December 9th, Next surgery scheduled
I have done my best to try and live life to the fullest and just when I finally figured out the new and crazy me, I will be back in the chair resting and having more time to reflect on what the past 2 years or so has brought to me.
Yes, I am nervous, I remeber the amount of pain I was in when I awoke after the resection, and if they have to cut me like they did back then, well let's just say that their idea of pain control and mine are not the same, so you might hear me yelling all the way from there!
I went gorcery shopping so tht my family at least will have 2 weeks of not having to worry about it. I have some friends who are inssisting on coming over to clean ( however I have a problem with this, I have a husband and an 18 year old son at home, and theyshould be the one's doing the cleaning) The house is in order, all the necessary arrangements have been made at work. so now I just wait until Thursday.........
Trying me best t keep upbeat, but with the holidays coming and my birthday ( 12/26) I have always loved the hustle and bustle of this time of year, and this year I cannot experience it. Oh well, I guess this is the way it is!!!
Kathy
Comments
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Dear Kathy
Sounds like you have gotten things in order for everyone but yourself.
Recovery from major surgery is not fun, I know it took me weeks to even feel like walking out to the kitchen to have a meal with my Mom who was looking after me.
Not sure what they gave you last time or the discussions you may have had about it with your doctor, but there must be something to help with the pain. Get in their face if you have to. No one should suffer. If you know any really big buff man (hubby, son, friend), get that person to stand up for you with the doc...lol.
Get yourself a 'Queen-type crown', put it on and let all know that this year for the holidays and your birthday particularly you are to be pampered and catered too. Soon enough you will be back to taking care of everyone else.
Make sure you have a stack of books/magazines/tabloids next to your chair. Getting lost in reading makes things easier some times. Indulge in your 'inner child' get yourself a holiday coloring book and the really BIG box of crayons and let your imagination run wild!
Prayers that all will go well with the surgery and that your recovery is easier and pain free.
Hugs,
Marie0 -
upcoming surgery
I can understand your trepidation, afraid you will be up against the same issues you had last time. Be sure you stand up for yourself regarding pain control. The medical community understands the connection between pain control and proper healing; the hospitals I stayed in always had posters up about making sure your pain was control, with a number to call if it wasn't being controlled properly. Speak up, don't suffer! I pray your surgery will go fine and you will be on your way to healing very quickly. Definitely do the queen thing and let yourself be pampered over the holidays. Really, people want to help and if pampering is all they can do, they will be more than happy to do so!
mary0 -
Best of luck Kathy on your
Best of luck Kathy on your upcoming surgery. I feel the same as you about the house work and things. Now, this might be easier for me to say than you to do...but just a thought...how about if this Holiday you give the gift of receiving to yourself from your friends that are offering to help. Even little things like an errand can make them feel like they have participated in your recovery. I did this with a few of my close friends and it almost seemed like a look of relief or comfort in their eyes knowing that they were able to do for you. In a way, it made me feel good knowing they felt good.
I wish for you a smooth, easy recovery...and good pain meds!!:)
Gail0 -
Gail - a wonderful idea!plh4gail said:Best of luck Kathy on your
Best of luck Kathy on your upcoming surgery. I feel the same as you about the house work and things. Now, this might be easier for me to say than you to do...but just a thought...how about if this Holiday you give the gift of receiving to yourself from your friends that are offering to help. Even little things like an errand can make them feel like they have participated in your recovery. I did this with a few of my close friends and it almost seemed like a look of relief or comfort in their eyes knowing that they were able to do for you. In a way, it made me feel good knowing they felt good.
I wish for you a smooth, easy recovery...and good pain meds!!:)
Gail
I
Gail - a wonderful idea!
I know friends wanted to help, but I have trouble accepting help from others. However, sometimes I have to remind myself that it makes THEM feel good; if I can't accept for myself, then accept the help for them - allow them the pleasure of giving. That made it easier!
The fact is that post-hernia surgery, when you are restricted in your activities, it is critical that you follow your dr's restrictions. This has to heal properly, and hernias have a habit of recurring when not allowed to fully heal. I forced myself to hold back because I don't want any more surgery!
Kathy, sending all good wishes your way,
Alice0 -
Thank you everyone! I doabrub said:Gail - a wonderful idea!
I
Gail - a wonderful idea!
I know friends wanted to help, but I have trouble accepting help from others. However, sometimes I have to remind myself that it makes THEM feel good; if I can't accept for myself, then accept the help for them - allow them the pleasure of giving. That made it easier!
The fact is that post-hernia surgery, when you are restricted in your activities, it is critical that you follow your dr's restrictions. This has to heal properly, and hernias have a habit of recurring when not allowed to fully heal. I forced myself to hold back because I don't want any more surgery!
Kathy, sending all good wishes your way,
Alice
Thank you everyone! I do beleive that I am now declaring myself the "Queen" for this holiday season!! I will let the friends come in and do for me, as much as this feels strange, Gail make a real valid point about it helping the friends feel better too!
I have spent this morning cleaning and getting all my shopping done online. I think I am ready, Oh except for going and getting a nightshirt to wear at the hosptial. Like a dummy, the last time I was in for the reversal, I was so happy to be done with all that crap that I pitched them ( i dont't usually wear night shirts) But I am ready as I will ever be!!! Of course, I will be reading, on this board and satisfing my facebook addiction as well!
Hugs to all,
Kathy0 -
To the Queen of the Holidaykhl8 said:Thank you everyone! I do
Thank you everyone! I do beleive that I am now declaring myself the "Queen" for this holiday season!! I will let the friends come in and do for me, as much as this feels strange, Gail make a real valid point about it helping the friends feel better too!
I have spent this morning cleaning and getting all my shopping done online. I think I am ready, Oh except for going and getting a nightshirt to wear at the hosptial. Like a dummy, the last time I was in for the reversal, I was so happy to be done with all that crap that I pitched them ( i dont't usually wear night shirts) But I am ready as I will ever be!!! Of course, I will be reading, on this board and satisfing my facebook addiction as well!
Hugs to all,
Kathy
Good for you....when I did this I had such an overwhelming cared about feeling because I "let other's into my space". I learned how not to say no. I thought to myself...this must be what pay it forward feels like when it comes back to you.
Smiling for you, Gail0 -
Hi Kathy!
Hang in there. I'm sure you'll be so happy to have it done. I have a hernia that has been nothing but a termedous problem (parastomal) and it's just a real pain ... literally. I will be hoping for a great and uneventful surgery for you so that for your birthday you aree hernia free!
Bow to the Queen!0 -
Christmas
Kathy,
My colon resection was the day after Thanksgiving in 2007, and I was too weak and tired to "do" Christmas like I always had, and I had already missed Thanksgiving. So I was a bit down about it. But then a quiet Christmas truly restored my soul that year, and I had time to reflect on my gratitude for just being alive and being there to enjoy the people in my life. The decoratios were not missed, as I gazed at all those sweet faces and thanked God I was there to see them.
Hope your Christmas is not too disappointing for you this year.
*hugs*
Gail0 -
Thank you Lori! I will beLori-S said:Hi Kathy!
Hang in there. I'm sure you'll be so happy to have it done. I have a hernia that has been nothing but a termedous problem (parastomal) and it's just a real pain ... literally. I will be hoping for a great and uneventful surgery for you so that for your birthday you aree hernia free!
Bow to the Queen!
Thank you Lori! I will be happy when it is over and I see or not see the bulge anymore!
Move over Kate Middleton, I am going to be the next Queen!
Kathy0 -
Gail,tootsie1 said:Christmas
Kathy,
My colon resection was the day after Thanksgiving in 2007, and I was too weak and tired to "do" Christmas like I always had, and I had already missed Thanksgiving. So I was a bit down about it. But then a quiet Christmas truly restored my soul that year, and I had time to reflect on my gratitude for just being alive and being there to enjoy the people in my life. The decoratios were not missed, as I gazed at all those sweet faces and thanked God I was there to see them.
Hope your Christmas is not too disappointing for you this year.
*hugs*
Gail
I have done all that I
Gail,
I have done all that I can to prep for a quiet Christmas, the tree is up, the lights are on the house, the shopping is almost done, I will finish that today. So all that is left is to go in the hospital, come home and let them all take care of me!!!
Hugs,
Kathy0 -
get that pain controlledkhl8 said:Gail,
I have done all that I
Gail,
I have done all that I can to prep for a quiet Christmas, the tree is up, the lights are on the house, the shopping is almost done, I will finish that today. So all that is left is to go in the hospital, come home and let them all take care of me!!!
Hugs,
Kathy
Kathy,
The main thing is to keep the pain under control, make sure your medical team is on board with this. Have you had Diluadid? It worked wonders for me, the morphine was a joke. Also as hard as it is, let them help. I know it's hard but will help them and you both, more than you might imagine. I will be praying and sending good vibes for a speedy pain free recovery.
Don0
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