I'm back! Surgery is over.

Hi everyone. I am finally well enough to log in and update. It's been a rough week and a half. The surgery was last Monday 4/7. When I arrived I was determined that they'd be able to find eveything and get me all fixed up and I was right! When they went in to look laproscopically at the bowels they were able to locate an inflammed portion of the bowel and decided to convert to an "open" procedure. Once they got in they found a herniated area with approx 10-12 ft of bowel wrapped around itself, knotted, and in pretty bad shape. The bowel was losing color and some of it was obviously overworked. They pulled all of the bowels out, got them untangled, removed a lot of scar tissue and put everything back in it's place. Immediately they were able to see a positive change in the color of the bowel and considered that part of the surgery a sucess. They proceeded from there with the hysterectomy and were able to remove all of the cancer with that surgery which they also completed as a "open" procedure. All together surgery was 4 hours long. When i woke up I was told the good news. I was intubated with an NG tube going from my nose into the stomach to prevent my stomach or bowels from working too hard during my recovery. I stayed pretty sedated for the first two days but by Tuesday I was able to get up and go for a little walk. That night my surgeon came in and advised that my hemoglobin count was a lil low so they'd be watching me for signs of internal bleeding. Being the eternal optimist, I just knew things would be fine. Wednesday morning at approx 5 am, the nurse came in for my vitals and my blood pressure was 79/46 and my pulse was 128. Within 15 minutes my blood was being taken and within 30 minutes of that my surgeon called and said that I'd be headed to the OR for them to go back in and stop the bleeding. My hemoglobin was 6. So back in I went, and after 2 units of blood and 2 hours of surgery the bleeding was stopped and I was back on the road to recovery. That second surgery made the recovery twice as hard, but with an incision approx 12-13 inches long running the length of my abdomen I couldn't have expected recovey as quick as my previous lap surgeries. So slowly Thursday afternoon they began removing the NG tube, central line (added to give me blood during my second surgery) and getting me weaned off the morphine pump. By Saturday I was eating light amounts of food and Sunday night I was able to be released. Each day gets easier, but it will be a long recovery. I am VERY excited that they were able to fix everything at once and even more grateful at the opportunity to get healthy again. My weight is dangerously low, now at less that 120 lbs on my large 5'5" frame, and I look very sickly and fraile. I know that I am on the road now to a full recovery, but to those of you out there reading this who have "issues" with your bowels or your tummy that you blow off and pretend don't exist just because you prefer being thin over being overweight, please consider your health. I personally allowed my Dr. to blow this bowel issue off for too long, and I thought myself at times that I was just being too whiney, but at the end of the day I knew my body better than anyone else could have and I continued to push the issue until they finally found and resolved my issue. Some may not be so lucky...my bowels were dying off and I'm sure in time could have become a fatal issue. Thank you to all of you for your messages and emails or concern and love. You guys are wonderful . Here's to good health and a long and productive life!!! Lori

What a story! I am so relieved to see that you are now on the road to recovery...even though it took two tries to get it right ;o). You are right...no one knows our bodies better than we do...we must take symptoms seriously. Now...get back to resting and get some meat back on those bones!! ~Suz

Oh Lor, I've been waiting to hear from you. I am so sorry, I can't even imagine them taking you back in for a second surgery. The first one was hard enough. But Praise God, it sounds like you are aon the road to recovery. Do you have help? Are you able to get around and most importantly do you have pain meds? lol! I've been thinkign and worrying about you a lot. Thanks for checking in.

I do have help. My amazing friends and my church have been wonderful. Friends have been coming by to cook dinner this week, my hubby has been cleaning, and my church is doing our meals for next week. And yes I do have pain meds, but luckily I have been able to stay off them for a couple of days now because I'm feeling so much better. Thank you all for the love!!!

Wow Lori, you've really been through it. I am so very happy you are on the road to recovery and becoming a healthy person. We do love you and missed you terribly. I want to thank you personally because when I went for my pap last year my doc said I didn't need it. I was like huh. Well after reading your story and feeling that something was not right because of discharge. When I made my appointment for the Essure procedure I talked to that doc....different OB. He told me he would be happy to do a pap the day of the procedure. I don't know if anything is wrong and it is just a feeling and won't it be great to be told nothing is wrong. But what if and like you said at the end of the day I know my body better then anyone. Thank you Lori, you are one of the most corageous(sp) people I know. (((hugs))) Anna

Oh, Lori! I am so glad that both issues were able to be resolved, hopefully permanently. Sounds like some major surgery to recover from. Take care of yourself, rest up, and start chowing down! Belle

Wow Lori! What an experience. Glad to hear that you are on the mend and things were taken care of for you. God is good and able and you are a prime example. I will be praying with you for a speedy recovery, Take care and talk to you soon.

Wow Lori - you are so tough - and I can tell full of faith. That is wonderful news that it was all able to be taken care of, even if there was small hic-up. I'm praying for your full and speedy recovery! Marilyn

I continue to pray for you my friend, and Dwight and the boys. I am so glad that this is behind you and that you can just be loved on while you heal. Hugs and much love, Caters

Lori, It is so good to read your news finally. I have had you on my mind a lot lately and was getting very concerned about you. I am so sorry to hear you had such a rough time. I know that surgery after the RNY is very difficult, but 2 open surgeries at that is just an even more difficult and daunting experience. I am very thankful that you have lots of help surrounding you to aid you back to health and hopefully keep you at peace from worrying about the things that you can't tend to right now. I really hope that you are finally going to have some days without having to stress over your health and that you will get to get out soon and have some family fun times. Thanks for keeping us posted on your progress. Hugs, Lindy