Bellaluna468
Surgery and Post Op
Oct 29, 2012
Day of surgery arrives, I wasn't nervous about the surgery, only nervous about the IV. I'm not an easy stick, so it's always a worry for me. It starts out fine, pregnancy test -- good to know I'm not having another set of twins.. ha ha
Then get changed... and wait for the nurse to get the IV started. I was poked once .. no luck. Twice.. no luck, top of my left hand.. no luck.. inside of left wrist... The anestesiologist arrives, she thinks she can get it... poked by the ankle.. no luck. Poked in right arm, no luck... on to get the ultrasound machine to assist.. Determination is .. I'm dehydrated badly. At this point, my only option is in my neck.. I started to freak out. I was crying ... I didn't want an IV in my neck! Then I find out I have to be entirely awake for this to happen! I really start to freak out.
I was wheeled back into the OR and inverted a bit, my head covered and was cut. I only wanted to hear that it worked... I did then it was lights out.
Next thing I know they were calling my name saying it was over and it went well.
Compared to the IV issues.. what I felt after waking up was nothing that I couldn't handle. My mouth was so dry! I could barely talk. I was surprised when they agreed that I could have ice chips. I had heard that most do not get any. I loved my few ice chips. No nausea. My back was killing me! I could not get comfortable it hurt so bad. I was taking pain medicine for my back and not my stomach.
I finally got assigned a room by 3pm. I was placed on a brand new floor of the remodeled hospital ... was the room nice! I immediately asked the nurse to walk. The nurse asked me to wait til 5pm. At 5 p.m. I did my first lap around the floor slowly. The nurse was thrilled that I was eager and asking to walk. She told me that most patients do not want to go walking.
I felt pretty good that night, was using my pain pump occasionally, but felt pretty good.
I realized later that night I was due for my period -- of all the rotten timing!! I was pretty confident the back pain was because my period was to begin.
I couldn't get comfortable in the bed, and building up pillows didn't work either. I had a recliner that I built up the pillows behind me and it felt a little better. I slept in the recliner.
Saturday morning still feeling pretty good.. I lost my pain pump. The IV in my neck was removed! That's when I started to go down hill a little. Although I tried to keep up with the pain medicine, if the nurses were late in delivering .. Oh well... I had to wait. I took an afternoon nap and was pretty wiped out. I slept a lot that evening in between visitors. I have a drain, it doesn't hurt.. just a nuisance. My husband learned how to administer the Lovenox shots. Hopefully his touch will improve.
Sunday... wake up to Aunt Flo! what a joy! That explained the back pain at least.
I just wanted to get out of the hospital. I had not passed gas yet. I was told I could shower, so I took a light shower to clean up my belly. I was informed that the drain that will remain for a week.... ick!
As soon as one of the Surgeon's from the practice came by... I was released!
Once at home, I fell asleep in the recliner. It was good to be home.
I had not had any pain medicine ... that was a mistake! We didn't fill it, because I was trying to be strong. BIG MISTAKE. Husband ran out to fill the prescription and an hour later I was feeling much better.
Monday morning... I wake up feeling pretty good. I slept in my own bed, propped up. I finally started passing gas!! YEAH The pressure in my tummy is going away.
I have been doing good on liquids as well. I made some Unjury Chicken Soup... WOW that was soooo good!!! It tasted just like Lipton Cup O Soup, without the noodles and has 21 grams of protein. I ordered a whole container!
If tomorrow is even better ... I CAN DO THIS!! YEAH!!
