How about my surgery - long and a bit graphic!

[bcipam]

Okay so feeling well enough to do some posting. This is the summary of my surgical experience. Sorry for the length. I'm sharing my experience for others who maybe facing the same consequences.

The surgery was last Thursday. On Tuesday before I started to fast. Only clear liquids until midnight Wednesday and then nothing. I showed up late for the pre-op. Wednesday I had to take 3 doses of phos-fer soda and even though I thought I was clean, Thursday morning there was some more left to go. Ugh. Felt awful. Very hungry and empty. Anyway, get to pre-op. All the nurses scolded me for my lateness.

I meet the very dreamy anesthesiologist. I tell him about my troubles with going under. He assured me there would be no nausea. He had the staff installed a epidural pump in my back and added a "scopes" (sp?) patch. Next thing I know I'm in recovery. No way to say that process is pleasant 'cause it's not. I did not have nausea however. A plus. Because there were no rooms available, I had to stay in recovery 4 extra hours. That sucked!!! Finally made it up to my room and was pleasantly surprised it was a private room.

Once in my room I started feeling uncomfortable. I had alot of gas in my stomach and intestines. I had on pressure cuffs on both legs, an IV in my left hand, a nasal gastric tube, oxygen tube and still the epi pump. Tubes coming out of everywhere. Dispite the nurses' caution I tried to sit up in order to relieve the gas. Big mistake. I get dry heaves and oh boy, discovered, the incision site was very painful. I passed out. I also had a bad bout with the nasal gastric tube. The nurse tried to reposition it, I gagged and started to pull it out. She stopped me and put it back good. That was not good.

The first 2 days were bad. I got no sleep unless I was drugged. I also discovered that until my body started working again (i.e. I had to "pass gas") I could have no food or water. Food OK but no water!!!! I finally talked the doctor into removing the NG tube on the second day withthe promise I would not drink any water. I kept my promise but it was very hard. I also stopped all drugs after the second day as they delayed my system working.

On the 3rd day I discovered the couch. The hospital bed was so uncomfortable I could not sleep. On top of that it constantly moved driving me crazy. The couch, thank goodness was stationary. The nurses all thought me crazy but understood. I actually got some sleep the 3rd day.

I set up "house" near the couch. Really for the first 3 days it was not a pleasant stay. There is no privacy in a hospital. As soon as I would doze off someone would come in to take blood or my blood pressure. Doctors came in at all hours as did the nurses and cleaning staff. You get resolved to it after a while. What can you do otherwise.

I had started walking the second day although I was very sore. They took out the catheter on the second day and told me to go use the restroom. This was the highlight of my day. I started walking around the halls (thank goodness for studly cyclist legs) on the third day mostly to relieve gas and boredom. Sunday morning at 3:30 after using the restroom I passed gas. Such little things have such great meaning!!!!! I praised God and thanked him profusely. I knew I could now drink water and took my very first sip. Ah so sweet!!!!

I got my first meal Sunday afternoon - clear liquids ( I'm starting to hate clean liquids!!!). I did OK and doctor then ordered "full liquids" for Monday. I was in Heaven. Breakfast was Cream of Wheat and a Boost and lunch was Cream of Mushroom soup and Vanilla Ice Cream. Doctor came in that afternoon and was surprised how well I was doing (had a bowel movement that morning) and ordered me a regular meal. I got a nice apricot glazed chicken breast and rice pilaf. I couldn't eat much but each bite was delicious. He let me go home Monday night after 7.

Anyway I'm home. I have so little energy it's amazing. If I take a shower I basically have to sit down awhile and rest. Yesterday I went out to Costco (with my sister who has been here for me and has been my guardian angel) and was dead the rest of the day. Today we are meeting a friend for dinner and that's my big outing.

My experience I guess could have been worse. The staff at Mission Hospital is TOP NOTCH, just awesome. So caring and understanding. My sister was just there for me even when awful crabby (and I was). Good friends came by - I looked horrible but they didn't care. I love my surgeon. He's just so cool. I also cut my hair - a last minute decision and was so glad to have gotten rid of all that long hair especially since I couldn't bathe for 3 days. That long hair would have been in the way. I'm still trying to figure out what to do with this short hair.

Anyway - I know I have a long recovery and need to follow the doctors instructions. It's so hard not to be riding especially since the weather here in So Cal has been beautiful. But I just don't have the energy anyway. Hopefully it will come back. One plus right now - weight lost of 12 lbs!!!! I'm sure it will come back when I start eating. Oh well.

[Dogmama]

So glad you're doing well! You went to Costco???? I'm blown away.

If you were a guy, you would have no problem farting. It's built into the "Y" chromosome. That must have been absolutely miserable - no water!! I know what you mean about no privacy. A hospital is no place to be if you want to get rest.

Keep us updated & try to take it easy!

[Tri Girl]

Wow- what an experience! Thanks for sharing everything- the good (was there any besides the dreamy anesethesiologist?), the bad (sounds like lots) and the ugly (clear fluids- ick!).
I hope you recover quickly, and can get back on your bike before too long. Take very good care of yourself, and keep us posted on how you're feeling!!

[SadieKate]

Oh, pam, you made me laugh with your gaseous challenges. I think anyone who has had severe gas issues can relate -- not to your level -- but certainly can appreciate the (comic) relief. I am so glad to that you're up and about.

George Hamilton and Jane Curtain did a SNL skit where they played a very hoity-toity couple passing gas. They kept describing the results in symphonic terms (such as basso profundo) or as one (or two) cheek squeakers. To this day, it's kind of an inside joke for Bubba and me. Just do it with style and grace.

[chickwhorips]

well i'm glad you got through it ok and your back home.

when i got out of surgery from my apendix i couldn't drink or eat anything for almost a week. i thought i was going to die. finially the nurses felt so bad for me they gave me little green sticks with little green sponges on it to dip in water and swab my mouth out with. so i know how bad it feels.

just glad your home and recovering. don't try to do to much. just think of all the posting you can do on TE while your recovering!

[KnottedYet]

Glad you are back!