A few hours after the surgery…..

We checked in at the Wooridul Spine Hospital on Sunday, August 10, 2025.

In preparation for his surgery the next day, Edmund’s vital organs were checked, such as kidneys, heart, lungs, complete blood chemistry, etc.   It was as if he was having an executive check up.

The morning of his scheduled surgery, more tests were done.  They called Edmund’s attention about the cyst in his kidney.  It’s been there a long time and it is benign.    Cysts are common and they appear as we age, as long as they’re benign.

A male nurse came to our room on Sunday night with a  set of questionnaires.  He explained the surgery procedure and the concomitant risks involved.  We got so worried hearing all these possible scenarios such as loss of the ability to move or walk forever or permanent paralysis, should any of the nerves got injured.   My head started to spin.  It was a realization that the operation could end bad and instead of having an improved quality of life,  my husband could be wheelchair bound forever.  I wanted to back out na lang.  I told my husband there’s still time to back out.

Edmund had fully paid the hospital invoice in the afternoon of August 7, immediately after his doctor consultation.  Masyadong mabilis.  Now we are bound here.  Pero sa worry ko,  hayaan mo na nga if they will not refund the money, although it’s huge as in capital H.  Pero sa nerbyos ko,  hayaan mo.  Uwi na lang kami.  They can deduct all the costs of the tests done and our one day hospital stay.

My husband’s blood pressure remained elevated 150/92,  160/100.  I am sure it’s a reaction of everything that’s happening around him.  I am sure if I check mine,  ganyan din sa nerbyos ko.   My heart is pounding from tremendous worry.

When we asked if my husband could see Dr. Bae,  they said yes he will at the operating room.  I said “no,  we want to see him in the morning, before the operation,  not in the operating room.”

When Dr. Bae came to 1407 Ward where we are staying,  he assured Edmund that the incision will only be an inch, and he will use microscopic instruments, that Edmund will be okay, no worries.  With that assurance,  my husband relaxed and decided it’s a go.

Edmund— “Doc,  you will take care of me right?  Take care of me.”

My husband was wheeled into the operating room on the 9th or 10th floor at  past noon.  I wasn’t allowed to go beyond the ante room.   I left him under the care of this hospital and trusted the heavens will take care of him.

I figured the surgery would last for 1.5 hours or give and take 2.  I took this as an opportunity to look for an adapter.  Dito kasi bilog yung butas.  I went to three different convenience stores but they didn’t have.  I saw a nice store specializing in high end art frames.  I figured maybe they speak English.  And lucky for me, yes,  a young fellow there helped me find the right store.  Ang hirap magtanong kasi walang marunong mag English or I don’t speak Korean.

When I went back to the room at around 2:30 om,  my husband was already there together with 3 nurses.

He was still dizzy from the operation but otherwise talking coherently and could move his legs.   He was coughing from throat irritation due to the insertion of a tube into his throat.

I was asked to keep him awake for the next one hour.  And wake him up every 15-30 minutes.  Not to feed him for the next 8 hours after the operation.  He can eat rice, soup, and have water at 10:20 pm.

I didn’t have to wake him up.  He, surprisingly, couldn’t sleep until past 10 pm.
The surgeon, Dr. Junseok Bae, came to check on him at 5 pm.

A nurse came over twice to drain the blood that accumulated from Edmund’s surgery.

A medical staff picked him up from the room and wheeled him to basement I for post operative MRI to check how the operation went.

He felt relieved, I did too, that he could move his legs.  He could still walk.

The first thing that I said,  “Tart, we can now go back to New York, kaya mo ng maglakad ng ilang blocks.”

Why all of a sudden New York?  Kasi a few times nabanggit nya he hasn’t been back to New York ever since our daughter graduated from Fordham.  Last daw nya yung graduation ni Oyen. That was 15 years ago na ba?    I mentioned it to him as a form of motivation to feel better.