Hello from the OTHER SIDE!!! (LONG!)

[Guest guest]

Hello everyone!

Just wanted to give a yell to let everyone know how I am doing and let you

what little bit I do remember...

Well, We got to Durham Regional at about 6:30 <an hour early> and went ahead and

signed in.. We went to the check in desk and was handed some papers, went to the

second desk where she took those papers ad gave us some more.. Then on to SDA

<same day admission>.. When we got there we found out that instead of being the

fourth person to dance that day, I would probably be SECOND! The first person

couldn't get prior approval and the second didn't show up.. Well, I guess

something happened because I was actually third.. I didn't mind... At about

11:30 I was down in the pre-op holding area an I REALLY had to pee.. I felt

aweful because they told me to pee before I got down there because once the IV

was in place it would be difficult.. I did but it was so cold in that holding

area I couldn't help it.. I finally asked if they could bring me to the bathroom

just before they were going to wheel me into the OR... Didn't want Dr R to have

to clean a mess.. LOL... Also, when I was in the holding area, Dr R came by and

I asked him if I could please be put to sleep BEFORE they secured my arms down..

He told me " definately not. You will have to cancel your sugery then! " I just

puted and said " nooooooo!!! " He told me that he didn't want my arms to fall off

and I had to be awake when they did it.. He had such a serious face too.. But, i

couldn't help but laugh... Actually when I got into OR and slid on the table the

only problem I had was the cold until they put the mask on my face.. About 4 or

5 breaths into it, I started to panic.. The next thing I knew was I was moaning

because of the pain.. It was all over with... But, they heard me and came to put

meds in my IV immediately and after about a minute or so the pain stopped... I

woke up some time later <not sure about the times until later in the evening>

and can just remember being sooo thursty... I also couldn't take a deep breath

because of one gas pockets made it diffcult so I took a few puffs of my inhaler

and felt much better.. They brought me some water and ice chips which helped a

LOT and back to sleep again.. I think I hit the button for the pump that time

too... Then I guess it was about 11:30 or so when i woke up again and this time

I thought i was going to throw up.. It was horrible an I knew it was going to be

painful if i did so I tried everything to stop it.. Luckily the nurse came in

when i called her and brought me some Phenergan which did the trick... This

happened once again when I woke up about 5 hours later and that time they gave

me a shot.. By the time 4am came around I was feeling pretty good.. The sedation

was finally wearing off and I wasn't AS tired as before but I was still sleepy..

I made sure I slept as much as I could since I didn't get any sleep the night

before.. I knew my body was just plain worn out.. I went walking around a few

times and found out that <my first litter mate> had already left that

night... With as perky as she is, I don't doubt she was feeling good! hehe..

Well, Come 7am I wanted breakfast but not becasue i was hungry.. I just wanted

something other than gatorade or water.. The burse brought me some apple juice

that I diluted with water and it did just fine.. Just the change of flavor was

enough to satisfy me... About that same time I noticed my hand and arm was

blowing up and the nurse went ahead and took the IV out since I didn't seem to

need the pain meds anymore.. My arm is red and sore on the inside from my wrist

to my elbow.. I guess my arm didn't like that thing in there.. But, that should

be gone in a day or two.. Well, Dr R finally came in to see me about 9am and I

left around 9:30... I've gotten almost all my meds filled except for the one

they screwed up on.. They gave me the pill form of carafate and we need the

liquid... It even says on the paper 2 TEASPOONS a day.. How can I take 2

TEASPOONS of pills?!?!?!?!... So, I called them back and they told me they only

had enough to last a day.. So, I will get the rest of it tomorrow.. Other than

that, I'm all set... I'm still feeling a little uncomfortable.. I have one gas

pocket right in the center below my ribs that no matter what i do just won't go

away.. When I move or sit slouched down or soemthing I can feel the bubbles

moving around but I guess it's just stuck... And two of my ports are a little

sore from my boobs being so low but I try to keep my shurt under them and keep

them off my belly... That seems to do the trick... As far as what I have eaten

so far, hmm.. Let's see... I've had about 3 tablespoons of water/ice, 3/4 cup

gatorade, 2 oz V8 juice <which was WONDERFUL!> and about 1/2 teaspoons of

yogurt. and of course all medsand stuff.. I'm still excessively thursty but just

keep sipping on gatorade.. I might see if water will do the trick in a bit

<maybe need more salt?>... I am even using my sons sippy cup so I don't get too

much too fast.. It works great! As far as energy, when we finally got home about

2:30 or so, We put alex down for a nap and we took one ourselves.. I wonke up

with about 5:30 or so and have been up ever since.. I have even cleaned my

sons rug <on my hands and knees> twice because he decided to make a " mess " and

also had to give him a bath! I still have to be a bit careful about bending down

though because one port site feels like it's pulling when i do... I will

probably go watch some TV and then watch ER and go to bed.. If there are any

pre-ops who would like a contact, I'm only a day out but I would be more than

happy to help you out!

In my thoughts and prayers,

Terri

POST-OP!!

10/25/00

BMI 55

302/200 <pre-op/first goal!>

" But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. " - Luke 6:27-28

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