I'm home!!! Writhing with pain, but home!
Hi to all my dear, generous, supportive friends! My six-day hospital stay ended yesterday afternoon. Heartfelt appreciation and gratitude for the thoughts, prayers, calls, cards, gifts, flowers, plus the PMs and Emails awaiting my return A week ago today, after the four-hour surgery, the surgeon said everything went 'textbook', with no complications. Had no idea how severe the pain could be, with both thighs sutured from just below both knees up well into both sides of groin ! Not one complaint, no giving in to the pain. All was normal for high blood loss, though became anemic and had two red blood cell transfusions due to very low hemoglobin, causing weakness , nausea, and dizziness Due to the massive incisions,had a large hematoma (blood clot) in a labia. Felt and looked like a testicle, then it enlarged and split to that and two additional 'nuts'. The fabulous medical staff really appreciated/enjoyed (er, 
tolerated?!) my sense of humor toward that and other non-amusing occurrences. During the days I actually felt good, told them since I'm dressed early for Halloween with horrendous long stitches, then, I may as well keep them (medical staff) 'in 
stitches' too! Some days my face and stomach hurt from laughing so hard--especially after the two days of heaving.
Additionally, The hospital took five, yes, five days, to get my eating restrictions (from wt. loss surgery 7/25/06) correct.
First meal post-surgery was a big plate of roast beef and mashed potatoes SMOTHERED in gravy, a large dinner roll, and a bowl of chocolate mousse with large dollop of whipped cream! Sheesh, each meal was actually a repeated nightmare of simple carbs, very high sugar and high fat...ugh! Dietitian came to see me twice, yet it too****il the day before discharge, until the meals were finally appropriate and not sent back.
Had adverse reactions to high levels of morphine: hives, major gross all-over itching, then severe nausea and two full days of heaving. Lost three entire days not being able to keep a thing down, again got so weak....but gratefully being put on anti-nausea IV plus change of IV painkillers rectified that problem. Still have two drains, one in each thigh, which may be in for up to ten days. Plastic surgeon will be seeing me weekly for the time being, plus a home care nurse will stop by daily for the time being for dressing changes, suture checks, etc. Both thighs will be swollen and numb up to three or four months. Feels so good sitting in my comfy computer chair (very short intervals... due to pain, and constant red drainage which is totally normal) and catching up on so much Email, got so many cards to open, though sure won't get all done by end of the week. Will be home-bound the next four to six weeks, until swelling subsides and incision pain lessens. Then, will take up to four to six months for major swelling and thigh numbness to subside. Lots of rest, walking with a walker, and lying with feet elevated. One of my dear friends is with me until Tuesday, as because of the MS I cannot be alone for several days. So glad I had the choice of which surgery to have first, because after this one, the mini-lower abdomen lift in the spring will be a cinch! Can't believe there ARE surgeons who do both surgeries at the same time...which I originally thought this would be. Big time Ouchie! Have a wonderful day and week dear friends! Will be more active here as I get intervals of solid rest.
I'm destined for greatness,
I'm just pacing myself!
Hugs, Patti (one tough cookie!)
tolerated?!) my sense of humor toward that and other non-amusing occurrences. During the days I actually felt good, told them since I'm dressed early for Halloween with horrendous long stitches, then, I may as well keep them (medical staff) 'in stitches' too! Some days my face and stomach hurt from laughing so hard--especially after the two days of heaving.Additionally, The hospital took five, yes, five days, to get my eating restrictions (from wt. loss surgery 7/25/06) correct.
First meal post-surgery was a big plate of roast beef and mashed potatoes SMOTHERED in gravy, a large dinner roll, and a bowl of chocolate mousse with large dollop of whipped cream! Sheesh, each meal was actually a repeated nightmare of simple carbs, very high sugar and high fat...ugh! Dietitian came to see me twice, yet it too****il the day before discharge, until the meals were finally appropriate and not sent back. Had adverse reactions to high levels of morphine: hives, major gross all-over itching, then severe nausea and two full days of heaving. Lost three entire days not being able to keep a thing down, again got so weak....but gratefully being put on anti-nausea IV plus change of IV painkillers rectified that problem. Still have two drains, one in each thigh, which may be in for up to ten days. Plastic surgeon will be seeing me weekly for the time being, plus a home care nurse will stop by daily for the time being for dressing changes, suture checks, etc. Both thighs will be swollen and numb up to three or four months. Feels so good sitting in my comfy computer chair (very short intervals... due to pain, and constant red drainage which is totally normal) and catching up on so much Email, got so many cards to open, though sure won't get all done by end of the week. Will be home-bound the next four to six weeks, until swelling subsides and incision pain lessens. Then, will take up to four to six months for major swelling and thigh numbness to subside. Lots of rest, walking with a walker, and lying with feet elevated. One of my dear friends is with me until Tuesday, as because of the MS I cannot be alone for several days. So glad I had the choice of which surgery to have first, because after this one, the mini-lower abdomen lift in the spring will be a cinch! Can't believe there ARE surgeons who do both surgeries at the same time...which I originally thought this would be. Big time Ouchie! Have a wonderful day and week dear friends! Will be more active here as I get intervals of solid rest.
I'm destined for greatness,
I'm just pacing myself!
Hugs, Patti (one tough cookie!)
Never let your memories be greater than your dreams.
Patti, from the sounds of it you are a tougher cookie that anyone thought you were! I am not sure that I could do that. I have a high tolerance of pain but I just don't know.
I am glad that you are home and at least back with us. I am keeping you in special prayers and hoping that you are soon back to being just our much loved Patti.
Take care of yourself and do everything you are suppose to.
I am glad that you are home and at least back with us. I am keeping you in special prayers and hoping that you are soon back to being just our much loved Patti.
Take care of yourself and do everything you are suppose to.
It's not what you gather, but what you scatter
that tells what kind of life you have lived.
Patti,
You are a real trooper! You made me laugh with your description of everything and I'm sure you sense of humor will get you through the worst of it!
I hope the remainder of the this process gets easier and the pain tolerable as you begin to heal!
Prayers and healing thoughts coming to you, Laureen
You are a real trooper! You made me laugh with your description of everything and I'm sure you sense of humor will get you through the worst of it!
I hope the remainder of the this process gets easier and the pain tolerable as you begin to heal!
Prayers and healing thoughts coming to you, Laureen
My Mantra is that I do not determine my success by the number hanging in my closet, nor will I let the scale determine that success either. . . It is through trial and error I will continue to grow and succeed. . . Laureen
"Success is a journey, not a destination." Ben Sweetland
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