A proper update

Let's see if I'm coherent enough to post.

Woke up at 4am. Showered with Hibiclens. Left for hospital at 445. Got there with no issues and checked in by 530. Remembered not to pee before getting called back so I? could take the obligatory pregnancy test.

Lots of the staff remembered me :)

Got called back, peed in a cup, changed into my sexy hospital garb. Got the IV line, met anesthesiologist, did some intake with the nurse. Got scopolamine patch.

Then Dr Michaels came and marked me up. This took some time and wasn't very comfortable. Lots and lots of ink.

From there I? finished intake and it was about 730 so the ball got rolling pretty quickly. Met more people, said bye to Art. Got jabbed with heparin and then Versed in my line.

And that's pretty much the last I? remember until I? woke up in phase 1 recovery.

Things were good there. Got my first pain meds. Got taken to phase 2 where Art could join me. He got me a small white bear who I've named Femoris.

And then the stress began since I could NOT pee and this needed to happen before I'd be allowed to leave. At 7pm I? got moved back to phase 1, Art had to go back to the waiting area, and ugh.

I? finally was able to pee at 8pm (and I've wanted to pee a LOT since then).

My clothes were found, Art was instructed to bring the car around, and I? got dressed and moved into the transport chair.

And my BP tanked. I? was 100% sure I was going to pass out. It was super horrible and scary. While my nurse was getting me hooked up for BP testing she commented that I? might need to be admitted after all. (Something she'd talked me out earlier when my choices if I? hadn't peed by 11pm were admission or going home with a catheter.) So that added to the scariness.

But by the time she got my BP, I? been taking lots of slow, deep breaths, my BP was normal agin. I? opted to sit there in the transport chair for 30 mins and then try standing up again before heading to the car. Everything was fine from there.

Getting into the car was a challenge. It has seats with flared edges so I? tried to sit on the edge before bringing my legs in, but couldn't since edge was right into some painful places. Luckily there were pillows in the trunk for the ride home, so putting one of those in the seat leveled it out. It was still challenging due to the opening of the door and needing to bend my knees.

We got home, Art got me settled, and he went out to get soups and ice cream. I? think we got home around 1020? Much later than intended for sure. At least we missed rush hour?

Lance got home while Art was out and he's been on Gwen-duty all night. He's got Gwen-duty until Wednesday night when Art will take over. Sadly this involves not sleeping since I? need drugs every 2-3 hours.

Pain - I'm in a lot of it. When I? don't move it's pretty low and has a piercing type quality. When I? walk?! OMG. It goes to 11. My calves are especially sore and feel like I've just ended a charlie horse that lasted for hours. Lots of other places hurt too.

I? think he revised my LBL scar but I'm not 100% sure yet.

Going to the bathroom is hard. Getting there is full of pain and sitting down sucks, even with the toilet riser and arm bars. Wiping is super challenging since I can't spread my legs and there's a lot of swelling so it's hard to get my hand between my legs. That sucks. And I've had to pee a lot, so that's even more sucky. I? started using a peri-bottle to spray instead of wipe. I've also got something called a "butt buddy" which can hold wipe and allows for greater reach without any twisting.

I? think that's it. I'm having trouble staying awake and typing on the phone is especially challenging!)

Oh. And at this point I have no idea of exactly what he did due to wrappings.

This sounds really rough, Gwen, I'm sorry! But it's helpful for me to know the ugly bits for the future, so thank you for sharing it all! Hope you heal fast...

Hello Gwen,

Thank you for the update, especially given your pain and fatigue. I am happy to know you are home and safe and have the help you need.

Keep up with those pain meds, don't be too stoic, and don't be in a rush to get off them either.

I remember trying to use my phone & tablet after my surgery and it kept bonking me in the forehead because I was continually drifting off. Sleep is good. Tech device injuries are not.

Take care. Sending healing vibes your way.

Thanks for sharing. I hope the pain lessens for you soon. Rest up and take your pain meds!!

Taking them like clockwork!

Congrats on your surgery! I'm sorry that things are so difficult, but I'm sure that will improve. Take gentle care!