I am home.....

Let's see..... I got to the hospital at 7:30am Wednesday ... was supposed to be there at 8:30am, but wasn't taking any chances.... I was immediately taken to a private room where I got nekkid and put on the backwards hospital gown... and waited.... ... and waited... and waited.... and waited.... the girl who was ahead of me in surgery had to change from lap to open so she took a lot longer... 12:15 I was wheeled, bed and all, back to the pre-surgery place... where I was given a cute little blue hat and given something to make me mellow... and I was definetly mellow... I never saw my surgeon before the surgery, just the anethesiologist... they must have given me the knock out stuff as I was off in lala land because I don't remember a thing... I woke up in recovery... it was a 2 hour surgery, due to my long torso made it hard for him to get the connections done... he had to hand sew VS staple most of the connections also... so all in all it was about 30 minutes longer than normal... I was in a bit of distress when I came to in recovery because I had a lot of fluid in my lungs and was having some trouble catching my breath. They got me cleared out pretty quick with some sort of drug and I went to my room. In the room they hooked me up to oxygen, the IV, a blood O2 monitor, and the things that squeeze your legs.... this was about 6:30 or so... at about midnight they woke me up for my first walk... if you were to list all the things in the world that I didn't feel like doing walking would have been at the top of the list... I made a lap around the place, and then did the breathing thing (hope all these technical words aren't throwing ya off) and was surprized at how much better I felt after the walk... from that point on I was bugging them to come unhook me so I could walk! Next day was more walking and breathing and a leak check... nasty clear crap you have to drink... but was so happy to have something to drink it was amazing... They have these swabs that look like giant Q-Tips but are soaked in something... and they can be used to swab your mouth to moisten it... I also used a wash cloth dampened to scrub the iguana crap off my tongue... you would think they would have better security in there... I mean, how did the iguana get in there anyhoo??? They gave me something to help me sleep last night... but still woke me up every four hours for walking, vital signs, and breathing... and some liquids... today I had jello and crystal lite and coffee.. Had my catheter removed and the drain taken out... didn't like either of these experiences at all, but was sure happy to have them gone! I bribed one of the nurses with sex so she would let me go home early... and Tami got there at about 1:30 or so and we drove home through the storm of the century.... Thank you Tami!!! Susan B also visited which was very nice... .... and, here I am. My stomach is going crazy with all the gurgling and growling, and I have had to visit the little sailors room a few times... according to the nurse this is normal and most likely due to the nasty crap you drink for the leak test.... That's as detailed as I can get right now... still a little groggy... but feel free to ask questions!

Welcome home Marc, glad you are home and doing well. I came home on Wednesday and I know what you mean about your stomach making all these weird noises Good luck to ya. Shon

Thanks Shon... I appreciate it

Shon! You need to update your profile, lol!!! Welcome home!

Glad you made it home ok Marc... And your right... these storms today have been pretty nasty... Guess we have Hurricane Arlene to thank for these... Get plenty of rest and take it easy. And you know if you need anything to give me a hollar. It was nice seeing you up and going so easily yesterday. I know you will do fine!!! Susan

Heya Sugar... I can't tell you how much your visit meant to me... thank you so much! I am sorry the nurse came in and interupted the sex, but I think with a few months of therapy she should be ok ... have ya ever heard so much screaming??... and the nurse wasn't exactly quiet either! You need to check the next time you are in the shower... I am missing a bandage...

Marc, I don't know what you do for a living but you should definately be writing for The Telgraph! Thank you for the smiles and it is so good to hear you are safe and sound at home. Make sure you stay hydrated at this stage. Theres this broth stuff called 'better than boullion' and it was my staple for about a week. Sugar free popsicles went down pretty good too. Could hardly get any water in at first and still not the easiest thing for me but weak tea sweetened with spenda helps with fluid intake. I'm not sure how your diet progresses as all docs are differents but cream of chicken and cream of potato seem to please THE POUCH as well. And I know everyone says this, but make sure you do a little walking every few hours to prevent blood clots. I wish you the very best Marc, I think you're going to do great! God's Blessings, Barb

Thanks Barb.... I am doing ok, and will try and do better!

Hi Marc! I had to laugh at parts of your story--so much like my own! I hardly remember my surgeon cuz the drug man had already come around. I told him he was my newest bestest friend. Don't you hate those compression leg thingys? I kept my poor hubby busy taking them off and putting them on. I know he was glad to see me come home just to get away from that task. And I agree--that is the most horrid drink possible for the leak test--I kept saying "I'm going to throw up!" and they kept saying "Drink!!!" Ugh!! I was soooo happy to have that over with--and hope I never have to drink anything like that again. Good luck in your first few days at home. The gas pains can be annoying--as can the noisy tummy. Both will subside (although my tummy is most certainly more noisy than it used to be, still.). Remember to sip, sip, sip. I've found drinking is my new full time job. Best of luck! Michelle

Thanks Michelle... I followed your story closely... I actually like the leg thingies... and will include them in my next uhh... err, guess we better not go into that Thanks for the email too... I appreciate it...