OT...I am back!

Yes, I am finally home!  And I mean FINALLY.  Two surgeries and 9 days later.  I cannot believe how strong my will and how strong my body really is.  This will be long, so warning, stop now, because I am sure this will be boring.

Got to the hospital on the 6th, was asleep by 8 and was awake in recovery at 1140.  I was pretty sore, but they have some wonderful drugs.  There was a spot in my spine that hurt pretty bad, and it was where they placed in a drain.  The surgery site was not bad, I have had worse pain, and that would be the knee replacements.  I was up and moving the next day.  All was going well.  This was on Thurs, Friday went well, Sat, was ok, but I had this incredibly bad headache.  I mean, if you have never had a spinal headache, and never had a mirgraine, you have NEVER had a headache like this.  I would cry, I would push my pain pump, they were giving me percocet, they were giving me demoral shots, they were giving me morphine in pill form and nothing was helping.  I have never and hope to never have one again like that.  On Sunday my doctor came in, he told me that he was thinking he may have to go back in and check out my back again.  He did tell me that there was extensive work done on my back, that there were 4 vertabras that he worked on, there was no spinal fluid going to my lower back, he had to drill out the area, the place in some stitches where he has done that.  I was already feeling the good effects of the surgery.  Feeling was returning to my back, to my feet, and to my legs.  But he was concerned there was another problems.  Anyway, I had nothing to eat on Monday, no fluids no anything and at 4 pm, they came to take me away again. I remember going in at 4:30 and getting back to my room around 9.  Once again, pain pump, I hate IV's and I was already on number 4, two drains, drugs, and the food was lousy.  That night was the worst night of my life, I filed a formal complaint against one of my nurses that night, and for the rest of my stay I did not have to be afraid of this woman taking care of me again.

Doctor came in on Tues morning and said to me, "Bet you don't have a headache?"  He was SO right.  I was leaking spinal fluid and when he went back in there, he fixed me right up. Today I am on the mend,  My hips are hurting really bad from burciticus (sp) hopefully that will work itself out.  I spent the night in my chair, slept for the first time in 4 nights.  I slept hard for about 4 hours stints.  I just talked to Dougie and I don't even remember this, he said about 1 this morning I was yelling in my sleeping.  I would get quiet and then yell....humm can you say, too much drugs, so this morning I woke, slept like a baby last night, went potty, have had breakfast, and am feeling pretty good except for my hip. 

I would like to spend the time to thank everyone individually and I am going to try and send each and everyone of you a special email.  Those of you who drove over, near and far, my goodness...I am amazed at the friendship you have shown.  Those who have called, thank you so much.  Made a miserable, painful time, easier to go through.  For everyone who thought about me, prayed for me, cared in every little way, you made my surgery easier.  When I was brought into surgery both times, I felt the love from you and from God, and there was NO FEAR!  I felt everyones arms around me protecting me from anything harmful, and I knew that things would be well.

I thank each and everyone of you, This is a group of some of the most awesome people I have ever met, and those of you that are on here, that are friends, you will be friends for life.  This is a truly amazing group.  The love that is showen to everyone on here, is so true, the friendship that everyone shows is genuine.  I love you all, and one more time.....THANK YOU!

Diane

It is great to see your smiling face, Diane--welcome home!

So good to see you are home and finally on the mend.  It may have been a tough one, but you are a tough gal.  Knew you'd shine at the end.  Now just rest and continue getting better.

Hugs to you,
Steph

Hey beautiful! Glad you're home and feeling better. Give me a call if you need anything, or want company. Good to see your smiling face around here again. XOXOXO

~Katt~

yes, that was a long post, diane, but for those of us who have been praying and wondering how you are doing, it was "just what the doctor ordered"....

I'm glad you are home... feeling more like yourself...resting comfortably... and that you have a GREAT doctor!! It's awesome that he knew just what was wrong...

take it slowly now, ok?

good to see you back...

love,
Lori

So glad you are okay!!!

Lisa

Diane,
so glad you are now on the mend and at home.  I know I always feel better at home.

Diane,

I am so glad that you are home, my friend. Please don't try to do too much. Your post made me teary eyed. I am glad that I was able to go down with Rhonda and Becky the couple of times we did. I will call you soon, or you call me. I know you have to catch up on your rest. I don't want to wake you. Please tell Doug I said Hi.Love you to the moon and back.

Much love, soft and gentle hug, and forever friendship,

Michelle,
Just have to say...Love the new avatar!  You look fabulous!

~Naomi

Welcome home honey!    So glad that you are re-couping well!   Now get off that Damn Barker Lounger and do a couple of laps around the bedroom or something!  You got to do that 3 times a day!   Then in a week I will be there running your butt up and down the stairs and the hills and all that!  If you even think of Saying Bite me it is going to be 50 pushups so behave and do what you are told!  O.k. how many times did you wander around today?  Only once?  Get up and do another lap around the bedroom right now before I drive over there and get out my whip!

Love you gal, be good and behave yourself.

Rhonda