TanaSmith

Okay, so I've began updating my progress on my own personal blog. Which for right now is going to be easier for me to do because I understand how to work my way around it. So for all those who would like to keep up with my progress feel free to visit my blog anytime. santanasmith.blogspot.com Don't use www in front of it. It won't direct you to the blog if you do. But my plan for tracking my progress will start after I go for my post-op appointment. Because then I will know what my weight is and all that good stuff.

As with most surgeries, today was a lil easier than the last. Although I must say when I'm actually going through each day that is not what I'm thinking. My thoughts are usually along the lines of "Why in the world did I put myself through this crazy pain?" "This pain is some b.s.!" "Screw this mess, I can't take it." LOLOL. And that's the PG version. Oh the things that go through my head. So anyways, today has been mostly soreness when moving. Walking is still pretty easy but still hurts if I take too big of steps, it's cause I'm kind of stretching. But today & yesterday I went with out pain meds, and was okay. So now 2 days out without pain medications; just using the nausea meds when needed. I did drive today as well since it's been more than 24 hours without being medicated. Didn't think it was gonna hurt as much as it did, but it did. Surprisingly! Never realized how much you use your abdomen to drive and stuff, or maybe it's just cause I drive an SUV so it takes more to move it. My mom also went home today :sad: so I was a lil sad, cause I am kind of the only one from my immediate family out here, so I'm sort of by myself. But she made it back safely & I'll get to see her & everyone else in about a month.. So about 3 hours into my mingling with the "real world" I realized I was a lil tired & starting to feel all the movement I had been doing. The soreness was definitely starting to get the best of me so then I realized I may need a few more days of of work. Especially since I work on a high acuity med/surg floor. I definitely thought I'd be able to jump right back into the routine of things, but I was pushing myself way too hard. And if I continue I probably won't heal well. Plus my doctor won't sign a release without restrictions until he's seen me post-op. So I guess it all worked out in my favor, since I really wasn't ready mentally to go back to work. Getting away from there is like literally avoiding a bad day! So I get to have nothing but good days at least until the 17th. OH, on another positive note, right quick, one of my classmates/fellow nurses was recently banded right before me. So now I have someone who've I've known for a lil bit to fight this battle with me & who will understand pretty much everything we all have to go through and deal with. So I have a shoulder to cry on when I get frustrated or need some encouragement. :thumbup: Whew :bored:, well I think I've said A LOT. So on to my movie night! "It's Complicated" & "Dear John" TILL' NEXT TIME :cool: PS: I'M SOOOO CRAVING A GLASS OF WINE RIGHT NOW!

Your probably not going to feel like walking and moving around after your surgery, but it really does help relieve some of that gas pain. I think because I did move around and walk a good amount I didn't experience the shoulder gas pain, which from what I hear is the WORST! Today has been a better day for me then the other 2 so I'm praying that it just keeps getting easier from here because I have to go back to work on Saturday. Best of luck to you!

I'm gonna get to shower today! Never thought I'd be so happy to say that. LOLOL. Let's see, the pain is still there but it's not as bad as it was yesterday when trying to get up and sit down. I still haven't gotten the gas pains behind my shoulder, but I do have them in my chest. So it's a lil hard to take really big deep breaths. And sometimes makes me short winded if I try and talk to loud or too much. I do get to start on full liquid's and so I started on my protein mix as well. I haven't really been to hungry because I've been in to much pain to worry about eating. I will say this about walking & pain, it doesn't hurt to walk, it's the sitting down & getting up that hurts like hell. It's almost like you become stiff even if you sit for like 5 mins. My stomach is definitely still extra bloated, so I'll be glad when that goes down. And I'm also gonna try and only use the Tylenol for pain control. Plus that pain med is NASTY! I feel for children when they have to swallow liquid forms of medicine. Today is gonna be a good day! ~Tana

@emetyb01 Thank you! I've been taking the pain meds, but I kind of think they aren't really working. I seem to be more soar when I'm just getting up from laying down & any movements that cause even the littlest form of stretching. I'm glad you say 7 days out & your feeling normal. I will be counting down for that day. LOLOL.

Thanks for the words of encouragement. Really appreciate it!

Okay so today I am SOOOO soar. Yesterday I was too, but this time any which way I move it hurts like crazy. So I'm really hoping that this soreness doesn't get worse, only gets better from here. I haven't had the gas pains in the shoulder yet & hopefully I won't, but I've also been taking the Gas-X too. My mom is here with me and she keeps reminding me that I did it for a reason, so just get through the soar part & I'll be fine. Also that I need to remember that I have something foreign in me so I'm going to have to get used to that as well. But they did tell me that the more I walk the less stiff & soar I will be. I'm suppose to go back to work on Saturday, so I guess today were gonna do more walking so that I can get ready for work. Also gonna go find a food processor because my blender does okay, but the food processor will thin out the food more. But I was able to drink water, apple juice, jello, & some broth yesterday with no feelings of nausea or vomiting. :eek:

Thanks guys.

So I'm having my surgery today. I will be headed to the hospital in a few minutes. Just got off of work so I'm a lil tired & not quite nervous yet. Not sure if I will be or not. But I'm excited to do this and be done with the healing part. Wish me luck & I'll be back to update when I'm up too it. Blessings! Tana:smile2: