Hellooooooo!!!
So its Saturday nite, I think, at least according to the web.
If you are friends w/me on facebook or twitter, or spoke to me on the phone, you may know some of what I am about to write...if not, this will be fresh!!
So my surgery was Monday- seems like a lifetime ago. Surgery went well. My liver was larger than expected, so it was a little bit more invasive. I was in recovery a bit longer as well because my heart rate was out of whack as well. Lets not forget about my nasal injury that I sustained 2.5 yrs ago which made it virtually impossible for the oxygen to, well, oxygenate me until Wednesday nite (I think it was then) that I was awake enough to explain to the nurse that I need something different in terms of oxygen- so a misted mask was placed on me til Thursday morning- and voila- my oxygen went back to the 'normal' range. (I will post about my nasal injury at another time- lets just say its a constant scabbing/post nasal/blood fiesta at all times in there- lets not forget the hole in there too- I can push a q-tip around and thru like a stupid human trick)
I was released from Beth Israel on Thursday afternoon. My surgery site is healing- its actually itchy at times- and then the FUN began. I took a shower with a lot of help from David and was getting settled. First mistake was to attempt to get comfortable in the guest room. Like I said, mistake one. I paced the halls every hour, when I wasn't pacing I actually had to pee (which is good-they make ensure that happens on your own before you are released) then the REAL evil manifested itself- the CO2 that was pumped into me during surgery settled, in of all places, my neck and shoulders. Apparently this does happen and apparently I have a severe case of it- and of course its one of those things that 'works itself out'. I paged the covering doctor who explained what happened with the gas (duh, like I hadn't read it online since Thursday nite and David hadn't researched it either) so I am taking the pain med (which gives me headaches tho not as bad) and using a heat patch as well as a travel pillow for neck support (thank you to my neighbor, Sheila, for that suggestion!!). I can only describe this pain as whiplash- severe, debilitating whiplash. The gas will hopefully work itself out of me via burping or passing gas or a bowel movement in a matter of time.
Every moment I am learning something new. Showering with the neck pain is interesting. Amazingly, showers feel great. I still can't reach some places- but Dave is here with me every step of the way.
Poor Dave- he hasn't slept well since I have been home; let alone not getting adequate rest commuting to and from the hospital (a good 40 minutes without traffic and lites and morons driving in Boston). From crushing my pills, to helping me in the shower, to making sure I try to have at least half my protein shake in the morning- I cannot express my gratitude towards him enough. He is my best friend and I wouldn't be here with out him. I love you, Dave- thank you for all you do!
So I plan on sleeping tonite- with lots of luck and tons of meds (which I have to keep reminding myself that its OK to take them because I am in pain that legitimizes it. No doubt this whole gas/whiplash will dissipate and something else difficult will manifest in time, I just have to remember to take everything in stride.
Off to watch the Red Sox hopefully kick some Cleveland ass. Good night everyone and stay safe!!
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