The surgery and the days after.

Aug 16, 2011

I promised an update and I wish I could have made it back to my computer before now, however, today was the best day I think :)

The morning of surgery, I was numb, I just wanted it over and got ready quickly and was off. The ride was full of giggles and conversation meant to distract me and I wasn't feeling too bad about the procedure even if I kept repeating quietly over and over "I can't do this."

I got to the surgery floor, checked in and after a brief wait, I was called back to change into my gown, collect vitals and start my IV. I asked for a medicine to calm my nerves right away and the nurse agreed and started flipping through my paperwork. Of course, my signed consent form was missing. The surgeon's office didn't have access to the paperwork and couldn't refax and my surgeon was still in his previous surgery. So I sat shaking for 3 hours. I cried so hard I almost got up out of the bed and left. Finally, Dr. Nease came out and was cheerful and reassuring. He signed a new consent right away and the nurse doped me. It was too little too late in my opinion because I was rolled into the operating room within the next 15 minutes.

I remember asking the anesthesiologist to let me know before he started to put me under and I remember a hollow and distant agreement but nothing after that until I woke up... sleeved.

Now, everyone is different regarding pain. I thought I could tolerate pain pretty well and would just be really sore when I woke up BUT I woke up to a huge gas bubble in my chest. I felt like I'd beeen hit by a car and remember begging for more pain meds. The nurse did comply but I think she had to dose me slowly and keep me awake to make sure I was fully back from being under anesthesia. After about 20 minutes, I felt uncomfortable but very calm and had the feeling of being wheeled into an elevator and into a dark quiet room.

It was peaceful. I felt nurses buzzing around me and injecting things into my belly, arm and IV and I heard my mom's voice. I remember her saying that it was almost 9pm. The nurses explained my pain pump and said they would be back at midnight for a stroll. They left me with lemony mouth swabs and a "puke tray".

When they can back at midnight, I woke up easily and felt pretty cheerful. I poked my pain button, gathered my pee bag and off we went. That gas bubble was still there but It had worked itself to my shoulder and seemed less severe. At least I could breathe.

That whole night I slept, walked and hit the button.

The next morning I was dry as a bone and my mouth tasted like a copper penny. Finally they wheeled me down to radiology to have my leak test. Those girls were a hoot. It seemed like they wrestled with my pee bag and my IV so much. Thy made me sip something akin to gasoline and the doctor said I appeared leak free, however, my new tummy was so swollen that I was draining into my intestines too slowly to pass me on to sips and chips.

So, he decided that we'd wait and try again... an hour later. I admit, I took the cold washcloth they gave me and sucked the corner for a teeny bit of water to get rid of the gasoline taste. He passed me but only sips and chips - no  other liquids and no big drinks of water.

I pestered my nursing staff for three cups of ice at a time and crunched and sucked on them so happily. It was heaven. But there was a worry that Dr. Nease would keep me another day... I thought, oh well, no problem. I can sip, walk and push this button forever.

The next day, I had a long shower and learned that wrestling with my JP drain was going to be challenging. An hour later, Dr. Nease popped in and said "wanna go home?"

After that, the IV was taken, Lortab Elixer was prescribed, catheter was removed, clothes were thrown on, incisions were given a last check and I was wheeled to the front door.

My home stay has been odd. I've been up and trotting around the house, making this and that to eat and sip. I've not slept a whole night in my bed because it's too uncomfortable.

Today, less than a week later, I got my JP drain out. Here's where my pain is confusing me. In some ways, I'm so glad it's gone. But it also seems like the hollow tube inside me that it left is aching soo sooo badly right now and my drain site is sore and warm. It has to get better tomorrow when I take a bath and let a little warm soapy water get to it. I hope.

Until then, I'm ssipping liquid Tylenol and trying to not move. The whole thing has made me more nauseous than anything else and I've only been able to keep down some milk this evening. Tomorrow will be better!

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