Wow! What a Trip?!?!?

Jul 18, 2012

Well, this is my first night home since surgery... so, in my Prince voice, "forgive me if I go astray!" I'm on the Lortab elixir for pain and I made the mistake of falling asleep for 2.5 hrs in a recliner and just awoke confused in pain. However, I want to jot this down before I forget ...

First off, my surgeon, anesthesiologist and host of nurses at Northeast Baptist Hospital were wonderful. While this has been my only inpatient surgery personal experience, I have witnessed many a hospital staff care for my family and friends. Everyone was very realistic and comforting to me regarding my care. Nothing in the pre-op classes, support groups or online forums can really prepare you for how your body will respond to surgery.  I'll do my best to recap my experience:

Day 1 - After I had 1 week pre-op diet, I arrived at the hospital at 5:30 AM on 7/16 to get ready for surgery. After signing consent forms and answering the same questions multiple times, the nurse place the anti-anxiety (aka "i don't care" serum) and I don't recall anything until the nurses woke me up in recovery. I immediately felt pressure and discomfort in my abdomen. Once in my room I requested more pain meds. I made myself walk every hour or more to release the CO2 gases by 3:00am the next morning, I was feeling more focused and the max. pain level was coming down.

Day 2 - Much better day, was cleared for an ice chip breakfast and saw the doctors. More walking and burping with baby steps throughout the halls and the room. Saw the doctor and started warm broth and sugar free popsicles. The broth really helps with the gases and nausea. Very sensitive to smells, even scents that I was a fan of previously (e.g. mom's perfume, husband's cologne)

Day 3 - All focus today was on getting out of the hospital! Upper GI was quick with good results. Thank goodness that there was no rolling around on the x-ray table just drinking a bitter liquid a few times while radiologist confirms no flow issues. I was able to FINALLY shower today to loosen up all of the tape and prepare to remove my drain and OnQ pain ball. NOTE: Request some pain meds at least 1 hour before this process begins, the drain removal was very uncomfortable.

All in all, I'm very grateful to be back at home and recovering. I was blessed to have my lil entourage / cheering section which provided priceless encouragement and reinforcement that I made the right decision.

So excited to see where this journey leads...

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