Day of surgery- It was a rough night before and I hardly slept. All the fear and anxiety was gone. I really was at my wits end with the pain and I was ready for the surgery. They let me continue taking pain medication until the morning of the surgery. We arrived at 6am just as I was told to, even though surgery wasn't until 1pm. Two of my pastors came in to pray over me before I went under the knife. It's kind of a blur as I was able to finally get some sleep during the morning. They stuck me with an IV to get some fluids in me. Surgery started at 1pm and I believe I was in my room by about 5:30. I really didn't want to be alone and my prayers were answered by a steady stream of visitors for the evening. That first night was so hard. I had to keep getting up every hour or so to pee. It was frustrating because the pain was excruciating and it was incredibly difficult to move. The nurses were gracious and sweet every time I called for help or drugs. They gave me both pains shots and Percoset steadily through the night. But, alas, I made it through that first night.
Day 1- The surgeon came in to see me bright and early. I believe it was about 7am when he told me I was going home. I asked to stay. He said NOPE. I couldn't see how I was going to be able to make it without help. The pain was INTENSE. But, he told me going home was the best thing for me, that I wasn't sick, I was injured. I couldn't see that it was the best thing, but I was also under the impression they were going to kick me out between 9am and 12pm. I was also told I couldn't shower until after my next appointment, in a WEEK! Yikes! They hooked me up with this no rinse soap and a shower cap that you put in the microwave and massage your hair into- pretty handy stuff. Anyways, the nurse came in later and told me it would be sometime after 2pm when they gave me my last dose of antibiotic through the IV. By the time I left the hospital well after 3, I was glad I was leaving. I could already tell a small difference in how I was feeling. Every movement hurt, sometimes even breathing. The nurse also drilled movement into my head. It was important that I keep moving throughout the day because it would be easy for blood clots to form. Moving was automatic because I kept having to pee like every hour and a half. Every time I get up to pee, I make it a point to walk around for as long as I can, about 5-10 minutes. O need help getting up and laying back down. I've been taking some serious laxatives because the pain meds have well, backed my system up. I haven't had much of an appetite, but I ate. Sleep came in about hour and a half increments, even through the night as well as taking a steady stream of percoset.
Day 2- Pain seemed to be easing a little, but still taking the meds steadily. I still needed a lot of help getting up and moving around. I continued to walk. Everything is still really difficult, but compared to what I was feeling before, this truly is temporary, so I am completely thankful. I am starting to freak out because I am still "backed up" since Sunday. In addition to the pain in my back, I now have pain in my abdomen. It was completely uncomfortable as my belly felt like it was beginning to swell. My room mate is a nurse and she reassured me to keep drinking water and tea while continuing to take a laxative. I only ate one meal and drank 3 Ensures because I was afraid to really put any more solid food in me. I slept a little during the day and about 4 straight hours during the night.
Day 3- Pain has eased some more and I'm able to stretch out the doses. I discover I am still walking completely crooked- quite a sight to see I tell you. My right hip sticks out and I walk weird. So, to try and compensate, I started pushing on my hip as I walk, hoping to retrain my body as best I can before I can get back into therapy. Oh and yes, I took drastic measures with the backup and it produced the intended results. Relief was achieved, which made me feel better all around. My core aches as I try to walk and while getting up and down. Sleep still evades me as you can tell by me writing this after midnight. I started refusing help getting up today and I feel good about it. It's difficult, but worth it.
I think that's it for now. I should be able to do short updates on a daily basis from now on.
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