his bladder (ouch). He then lay on the bed where he was given an anaesthetic to put him to sleep before he was wheeled into the operation room, leaving me to wait. I hoped he was going to be okay.

A few hours later, he was wheeled out and was taken to recovery. Everything went swimmingly. I was asked to go in behind the screen so I could see Elena's operation, as I requested to. I watched them wheel her in and I was extremely anxious. A tube was  inserted through her mouth into her lungs. The tube was attached to a ventilator that would breathe for her during the procedure. The anesthesiologist was continuously monitoring her heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and blood oxygen level during the surgery. The skin over the site where they were operating on was cleansed with an antiseptic solution then the surgeon made a long incision into the lower abdomen on the one side. The surgeon then will visually inspected the donor kidney prior to implanting it. Marcus' kidney was placed into the abdomen. It was a right kidney so it was implanted on her left side. This allowed the ureter to be accessed easily for the connection to her bladder (as I read earlier in a leaflet). The renal artery and vein of the Marcus' kidney was sewn to the external artery and vein. After the artery and vein were attached, the blood flow through these vessels was be checked for bleeding at the sewn lines. The donor ureter (the tube that drains urine from the kidney) was connected to her bladder. The incision was closed with stitches and a drain was placed in the incision site to reduce swelling. Finally, a sterile bandage was applied. She had been given special medication to prevent rejection. I looked up at the surgeons and they gave me a thumbs up, allowing me to breathe properly after hours.

I visited Marcus in intensive care as he had to recover. "Is she okay?" Marcus asked immediately as he saw me. "Yes, all went smoothly. Thank you so much. How are you?" I replied. He shrugged.

"Well, I'm okay I guess. Exhausted more than anything, but I have morphine to stop the pain. I'm glad she's alright man." He smiled. I nodded and grinned at him.

"I truly owe you my life." I admitted. Marcus waved his hand and shook his head.

"I wouldn't have missed an opportunity to help my best friend, you don't owe me anything. It was a honour." He answered. I hugged him, very carefully, before going to see Elena, who was being checked over. "Everything seems to be fine sir. Your wife is a fighter alright." The doctor informed me. I kissed Elena on the forehead and nodded. "She sure is."