post op feelings (not DS) about pain

October 22, 2001

I had open major abdominal surgery, hysterectomy, oopherectomy (ovaries),

and appendectomy. I was opened from belly button to pubic bone. ICK

The appendectomy took a long time as they figured I had had 5-7 attacks

that had gone undiagnosed and there were lesions all over to the large

intestine. This was one of the reasons for major pain whenever anything

went off in my belly. Like menstrual swelling and cramping. I would pass

out from pain and miss 3-4 days of work.

Anyway, to the point. I woke up from surgery and was in excruciating pain.

Ummm, This is pre-pump era. Well, the recovery team gave me some meds. I

guess, I waited awhile and then started yelling that they had just messed

with my head which was swimming all around and had done nothing to help

with the pain which was still excruciating. WEEEELLLLLL. I guess the next

stuff they gave me did the trick. No more memory of anything in post-op

until they were moving me several hours later to my room and I complained

about the bumps, like when the bed is rolled onto the elevator and so on.

Personally, I was really glad to not be around for the pain.

After my lap gall bladder surgery, I had a morphine pump. I would

eventually get to where I would push for meds and felt ok then push for

more. What I didn't realize was that I was reacting to the morphine. I

ended up with an itching rash and my chest felt so heavy that I would wake

up gasping. They explained later that that was not normal. LOL So, no

morphine. I get to try a new drug with my surgery someday.

Just want you all to know that it is possible to get through any of this.

Eventually you can't really remember pain. Just that you had it. Also one

thing to keep in mind is that to stay on top of your pain. Don't wait

until it is unbearable to ask for more pain meds if you don't have a pump.

Apparently, if your body learns the route to pain it is harder to control.

If you never let the pain develop really high you will have better all over

pain management.

Guess I just felt like I needed to ramble about something tonight.

i

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