Something I probably should have included in my last blog, and that will be applicable in this one, is that I had a bladder augmentation using part of the bowel, which caused complications for this operation.
So the day of the operation arrived. I was supposed to have it laparoscopically and be in surgery for just 20 minutes to 1 hour, so not one of my bigger operations but possibly the most life-changing. I arrived at the hospital and went to the "elective admissions lounge," which, for those who don't know, is instead of going onto a ward, you go into a waiting room, then have more paperwork filled out and your band put on. Then the stoma nurse came down and took me into a private changing room to mark me up for where my stoma would be (doing various bending, sitting, and laying and taking into account how you wear your trousers). Then, depending on where you are in the queue, you are filtered through for a quick chat with the consultant, get into your gown, and have the cannula inserted. I somehow got bumped up the list, so I was in the theatre by 10 am. As I said, this was meant to be a 20-minute laparoscopic procedure more than an operation; however, due to complications when they opened me up, it took over 4 hours to complete it.
I don't remember much of that first night at all; apparently, I was happy as Larry, and everything was fine and dandy! The next morning I was more awake and off the morphine and such, and just felt relieved to be out the other end. I also remember the stoma nurse changing my bag for me as I still wasn't up and about.
The next day I changed my own bag with help. I admit it didn't go great, and the next 2 days I struggled to change it (mainly because of a post-op infection that wasn't diagnosed until the day I was due to leave). As the days went on, I got my act together in the hospital and decided I'd been through worse, and this wasn't going to be the one that stops me. After I'd decided that, the remaining days in the hospital were a breeze. I made better decisions regarding what kind of bag suited me best and absorbed much more information.
Skipping forward to the ride home, you sure do notice every bump in the road, but getting home always makes you feel better, even if it is just before Christmas and your boiler froze up while in the hospital. I actually went a little backwards at home due to the infection and it opening at the top. The next 2 weeks I rarely moved for anything because of the pain, but still, I was home, and that got me through this stage.
Sevensins
Oct 16, 2011 7:15 pm
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