Tomorrow is my surgery!
I am home! I was released from the DECH this morning.
Surgery went well, there were zero complications. The anesthesiologist had a hard time getting my IV started though because all my veins were pretty flat from fasting for surgery. She eventually got one in my right wrist (last resort placing) and all I remember is the awful taste of the gas in the mask they put on my face. Then nothing. I remember vaguely waking up and shivering, they put warm blankets on me. I vaguely remember being wheeled through the hallways and brought to my room where I had to find the strength to scoot myself over onto my new bed. I felt so sick, it was unreal. My husband was there with me and he would try to take my hand to soothe me, but all I kept whispering was "Don't touch me" I couldn't stand anything, motion, touch, the lights. That first day was awful, and the anesthetic made me really sick. My mouth was super dry. I didn't have a catheter though, and the nurses helped me up to the washroom my first time. It felt really good to get up and move around.
The next morning was better. I still felt nauseated, but I was able to stay awake a bit longer. I slept on and off that morning. They also did my leak test that morning too, which I won't lie, it was awful. They had me get on another stretcher and wheeled me down to x ray. some of the pictures needed to be done standing up, so I stood on a tiny platform holding this nasty smelling ****tail. They would tell me when to swallow it, and I would, but it was the most awful tasting drink. But it had to be done. No leaks! I was cleared to go back to my room. I couldn't have water yet because I was still on nausea meds and still feeling off. I did get up and walk around the ward a few times, that felt really good moving around. Later that evening I was allowed to start having water. I was given an ounce and an hour to drink it in. Tiny sips are needed!!! I cold feel the water coming down into my new tummy and disturbing the gas that was sitting in there. The gas is real, oh boy is it real. My new tummy was rumbling and bubbling and making all kinds of noise. I feel bad for my room mate because at times I could get quite musical!!! hahaha.
The water stayed down, and I was given a few more ounces through the evening. I also was taking liquid tylenol for pain. It tasted super sweet and syrupy, but I got it down.
The third day I woke up feeling great. The gas was starting to subside, I was off nausea meds, and water was staying down just fine. I was super excited because I was allowed to have apple juice! It tasted amazing and I sipped on it all morning. For lunch I got a try with beef broth, apple juice, cranberry juice, boost juice, and ho****er for tea. I had some of the broth, and kept the apple juice and boost juice to sip on through the afternoon. For supper I was started on the full fluids diet, and I had a few spoons of strained cream soup, a few sips of milk, and about an inch of yogurt. I was stuffed! I kept my chocolate boost to sip on through the evening, and had water too. I started taking pills as well, and my new tummy was fine with that.
This morning I was free to go home! I'm feeling great. The pain is minimal, the exhaustion is real. I slept for 3 hours this afternoon. Otherwise I've just been sip sip sipping. I had a whole yogurt for breakfast, and I had a boost shake for lunch. Both took me about an hour to get down. I bought some tiny espresso spoons from Stokes in the Regent Mall to eat my yogurt with, and I bought some playtex sippy cups for my juice and water. It helps cut down the gas, when I drink from a regular cup right now I'm getting too much air.
Dr. Boisvert checked on me always in the mornings to see how I was doing, sometimes in the evening as well before he left for the day. the nursing staff on my floor were great and really helpful. Some of my nurses were UNB nursing students, and I felt very well taken care of. Always ask for a extra blanket before you go to sleep at night though, because it gets chilly on the ward in the wee hours of the morning.
So that's my story! Even though I had awful nausea that first day I don't for one minute regret my choice. I know it was the meds that made me sick, not the surgery. Every single day just keeps getting better and better. I can't wait until I feel fully healed.
If anyone has any questions that I didn't cover, please, don't even hesitate to ask. It always helps to have someone to talk to who has been through what you are moving toward. Good luck to everyone on their surgeries!!
Thank you so much for posting your experience! I was just referred in March. I had asked my doctor to refer me back in 2012 but didn't think I would qualify at that time, so I managed to stop the doctor before he got the referral in. If I would have known then what I know now and the wait times, I should have let him put my referral in as I would have been done by now. Everything happens for a reason....I look very forward to hearing all about your experience.......good luck and I hope you get better and stronger each day! You are very encouraging for the rest of us....thank you....
I just wanted to say that for months now I was reading all the posts but never said I word....then you said...you wished the forum was more active....and I was thinking the same thing! Just wanted to let you know that you inspired me to participate in posts I see on this site..... I hope more people participate as well.
Ref was sent in April 1st 2015 with Dr Boisvert....Got the call on Wed June 8/16...So things have moved very quickly for me.
So happy that you have posted this update, Nice to hear that things have gone well and your feeling great. I am new here, although I have been lingering for awhile, I just took the leap to join as a member and this is my first Post.
Look forward to hearing about your journey
