April 29, 2013 – Day 4 Recovery

A new OUCH this morning, not thinking with a “I have an incision and just had pretty major surgery” while trying to catch my escaped kitten this morning at 6:30am while everyone else was sleeping.  I’ve learned, it really hurt, the quick bending down to nap the little kitten and OUCH.  I can’t bend to pick up anything else so I’m not sure why I thought I could bend for that (in the moment I guess).  So the day went on with much more tenderness than expected but this could also be because I was no on hardly any pain meds, only children’s Tylenol (liquid) since I couldn’t find any adult liquid Tylenol.  So maybe my pain would have been the same despite the kitten adventure?

Kirk and I went into town to buy new protein drink that didn’t have any lactose in it and I think we found success with one pre-mixed brand at Costco (in what looks like little juice boxes) and then a specialty work out supplement place where we bought some more powder.

Next challenge, having to face a rude and attitude foster son after a 4 day break from our homes routines in the very beginning stages of my healing, not nice, incredibly frustrating actually.  I’m avoiding for my and the rest of the families sanity right now and Kirk’s willingly taking over parenting duties as lack of acknowledgement, attitude, barking snide come backs and telling us how wrong we all are isn’t in his best interest tonight so lovely Kirk is handling it (LOVE YOU!).  And to you single parents out there doing this, CUDOES TO YOU! This is quite a feat to take on as a single parent.  I have had a partner helping from surgery day until today when he goes to work at 6:30pm (actively helping I mean).  I’m only “on shift” with the parenting for 1/2 hour in the morning and from 6:30 until bed, not bad.  Lovely visit from my lovely best-ie Erin and it’s sinking in that I have a month off!! Wow, something to feel a bit excited about and I’m planning some low energy crafts to fill some of my time 🙂 !!

April 28, 2013 – Day 3 Recovery

To be technical, this is really day 2 of recovery since I got to my own room and really started facing my recovery challenges as of 5:30 Friday night, so 5:30 tonight (Sunday) will be 2 full days.  In that short a time, I’ve gone from severe gas and bloating pain (forget the incision pain, it was barely noticeable compared to the gas) to less bloating about noon Saturday but each time I drank yesterday, the bloating would come back.  It wasn’t as severe but it was preventing me from guzzling much back (not that guzzling’s encouraged).  So last night’s shift change included a nurse whom I had to listen to (with my roommate yesterday) moan about her own ailments and I was less than thrilled for her to be my nurse after hearing all of that.  Although there was no moaning, she started on me about not drinking enough and even had the gumption to suggest that I wasn’t being honest about the quantity I was drinking and the blood tests will REALLY tell the truth, REALLY? Not impressed!

It’s now only 8:30am and I’ve met with my new nurse, the Dr, and had blood work taken so the wait is on.  As long as the blood work comes back good, I’m outta here! Kirk’s packing everything up at the Dr.’s Res where he, Grandma and Mikey stayed and they’re heading over here to wait for me.

Each day is getting better.  The only discomfort left as of this morning is a little tenderness at the incision sites and a tiny bit of bloating that passes very quickly.  I could kill whomever is in the community kitchen next to my room making toast though! I don’t crave much but the smell of toast is yummy!  It probably didn’t help that they forgot my lunch yesterday either.

ONCE HOME ugh…

I started with a nap because the 2.5hr car ride was tough then a long wait at the pharmacy for meds.  After my nap, given it was 5pm and I had eaten nothing all day, I decided to have my first protein shake complete with Skim Milk (since it’s allowed now) and OMG, rough situation.  Tummy gurgling for an hour, other horrid symptoms along with food creeping back up in my mouth ewww.  It would appear I’ve developed the dreaded lactose intolerance some people do after this surgery.  It took about 2 hours to totally settle and at that point, I was terrified to try to eat anything else.  I guess this adventure will come complete with bumps in the road.

April 27, 2013 – Day 2 recovery

Sleep last night came one hour at a time.  Sleeping on my side (which is my norm) was truly impossible so my back was my only option.  I think that due to my intense pain meds, the groggy feelings that came with it helped with sleep too.  It’s so amazing how a rough day can improve (yesterday) into feeling really decent, all things considered.  I had been jealous of my roommate for how at ease she seemed, walking so much and drinking with ease but I think now (as the day’s gone on) that her walks were tiny compared to mine and her pain is still rough whereas mine is minimal.  I guess I shouldn’t compare 🙂

I just had my bandages changed after a wonderful shower!  I had company (Mom and Mikey) this morning (breaking hospital rules since visiting doesn’t start until 3pm) and I think that visit helped my Mom more than me.  According to Mikey AKA her seeing eye dog who helps here to navigate around, she was pretty upset at my refusal for company yesterday.

I’ve added pics of the excitement happening outside the window, my only allowable drinks (AKA food) for now and my daily tasks.  Kirk took pictures of my incisions but I’m not sure how squeamish folks are so I won’t be posting them *but it’s not as rough looking as you’d think.

I hope each day is like this one, with noticeable improvements!!

April 26, 2013 – Surgery Day

And I wait! Surgery booked for 2:15 and was told it likey won’t be any sooner. Recovery room about 4:30 for 2 hours then my own room FINALLY. If all goes as planned 🙂

So much to Kirk and my surprise, they came to get me 1hr early BUT then left me in the hallway outside the ER for maybe 1/2 hr.  A few more nerves in the hall waiting since I was there alone but the staff were kind.  In the ER I had to stand and sit and stand, readjust a few times and it wasn’t long afterwards that I was out and waking back up to the feeling of me being moved onto a stretcher/bed.  Recovery was yucky with some nausea and exhaustion from the meds intense enough I could hardly keep my eyes open but happily, there was no throwing up!!  It certainly didn’t feel like 2 hours in Recovery but that’s what it was.  I was then wheeled to my room where Kirk stood waiting outside in the hall.  This is when the really yucky part of the day started (or night)…pressure beyond belief in my tummy from all the air they pump into you.  I was standing, sitting, laying then standing, sitting and laying…nothing helped the pain from the big bloated pressure filled tummy.  The evening staff were much more generous with their pain meds to help me with this tummy pressure and it really made a big difference.  My poor Mom…I was so miserable and uncomfortable, I refused visitors and I heard later that she was pretty upset (sorry Mom).  I sent Kirk away by 9pm and started my all night napping for an hour, up for 10 then back to sleep.

April 25, 2013 – Opti Day 17

Laying in bed, working on my laptop, COOL AS A CUCUMBER…not a worry in the world (mostly) and treating today like Christmas Eve, excited to wait for tomorrow.  Lets hope that feeling lasts 🙂  I think kindness helps as meeting everyone I have so far (yesterday) and their calm and kind presentation keeps me at ease.  Lets hope that continues to be my experience!

This afternoon we leave to check in, in Ottawa, on campus at the Residents Quarters (can’t recall the exact name) instead of a hotel.  It’s about the same price but more like a small apartment I’ve been told and of course easy walking distance to the hospital.  JUST GOT THE CALL, surgery is booked for 2:15pm tomorrow, having to report to the hospital at 11am.  Wow will I be hungry since I can’t eat anything all day!!

Some tough emotions mid day as I, being a “best case/worst case scenario” person, in planning for my worst case as ridiculous as that might sound.  Whew!…not easy.

…well, the space we’re at isn’t that bad (I’m including pics) and we’ve already toured around the hospital and the floor where the surgery will take place (to show my Mom and kiddo).  The wee tiny-est bit of nerves but really nothing and I’m glad for that! I’m expecting that saying good-bye to Kirk and watching him be upset will be the hardest tomorrow.  Here’s hoping my pain tomorrow afternoon is reasonable, that’s really my biggest worry.

April 24, 2013 – Opti Day 16

Today was the pre-admission visit (so silly to have driven up to Ottawa Wednesday now again Thursday)!  So easy (the visit) with 3 lovely staff interviewing me, some blood work I actually didn’t even feel!!…and a 1hr visit instead of the suggested 3hrs.  I got a clear picture of the steps of Friday which for my mind, puts me at ease (and Kirk too I think).  A little annoyed that the hospital doesn’t tell me the expected arrival time until mid day the day before surgery!!

I got confirmation that my MIL Sheila will watch my fur babies so we can go up one night ahead, get a decent sleep and just walk over to the hospital the next morning. I’m sure it wasn’t the first thing on her TO DO list of exciting Thursday night plans but so very appreciated! I hope the doggies are on their best behaviour 🙂 Then Friday and Saturday I have my brother and “best-est” moving in back to back to doggie sit the rest of the weekend.  Lucky us and lucky doggies 🙂

I still don’t have all my paperwork done that I had hoped but I’m bringing my work to the hospital and doing it the night before surgery to keep my mind busy.

Oh, and there is some slight movement in the weight dept…down to 284 now, 16lbs after stalling at 15lbs down for 4 days.  Not one cheat on my Opti despite a few temptations and I think day 3 or 4 and just this past weekend was the worst with big hunger!

I’m a very lucky person to have Kirk in my life…I already knew it but it’s so sweet how he’s overly worried and then congratulates me then warns me that I better follow all of the Dr’s orders 🙂  I’m also so glad that he got to meet my friends at work too!

April 23, 2013 – Opti Day 15

Last day at work (in the office) and again, little hunger or issues with the shakes.  A twinge of sadness being the last to leave the building and looking back at my desk.  I do really love my job and the people there!  It’s feeling REAL now, so very close and time has flown by!

April 22, 2013 – Opti Day 14

Back to work, only one more day in the office after today (I wish the paperwork part was done that quick too but sadly not).  Hardly hungry?? Interesting and happy about this but odd.  Is it because I’m at work all day? When I’m home I’m about as busy? None the less, I’m glad to not have my stomach talk to me all day.  Finalized my time off coverage (happy for a great job with good benefits) and wrapping up some last client visits.  Still stalled at my weight loss…still ok with that as in this new world, I don’t know what normal is but I know I’m following Dr’s orders 🙂

April 21, 2013 – Opti Day 13

Sunday I hardly moved but don’t confuse that for getting things accomplished! Tons and tons of paperwork for my fostering president role all DONE!  But sadly, another starving hungry day 😦 I think it’s about being busy and away from home that helps (or out of the house) but I can’t say for sure because last weekend wasn’t as tough? Still stalled at 15lbs and still ok with it!

April 20, 2013 – Opti Day 12

Saturday with 1lb gained according to the scale.  I’ve heard a stall or gain is normal and with a gain so small, it could be nothing.  No worries as I consider myself lucky for such quick loss to date.

VERY hungry day again like yesterday.  An uncomfortable tempted to cheat (but didn’t) hungry.  I even joked with Kirk about buying chips and licking off the flavouring like another weight loss person told us in a wait room one day that she did.  But I didn’t.  Then as a very sweet gesture, after a tough grocery shopping trip with Kirk, was told that he forgot something and ran back in.  He came back out with these 🙂 My consolation prize to not being able to have something to eat!

Scrambling to get all fostering executive stuff as done as I can while I’m off and next to finish up some client paperwork things.  Computer day today and Sunday.