One week Post Op

[Nymea 87]

Well this time last week I was heading to the ward from recovery, my plumbing all re-routed. Am I happy it was done ... yes I am starting to be ... but for most of the last week I totally regretted the decision.

After constantly vomiting for 3 days solid ... until my doc put me on an extreme nausea protocol they usually reserve for cancer patients. Finally I got some relief, not fully clear but at least not vomiting actively 24/7. There were moments when I regretted the choice. There were moments when I wondered if I would ever be able to eat of drink again. There were moments I just gave in and cried, slept, sulked or watched tv.

I woke with a large bore naso gastric tube - it hurt my throat and every time I moved an inch it made me vomit again. I hated it more than anything else.

Then on day 4 I had a barium swallow .... more like super Drano swallow. I must have the cleanest sparkliest innards in Melbourne by now. But at least the NG tube could come out now .. yay goodbye and good riddance. I never want to have one of those again.

Finally day 5 I was allowed to eat. Yay .... salty Water named chicken broth in the hopes it might fool someone into trying it. Apple juice - yumm ... until you have had it for the 6th time in a day. And peppermint tea. I hate peppermint tea. They provide peppermint because so many people dislike black ordinary tea ... but that is how i normally take tea. I managed to cajole a nurse into swapping the bag for me so at least I could enjoy a decent cuppa.

The next problem I discovered was everything going cold because I could only eat/drink so slowly. Oh well thank goodness for the microwave.

On the day of discharge (yesterday) my surgeon came in early to see me and said I could have free fluids now. I hardly waited for him to leave the room before I raced down to the coffee shop and bought a latte - Decaf because I always drink decaff and half strength because I don't like it too strong .... but something with flavour, something normal. It is funny - after an operation and hospitalisation, anything that helps you fel normal again has huge value.

We stopped in at the supermarket on the way home and bought makings for some Soup, some puree apple and makings for custard and latte. The shop was more of a challenge than I expected. Lucky for me the center is just redeveloped with lots of places to stop and sit ... I used every single one of them on my trip, but my hubs was good and did most of the work for me. I just told him what to get and chose the meat/vegies myself. I bought everything pre chopped so all I had to do was shove it in a saucepan and put it on to simmer slowly. Hubs did the lifting for me .. and did my washing from the hospital while I rested with a cup of tea.

Then after making some custard and having a little of that with some puree apple, I slept for a bit. I woke and blended up a portion of soup - enough for a couple of days, having some for dinner. That soup was like nectar from the gods. More normality how splendid.

So my journey has begun. With all the early regrets and fears, I can say things look more promising now.

The biggest surprise was how tired I get and how easily I tire, how easily I get full and that i still feel nauseous without the anti nausea meds.

Edited July 23, 2016 by Nymea

[Djmohr 6,965]

I am glad things are starting to turn around for you. Everyday it should get a little better.

Congratulations on making it through and getting home.