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gallbladderrecovery · 4 years

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Day of surgery!

I realized with my last post I probably should have put a break in. O well. Here’s what the day of the surgery was like. I’m likely to write a separate post about the first night because the first night was rough. I won’t lie about that.

So my surgery was scheduled at noon. This makes having no food or fluids before surgery not particularly easy. Luckily the nurse giving me some pre-op info said I had to have clear liquids after like 3 am and a hard stop on everything at 7-ish AM. That’s not so bad. Especially since I normally wake up at 5:30-6 for work. Per the normal I got up at like 5, took my omeprazole (ODT, so on water needed) I debated having a drink, but was doing ok. I never fell back asleep, which might have helped me. I was just really tired and everything felt surreal.

10 AM my dad picked me up, dropped off a bag with my sister (I would be staying with her for 2 days), visited with my mom and aunt for a little bit, went to the surgery center. Because of COVID, my dad was not allowed to stay in the building. Correction, he could stay in the office reception area with me until I went back, but couldn’t not go back with me. So he just dropped me off. I’ll be honest that I’m kind of glad the ones to see me wake up were medical staff only. If anyone I guess is curious, I was wearing loose-ish yoga pants, a tunic-style tank top, and a off the shoulder light sweatshirt over that. No bra because I wasn’t sure how high cut below the bust would be and I didn’t want anything causing problems. I was a little concerned about underwear because one of the incisions is at the belly button, and that’s where my pants sit. For the record, I did not have a single issue with that incision site. Glad I didn’t wear a bra because it would just be a pain. The incision under the bust is probably 2-3 finger widths below where my bra would sit, but you are swollen. So one less thing to worry about or put on while still having anesthesia wear off.

Here’s where I’m going to start possibly discussing all the things you might not want to know, and that will include menstruation because yeah. Of course that started day of surgery. (Why not?) But this is also really key in part of my recovery too. I’m not at all ashamed of my body functioning the way that it is supposed to, but if it’s something that makes you uncomfortable, you won’t like me. :)

I get there, meet the nurse, meet everyone else, you have to confirmed with every single person why you’re there because surgery for the wrong things happen. This helps make sure you know the staff has the right person and that you actually know why you’re there. It’s still weird to say with every person I’m here to get rid of my gallbladder.

My meeting with the anesthesiologist was interesting, but very assuring. I’ll tell you why: the only surgery I’ve ever had was to have my wisdom teeth removed. I was put under, but I woke up in the middle of it while they were drilling. That was scary. I also woke up absolutely sobbing after oral surgery not because I was in pain, but I tend to hold my stress in and sobbing is just one way I release that. This is also to reassure anyone who wakes up crying, that’s ok. The medical staff if used to it. The anesthesiologist assured me I would not wake up in the middle because I would be completely out just in case I had a little trauma from oral surgery. The anesthesia is different, but it was still something in the back of my head. She also confirmed that waking up and having a sort of let down of tears is normal. Please believe me it is. Especially if you’re a tension crier. lol I’m one of those that gets so angry I cry. Again, it’s not because I was in pain, but it was 100% just a release of tension.

So because my period had started that day, I wasn’t too worried about bleeding all over the place, but I let the nurse know because you should always be upfront with the medical staff. The only down side was that I could not have anything inserted during surgery. It made sense. They just put some pads down under me just in case (and again, good to let the medical staff know just in case they see blood). The weird part was the solution was just to use one of those bulky bulky pads and just let my thighs hold it in place. Again. First day. Wasn’t worried, but whatever makes life easier on everyone.

I get the IV hooked up, chat with everyone some more. Yes, I’m here to have my GB removed, etc. That weird like air-filled blanket was so nice and warm. They start the IV and start to wheel me down the hall. I mention that it kind of stings, and I’m out before we get to the OR.

Now for all the “fun” parts of post-op!

All the disclaimers: by no means do I wish to scare anyone. I had plenty of people tell me I’ll be fine within 3 days (not true), or the sore throat is worse than the incisions, I’ll be able to eat whatever I want within a day of surgery, etc. Please understand it’s still major surgery. They’re cutting through your abdominal muscles. It will take time to heal. Do NOT compare your healing to others. I had one friend run a half marathon 10 days after surgery, I had another friend not be able to eat much beyond bland foods for the first month or two. Again: DO NOT compare how you’re healing with others. Look for support, advice, but try not to get frustrated that day 5 post op you’re still in pain. It’s ok. It’s still major surgery. Take yourself to a limit or just before that limit, then stop. Check every now and then if that limit is more. Don’t punish yourself for not healing fast enough, well enough, etc. Just stop it. :)

I woke up from surgery. The whole surgery took about 40 minutes. I’m drifting in and out of sleep, but I’m nauseated as effffffff. My stomach also hurts and burns. Worst pain ever? I’m not sure, but it definitely hurt. I’m not sure if the first words I said were I’m nauseous, but it was pretty much one of the first things I was really aware of besides the pain. The nurse put an ice pack on my side, they gave me pain meds, but it didn’t really do what I wanted it to do. I was still in pain. I did end up crying a little. Not the giant sobs like after oral surgery. I also remember the nurse asking me if I knew someone named Kris while I was still waking up. Apparently she knew my aunt. I don’t have a common last name. One day I’ll remember to tell me aunt...oops. lol Aaaanyway. So I’m still in pain, I’m involuntarily shivering, and the nurse tells me that I should take the oral pain meds because it will last longer. Side note: I am absolutely horrible at taking pills. I can’t without food. If my brain knows there’s a pill I find it and half the time end up biting them. I’ve gotten better, but still. They give me a pill for pain, one of those little cans of ginger ale and saltines. My mouth is dry AF. My throat does not hurt (never did), but I’m a little dry and scratching from the oxygen tube. You cannot swallow saltines or similar crackers with NO moisture in your mouth. Don’t even try. But with a swish of ginger ale, it’s ok. Still not the pain relief, but I did notice that the two little saltines did help with the nausea a bit.

Eventually the nurses switch, the surgeon comes in stating it was a success and good thing we got that GB out because it had a few stones in it (understatement I would later find, but I was also still feeling the anesthesia, so I understand keeping the conversation short and to the point lol), blah blah. Eventually the new nurse takes me for a small walk around the wing. That was painful. I swore a few times, but moving is necessary and it did help. It brought a little more color to my face. She was great. She kept reminding me, I have two hands and two arms. Use them. Once around the block was plenty for me, I did feel a little dizzy and nauseated, but again. As painful as it was, it was necessary to move. It continues to be necessary to move. I wake up more, my sister is called, she picks me up, we go get my drugs. My sister has all the discharge stuff, she’s supposed to make me get up every hour, no drugs until this time, etc. I was also just SO tired on top of being sore. I shuffle around the pharmacy slowly, look at my sister and say I’m going to vomit. It kinda scared the lady next to us, I saw the look on her face. Poor thing lol. I do not vomit, but we get my drugs and run into one family member in the parking lot. I did not want to talk to anyone. I just wanted to sit in a chair or lay in bed and not get up.

We get home, my nephew is 2 and very mad he can’t sit in my lap. I’m pretty aware of my surroundings, I got up from the recliner a few times, I eat a few oyster crackers for dinner so I can take my pain meds, and eventually, and VERY slowly, go upstairs to bed. Yeah, that’s a separate post. lol I was ok as long as I wasn’t moving because you’re body gets stuck in this, as long as you don’t move we’ll make this work mode. But again, moving is important.

I’ll post about my first night later. Again, this isn’t to scare people, but it’s what happened to me. As “easy” of a surgery this was, it’s still a road to healing. It’s still surgery. Multiple incision sites in your abdomen. Be kind to yourself.

#gallbladder #get rid of that gallbladder #gallbladder surgery #surgery #post surgery #day of surgery

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me-mindfulexistence · 6 years

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What Is The Difference Between Having A Child With Cancer & One With Schizophrenia? A Casserole Dish.

“.......A few weeks ago, Michael pulled a knife and threatened to kill me and then himself after I asked him to return his overdue library books. His 7- and 9-year old siblings knew the safety plan -- they ran to the car and locked the doors before I even asked them to. I managed to get the knife from Michael, then methodically collected all the sharp objects in the house into a single Tupperware container that now travels with me. Through it all, he continued to scream insults at me and threaten to kill or hurt me.-Liza Long”

http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/Op-Ed/2012/12/23/I-am-Adam-Lanza-s-mother-My-son-threatens-to-kill-me-I-ve-tried-everything-everything-is-not-enough/stories/201212230224

Most of us go into parenthood with rose colored glasses….with the motive to instill and implement every idealistic concept that was ingrained into our psyche from childhood to young adulthood (and unlike our parents and all the other slacker parents we observe around us….come hell or high water we were going to be SUPER successful doing it). Right? I mean how many times have childless parents (including myself) been at a restaurant, entertainment venue or even a family function and thought to our self….”OMG. I’ll NEVER let my child act like that!....I’ll Never blah, blah, blah…..They should do x, y and z” because “we know”.

Then maybe down the road that time comes when we are “blessed” with this little human creature…this “bundle of joy”...our own ‘mini-me’. We love this little baby/child more than our self. The dreams of their future success’s are bounding in our heads.....but slowly they grow and sometime sooner than later the cold reality sets in (for some more than others) that “laying down the law” and “controlling” this little person who has the ultimate goal of seeking full independence isn’t quite as easy or cut and dry as many imagined it would be. Now, let me preface that there are ALL kinds of circumstances that cause increased challenges…whether it’s financial, relationship or health issues…etc (the list goes on and on). There is always something to put a ‘strain’ on your life which makes the art of “parenting” 100x more difficult…That said, parenting a child in what’s considered the “ideal” situation ie- where there is a 2 person relationship for that “tag team emotional support”, financial stability, living in a clean environment with a child who has no extensive health issues IS already difficult and demanding as it is….but what if your child has extreme mental illness? What if your child can’t control their rage? What if your child is abusive to you, animals, siblings, classmates? What if you’ve reached out to doctor after doctor and you’re just going in circles? What if your child is written prescription after prescription and your bathroom cabinet becomes a small pharmacy? What if you become so fearful of your child that you sleep with your door locked? You have a weapon under your pillow? You have to have an emergency plan in place…..No one plans on birthing or raising a Nikolas Cruz or an Adam Lanza. You can’t spank the mental illness out of a child…..you can’t retrain, instill better morals, improve religious proficiency and maximize their appreciation and love for God and expect them to be “cured” of their manic tendencies or severe depression b/c you’re “parenting is on point”. Mental illness is many times undiagnosed, misdiagnosed and extremely complex to treat/manage any one illness (and many people have multiple disorders and end up on a cocktail of drugs) to which every single person responds differently.

There was a time in our not to distant past when mental hospitals/asylums were plentiful….They kept people for long intervals or life time commitments. But due to the abuse of power, lack of funding, and institutionalizing people who were sometimes not mentally ill at all, most have been closed down. For decades now “Deinstitutionalizing” has been a government effort and everyone is mainstreamed into the community…..some into long term care facilities…others just ‘out’. Many end up on the streets homeless and wandering, many commit a potpourri of crimes and eventually live out their lives in prison…and others just ‘exist’ being drug addicts moving from family member to friend...going in and out of hospitals for various medical issues. Which brings me back to my point for writing this….

https://www.thebalance.com/deinstitutionalization-3306067

It’s my opinion that we’ve done a great disservice to our country and communities by closing down psychiatric facilities. Some people are severely mentally ill. Families are living in fear and hopeless. Some people need extensive help and long term management….some people need to be committed and never released. Others may need long indefinite stays. Unfortunately, mental illness isn’t easily controlled. The ugly reality is that it’s a cycle. Many higher functioning people will get help, start managing their issues, feel better, stop managing b/c they feel better and then get worse….once symptoms magnify they will sometimes become paranoid, self medicate with alcohol and drugs and not believe what they’re being told. Now it’s the ‘norms’ trying to convince them to ‘seek help’ again. No one can legally FORCE someone who is an adult and mentally ill to be committed to an institution/hospital involuntarily....you can’t make them get assistance if they don’t want it. Can’t happen. Unless that person is threatening to hurt them self or others they can NOT be committed without their consent. Here’s the kicker of modern mental healthcare….if they are committed…..they go away for usually 2 weeks (30 days tops)-this also applies to minors. So, I threaten to kill you….I’ll be ‘fixed’ in 2 weeks? Usually after a stay they come out ‘snowed’. Doped up on drugs. It’s a vicious cycle. The people who think “fixing the mental healthcare system” will help change our country’s problems are wearing “rose colored glasses”. One step towards improving it.....is affording a massive amount of coverage specifically for MENTAL healthcare (which in our penny pinching system wont happen) ...but many of the people who need this the most can’t even work, let alone have “good” benefits *b/c they are mentally ill! But society has already labeled them “lazy” …. We need mental health institutions where people go to live (that costs lots of $.....wont happen)…. We need to stop ignoring the fact that everyone isn’t meant to co-habitat out in everyday society. This isn’t a PARENTING PROBLEM. It’s a lack of society understanding problem. And as much as this isn’t a gun control rant....if you are getting advanced psych assistance...you should never be able to legally attain a gun. Common sense stuff.

As in the video I posted below....The mom of one of the mentally ill children stated “the difference between having a child with a physical injury or a disease like cancer and having one with mental illness is the lack of sympathy from family and friends....(Casseroles....no one sends casseroles or dinners when your child is a mental mess). B/c there is a fear.”

I couldn’t agree more. There is a stigma attached to mental illness and people aren’t empathetic to the struggle. It’s invisible incurable demon of a disease. Appreciate not only your physical health but your mental health. Don’t take being ‘sane’ for granted....and don’t think ‘better parenting’, more God, and getting rid of all the guns will stop mass shootings...it wont. My 1/2 cent.

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#mentalhealth #SheriHockman #MentalHealthcrisis

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