I'm just going to keep adding to this as long as I can. I hope it's helpful for others.
8/9 13:42 - I just finished my bottle of magnesium citrate, lemon flavored. Very sour, kinda sweet. Tastes like rocks too. Stomach feels warm, tingly. I know what's going to happen, just not when or how bad.
8/9 15:23 - First bowel movement, was actually three in a row š
8/9 21:19 - Third trip, probably my last since all I've had tonight is coconut water. Hasn't been too bad tbh. Just took dulcolax before bed per Dr instructions.
8/10 5:23 - Woke up at 5, showered and got dressed. Slept really well, but super thirsty. Omfg it's really happening š¬š®
8/10 13:55 - All done. Feeling good. A little yucky from anesthesia. Blood on my finger, was I that thirsty?
https://photos.app.goo.gl/gsemk21JuoTjrvSLA
8/10 16:07 - Ok, so I'm fine. I feel tired, no pain. Just a little like I have a full bladder and something on it. No complications I was told. Care team is amazing, great nurses. Really good view of the city. Icing still. Had some apple juice and lip balm. We'll eat in an hour or two, try walking after
8/10 17:41 - I had nausea and could feel the pain starting. It's like having a very hard bowel and having to pee badly, yet you know it's none of those things. My pain went to a 5 from a 1 very quickly, and it's increasing. Nurse gave medication for both nausea and pain. Food looked amazing. I took a tiny bite just to feel food, but was unable to eat.
8/10 19:37 - I woke up in pain. My back, abdomen, and what really feels like a hard dildo stuck up here. They gave me dilotid. I feel better, heavy. No appetite. Hiccups suck
8/10 20:12 - they just had me walk for five minutes. Some pressure hurt. It was good. I need some sleep. I think I can feel it almost to my belly button. Seriously excited to hear about initial depth
8/11 4:35 - I'm up. I can't really just sleep more than a few hours. Someone is always going to scream or slam a door, or check my vitals. That's not a big deal, it's very easy to fall asleep. My pain has been like a 3 most of the night. I only had one incident where my pain was 8-9, and it's bc they messed with the catheter and I had to pee, but couldn't.
8/11 7:36 - I went for a good walk around the floor. No pain or dizziness. I saw Dr Wittenberg and she was very happy about everything. She said I got 14cm. A little less than I was hoping, but good. I'm hopeful that I can eat today.
8/11 8:34 - just ate bacon and eggs, little coffee and cranberry juice. I'm feeling the area a little more. Besides feeling pressure, I now feel the crackling from nerve repair. Still at a 3-4.
8/11 12:44 - ate lunch, which again was very good for a hospital. I also walked unassisted for two laps. Not much pain, and it was good to have longer strides. I can see the golden gate bridge from my bed now that it's less overcast. Pain is 4. Coffee from nurse's station is way better than the cafeteria. I keep thinking it will get more difficult later, but fingers crossed.
8/11 16:11 - finished another walk, but this time was harder. Feeling nauseous and increased pain. Was given zofran and oxy. Pain is a 5-6
8/11 18:56 - The catheter has become an issue, it's constantly placed in an area where it won't drain, causing unnecessary pain. I slept very hard after my walk, feel much better, and ate fajitas with no tortilla. A tortilla would have been so yummy. Pain is down to a 4.
8/11 20:25 - sleep, sleep, sleep. Might try to use the bathroom. Pain is a 3. I'm bored.
8/12 4:06 - floor has been completely silent, but night shift hasn't checked on me once. I'll go back to bed then.
8/12 8:53 - very small breakfast, walking more. Pain is a 2. Dr Wittenberg said I could go home today or tomorrow. It's a little boring but I'm super comfortable, so idk which to choose
8/12 12:53 - this is the best part of my stay so far. Coffee and a chocolate chip cookie š. If you as for coffee when it's not from the cafeteria, you get nurse coffee, which is way better. I walked no problem. I'm in no pain. Just slight discomfort. I'm sleeping way more today.
8/12 16:51 - I continue to walk and sleep. I have no pain or swelling. I'm staying till tomorrow bc I do feel a bit nauseous and the care here has been excellent. The 180Ā° view of SF, including gg bridge, definitely helps. My room is the size of a studio, shame I couldn't have had guests :(
8/13 4:02 - I slept most of the night after dinner. The night shift does not check on you, which is disappointing. I walked again, still no pain unless I'm sitting or bump my catheter.
8/13 8:22 - just another hour until I get my last dose of meds, and I'll check out. Really, the extended release oxy plus gabapentin has been great. I say my pain is a 2 but sometimes it's zero. Overall, my stay in the hospital, and the whole experience has been excellent.
8/13 16:32 - I'm running a decent fever at 101.8. No other symptoms so it's likely an inflammatory response. I had my first bowel movement, and the worst part was sitting down. I wish I had a high chair for the toilet.
8/14 5:32 - ok, so without the extended release oxy, I'm feeling more pain. I woke up feeling more tender in my abdomen, more pressure and some slight burning around the packing. My stomach is also joining the fun with cramps. Overall, it's a 5, so either it clears up or I'll start crying :'(
8/14 15:50 - ok, there's an amount of pain that meds can't limit. I have a constant, low grade fever. Energy is lower. Overall it feels like it's a lot of pressure and a little burning. I hate it.
8/15 6:17 - I swear I have an inflamed bolster stitch, but caretaker says it looks fine, just sensitive. I was never scared of pooping before, now all I think is contamination. Pain is still low, but I wish walking was easier. I don't do laps, but I do a lot of cooking and cleaning. Rn I feel like I'm whining a lot, but I'm super happy, actually. I just feel like saying what the worst has been, helps prepare others the most.
8/15 17:40 - by far and away, the worst part of all of this has been pooping post op. Mostly bc it's impossible to sit on a toilet without pain. I've been lucky to have gone early, and they've been soft. Bc pressure there hurts. Clean up is a horrible chore compared to before, and my wet wipes cause the skin around my stitches to burn. I cry the whole time. Second worst part is a month without hormones made me lose a cup size :(
8/16 7:08 - last night and this morning have been the worst pain so far. I have lost so much strength, that I can't get out of bed to ambulate as often. When I do, the pain is an 8. And I used to be able to lie back down and feel fine, but no, I was still feeling so many different kinds of pain, and just cried myself to sleep. I hoped it would be better this morning, but it's the same thing. Once my Percocet wears off, it's over. I'm only taking one every 8 hours. It's a very small dose. I'm also very concerned with how much blood my bolster has. It's purple now. It always leaks onto my pads, but not my bed. I'm terrified when they take it off, I'll just keep bleeding forever
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