Home & Recovering, THANKS For the Support!

Mar 04, 2012

Hey there!  Long time no chat?!  I am home, and finally allowed to have my laptop, so I can share what all has been happening...

Anyone who knows me, knows I have to be forced to take it easy, and I have been "supervised" since I got home Friday afternoon.  It's like my family and friends don't trust me, this is where you would hear me snort as I laugh at that last comment!  Anyhow, I am doing great, in my opinion!  I am taking oxycodone and Tylenol for pain, and taking care of my own personal hygiene, which includes stripping (or milking) my drains.  Yup, other than the fact I am not able to stand more than ten minutes at a time - I start to swell - which is NOT comfortable, I think I am getting around - my home - pretty well.  I haven't left the house since Friday, so I haven't a clue what my first field trip may be... Sadly, I am accepting the kindness of my family - cooking for me, and I did try to sneak in a load of laundry - I did get a "talking to" for that... "You are NOT supposed to lift the laundry basket, and you better not tell me you BENT DOWN to get the clothes..."  Okay, okay, I'll stop helping, sheesh!

The pain at first was definitely something less than enjoyable.  Yeah, I am not one of those whip me, beat me, kind of women, go figure?!  I am now on day five (I think) post op, and frankly, other than the swelling, it really isn't too bad.  I am no longer taking 10 - 15 mg of Oxycodone every four hours, I am instead taking just 5 mg.  Which, to those around me is good, Oxycodone makes me wired like a caffeinated squirrel!  I am able to shower by myself, and I take it very slowly.  My body cincher - or bindings - is easier for me to put on, and I can do it by myself, finally!  Before it was a three person job (two nurses & me).  The getting my panties & shorts to work alongside the drain tubes is interesting, but I am getting the hang of it.  Last night at 2 in the morning, I realized I made a crucial mistake, my panties UNDER the cincher, so I had to do a modified pee-pee dance.  Lesson learned: Gauze between cincher & incision, then the drain tubes come from under cincher at the bottom, then the panties - feeding the tubes through the legs, and I forgot the drain belt, which goes on over the cincher and under my shorts!

I am REALLY swollen, but a quick wrap of my measuring tape over my hips shows 5 inches off, so far!  Heck, I am already pretty excited, but know it will be more once the swelling is done.  I have to drain my two drain tubes - one on each hip - a few times  day, and I even do them at night.  With all this fluid retention, I am forced to do something that is rare for me - bathroom trips at night!  My nickname is "The Camel," as I can make it through the night - every night - without trips to the bathroom.  I figure it was from my childhood training -- youngest in the family, and my parents didn't like to stop very often on road trips... All that training is out the window!  I am not having a blowout with this incision!!!  So, I am a little groggy, but have no problem trying to roll off my bed, get my feet under me, and stagger to the bathroom two or three times a night.

The photos will be added - but I still need some of me standing.  I promise to take LOTS, so I will share from before, immediately after, and days, weeks, then month or more out.  From my little scars from previous procedures, I am hoping my scars will be faint.  I have such pale skin, and my stretch marks aren't dark at all.  I am for sure back on all my vitamins & supplements, but NOT allowed to use any creams on the incision -- it is glued with something similar to Super Glue, and Neosporin actually can cause the "glue" to melt away.  I saw some of my stitches last night on my right hip, so I will behave & allow my body to heal.  This is where I say that I will fight myself to take things slowly, even if it drives me wonky!

One of the surgeons - I don't know if he is an Intern, or the exact term - spoke with me before I was discharged -- they should be some photos of my flesh after it was removed -- guess who will be asking for copies?  If I do get them, i will be happy to share them.  I am surprised I forgot to ask in the first place, sigh.  My surgeon, Dr Keith Paige is not only a FABULOUS surgeon, he has an unbelievably huge heart.  He actually talked to me about my wanting anything from him before surgery, I asked, "Could you send my primary doctor a note, she doesn't know I got moved up a month..." He actually told me he would - and DID - call her!  I really owe Dr Paige a token of my gratitude, now to just think, what??? My primary doctor LOVES a brand of tea I turned her onto, so when I am in Hawaii, I always get her a couple boxes of pineapple tea (HiTea.com - fabulous stuff!).  I will figure something out, I really am so overjoyed with what he has given me!!!

Seeing my thighs is AMAZING.  It is funny the things we take for granted.  Anyhow - THANK YOU for all the well wishers who have supported me!!!  Staying positive will help my recovery, and frankly makes folks enjoy seeing me when I am not feeling my best -- so STAY POSITIVE!

I have one swimsuit going out, anyone else interested in any of the swimsuits in my album - please mark the the photo & send me a private message -- I will be able to slowly get the swimsuits out to new homes!  Thanks for the donated suits, and for those receiving them - swim & enjoy the suits in GOOD HEALTH!

Brenda : )~

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