I survived.....Long post

I'm finally able to move around, and sit for longer than 10 seconds without feeling like I'm going to fall asleep.  I'm one of the 'I only have a desk top' folks left, so getting on here to talk to you all had to be put on hold for a few days.

On 11/4, I went to Vascular Radiology at UNC to have my IVC filter/Lumen Cath  put in place, prior to my surgery the next day.  Everything went fine, and I actually fell asleep during the procedure.

After a light 'last meal' of 3 chicken wings, (That was all, just three little wings) I took a benadryl and was asleep at 7:30.  I knew I would not sleep otherwise. 

The next morning, My  husband and I arrived at UNC at 5:45, checked in and was taken to the pre op holding area where I was consented by Asestheia, (WONDERFUL PEOPLE) and then was told that I would be the first case and I would be going back at 7:30.  The last I remember is the WONDERFUL nurse giving me something that would make me calm, but would give me a dry mouth.  My husband swears we talked some more, then I told him by and they took me back to the OR. 
(I wonder what I talked about?)

In the OR, I remember Dr. Farrell taking his mask off, and saying something like, "remember me?"  and I swear to you, it was like an old '70's show,  I was looking up, and there were three or four faces all around looking down at me.  None had on a black hood, or had a sickle, so I felt ok. Thanks to the WONDERFUL nurse.

I woke up to a nurse leaning over me, covering me up with a wonderful warm blanket.  (UNC has the coziest warm blankets.) and at the same time, she was telling my husband that the Hospital was full, and they were hunting a room for me?
HUNTING?    I was pre-scheduled.   They shouldn't have to HUNT for anything for me but some more warm blankets.     (I want a blanket warmer for Christmas, If Santa is reading)
Also, the dry mouth deal was no joke.  I swear kids could have made a sand castle with what I spit out.  Thanks to some more Wonderful nurses, I was able to 'swab' my mouth out.   BUT NOT SWALLOW.   I couldn't even make spit, and if I said HI to anyone, I needed to swab after wards, 

Any hoo,,,,I should have been able to enjoy the rest of my sleepy time, but I just kept waking up, and looking around.   (I'm so nosey)  My family was allowed to come in once per hour, and they all took turns coming in and checking on me.  
Finally at 9:30 pm, They took me to a room.   A semi private, but a wonderful room non the less.  
I slept the night away, and the next day was taken for my swallowing study, then given lovely jello, chicken broth and water.   I had lots of wonderful nurses, that took no longer than 1 minute to answer any of my request.
On Saturday, 11/7, after a final visit with PT, who ordered me a walker, I was discharged. 

At home, I had a very hard time standing up.  My left side felt as if it would explode.  But as the days'  have passed, the pain went away, and I'm almost back to my old self.

THEN........Yesterday,,,(11/13) the  sight of where my Lumen Cath was placed, started to swell, turn red and weep.  After calling Vascular, they said to go the first Urgent Care, or My primary, because it sounded like an infection.  So, being 6:30 at night, I knew that I wouldn't be able to get to my PCP, but I decided to go in the Urgent care that is 5 minutes down the road from my house.  (Alamance Urgent Care)  They wouldn't touch me because this resulted from  a  Procedure.  So, I went back home, and waited until this morning to go to my primary.  There, they determined that the sight had abscessed, (REALLY) and lanced the site, and sent me home with another bandage and a packed wound.   

STILL IN ALL,,,,I have lost 12.5 pounds since 11/5, and I'm so happy.
 

 

Hi Hope,

I'm so glad to hear that you are doing so swell. I'm sorry to hear about the absess, but I'm glad it has been taken care of and I'm sure you'll recover quickly from that. 

Wishing you all the best,

Hi Hope,
I have been thinking about you but for some reason I had your surgery was on the 18th.
I am delighted to read you are doing well.
If you are up to it maybe you could come to a Meetup soon we are having one on the 21st.
Hang in there it gets better and better.
                                    Annie

I haven't had time to sit at the computer until now.  (Thursday, 2:30pm)   It's starting to rain, AGAIN.   Now I'll need a nap.

My prayers are with Lee, and you too.   God will take care of the two of you.  

I would love to come to a meet up.  Where and what time? 

I seen the Wonderful Dr. Farrell.  After all that I had been through with my abcess iv site, he told me that I could have called them (GI) instead of calling the Vascular folks.    He is so good to his patients.  

My thought in the whole matter was; Vascular put in the iv, if it messes up, they fix it.  Dr. F poked me in the belly, and if any of those sites mess up, I'll call him.  But now I know.

My sister from Kitty Hawk in in for a couple of days, so we are having Thanksgiving with my Mother, My family, and her tonight.   I've slowly started eating soft solids, so I'm planing on  a small slice of turkey, a few green beans and a deviled egg.   I've eaten turkey slices already, as well as egg salad, so I think I'll be ok with the meat/egg, so my 'new' food for the day is Green Beans.  

Wish me luck. 

Hi Hope,
Lee is very lucky that it was not something worse and I think he knows that.
Enjoy your time with your family.
Becareful of eggs.
Eggbeaters seems to work better than real eggs because they are softer.
                                                           Annie