raerin
Week One post-op
Jul 26, 2010
Wow, so I'm almost done with week 1 post-op. I had the surgery Wednesday, July 21 - the day after my daughter's 20th birthday. Hated that I had to spend her bday on the pre-op clean-out but we were able to celebrate the weekend before. I was 20 when I gave birth to her, and now 40 when I'm attempting to give birth to an better version of me. I like the poetry of that. This has been a year or two of many changes (for the better) and this surgery will become a huge part of it.I'll save my whole journey story for another post, because for now I want to focus on this week one.
Day One - Surgery Day: Surgery was scheduled for 11:00, but I was warned it may be a little late so the surgical team could eat between procedures. No problem here. Want them well rested and well fed while they're messing with my internals! But it did leave my nerves wracked for that much longer. Everyone at St. Vincent's was great, but I was left without my fiance' in the pre-op area for waaaay too long. I wish he could've been with me, but then he would've been bored too, there wasn't much to do but twiddle thumbs and wait.
When they finally wheeled me into surgery I was a chatter box (of nerves). Not like me. I warned them that I'm hard to get down with anesthesia (I've been told I always need more), but I think that's from my weight, something they're used to taking into account because they had that knowing smile - like: "don't worry - we've got this covered". I remember them getting me situated, and I've seen surgeries before, so I knew they would soon put the medicine in the IV.
I remember telling them I could feel it going in, and it wouldn't be fast, and thanks for the oxygen and I hope they did a good job, and thanks for the work they're doing, and It's not easy to get me dow.......................
"Rachel - wake up! The surgery's over! You did fine" --- who knows when? :)
I don't remember anything at all about recovery. Next thing I remember is being in what I learned later was my room, and hearing my fiance JD's voice "Hi babe" -- (HUH? where? What?) and then opening up my eyes and seeing the hazy picture of my love JD, my daughter, and her friend. I think I smiled. I knew my son wouldn't be there, he was at his dads. I know I wondered where the PCA (patient controlled analgesia) pump was. I remember hearing them ask some questions of the nurse.... and I remember being kissed goodbye. And that's all that sticks with me through the drug induced haze of that first op day. :)
Day Two - Testing Day: I wish I didn't remember as much about day two. All I can say is "ouch". Yup, it hurt. Even with the PCA. The hardest part was getting the swallow test. Move up, move down... drink this... Wait, stop drinking. It's not going down. WAIT. move up, move down. Test... Wait.... Uh Oh..... Wait...... Move up, move down... click, click... Uh oh.. wait... (4 hours later....) Okay, it's finally moving. ... WHEW.
They determined I was swollen, and that it would likely get better but I was to have only very very small sips of clear liquid for two days instead of one. No problem.... I wasn't hungry. But then they took out the catheter. Now, you'd think I'd be happy about this, but that catheter meant I didn't have to roll over and sit up and shuffle to the bathroom to go relieve myself. Lazy? You bet. But I sure did wish for it back because moving around that day HURT. PCA pump or no. The Dr. and nurses said this would be the worst day (and they were right).
Day Three - Fluids: In the morning they removed the IV and were giving me oral pain meds. This day wasn't quite as painful but I was still unable to really drink very much. I started to hear grumblings from the nurses that I might not be able to go home today since I couldn't drink enough fluids and that they may have to restart my IV. I wanted to drink more... I just physically couldn't. So instead of being home for Friday evening, by 6:00 the Dr. said put back in the IV, pump her up and lets see how she does tomorrow. DANG. Otherwise, I could feel that rolling over to get out of bed wasn't as excruciating as it had been yesterday. Whew. They were right. And walking around the floor did make me feel better... and also helped me pass gas (never thought I'd say how happy I'd be about that!). I even had a bowel movement, and when I told my fiance JD, he congratulated me like I earned an A in physics. Actually, he had this surgery 1.5 years ago and couldn't have a BM for nearly a week, so he *was* impressed. He said he hoped it would mean I would have less gas pains, and I hoped so too.
What I did have was just this mild nausea, like I was on a floating dock or something. This was 24/7 - not related to taking liquids or the pain meds, and very annoying. Luckily I didn't vomit, but it did make it that much harder to drink. It did not stop me from moving or using that incentive spirometer. I *know* how important that is, and I did not want to get pneumonia (something I've had before) or a blood clot. So everytime I used the restroom, I also went for a walk. Nurses said I should get a gold star. :) By the evening though, I was sad not to be going home - even though I agreed I did not want to start out dehydrated and end back there by Sunday.
Day Four - Going Home: All through the night and early morning I was pumped full of fluids and my bladder showed it. I was able to swallow 12 oz of fluid by around 10 a.m. and that was enough to convince the Doc I could handle being at home. They removed the IV, helped me shower, and I was ready to venture out... sort of. I knew I was going to miss that lovely hospital bed. The 'press a button and you're in a comfy position' bed. It still hurt to roll over, but less so when the head was 'up' and the feet were waay 'down'.
But that trepidation was more than outweighed by the joy at getting to be under the TLC of JD. He is wonderfully loving period, plus - he's been through this before, so he was prepared and non-judgmental about the bowel sounds he heard, or the belching he encouraged. Things I normally would try my utmost to pretend I as a woman never ever did. (hehe).
Much of this day (Saturday) was spent just trying to get comfortable once home, and using the sippy cups and trying to make sure I got enough fluids. He made me strained gumbo soup for 'dinner' and I marveled at how completely, totally, absolutely full I was after 1/4 cup eaten slowly over 20 minutes. My son was still at his dads but called to see how I was. I had asked him before the surgery if he had any concerns/questions - and he said not really, because he knew JD had been through it and was fine, so he assumed I would be too. I was looking forward to seeing him Sunday.
The best part of the day though? Laying down and going to sleep with JD by my side at night. THAT was great.
Day Five - Adjusting: I was already slightly frustrated with myself about still being in so much pain when I moved. I wished I didn't need the strong medicine, but I hurt too much without it. The problem was that *with* it, I was very sleepy, and it was a struggle all this day to make sure I was getting enough fluids, plus protein. JD kept saying to me: "yeah, it's not like you just had MAJOR SURGERY or anything.....".... yes, my love: reality check. :) So, I napped - watched TV that I don't remember, or wasn't worth remembering, walked the hallways of the house because it was too hot and sticky outside, and hit 'repeat'. Thank goodness for his reality checks. My son came home from his dad's and poked in to make sure I was okay. He's 15 and so long as I'm alive and breathing, he's happy. Next question was if a friend could come over. Sure, why not? But I still had dibs on the good bathroom. :)
Day Six - Transition: I woke up in much less pain and while it still hurt to get out of bed, it wasn't as much. I decided to try just taking Tylenol and see if that worked enough. It did! So, I thought - woo hoo, I won't be as sleepy! But guess what? I slept more this day than the other. Looooong naps, too. Maybe it was my body just transitioning from the painful state to a better one. I took three walks around the block which felt great while doing, but my heart raced afterwards.... plus I didn't get enough calories early in the day (only 70 by 6 pm) and was trying to make up for that in the evening. Oh, and by the way.. yup... wasn't hungry. At all. But 70 would put me in starvation mode, and my body would fight every pound, right? This is a Monday and it was great that JD was able to schedule himself to work from home this whole week so he can be here with/for me. (In case it's not clear - this man is awesome). I feel like I've turned something of a corner. I'm still trying to figure out how I'm going to get all the fluid and protein needed every day. Eating/drinking just holds very little appeal. (really?! - wow). This night I had sugar-free chocolate milk before going to bed. That provided some protein and that worked out well. I think I'll have to make that a routine.
Day Seven - Routine: I need to figure out a routine for getting enough fluids/protein. I know I'm not there yet.
Here's what I'm thinking: I do find that I like starting the day with hot chocolate. Taking sips of that for about an hour.... then trying sips of water/flavored water... and then maybe sometime mid morning a walk sounds good... then a fruity protein drink (15 grams)... then trying more sip, sip, sip. Then some puree'd soup for lunch (8 grams? protein).... then sip, sip, sip..... then another walk and maybe another protein drink (15 grams) in the afternoon... then sip, sip, sip water.... then ???? for dinner (I'm still on full liquids, no pure'd foods until next week)...... and the evenings I'm still not sure yet.
But all in all, not a bad 7 days. And what a different life from just 7 days ago. I'm really grateful I have 6 weeks off, but I'm already wondering what I'm going to DO these 6 weeks.... I'm still physically recovering, but yes each day I feel better than the previous. By next week.......
Still I've just had major surgery, don't want to risk too much - and I've NEVER had time. I mean like lots of free time. I could spend it planning for our wedding... that would actually be fun. :) We're scheduled to get married next July - when I'm almost done with school (so my degree can list my married name). But since I'll still be in school all this year, it's going to have to be very, very, very budget friendly. The most important part to me though is that I get to marry this wonderful man, and it'll be great to do it hopefully many, many sizes smaller than I am right now. Now THAT's something to look forward to!!! :)
P.S. -- I know I've not mentioned my weight. Well, I'm trying to weigh myself only once a week, and will do that tomorrow. We'll see!
P.P.S. - Weighed myself, and it's 7 lbs since surgery, 15 lbs. since July 4th. :)
