So.... did I miss anything???
Well, I’m not going to skip over the insanity that our world has become in the last few months, but I’ll get to that and the impact on Femme Seeks in another post. This post will focus on the MAJOR SURGERY sabbatical interruption.
Surgery was first thing on a Monday about 4.5 weeks ago. I was hella nervous but I knew I was in good hands. I spoke to them about my fear of post surgery pain, and they were all really great about it. The communication at Main Line Health is truly impressive!
Well, I’m not going to skip over the insanity that our world has become in the last few months, but I’ll get to that and the impact on Femme Seeks in another post. This post will focus on the MAJOR SURGERY sabbatical interruption.
Surgery was first thing on a Monday about 4.5 weeks ago. I was hella nervous but I knew I was in good hands. I spoke to them about my fear of post surgery pain, and they were all really great about it. The communication at Main Line Health is truly impressive!
It was so nice to have my mom there!
I won’t lie. This surgery was significantly harder and more painful that donating my kidney. I didn’t know that was possible. Prior to surgery we discussed pain management and they decided to put in an epidural. That said, they couldn’t start it until I was out, so I woke up in intense pain. The immediate aftermath is kind of a blur to me. I was in ICU. I had so many tubes in and out of me (an IV in my neck, one in each hand, 2 drains out of my abdomen, and a tube down my nose). My mom was there which really helped because even thought I was in so much pain, I knew it would be okay because she was there. Also, the docs were REALLY trying to get my pain under control. That happened the first night and I felt a huge sense of relief.
The ICU nurses (Amanda and Devon) were freaking amazing! And Amanda has the same birthday as me!! They helped me brush my teeth and suck on some wet sponges so my mouth wasn’t so dry (I couldn’t drink water because of the tube down my nose).
Unfortunately (but not surprisingly), the pain got way worse on Day 2 and I really struggled. They got it under control but immediately had to transfer me out of ICU which was really painful.
I won’t lie. This surgery was significantly harder and more painful that donating my kidney. I didn’t know that was possible. Prior to surgery we discussed pain management and they decided to put in an epidural. That said, they couldn’t start it until I was out, so I woke up in intense pain. The immediate aftermath is kind of a blur to me. I was in ICU. I had so many tubes in and out of me (an IV in my neck, one in each hand, 2 drains out of my abdomen, and a tube down my nose). My mom was there which really helped because even thought I was in so much pain, I knew it would be okay because she was there. Also, the docs were REALLY trying to get my pain under control. That happened the first night and I felt a huge sense of relief.
The ICU nurses (Amanda and Devon) were freaking amazing! And Amanda has the same birthday as me!! They helped me brush my teeth and suck on some wet sponges so my mouth wasn’t so dry (I couldn’t drink water because of the tube down my nose).
Unfortunately (but not surprisingly), the pain got way worse on Day 2 and I really struggled. They got it under control but immediately had to transfer me out of ICU which was really painful.
 I also got hella flowers and random gifts like unicorn lip balm and a sweet unicorn themed bracelet from all sorts of folks! Made me feel loved!!! | No joke, I wanted to remember this because I *did* feel better later so it’s important for me to remember that even when I was at my worst, like here, I still got better.  |
I very slowly got all the tubes and IV’s removed (except one of the drains), and finally started walking and was released after 5 days in the hospital.
I really can’t say enough about the doctors and nurses! Everyone (except the tech we called Jesus lady who kept talking about Jesus to me— yawn) was great!
I returned home with one drain in and a GIANT incision with 23 staples in it!
I really can’t say enough about the doctors and nurses! Everyone (except the tech we called Jesus lady who kept talking about Jesus to me— yawn) was great!
I returned home with one drain in and a GIANT incision with 23 staples in it!
The staples came out after 2 weeks and the drain was finally removed after a month. I am so glad that I didn’t need to have another procedure to put a stent in (which would have happened had the bile leak not stopped on its own).
When I returned to my mom’s house, I felt so well cared for by her and the home nurses. I started walking very slowly but quickly gained speed and distance. Getting off the pain meds wasn’t easy but 4 weeks post opp, I was off them all!
I’m down my gallbladder and half my liver (not to mention 20 lbs!!!), but recovering well. Also, how cool is it that your liver regenerates???
When I returned to my mom’s house, I felt so well cared for by her and the home nurses. I started walking very slowly but quickly gained speed and distance. Getting off the pain meds wasn’t easy but 4 weeks post opp, I was off them all!
I’m down my gallbladder and half my liver (not to mention 20 lbs!!!), but recovering well. Also, how cool is it that your liver regenerates???
Now THAT was an unexpected sabbatical detour, but I’m loving my scar and already have the tattoo idea ready!
Thanks for all the support lovers! <3 <3 <3
Thanks for all the support lovers! <3 <3 <3
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