Monday, January 10, 2011

On the mend

The surgery went well on Friday. No problems, just a whole lot of pain. I didn't think it was going to be as painful as it was. I guess I just didn't really know what to expect from the surgery.

My doctor did say that my gallbladder needed to come out, it was very inflamed. So hopefully I won't be having any more stomach issues now. The whole weekend was spent in bed or on the couch. What sucked for me is I like to sleep on my stomach and for the first 2 nights that just wasn't an option. I was so uncomfortable and in so much pain that I barely slept. I woke up every hour.

Thankfully last night was the first night I actually slept and I felt a lot better today. I wish I didn't have to go to work today, I could have used another day home, but I am happy to be out of the house. I'm starting to feel back to normal and I hope in a few days the pain will be gone.

I have 4 little scars where the incisions went and they are still really tender and pretty hard right now. In a few months it'll fade and become soft again. My stomach is pretty bloated still. Since they fill you with air during the surgery, not all of it comes out when they are done. In a few days it'll start to deflate.

What I wasn't expecting, my right shoulder hurt like hell after. Apparently there is a nerve that runs from the stomach to the shoulder and this operation causes that nerve to gets irritated. Causing my shoulder to kill! Seriously I couldn't believe it.

The nurses and everyone was awesome that day. One nicer than the next. It made the whole thing so much better because of that. My Doctor came to check on my like 4 times, the nurses were great, and my anesthesiologist was awesome. He really listened to me about how anesthesia affects me. He gave me a sedative before we went into the operating room. pills to help with my nausea afterward and made sure to put the medicine in that helps with the burning it causes. Because of all that, I woke up not puking or screaming. lol. Which has happened to me every other time. I woke up feeling just a little sick and overall like crap, but not like it has been before. He also called me later that night to see how I was feeling. Seriously he was the best!

Overall it was one of the most painful surgeries I've ever had, but one of the best hostpial experiences I've ever had. If that makes any sense at all.

5 comments:

Raquel's World said...

Glad you are better and made it through.

Karen said...

Glad it went well. I am surprised that you had a rough time after. I had no real pain at all. I guess I was lucky!

erin - heart in ireland said...

glad you were able to have the surgery! and yay for the doctors being great and so helpful!

Margaret (Peggy or Peg too) said...

Glad to hear you are on the mend Carolyn.

You'll be great in time for your trip.

Jessie at Luna Pacifica said...

I recently had surgery! What did you have done to yours?