I took a week off school and work, but going back was a test of my strength. I can't believe how tired I am. I'm not sleeping very comfortably. Not to mnetion my dogs like to lay on my legs. I've done good with the post-op diet but I miss pizza so much. I already lost 14 lbs and it's only been a week and a half. It's hard for me to find pants to wear. My dress slacks for work were pushing against my incisions. I had to skip out on my internship because I was so sore and had nothing to wear. At least I've made it back to work and haven't missed my classes. My lower abdomen is black and blue from my daily injections of Lovenox. Does anyone else have to do that? I'm running out of new places to stick the needle. My husband says I look like I was involved in a prison shanking! Right now my desk is hitting my incision by my liver and its getting irritated. I'm also tired of eating pureed chicken and mashed potatoes. I'm trying to be creative but my list is short for what I can eat. I just can't believe how uncomfortable I am. And am I the only one who has had a change in bathroom habits? I know this sounds personal and embarrasing, but my bowels are real loose. They resemble that of a newborn. I figure its cuz I don't have much substance for a diet. It sure would be comforting to know if someone else's butt was burning.
So my surgery went well. It was the after care that I struggle with. When I woke from surgery I thought I was going to die. The pain was so intense that I couldn't talk. I rated myself a 12 out of 10. It felt like I had been stabbed a billion times over. Childbirth was nothing compared to this. The pain for childbirth is internal. This pain went through me outside and in. Then I had back pain because of a car accident that happened a couple years ago. I had been on my back so long and the pressure of all my weight contributed to my back acting up again. I felt like my spine was going to snap in half. And I couldn't move to reduce the pressure.
When they took me to the room I was suppose to be given pain meds. I had to wait over 20 minutes for it. They put me on morphine and after an hour it would start to wear off. Before the meds were given to me I had passed out from the pain. It was that lack of follow through that set the tone for the hospital. It wasn't until well after 12 hours from my surgery did someone finally bring me some water. Then the toilet was broken in my room so I had to use a bed side commode. Ronn had to walk all the way to the end of the corridor to use a public bathroom. Maintenance never came to fix it. Each time a new nurse shift came on I had to tell them about the toilet and they put in a request everytime but nothing happened. The "customer service" at Phx Baptist was horrible. The only people who were great were the nurses prepping me surgery, my surgeons, and the GateWay Community College Nursing Student. She was awesome, she has wonderful bedside manner. But the nurse she was following that day was lazy and not very attentive to my needs.
I am usually a pretty self sufficient person, but considering the state I was in I had to rely on everyone for help and Ronn had to become my nurse because it would take the hospital forever to respond. I can't wait until I get the satidfaction survey on the mail. The had no idea they were dealing with an ASU W P Carey business student. We've been trained to find to mistakes. We're the best in the nation! So look out bitches!
As far as recovery at home, my back pain went away becasue I am in my own bed. I'm sad my puppies can't lay with me cuz they will jump on me. I love my pain meds at home. They are working perfectly. I have to give myself injections for the next 14 days to avoid infection. I also have to use a spirometer to keep my lungs free of pnuemonia and blood clots. When I eat, I take a spoonful of shake or jello and I'm full. I'm so glad I had this done. All the pain and stress was worth it.
Thanks to everyone who prayed for me and sent me well wishes. That has really helped me feel cared for. I love you all so much! I'll post graphic pictures of my "wounds" soon. They are gross cuz it's my swollen belly full of cuts and bruising. But they are awesome!