Robin_Moran
The Realization
Aug 22, 2009
7/29/09I spent the night in a surgical recovery room. I thought it was because of the elephant sitting on my sternum. At first I did think it had something to do with the two large gallstones that I had, but later was told my room wasn't ready and that's why I stayed. I also found that the elephant standing on my chest had a name--GAS! No matter how many people told me about the gas pains, they're just not conceivable until you've experienced them.
Around 6:30 a.m. the day after surgery I was moved to my room. I wasn't even completely moved in and looked over my the nurse until it was time to have the upper GI. I was still under the influence of morphine and I felt like I was going around and around and up and down on a never-ending roller coaster. My stomach, even as little as it now was, felt like it was flipping and flopping like a fish out of water. (Ohhh, I'm glad I didn't have visualization then because it's a bit stomach turning now thinking of fish...LOL).
After a bit of a wait, it was time to face the examiner. They must have noticed that I was a bit green around the gills, so they put me in a harness in case I felt the need to fall while I was asked to drink a few sips of barium, hold my breath, and have the photos taken. After two small cups of fluid and the pictures were taken, I was unharnessed and allowed to sit and try not to think of the taste of the barium and the fact that my stomach felt more full from 2 oz. of barium than it even did during my 10 day, pre-protein/pre-surgery binge. Soon afterward I was taken back to my room to rest.
I spent most of the second day sleeping off and on and when I was awake I walked. Walking is so ultimately important to help remove the gas inside you and to move the remaining to a place closer to its exit. When you have gas pain in your shoulder, you just want to push it down to the exit as swiftly as possible. Then I got the good news that there were no leaks in my innards and I could now be taken off the morphine (though I would have gladly accepted it a bit longer), the catheter came out, and I was now allowed to drink. I was served 1 ounce of watered down grape juice and instructed to take one hour to drink it. That was not a problem since one sip seemed to fill me up completely.
Day two was now over. I had survived though--one of my first thoughts that morning was, "OMG, why did I do this?". I know it was the pain and gas talking, not me. I survived the upper GI, and was already walking the halls, using the restroom, sitting in a chair, and sleeping. I know I had a visitor, but I was unable to hold a conversation. I know I received phone calls, but my attention level was low.
I was just glad to have that day over. The next one would be better, I had that faith!
Robin R. Moran
