A Week Later

 A week ago today, I underwent surgery (see prior blog post, dated 8/14).  According to the surgeon, everything went well.  Not only was he able to perform the prescribed surgery, he was also able to repair my hiatal hernia, which was discovered after a follow up visit and referral, after passing out in the street, a year prior.  Another silver lining, after years of experiencing acid reflux, possibly caused by the hernia.  

I was able to walk two hours post-surgery, assisted by nurse tech Damien.  I kicked him getting out of bed and told him that was to whip him into shape.  Of course the kick was an accident, but this was how we joshed his short time with me.  I told him to bring me one of the forms where you can salute a tech, but he never did.  Damien!  

I strutted out of the hospital the next day with the music of James Brown, “I Feel Good,” playing in my head and the cocktail of “feel good” drugs still making their way through my body. The ride home with the twist and turns of the Bronx River Parkway and the god awful roads of Mt. Vernon, along with the wearing off of the drugs, gave me a feeling of malaise: chills, wanting to upchuck, weakness and tiredness.  My daughter sent me to bed.

I have had highs and lows over the next days, and even the lows could have been worse.  I had no pain at the incision sites, just extreme discomfort from gas pain and bloating.  I also had minimal pain when getting up from a seated position and when lying in and getting out of bed.

This is my eighth day of drinking only clear fluids, with one more week to go. Thankfully, I have no hunger pangs and no need for food, because these last two days I have been staying at my sister’s house where she has these divine tropical fruits.  I would have engorged myself.  But then, she doesn’t have mangoes.  Would I have been able to resist?  I will never know.  

I had to learn how to administer an injection to prevent blood clots.  Who knew that I could do that?  Not squeamish me!  But I did and it wasn’t bad, after all.

The worst part of this journey has been the gas pains. Air was pumped in my body to allow the surgeon to perform the surgery laparoscopically. I had what seemed like never ending gas pain in the shoulder blade, rib cage and bloating in the belly, the kind of gas that doesn't come from the top or bottom. Walking and flailing my arms like a mad woman gave me some relief. 

Any regrets?  None.

Pre surgery

Sister Sandra and daughter Jo-Ann 

The amazing Dr. Weber

My ballooned belly

The incisions

Getting ready to walk with Damien

Sashaying out the hospital