Just checking in

I've always been a pretty healthy person, and my experience with hospitals,   limited to having my children born, so abdominal surgery was a new experience.  Warning, I am writing this post under the influence of some pain meds, please excuse all spelling and grammar errors.

And since I am a blogger, documenting all parts of my life I thought I'd talk a little about the experience. Maybe helping someone else. I once heard that those patients who expect an easy recovery have it rougher than those that expect some form of difficulty. So I purposefully went into this preparing for the worst, but hoping for the best.  For informational purposes I had a routine Hysterectomy, and am glad for it.

Pre-op my fears were complications, infection, and anesthesia awareness.  You bet I quizzed the anesthesiologist about the awareness issue. He made me feel better and I proceeded to allow him to put me under (didn't have much choice at that point) .  I had armed myself with information by watching  youtube videos, reading articles etc. Some people would not be comfortable with that, but I like having all the information I can, albeit a little discomforting.  On a funny note, knowing the Dr would be using a camera, I asked if pictures would be taken of my insides. She said yes, and I have asked to see them. She actually took extra photos which she will show me on my follow up visit. I actually can't wait to see the inside of myself. My son however, thinks this is gross. I will not be posting these on my blog however:)

It has all been pretty strait forward and I'm happy to say I'm home and recovering nicely.  I told my hubby I needed 4 things on my bedside table "phone, remote, computer, a drink". I've added a few items to my list.  Above you see my "nest". Complete with movies, pain meds, remote, phone, computer, glasses, iced tea, long arm grabber (which i use a lot) and trash can. That pretty much sets me up from my perch for all my needs.

 A few helpful hints and unexpected surprises. (G rated surprises)

Post anesthesia gave me a hangover. Having never had a hangover I did not realize that is what I was battling. My head was spinning, light and noise were irritating (and this is when my IV bag machine started beeping incessantly) but it all lifted about an hour after I started feeling it. 

Pain has not been a huge issue. although not in the place I expected. The incisions are not a problem, but the area internally where they did the work, is very sore. I am far more mobile than I expected to be. And many movements I thought would hurt, do not .  So stairs are not as big a problem as I had expected.


The secret to getting the doctors office to call you back... Get in the shower. The secret to getting the doctor to show up to release you...call their office the second before they walk in the door. The secret to getting transferred from post op to your room...have husband leave to go to the restroom, only to return to find you gone and have to track you down. Notes for next time.

If you live in East Texas, I highly recommend Mother Frances Hospital. We had a wonderful experience.
Private room was apparently standard issue, very attentive staff that were very concerned with keeping things clean, sterile, and keeping me and my husband comfortable. There was a couch and recliner in the room for the caregivers which was a nice surprise.

So that is part of my post surgical experience so far. I will not be junking in any extreme form for at least 6 weeks. My etsy store is on vacation mode, but I will re-open is soon with the smaller non heavy items, and I have 100 items ready to list that have not yet been listed, so lots of new stuff coming.

I'm bored and so comments are welcome and enjoyed, as the computer is my best friend right now :)

Thank you,
Margo