Well, I'm finally better....

I'm finally feeling well enough to move around and get on the computer. It's been a rough road, but it gets better everyday. I have to say, and I don't want to scare off any pre-ops, but that was the worst pain I've ever been in when I first woke up. Prolly more from the gas, than from anything else, but it was pain nonetheless. Head hunger set in a couple of days ago, but if I keep my belly full with liquids, I'm satisfied. I can't wait to move onto the next phase, but I'm trying to be patient. This drain is getting on my nerves, so I'm hoping he'll take that out tomorrow, when I go back for my first checkup. Love to everyone who prayed and thought about me. I appreciate it so much. Brandi :~)

The first three days of any major surgery I have had is always the worst for me. And pre-ops do need to know that this is major surgery, so that's ok for you to say. I am glad you are getting around better, and will continue to pray that you get through the recovery phase fast, and see that you will feel better than you have in years soon....it just takes getting past this part to see that. And, if doctor is letting you, walk walk walk - that helps you get over gas pains and helps blood flow which helps healing....so - just push a small pillow against your incision site and walk, just standing in place, or walking up and down the hall or living room, up and down the driveway/road/town (ha), whatever you feel like, and especially if you don't feel like it - (big HA HA).... Love to you - D

Hi brandi, I am glad you are feeling better and the surgery is behind you. You go girl! Brenda estes

I think Sunday was finally the hump day. Monday was the best day yet, and I even sort of felt like myself again. Still limited, but walking more and enjoying tasty, runny cream of chicken soup. I'm having trouble sleeping at night though. I wake up around 2:00 am and don't get back to sleep till around 3:30 am, and even after that I wake up a lot and toss and turn.....as much as someone can toss and turn in a recliner, lol. I take an over the counter sleep aid when I go to bed, then I take another one at 2:00 am when I wake up, but it just doesn't help that much. Any suggestions???? Brandi :~)

Hey girl! Glad to hear you are doing well! I know the pain sucks! That's bad, but just wait till you have kids! lol! Just imagine that about 5 times worse! I guess that's why I only have one! Lol! It's a bummer being on liquids, just keep some sf popsicles around, they help a lot. I tell you what I take to help me sleep at night, I take lunesta, you need a rx for it, but it's the bomb!! I take it and I'm so sleepy I can't hold my head up within 15 minutes, and once I go to sleep, im out for 7 to 8 hours, when you wake up, you feel refreshed and not groggy, so I like it better than tylenol pm. If you have good insurance, it helps cause the name brand lunesta is over a 100.00, they have a generic brand out now that's cheaper. My insurance pays for mine so I don't have to worry so much with the cost, but its really good stuff! Thanks for adding me to your friends.. I love your myspace page. Im so addicted, im constantly adding stuff to my page. I found the coolest song to go w/my page, you know how pink it is? I added the song 'pink' by aerosmith to it, what a hoot! Lol! Hope you continue to get better, I'll be thinking about ya! Crystal

Thanks girl!!! I'm doing so much better today. I really think Sunday was the hump, cause the past two days have been great. I'm cleared for runny oatmeal, runny mashed potatoes, and creamy (runny) brocolli and cheese soups, etc. I had my 1 week check up today and everything was looking excellent. They took my drain tube out, which don't let anyone lie to you, that sort of hurts. I could feel the tube coming all the way through my belly, until she pulled the last little bit out. But it was worth it to have that thing out!!!!!! I stepped on the scales there and had lost 15 pounds so far!! I'm more than happy about that, and haven't put any expectations on how fast I want it to come off. Expectation and me don't mix very well, I end up disappointed. I go back again in 2 weeks, basically for him to tell me it's okay to eat pureed, look at my stomach and okay the healing. Just glad to be feeling more like myself! Brandi :~)

hey brandi, i started to warn you about the drain pain but i thought i might make it worse by making you dread it, but i'm glad you got it out, it hurt me so bad i cried, i think it was all the way up to my ears it was so long! did they not give you a prescription for liquid lortab when you left the hospital? that stuff was a blessing, it stopped my pain in bout 10 minutes, well again i am glad you are getting back to normal. brenda

Yes, I have some of that. I might take some tonight when I head to bed. My belly is extra tender tonight. I'm not sure whether it's because they pulled a garden hose out of my stomach, or because of all the walking I did today. I asked Lori to be honest with me, if it hurt. She said....well? Yes, sort of. So I expected the worst, and it didn't live up to that....but it was painful, to say the least. Glad it's over though. Jumping over hurdles now, lol. Brandi :~)

Hey Brandi, I am so glad to hear you are doing well. Keep hanging in there and you will feel better and better each day. I know with myself it took a good four weeks for some of my energy to return. The soreness went away pretty quick and I felt better but I was just tired and no energy for a few weeks. Good luck and if you need anything just give a yell. Melissa