The Road to Recovery
Look! A non-twitter update! EEK!
Yes, I know. I've been away for a long time. Just trying to get things accomplished this year. And I have made a start.
I had my surgery last week!
After a few appointments with my doctor, we scheduled the surgery for April 28. Everything was going smoothly - I made sure my work was informed, I filed for my short-term disability per regulations, etc.
I had my pre-op testing scheduled for Tuesday the 21st, and took the afternoon off work. It seemed to go okay, other than some high blood pressure - but understandable considering I had just driven over from work and all. Chatted with the nurse/anesthetist who looked a lot like Sarah Parish. Had an EKG and a blood test, then went home.
The next day my husband called - it seemed the anesthetist saw an issue with my EKG and wanted a Cardiology clear before okaying the surgery. My doctor had scheduled an appointment with a cardiologist for Friday afternoon, but I had to call my primary for the referral forms (gotta love those HMO/PPOs). It was late and the office was closed, so that call had to wait until the next morning.
First thing Thursday morning, I called my primary. Now, I've been going to this place for more than 20 years, so should have been an easy thing, right? Wrong. They couldn't find my file. 20 years, and they were asking me if I was sure that I was a patient there. I'm surprised at how well I kept my temper, but I would have love to have seen my blood pressure then! Finally, they agreed to do the referral. Grrr.
Friday was good. My co-workers had a 'good luck' party for me, and my family stopped by for lunch. I left work at around 2:30 to head to the cardiologist. The doctor was very sympathetic with me wanting to be cleared for my surgery. He was able to secure an appointment for first thing Monday morning for a stress test and cardiac ultrasound. I was kind of glad that they found the issue before hand and not on the surgery table, but I didn't want my surgery delayed any more - I was just in too much pain and at my wits end from putting it off as long as I did.
The weekend was nice. I tried not to be too stressed out and all. But the uncertainty was still there.
Monday was hot as heck, and I wasn't allowed to eat. It was my surgery prep day, so clear liquids only, and only water prior to the cardiac testing. I got to the lab okay, and underwent the ultrasound first. Not too bad - warm goo on my chest (minds out of the gutter, folks) and the tech had a gentle touch with the sensor thingie. Then, the stress test. First, they stuck an IV port in my arm and gave me a shot of radioactive stuff. Then I sat for about 45 minutes before they put me on a table and did a scan. Then, some time later they put me on a treadmill, hooked me up to an EKG and had me walk, increasing the speed and the slope of the treadmill until my heart reached a target rate. Then more radioactive stuff. 45 minutes later and back in the scanner. And then it was over. I went home, and the doc read my results right away and, thankfully, cleared me for surgery.
I had to be at the hospital by 6:30 on Tuesday morning. As the lady was checking me in, she commented on my last name. Turns out, she was my mother's cousin! She checked on me several times before I headed into surgery since hubby had to run the spudling to school and pick up my mom. They got there in time to sit with me before I was taken back into the OR. The anesthetist actually took me back. He was funny, and stopped at a window to comment on how beautiful the day looked. Got into the OR, said hello to my doctor and all the staff, then mask on the face and out I went.
I don't remember being woken up the first time after the surgery, but my doc told my hubby and mom that I fought her as they were waking me up. I do remember waking up some time later in the recovery room. Surprisingly not too much pain, although the morphine might have had something to do with that.
Spent Wednesday in the hospital (private room - love my doc and the insurance) and came home Thursday night. However, I had a minor complication. I had diarrhea like crazy. Did nothing but sit on the toilet from Thursday through Monday. Had to go back to the lab for tests to make sure that it wasn't anything infectious (which it wasn't), and it seems to have resolved. But boy, it sure wiped me out. I am recovering, though, and feel pretty good.
As for the results of the surgery itself: What was supposed to be several large tumors turned out to be more than that. Not only were the tumors there, but my doc found a rampant case of severe endometriosis and a ton of scar tissue. My right fallopian tube was completely adhered to the top of my uterus. My left tube and ovary were adhered to the left of my uterus. My doc tried to save the left ovary, but the bleeding was too bad and she couldn't risk it. My bladder was stuck to the front of my uterus, but was unstuck without damage other than a bit of swelling and a minor nerve irritation - I had no sense of the need to pee, but that is slowly returning. My lower colon was also trapped in scar tissue and stuck to the back of my uterus. Fortunately, my doctor was able to free that up without damage, too. So end result - bladder and bowel okay, right ovary remains. Uterus, tubes and left ovary gone. And happily, no sign of cancer according to the pathology report!
Oh, and the heart? I have a faulty tricuspid valve, which is a common occurrence from what the cardiologist said. Nothing big, but will need to be monitored in the future. My next appointment with him is in about 2 years.
So here I am, owner of a 6-inch incision in my lower abdomen, recovering from the surgery and bored to tears. Almost to the point of wanting to go back to work. At least I have the net and, as my strength returns, I'll have my beading to work on.
Well, that's all for now. I'll try not to be such a stranger, but no guarantees.
Yes, I know. I've been away for a long time. Just trying to get things accomplished this year. And I have made a start.
I had my surgery last week!
After a few appointments with my doctor, we scheduled the surgery for April 28. Everything was going smoothly - I made sure my work was informed, I filed for my short-term disability per regulations, etc.
I had my pre-op testing scheduled for Tuesday the 21st, and took the afternoon off work. It seemed to go okay, other than some high blood pressure - but understandable considering I had just driven over from work and all. Chatted with the nurse/anesthetist who looked a lot like Sarah Parish. Had an EKG and a blood test, then went home.
The next day my husband called - it seemed the anesthetist saw an issue with my EKG and wanted a Cardiology clear before okaying the surgery. My doctor had scheduled an appointment with a cardiologist for Friday afternoon, but I had to call my primary for the referral forms (gotta love those HMO/PPOs). It was late and the office was closed, so that call had to wait until the next morning.
First thing Thursday morning, I called my primary. Now, I've been going to this place for more than 20 years, so should have been an easy thing, right? Wrong. They couldn't find my file. 20 years, and they were asking me if I was sure that I was a patient there. I'm surprised at how well I kept my temper, but I would have love to have seen my blood pressure then! Finally, they agreed to do the referral. Grrr.
Friday was good. My co-workers had a 'good luck' party for me, and my family stopped by for lunch. I left work at around 2:30 to head to the cardiologist. The doctor was very sympathetic with me wanting to be cleared for my surgery. He was able to secure an appointment for first thing Monday morning for a stress test and cardiac ultrasound. I was kind of glad that they found the issue before hand and not on the surgery table, but I didn't want my surgery delayed any more - I was just in too much pain and at my wits end from putting it off as long as I did.
The weekend was nice. I tried not to be too stressed out and all. But the uncertainty was still there.
Monday was hot as heck, and I wasn't allowed to eat. It was my surgery prep day, so clear liquids only, and only water prior to the cardiac testing. I got to the lab okay, and underwent the ultrasound first. Not too bad - warm goo on my chest (minds out of the gutter, folks) and the tech had a gentle touch with the sensor thingie. Then, the stress test. First, they stuck an IV port in my arm and gave me a shot of radioactive stuff. Then I sat for about 45 minutes before they put me on a table and did a scan. Then, some time later they put me on a treadmill, hooked me up to an EKG and had me walk, increasing the speed and the slope of the treadmill until my heart reached a target rate. Then more radioactive stuff. 45 minutes later and back in the scanner. And then it was over. I went home, and the doc read my results right away and, thankfully, cleared me for surgery.
I had to be at the hospital by 6:30 on Tuesday morning. As the lady was checking me in, she commented on my last name. Turns out, she was my mother's cousin! She checked on me several times before I headed into surgery since hubby had to run the spudling to school and pick up my mom. They got there in time to sit with me before I was taken back into the OR. The anesthetist actually took me back. He was funny, and stopped at a window to comment on how beautiful the day looked. Got into the OR, said hello to my doctor and all the staff, then mask on the face and out I went.
I don't remember being woken up the first time after the surgery, but my doc told my hubby and mom that I fought her as they were waking me up. I do remember waking up some time later in the recovery room. Surprisingly not too much pain, although the morphine might have had something to do with that.
Spent Wednesday in the hospital (private room - love my doc and the insurance) and came home Thursday night. However, I had a minor complication. I had diarrhea like crazy. Did nothing but sit on the toilet from Thursday through Monday. Had to go back to the lab for tests to make sure that it wasn't anything infectious (which it wasn't), and it seems to have resolved. But boy, it sure wiped me out. I am recovering, though, and feel pretty good.
As for the results of the surgery itself: What was supposed to be several large tumors turned out to be more than that. Not only were the tumors there, but my doc found a rampant case of severe endometriosis and a ton of scar tissue. My right fallopian tube was completely adhered to the top of my uterus. My left tube and ovary were adhered to the left of my uterus. My doc tried to save the left ovary, but the bleeding was too bad and she couldn't risk it. My bladder was stuck to the front of my uterus, but was unstuck without damage other than a bit of swelling and a minor nerve irritation - I had no sense of the need to pee, but that is slowly returning. My lower colon was also trapped in scar tissue and stuck to the back of my uterus. Fortunately, my doctor was able to free that up without damage, too. So end result - bladder and bowel okay, right ovary remains. Uterus, tubes and left ovary gone. And happily, no sign of cancer according to the pathology report!
Oh, and the heart? I have a faulty tricuspid valve, which is a common occurrence from what the cardiologist said. Nothing big, but will need to be monitored in the future. My next appointment with him is in about 2 years.
So here I am, owner of a 6-inch incision in my lower abdomen, recovering from the surgery and bored to tears. Almost to the point of wanting to go back to work. At least I have the net and, as my strength returns, I'll have my beading to work on.
Well, that's all for now. I'll try not to be such a stranger, but no guarantees.