Monday, January 30, 2012

Monday Monday

Gosh, I think it would have been easier to stay in the hospital another night, rather than have to get up this a.m. and go to out-patient for blood work! Wait! I change my mind on that, I forgot coming home saved me some heparin shots in my lower belly. That was something new this time, something I definitely could have done without! And I could take a break from my abdominal binder. It is this hellish girdle-like thing. It's actually been on break since I got home. Mums the word on that one. I was not moving too quickly this a.m. My potassium was a wee bit low (from all the hurling) when I was discharged yesterday, so they wanted it checked out this a.m. Haven't heard anything yet, but I suspect I will, what with the cramping I'm feeling in my legs. I'm sure they'll call later.You know, probably when I finally fall asleep. :)

And I also think it was kind of mean of them to send me home with a surgical drain to empty! I told the nurse I thought I'd be leaving the hospital unencumbered! LOL  Certainly better than the shock of that colostomy bag last time. WARNING: Graphic (sort of gross) medical stuff to follow . . . I have to drain this thing in my abdomen, and measure it. First time I drained it last night, I was so tired, I couldn't see the markings on the side of the little cup thing. I ask my Mom if she can see the numbers, and she is holding it up to the light in the kitchen, this reddish pink fluid with little bits of me floating around in there, then she asks me "How much of this stuff do you have to drink?"  Oh lordy, it was funny.

I'm temporarily energized by macaroni and cheese and a slice of buttered toast and (tsk tsk) a diet pepsi, so I'm going to take advantage of this energy and grab a shower. My dietary choices have been interesting. My first solid I was able to keep down in the hospital was chocolate pudding, washed down by a root beer. I mean what the heck? The food there is so good and I did not get to enjoy any of it! Grrrrrr. I knew yesterday morning, when I got brave enough to try and look at the pictures of food on the hospital menu and didn't get sick, that things were looking up. It was pretty bad for a couple of days, couldn't even keep liquids down.

More later. For now I'll just say it is so nice NOT to be nauseous, that just kicked my ass. In fact this whole thing has. I thought it would be easier than the other one. Quite the shocker. Glad it is over.

The hospital is going to call today to see how I'm doing. It's going to be short and sweet . . . "I drank, I ate, I pooped. I did not hurl." The sweet nurses and aides felt so bad for me. Plus, you know, who wouldn't want to get rid of this dry heaving puker? LOL Just kidding. They were the best.

Thanks for the good wishes folks. Doing better now.

Kay :)

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Home!

Glad to be home. And that's all for now! More when I feel better.

Bed feels sooo good! And so does being bagless! LOL

Kay

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Another update

Kay's doing a little bit better today.   The catheter came out last night and she can have clear liquids.  She got to have some tea this morning and half a popsicle for lunch.  She had a student nurse assigned to her and got up and down quite a bit today.  There are more bowel sounds but not yet enough for her to start eating  yet--likely tomorrow.  She said she's starting to get hungry.  She's had a few visitors.  Things seem to be progressing according to plan--perhaps I should say we're under way to a "Bagless Recovery." (If only we could say the same about the American and world economies.)  If she ends up being in the hospital past Sunday I'll post another update, otherwise I'll let her finish the tale herself.  She appreciates all your well-wishes.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Just got off the phone with Kay.  She said she feels a ton better than yesterday, but still feels like shit.  They got her up to walk once early this morning.  They were going to do it again but she threw up.  She said the pain was worse than the last surgery.  She doesn't actually get ice chips after all--nothing until her bowels wake up.  There are some really light sounds now.  She woke up every 15 minutes last night so is sleeping a bit today.  She'll be in five days or so.  I passed along what I heard from some of you.  She laughed at a couple of things, said it hurt, but that it was good because it helps get all that anesthesia out of her system.  She's in room 251.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Out of Surgery

Kay's out of surgery.  Took four hours and fifteen minutes, mainly due to the scar tissue from the cyst surgery.  She's tired and thirsty and can only have ice chips.  More information to come tonight or tomorrow.

Surgery Day

I pronounce this body cleansed! LOL  When the hospital called to tell me what time to check in today, girl said to be there at 6:00 for a 7:30 procedure. Surgery was scheduled for 9:00, but the earlier the better is fine with me! LOL  Last night wasn't as bad as I feared, but it was certainly interesting. And that's all I'm going to say about that! Had a fright yesterday, turns out I have a UTI, and I thought they might postpone the surgery, but since I'm not having any symptoms, surgery is a go! Woo hoo. 

I'm off. To the hospital that is. Thanks for thinking of me folks. John will update here later.

Kay :)

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Sunday, January 22, 2012

I've got my stuff packed up for work tomorrow . . . antibiotics, chicken broth, a sports drink, some Sierra Mist, pineapple Jello. If anyone would like to join me for a snack, please, feel free to pop in. I'm trying to forget that I had a hard time ingesting all these things after that last surgery. I'll have to leave work a little early to be home for my 5:00 date with Movi-prep.

I've got my stuff packed up for hospital too. I'm ready.

Come Tuesday, about 9:00, please cross your fingers, say a prayer, wish me luck.  I want my drawer back , the one with all the colostomy supplies. I want to get that chair out of my tiny bathroom. I want to be able to leave the house without thinking and planning (and worrying). I want to be bagless in Morris!

Kay :)

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

One Week Countdown

Gosh the 24th is coming up fast! I can't believe it has been 3 months since the surgery. I had my appointment with GP today, to get check-up for surgery. Tomorrow I have to be at the hospital at 9:00 a.m. for some other fun stuff, needles and cups, and  electrodes and stuff like that. Doc ordered a recheck of my thyroid hormones too, since it's been 6 months since my funky numbers at blood test for my insurance. I even shopped for my clear liquid diet stuff this weekend. I'm ready for Monday! The idea of drinking that bowel prep stuff at 5:00 on Monday kind of freaks me out, but you know, I have a pretty serene life. A evening of suspense and excitement won't kill me . . . probably! LOL

Kay :)

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

January 10, 2012

Two weeks til surgery! Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh and wooo hooooo! What a mixed bag (haha) of feelings.

No news really. I've been doing well walking each morning, and a short walk after dinner, and at least once a day on my "smoke" breaks at work. Keeping things in good working order is good incentive to keep on moving! And the upcoming surgery is also good incentive. I figure the more time I spend on my feet the easier it will be to get back on them afterwards. Sounds like some nasty cold coming in at end of week, so we'll have to see how motivated I am then!

I haven't gotten on scale. When I get nervous I eat, and I'm nervous about the surgery, so I need to settle myself down. Serenity now Kathleen!

Kay  :)