Home Again

I'm home!  Still in a lot of pain.  I wasn't prepared for the pain.  For some silly reason, I wasn't aware that this procedure would be so painful.  Originally I thought I wouldn't even need to go home on any pain meds. (Ha!)  I found out that during the operation the surgeon used spreaders to fully open me up.  I thought he was just going to go through the stoma site.  So that explains a lot of the pain.  

Haven't had a real bowel movement yet, but I did finally pass gas last night.  And let's just say I think I woke up the entire floor!  It would have made any 8th grade boy proud.  I think once I start moving things through the system a lot of this discomfort will go way.  As of now, I've only passed small amounts of, what we believe is mainly, mucous and blood.  The small intestines aren't use to taking on the role of large intestines and colon.  I am trying to enjoy the fact that I have only gone the bathroom a small handful of times since surgery.  I know once things wake up I may go as often as 20 times a day.  

I can't possible say enough nice things about the place I stayed.  Lacks Cancer Center is nicer then most hotels!  Seriously.  I had a wonderful head massage from their resident massage therapist for my chronic headaches.  It felt so good and relaxing!  Everyday Becky and I would walk up to the Healing Gardens on the roof.  It was so beautiful and serene.  Amazing that such a peaceful place exists on top of a roof, in a city no less.  And then last night we spent some time in the Meditation Room.  It's hard not to concentrate on healing and your well being while there.  At Lack's there are patients in all different stages of their battle with cancer and it was a gentle reminder how very fortunate I am.  I have so much to be thankful for.  

Healing Garden

Meditation Room

*Photos from Lackscancercenter.org