Surgery went well...I'm doing great!

Hello to all my peeps! Wow, have I missed all of you. I've thought of you so much these past few days. I admire you even more for having gone through this and leading all of us newbies towards our big day. But it just starts here. That's what I'm realizing.

I cannot do my experience justice by saying I was extremely blessed, but I was. I was calm and cool and readier than I had ever been for anything in my life when they took me back. I credit my incredible support network for keeping me upbeat and calm, but also my preparedness. To all of you who haven't had surgery yet, that is the one thing I am going to really promote is preparedness! Do everything you can to be ready afterward so you don't have to think about anything but your recovery. That and keep moving! The more I walk, the better I feel.

I had a great surgery with no complications and my time in the recovery room was pretty productive and successful. I had great staff all around me to help me out and support from my loved ones. My attitude was a big part of it. I wanted to succeed and I wanted to be the best I could be. As soon as my pain was controlled, I started walking and walked for at least 10 mins every hour that I was awake. By the time I'd left, I'd walked 5 miles.Also I advise that you start a walking program before you go if you can, so it's easier to start walking after surgery. Sorry, I'm all over the place, but I want to get all my oxycodone-ridden thoughts out there before I forget! Lol! The swallow test went perfectly (even though that stuff is nasty) and I had no leaks and it went quickly. Another blessing.

I only had one bout of nausea and it did not result in anything. I just tried to calm down and focus on not being sick and wait for the Zofram shot. Haven't had any issues with nausea, but I did have issues moving from the Dilaudud pain pump to the oxy pills. MAJOR DIFFERENCE. I just have to make sure my pain pills don't run out and then I am good to go. First night home was ok. I slept a lot more than I did in the hospital, but I also slept right through the time when I was supposed to take my pain meds and then I woke up in a tizzy. So, I am keeping a log of everything (Spyrometer use, walking, temperature, meds, peeing, etc.) and that helps to keep me organized. Also Dave has been such a blessing for me. He has been at my beck and call as well as being my biggest cheerleader. I adore that man.

Well, this post was all over the place, but the bottom line is, I'm doing REALLY well and getting around great. My only concern at this point is the eating/drinking schedule and that's stressing me out a little. I have no issues drinking, but working in food is tough and I haven't found anything I really like yet. NEVER thought I'd be saying that. I lost 13 pounds on the liver shrinking diet and gained every one of them back in the hospital! lol! Oh well...I  know it's going to happen. I just want to get through the "getting started" period. I might seek your help with the eating a pill-taking schedule. It's tough.

One weird sidebar is that I don't feel different. I mean besides the pain that tells me I've obviously been cut open. But if I hadn't seen the fluoroscopy test myself, it's almost like I wouldn't believe that I have this tiny lil nubbin for a pouch now. Wow.

Whew, lots to work on now. The work is just beginning. Thanks again everyone for your support. Love to you all!!!

So glad your doing well Laura.  I guess I really ahve to get up and walk more but my house is small and not very many places to walk.  We are having a really cold and windy day here so not motivated to walk outside.  I agree, I am on liquid Hydrocodone and it sure doesn't do the jb that the pump in the hospital did but I will take what I can get.  I have to drink another 24 oz today, 16 of which will be a protein drink with 34 grams of protein which will have given me 68 grams of protein for the day and I will have my 64 oz of fluids.  Right now I am going to get a popsicle and then go downstairs and start a load of laundry.

I am not nauseaus but very full of gas and air and can't seem to move it on out.  Hopefully that will come.  Tomorrow I will take some MOM.  I am only allowed liquids, I can have some cream soups, but not really interested though I might dry some tomorrow.  I could have some cream of tomatoe with some unflavored protein powder in it.   I see my doctor next Wednesday and I think I go on pureed food then for a couple of weeks. 

Take care of yourself and don't pu****  I am glad your sleeping, I am not sleeping well at all.

Janet

Janet, congrats on your surgery as well!  If you're having trouble controlling pain, speak with your surgeon to see if he can adjust your dose or prescribe something different. I have severe osteo-arthritis and the 5 ml  liquid hydrocodone wasn't doing anything for me either. 

You're doing great on your liquids!  I'm impressed cuz I still have difficulty getting in 64 oz of fluids (incl protein shake)!!  So good for you!!  Are you taking Prilosec or anything for your gas? Maybe you could try the GasX strips if it doesn't get any better.

I didn't sleep well either, for weeks! But to be honest, I needed a new bed and finally bought one!  Not that I'm saying you need to do that, I needed to replace it and this was as good a reason as any!

Keep up the great work and welcome to the loser's bench!

Mitzi, yours is one of the first responses that made any difference to me.  Tomorrow is Monday and I will see how the pain is.  I did take 4 tsp of the 5 ml. liquid hydrocodone about 9:45 last night and managed to sleep until just now 12:46.  That is 3 hours lying down in an actual bed which is a first.   The pain is from only one incision area on the left sideand if I move wrong or try to lie on my left side it is a bear. 

I am taking Prilosec every morning and I do try using the GasX strips.  I think I may be forcing too much fluid too soon.  I am going to ease up on the protein powder tomorrow and sip more warm decaf tea and plain water.  I might try some cream of broccolli soup for a change. 

I have a wonderful bed with a new mattress but I can't get into it yet as it is very high so I am using a twin bed in our guest room as it is the right hight to sit down and get up.  Nobody has ever really spent too much time sleeping on it and it is a good mattress but very firm.  My new one is a pillowtop which cradles me more. 

I was so gad to read our response it menat a lot because I didn't feel like I was doing something so very wrong or different.

I do need to up my waling though.  I'm not even getting in a mile collectively all day. 

Have a wonderful day in your beautiful state and whether your a Mother or whether your another < sounds like a song doesn't it.  Happy Mothers' Day.
Janet

Hi Janet!

We're getting lots of good advice on here aren't we? :) Yey! DEFINITELY try the Gas X strips. They have been a lifesaver for me and not only that, it helps with the death breath.  Also, I don't know how close you live to an IKEA but I bought two pillows there before surgery that have made all the difference at night for me. One is a big foam roll with a cover and the other is just a large square fluffy pillow (about 18" x18"). If you can send someone to get those for you, you might sleep better at night. I'm comfortable and that's a miracle because I'm a side sleeper and side sleeping is out for me because of the pain. It keeps me in place. That and the pain meds.I set an alarm to take them.

The creamed soups (strained) went down well for me, as did ricotta cheese. The cream of wheat did not (and I put protein powder in it and I think that was a mistake because it was gluey).

Happy mother's day to you and please hang in there. Jilly said something to me yesterday that hit home...they don't call this hell week for nothing. It's all uphill from here. Walking does make me feel better, even if it's pacing the floors of my tiny house with a mantra.

Laura.....
     Congrats on an uneventful surgery! I am glad to hear all went well & you are home, the place where you are most comfortable.
Pain pills.....take them BEFORE the pain hits, or as you can notice, you will be in a tizzy!
Walking....the more, the better. But rest too.....dont overdue it!
Not liking food...... normal! I was the same way & everyone here said the same thing, it is normal. You will find your tastes may change too. Keep sipping your water....dont get dehydrated!
You will soon feel better than you have ever felt! Dont ru****enjoy the ride!
And again, CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Heather - I so needed to hear that. I've been feeling so good about things and then I tried to eat and blehhhck! :( I will just do what I can. Good part is I want to move around and I want to stay hydrated. So that's good. I will eventually want to eat and will be able to....right?! lol :) Thanks!

Yes, you will want to & eventually will be able to eat......lol. It took me some time before I WANTED to eat.....my hubby had to keep reminding me TO eat. I wasnt hungry, and the thought of eating made me wanna hurl! Eventually, the new pouch let me know I was hungry and it was time to eat. I still have days where I have to remind myself to eat......and I am almost 10 months out! It does get better day by day tho.......
you are still on a liquid stage right now tho right? Or are you able to eat mushies?

I'm on liquids, but that includes watered down cream of wheat and mushed cottage cheese (or ricotta) and creamed soups. I tried the cream of wheat with protein powder in it and it was ike glue in my belly. Ugh....liquids it is for now. I like the different temperatures of liquids (broth, tea, water, ice, etc) so that's good.

 So glad to read that you're doing well!

Can't wait to hear more! Big Hugs to you!