Monday, October 31, 2011
Medical Update
As you know this has been a very long road and prayerfully this latest adventure ends the pain road and gets me back to being me. Warning: I may be a bit graphic. I just need an outlet.
I had a Laproscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy on Monday the 17th and came home Wednesday afternoon. The surgery itself went fine. I was wheeled back to the OR just before the scheduled surgery time of 7am. I remember scooting over to the operating table and then was out. I briefly remember waking up in the recovery room just enough for them to tell me they were moving me to my room and then I woke up again in my hospital room with Jason by my side shortly after noon. The nurse got Jason a pillow and then we both napped again til around 2.
The surgery incision points were 2 pokes in my belly and then through my belly button. My left ovary was completely encapsulated by endometriosis and was removed but the right ovary was fine and doc was able to save that. The web of endo was all located behind my left hip and down the nerve and pulmonary artery. Doc said he had to dig and go lower than he is used to going with this type of surgery. My bladder and uterus were fused together with scar tissue. He freed the bladder and repaired it. My cervix was the 4th incision and my uterus was delivered vaginally and then cervix removed.
Post op, I had issues with my bp (too low) and it was never resolved. I was supposed to sit up and move to a chair Monday night, but I was so groggy. Tuesday morning the catheter was taken out and just before noon and I finally was able to sit up. When the doc saw me he told me I looked awful. (Gee thanks). Because I was so groggy he made the decision then that I would be staying a 2nd night. Wednesday morning I was feeling stronger, though my blood count was still consistently low. My hand that had the iv swelled up like a balloon and they had to take the iv out early but I think with that helped my leaving when I did. Doc met with me just before lunch and had told me he'd give me oral meds and see how I handled them and told me I could go home after dinner, but when the nurse came to check on me at 1, she said I was discharged and to arrange a ride. Jason was in the middle of a project so pastor came out and brought me home just after 2.
I have a 5lb lifting limit. My post op follow up appointment is on Nov. 7th.
Now 5 days post op, I still have a sore throat and cough developed from being intubated for surgery. The coughing does not help the belly healing. I also have a yellow, purple and blue bruise on my right side around the incision. I can not lie flat on my bed. I was able to sleep in my bed last night but I completely padded around my hips and back and woke up so stiff this morning I'm not sure it was worth it. I get sudden urges to pee and if I hold it even a minute, it BURNS to release. I had my first bowel movement post surgery this morning which brought about a pool of blood with it. Keeping my eye on that, but with it also made the gas pains for the most part subside for which I am thankful. My children are wonderful about being patient with mommy and helping get me blankets, papers, computer, etc. Jason is being as patient as he can with me being needy, but I know he's ready for me to pick up the wifely duties again. I have many wonderful friends from church making us meals and making sure the family is cared for, and I have the most wonderful neighbors whom I can send the kids to get a bath.
I have seen how God has been holding me throughout this entire process from even the one poke IV (which for me is AMAZING!!) to the care for my family. I must admit though that I am still impatient and am ready just to be able to DO again. I don't like having to wait and be waited on.
1 Week Post-op Belly still quite sore and bruised. There is still a bit of blood, but only when I wipe. I can sleep in my bed if I wrap my legs around a blanket and make a "pocket" of cushion for my hip. I can walk around pretty good and stairs do not hurt. If I stand too long the pain increases. I use a heating pad when I sit and that helps a lot. The pain meds (norco) wears off at about 5 1/2 hours (prescription is every 6 hours). The cough is dissipating but still there. I made it to Sunday School on Sunday but had to come home before church started. Baby steps and every day stronger.
2 weeks post-op Belly pain much better. Bruise is finally fading. Bleeding has stopped as well. Steri-strips have washed off but one side it still "raw" looking, so I put a band-aid back on it. Still have a lingering cough and it hurts the belly when I have to cough, but it's much better. I can sleep "normal" on my bed now but if I lay too long on my left side my leg becomes numb. The prescription pain meds have run out but I still need "something" so I take Ibuprofen when the pain gets to be too much. I can be up about an hour or so and then I get exhausted and have to rest. Sometimes it means a nap, other times, just relaxing in my recliner. I can get back up and function after a bit, but things are better the longer I can recoup. Hoping to proportionalize the up/down time and get back into a schedule so I can get my life back and hopefully get my classes back at school. I miss teaching.
I had a Laproscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy on Monday the 17th and came home Wednesday afternoon. The surgery itself went fine. I was wheeled back to the OR just before the scheduled surgery time of 7am. I remember scooting over to the operating table and then was out. I briefly remember waking up in the recovery room just enough for them to tell me they were moving me to my room and then I woke up again in my hospital room with Jason by my side shortly after noon. The nurse got Jason a pillow and then we both napped again til around 2.
The surgery incision points were 2 pokes in my belly and then through my belly button. My left ovary was completely encapsulated by endometriosis and was removed but the right ovary was fine and doc was able to save that. The web of endo was all located behind my left hip and down the nerve and pulmonary artery. Doc said he had to dig and go lower than he is used to going with this type of surgery. My bladder and uterus were fused together with scar tissue. He freed the bladder and repaired it. My cervix was the 4th incision and my uterus was delivered vaginally and then cervix removed.
Post op, I had issues with my bp (too low) and it was never resolved. I was supposed to sit up and move to a chair Monday night, but I was so groggy. Tuesday morning the catheter was taken out and just before noon and I finally was able to sit up. When the doc saw me he told me I looked awful. (Gee thanks). Because I was so groggy he made the decision then that I would be staying a 2nd night. Wednesday morning I was feeling stronger, though my blood count was still consistently low. My hand that had the iv swelled up like a balloon and they had to take the iv out early but I think with that helped my leaving when I did. Doc met with me just before lunch and had told me he'd give me oral meds and see how I handled them and told me I could go home after dinner, but when the nurse came to check on me at 1, she said I was discharged and to arrange a ride. Jason was in the middle of a project so pastor came out and brought me home just after 2.
I have a 5lb lifting limit. My post op follow up appointment is on Nov. 7th.
Now 5 days post op, I still have a sore throat and cough developed from being intubated for surgery. The coughing does not help the belly healing. I also have a yellow, purple and blue bruise on my right side around the incision. I can not lie flat on my bed. I was able to sleep in my bed last night but I completely padded around my hips and back and woke up so stiff this morning I'm not sure it was worth it. I get sudden urges to pee and if I hold it even a minute, it BURNS to release. I had my first bowel movement post surgery this morning which brought about a pool of blood with it. Keeping my eye on that, but with it also made the gas pains for the most part subside for which I am thankful. My children are wonderful about being patient with mommy and helping get me blankets, papers, computer, etc. Jason is being as patient as he can with me being needy, but I know he's ready for me to pick up the wifely duties again. I have many wonderful friends from church making us meals and making sure the family is cared for, and I have the most wonderful neighbors whom I can send the kids to get a bath.
I have seen how God has been holding me throughout this entire process from even the one poke IV (which for me is AMAZING!!) to the care for my family. I must admit though that I am still impatient and am ready just to be able to DO again. I don't like having to wait and be waited on.
1 Week Post-op Belly still quite sore and bruised. There is still a bit of blood, but only when I wipe. I can sleep in my bed if I wrap my legs around a blanket and make a "pocket" of cushion for my hip. I can walk around pretty good and stairs do not hurt. If I stand too long the pain increases. I use a heating pad when I sit and that helps a lot. The pain meds (norco) wears off at about 5 1/2 hours (prescription is every 6 hours). The cough is dissipating but still there. I made it to Sunday School on Sunday but had to come home before church started. Baby steps and every day stronger.
2 weeks post-op Belly pain much better. Bruise is finally fading. Bleeding has stopped as well. Steri-strips have washed off but one side it still "raw" looking, so I put a band-aid back on it. Still have a lingering cough and it hurts the belly when I have to cough, but it's much better. I can sleep "normal" on my bed now but if I lay too long on my left side my leg becomes numb. The prescription pain meds have run out but I still need "something" so I take Ibuprofen when the pain gets to be too much. I can be up about an hour or so and then I get exhausted and have to rest. Sometimes it means a nap, other times, just relaxing in my recliner. I can get back up and function after a bit, but things are better the longer I can recoup. Hoping to proportionalize the up/down time and get back into a schedule so I can get my life back and hopefully get my classes back at school. I miss teaching.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Light em up!
The kids helped my mom and dad plant pumpkins at the woods this summer and when my mom came up a few weeks ago shared the crop with us. They of course picked out their favorite to carve up as jack o-lanterns. Payton wanted a "ninja" face, Ashleigh a "kitty", and Adi I made a simple smiley. Here is the process and final projects:
Sunday, October 23, 2011
For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. Colossians 2:12
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Our little man
Payton has taken a huge step of faith and has made the decision that he is ready to follow the Lords leading in his life and follow Him in believers baptism. Tomorrow at 10:30 will be a huge day not only in his life, but also in his walk with God. As his mother, I couldn't be any more proud. When he accepted Christ at the age of 3 1/2 I was taken back and reexamined just what it meant to have the faith of a child. It was never more real to me than at that moment. And tomorrow to see my little guy following such a huge step in his Christian walk, well, I don't know that I can put it into words.
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