Monday, July 28, 2008

I'm Baaack.

Did you all miss me?  It is good to be home.  Currently my mother in law, Becky, is here helping to take care of me.  She has been a true God send.  I had no idea how much help I was going to need.  It is hard and frustrating not being able to take care of yourself.  
I am feeling okay.  I still have a good amount of pain and I'm still on the pain meds (percocet).  But, we were able to cut the dose in half.  Surprisingly I have a lot of pain in my lower back.  At the hospital a nurse told me it was partly because the doctor contorts your body during surgery, since he needs to access both sides of you.  I also have abdominal pain.  Besides all the pain I am extremely tired.  I get out of breath and light headed very easy.  Today is the first day I am actually able to sit up more.  Before I got very dizzy and out of breath while sitting. 
This morning I visited the ostomy nurse.  It was my first adventure out since the surgery.  And lets just say it wiped me out completely!  The nurse was very pleased with me.  She said most young people do not accept and embrace their ostomy like I did.  The nurse did tell me, I probably won't be able to wear pants while I have the ostomy.  Unless they are very baggy and I have a very long shirt.  The doctor put my stoma right on my belt line, and since I have a small frame the bag is large on me and hangs down to almost mid thigh.  Good thing it is summer and I stocked up on sun-dresses!  (Thanks Aunt Pam for helping me with that!!)  I don't know what I'll wear once fall comes.  Oh well, I have plenty of time to think about it.  
Tomorrow I have an appointment with Dr Kim, the surgeon.  He is going to attempt to remove my drain tube.  Currently I have a tube coming out of a little hole in my belly.  It drains fluids out of abdominal cavity.  I can't wait to get rid of it.  A doctor at the hospital attempted to remove it, but she couldn't.  She tried three times to pull it out.  And all three times I screamed like a banshee and the tube didn't budge.  It felt like she was trying to pull all of my insides out through a tiny hole.  It was a little bothersome since she pulled with all her might and it didn't even move an inch.  She said that she has never seen a drain tube that would budge before.  They think I might have developed an adhesion to it.  So let's just say that I am very nervous to have Dr Kim remove it tomorrow. 

Well that is about all I can type for today.  I must go lay down.  It took a couple sessions just to get this all typed out.  

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Steph, Good to hear from you!
Also glad to hear that Becky is with you.

Oooch, the thought of them tugging on that tube must have hurt. I would have been screaming every obsenity in the book and probably hit someone too.

You will have to move to sunny Florida so you can wear sundresses year round or wait for the 80's long sweaters to come in style. It is about time for them to make a comeback -

Good luck tomorrow with the surgeon.

Love, Aunt Paula

Keri said...

Steph, I'm glad to hear that you're feeling up to blogging.

Good luck getting your tube removed tomorrow. Hopefully the expert (Dr. Kim) won't have problems removing.

Take care and rest up!

Anonymous said...

Stephers,
I am so glad to hear from you again! Scott did a great job, but I am glad to see you are typing again. My mom will be so thrilled to hear you will be enjoying the dresses she sent! I will call and tell her. I have had you on my mind every waking hour for the past week and I am so thrilled to know you are safe and sound at home. I wish I was up there to help you (if you do need help, I still have some time to come up!!). Well take it easy and just enjoy the down time! I love you and will talk to you soon.

Love, Jessi

Christina said...

so happy to hear from you!! i hope that the tube removal goes better tomorrow! ouch!!

Anonymous said...

Steph:

So glad to hear that you are making progress. You are awesome. Paula is right about the screaming every obsenity in the book if someone were tugging on that tube...ouch!!! I am glad you are able to wear sundresses...and when it gets colder you could wear warmer casual dresses with leggins perhaps??? Just a suggestion. Love and miss you.

Nick

Heather said...

yay!! an update from YOU!!! Glad that you are beginning to have a bit more energy. Hope that the tube removal process tomorrow goes smoothly.

Anonymous said...

Great to hear from you, Steph! Remember to soak up all the help you can get ... they are there to help, and they want to because they love you! Your recovery will continue to go smoothly when you get the rest that your body needs. Thanks Becky and Scott for taking such good care of her!!

Transitional Sapce said...

Hi Steph,
I'm so glad you're back. How are you feeling? How was everything? I can't wait to read more about your experience and how you are feeling. Get well soon! You have a lot of wonderful people rooting for you! :)

Sugarmouth O'Riordan said...

Tip for dressing around an ostomy--I wear one of my belly bands from when I was pregnant (example) when wearing a shirt that isn't super long. Good insurance that your business will be covered. :)

Try to rest up these next few days/weeks and I hope they give you something to take the edge off prior to pulling out your drain! :)

Anonymous said...

Welcome back...of course we missed you!! Sounds like all is under control and you have lots of support to get you through this next chapter. I'm sure Dr Kim will have success with that drain tomorrow. We'll be waiting to hear about your visit. Sleep tight!
Love ya
Aunt Donna