Being on the other side...

Surgery was two days ago, and I'm feeling pretty good so far.  Aside from some stinging pain in my lower left abdomen (the incision where they put the stapler in) and pressure from gas, I am not really hurting so bad. You never realize how much you use your stomach muscles until it hurts to use them!  Getting up and getting around is not so bad.  I have nice binder (think about a giant Ace bandage for your tummy) wrapped around me that keeps me from giggling around like Santa, and keeps the pain at bay.  Pain killers are amazing too!  I've been on a hydrocodone/acetaminophen elixir cocktail that makes me feel great (if not a little drunk)!  For the gas, I've been walking around a bit to move it around, and sorry of this grosses you out, but farting and burping are my best friends right now.  At least they don't stink cause I haven't eaten anything.  This side of surgery is already becoming a whole new world for me!

The strangest thing is my hunger.  I haven't eaten anything in three whole days, and I'm not hungry at all!!!  It's a whole new way of thinking that I am so not used to.  All I can handle right now is fluids, fluids, fluids.  I can't chug down a glass of ice water like I used to, I can only sip all day. So, getting the full 64 oz of fluids a day is surely a challenge, but I'm making it.  I ate a grape sugar free Popsicle tonight and after the twenty minutes it took me to eat it, I felt like I had eaten a whole feast.  I was full from a Popsicle!!!!  My surgeon told me I may feel this way for up to 3 weeks, but just to go with it because as long as I take my vitamins, I'm okay.

The day of surgery was an emotional one.  I was nervous about the actual procedure and being under anesthesia.  I know I did fine in my last surgery, but I was still concerned.  I mean when they ask you if you have a will or a medical directive, you are instantly reminded that you have a chance (although it is small) that you will die on the operating table.  While I was getting prepped, I had an unexpected visitor, my colon surgeon, Dr. Izfar, who preformed my fisulotomy back in July.  She saw my name on the surgery board when she came in to do surgery on someone else and popped in to say hello.  It caught me off guard, but I was so happy to see her.  She told me that she really cared for me and wanted make sure everything was going okay, and to wish me luck on my new journey.  I cried a bit cause I was very touched, no doctor I have ever had has ever cared that much.  After she left, the anesthesiologist came in to start my "margarita" as he called it and they wheeled me back to the operating room, scooted me onto the table, and after that I woke up in the recovery room.  I was in quite a bit of pain, but they pumped me full of morphine and took me to my room where I would stay the night.  My mom was there and I kept drifting in and out.  Eventually I woke up more, got up to pee and walk a little.  My sister and niece came by to see me and the nurse gave me more pain meds, and I started to drift off again. So mom, sissy, and Kylie, took off and I went on to sleep.  This was the pattern I kept with until about 2:30 yesterday, pain meds, sleep, walking.  Being home with mom feels great, I really hate being in hospitals and feel like I have more freedom to do more here without being bugged every 3 hours for vitals.

All in all, there are no regrets so far, and I am in good spirits!!  I want to thank you all for your prayers, good vibes and support through this so far.  I've been reminded this week how many people care for me and it makes me feel so wonderful.  Sometimes we forget that people care, so I was very happy to be reminded and feel all that love from all of you!  If you ever need my support, you have it guaranteed!!