So Far

Renee W.
on 9/12/04 9:59 pm - Springfield, OR
I have found that the hardest thing about this surgery is doing it by myself.. though I have been lucky to have a few friends be able to do my shopping and one has kept me company for a day or two.. but that is going to end.. both of the friends that have been doing it are leaving on the same day.. and being on vacation for the same amount of time and coming home 7 days later.. well.. (sigh).. I have found that at least once a day it is nice to have someone to talk to .. or to be there to just for a few minutes get a few things that I need so I can rest a bit more. it is silly things.. I had a bunch of stuff fall off the side of my table.. and though I now Have a handy dandy picker upper thing. it was very hard to pick up more than one thing.. it is so nice to have some get me some water or something to drink at least once a day.. or to check my mail.. or.. actually just little tiny things we take for granted.. one of my major crisis moments was opeing my fridge and trying to separate some crystal lite drinks. and being in so much pain from trying that it was unreal.. always make sure that your drinks get opened from the packs before they reach frideratorness I think.. I may be moving the scale back down.. I think it said that I was.. but I did not wish to scare the weight loss away .. so I did not linger.. It really reallly really really.. hurts to walk.. especailly up high above the incisioion line near the rib cage.. oh who am I kidding .. I cannot pinpoint the exact location.. but it is high. and it hurts.. I loved a the calls that I have gotten from you. and all the wonderful thoughts. they ever now are filling my little apartment up and making me smile.. OH......I actually for a whole couple hours last night.. You know though there is one thing.. I would never actually recommend for anyone to do this alone.. with out the support of family.. if they have them.. or at least good friends. but sometimes good friends cannot be there very much try though they might. cause they have lives.. for me I am blessed that I have my few good friends. both the old ones. and the new ones that I found here.. but back to why I would not recommends someone to do this alone unless they had no choice.. it is very hard.. very painful.. and you find you are a bit helpless cause of the pain for example.. well I am hurting a little here. so I am going to lay back down.. Love you guys.
Dinka Doo
on 9/12/04 11:55 pm - Medford, OR
Good to hear from you Renee. You sound like you sort of went through the wringer...I'm sorry you are still in so much pain. It's amazing how our bodies respond so differently to different things. Does sound like they probably had your ribs pulled open quite a ways from the sound of your pain. That, and you also had the DS which is a bit more involved and probably took a little longer. Wish I could help take that pain away, and I'd try to make you laugh but I think that might be counter-productive! I do agree it is a good idea to have friends/family there to help you. I had my friend in Mexico with me for a week and then home to family. I think I probably took their help for granted quite a bit because all the things you describe were things I didn't have to worry much about. I wish I was close and had a few days off, I'd just come up and hang out to help out with those little things. Feel better quickly - I hope you find your spirits lifted soon! Dina
tammym
on 9/13/04 1:54 am - Portland, OR
Revision on 01/16/12
Hi Renee, Hang in there, I know you can do it! I went through surgery alone too (2000 miles from friends and family), so I know it isn't easy. As you will find out soon if you haven't already- it's amazing what you can do when you HAVE to. Just take things as slow as you need to and be creative. If you can't open a package- use a knife or scissors (a box knife works well!) Like you, I was in severe pain also. I don't think it's necessarily a low pain tolerance, I think some of us just have a lot of pain after surgery! I know I am shocked when I hear people say they are just 'a little sore' after surgery. My pain was about 3 times worse than having a baby without pain meds, so I truly empathize with you. Even though it really hurts to walk, the more you do it, the faster you will get stronger. Can you take liquid tylenol for the pain? You might also want to ask your doctor if severe pain is normal at this stage. My doctor just made me feel like I was being a baby, but hopefully yours is different. I wish I was closer so I could come help! Tammy
Sheri D.
on 9/15/04 2:59 am - Wilsonville, OR
One day at a time! It will get easier everyday--seems that the first few weeks were the hardest for me too. I have a family and that was pretty darn hard to take care of right out of surgery. My husband did take a week off of work to help with our son and my mother came for a week to help but I really thought at the time it would have been nicer to just be left alone with my pain and let me sleep all day. lol I can see your side of being lonely but try and fight it--depression is high for a lot of people the first little bit! Keep your chin up!!
patty cassady
on 9/15/04 3:07 am - Lake Oswego, OR
Dear Renee, I am very relieved to hear you are home and healing, though it will be a slow go for awhile. I am sure the extra trouble you had has taxed you in a way that will make you feel extra tired for a bit. I found that I had days that I couldn't say I felt "good", but I realized I did feel better than I had the day before. Every day - a little bit of progress. You are right about needing support. When I was 18, I was living with my sister (20) and friend (18). We were all close, and they are caring family and friend, but youth and lack of maturity, meant that they just had no idea what I needed, or was going through. They had dates, and boyfriends, slept in, etc. I was so helpless, and needed someone to make my jello, and move my pillows for me. I was so alone, and under the influence of pain medication. After about a week, I really felt like "I NEED MY MOMMY!!!", but that was not possible. Please reach out to us if there is something you need. Hope your progress continues to improve. Patty
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