pismogirl
Post Op Day 5
May 27, 2013
Happy Memorial Day!
Well I'm 5 days post op. My husband and I drove 3 hours to Bakersfield Ca to San Joaquin Community Hospital where I had my surgery. San Joaquin is a beautiful hospital with a look of a nice hotel. The lobby has marble floors beautiful decor and big comfy chairs.We stayed the night in a comfy hotel though I didn't get much sleep.
My arrival time was 5:30 though I was up showered and ready to go by 4:45. I made sure to shave my legs and arms because only God knows when I'll be able to do that again. Fortunately not too long. After arriving at the hospital Greg, our greeter dressed like a bell man took us to the pre surgery room. When I got there I was a bit nervous but mostly excited. My nurse's name was Greta and she was wonderful. So sweet and kind and took her time. I was given my lovely gown, socks and cap and changed then answered a battery of questions to Greta. I requested a lidocaine shot before my IV because I've had bad experiences and she was very agreeable. I met all the surgical party before kissing my hubs a quick good bye and wheeled up to surgery. The room was brightly lit and cold but had some funky jazz playing while my anesthesiologist Shawn and my head surgery nurse Tara got me ready. By then it was 740. I scooched over onto the table and Shawn gave me the "oxygen" mask. He asked me to breath deeply. I joke and said some good oxygen is just the thing I needed. I took 2 deep breaths and was out. When I awoke Great was talking to me and I couldn't believe it was over. It was 3 hours later. I had a scar on my stomach from a car accident when I was a child that had caused some scar tissue inside and a couple of hernias that the Dr had to clean up before he could precede.
I was wheeled up to my room answered a few questions then my folks sister and hubby were let in. I wanted to walk immediately because I'd heard the sooner you get moving the better but my body was still under the influence so I waited a few hours. I felt so weak. It was unbelievable. The pain wasn't too bad but I was using the morphine pump they gave me every 20 minutes. I was able to use the restroom right away and that helped a lot. That night I didn't sleep too well because it hurts to roll over and I'm a side sleeper and the hospital beds are horrible!
The day after surgery was probably the worst day for me. That was when I was the most sore but I kept up with my walking and breathing exercises with the coaching of my sweet hubby. I tried not to stay in bed more than 2 hours at a time during the day and I think that helped. I would switch to a chair or go to the bathroom then walk but just got up so I wouldn't stiffen up. I had to have my IV changed that day because it blew a vein. Unfortunately my nurse could not give me lidocaine because it had to be approved by my Dr and they couldn't reach him. I ended up having the IV put in after a small anxiety episode. It wasn't too bad and I was kinda proud of myself.
On Friday I got a shot in my belly of an anti clotting medication. I was warned it would burn but felt nothing. I got my first shower, which was delicious. Got to shave my legs and lube up with moisturizer and I felt human again.I was feeling pretty good so went off the morphine pump around 6pm. I was feeling mild pain but not too much that I couldn't distract myself from it and I was nervous about getting home and only having vicodin. I stayed an extra day in the hospital because of the distance from home and hubby got to stay with my because all the hotels were sold out for Friday night So he got a taste of what nights in the hospital are like.
Saturday morning came and I got another shot of anti clotting med again no pain involved, must be all the fat on my belly. I washed up, packed up and waited to sign my discharge papers. By noon I was rolled out of my room. All of my nurses that were on duty wished me well and waived us off. I was rolled down to the entry where our truck was brought up from the valet. Yes San Juaquin Community Hospital has free valet parking.
That afternoon I unpacked had some broth and took a nap. Later we went to my folks for a spaghetti feed with my family. I had some Good Earth tea while everyone loaded up on food. It’s getting easier t watch everyone eat while I sip but I can’t wait to chew food.
Sunday, fourth day post op, I woke up and felt pretty good. Had another cup of Good Earth and ½ a bottle of Smart Water by noon. Did a couple of loads of laundry, unloaded the dishwasher and showered. Then had a cup of Vegetable and Chicken broth by Swanson. It’s not my favorite but it’s all I had in the house. I prefer Trader Joes broths. Their low carb, low sodium and taste great. That evening my hubby took me to the grocery store. Got caught up for the week since I won’t be driving anywhere even though I’m not taking any pain meds.
Monday, Happy Memorial Day! Today I get to start my Full Liquids! Yay! Made blueberry buckwheat pancakes for the family and cream of wheat with a bit of oatmeal for me. I even made sure to make it run off the spoon. I added some vanilla and a couple of tsp’s of SF Torani English Toffee for flavor. It was fabulous. We went to the movies and after stopped at Baja Fresh for some dinner. They have a fabulous Chicken Tortilla Soup. If you ask they’ll strain the meat and vegies out. It’s still pretty hearty but I just spit it in a napkin. That’s a trick I learned while on the liquid diet. If I was jonesing to chew some food I would take a bite of what I wanted, chew it up slowly, savour the flavor then spit it out in the garbage. No harm done. My soup had a few chunks of chicken in it and I thought I’d do the same but my hubby distracted me and I accidentally swallowed it. For a moment I panicked inside but I settled myself took a couple of sips of water and waited. Nothing happened. It passed through.
It’s 4 hours later and still no problem so I think I’m good hopefully. One thing is I’m really diligent about taking my vitamins, getting at least 40 oz of water in a day and making sure I get my protein. It seems to be working. I also keep a food and water log which helps.
I’m excited about the new me that is emerging. She’s stronger and more disciplined and I can’t wait to see her finally emerge in full looking back at me in the mirror.
