I have decided to take a Shapeup Journey hiatus because I'm obviously not focusing on weight loss right now being 19 weeks pregnant. Check back this summer, because I'm sure I will be ready to shed the baby weight by then. :)
In the meantime, I have started a new blog if you would like to keep up with a different "journey" of mine... http://ebmacdbaby.blogspot.com/
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Gallbladder Surgery Story
I'm a little more than 3 weeks out from my gall bladder surgery (Cholecystectomy). My surgery was December 11, 2009. I was to report to the hospital at 6:00am where my husband and I waited around in the waiting room for about 30 minutes. I was very very nervous, hardly slept a wink the night before and started crying a few times in the waiting room. They finally called my name and I was taken back alone, since they wouldn't let Evan come in with me, yet. They had me change into my hospital gown and attractive socks, then the nurse gave me a cup to pee in "just in case I am pregnant". Um, apparently somebody didn't read my chart because I said "I am pregnant. 15 weeks." Crazy lady.
I shuffled back to my bed and got under the warm covers. I was still in panic mode and started crying again thinking about how scared I was. Another nurse eventually came over and asked me about 578,612 questions that included my entire medical history. He was also the one to get my IV started and thankfully he only had to stick me once to find a vein. I have extremely small and deep veins so even the act of getting blood drawn usually requires 3 to 4 sticks and numerous nurses standing over me exclaiming "I think I got a vein this time!"
I had a list of questions ready to ask anybody that would listen, but mostly my surgeon. I needed to know about what, if any, pain medications I would be prescribed for post op that would be safe for me and safe for the baby. I am allergic to most of the pain meds that they would normally administer, so they finally settled on a codeine-free extra strength Tylenol. Also, I didn't see a Doppler machine anywhere and my OBGYN made sure to tell my surgeon I needed fetal monitoring before AND after my surgery. The nurse said someone from Labor & Delivery was coming over. Also, I am RH-, so it was imperative that I received a shot of Rogam after my surgery since my blood type is different than my baby's.
Eventually, they let Evan come back and stay with me while they were waiting to wheel me back and by that time my mom was there, so she came back too. They were able to stay with me for about 20 minutes and they were also there when my anesthesiologist came in to talk to me/ask me more questions. I asked my list of questions to him, too and my mom and Evan got to hear his answers. I let him know that I always have severe reactions to anesthesia when in recovery, so if there was anything safe for the baby that they could give me to help alleviate vomiting 10+ times Post OP. I cried a few times again while talking to him and kept apologizing and told him that I was just really nervous. Holding Evan's hand helped, but I still knew I'd be on my own soon.
My surgeon finally came over and answered all my questions. The L&D nurse came down and took note of the baby's heartbeat, which sounded great. He also made sure the shot of Rogam that I needed was documented clearly on my chart. The next thing I knew, Evan and my mom were kissing me and saying goodbye and the nurse was starting to wheel me back to the OR. Of course, I start crying again and cried all the way down the hall.
In the OR they had me scoot over to the operating table and my anesthesiologist and nurse kept telling me it was going to be OK. They gave me oxygen and the last thing I remember was hearing them tell me to take deep breaths. I was staring up at all the operating lights and feeling the tears stream down my cheeks.
The next thing I remember is being wheeled into recovery and trying to talk with the oxygen mask still on my face. It was hard to speak because the tube they had inserted in my throat made my throat hurt and feel scratchy. I kept saying "I'm going to throw up. I feel like I'm going to throw up", but nobody could either hear me or cared. I was in and out of consciousness and felt very achy and lethargic. I kept the oxygen mask on and kept falling back asleep. My surgeon came over and told me that everything went great and that the L&D nurse was coming back down to test the baby's heartbeat again. Also, he was there when another nurse gave me my Rogam shot. My surgery lasted about an hour but I think putting me back together took longer because the times didn't add up when I looked at the clock in recovery.
My throat was throbbing and I was in a lot of pain in my abdomen. They would not let Evan come back (HIPAA regulations), but said I would be in recovery until I could use the restroom. I was in recovery for about 2 hours total until I was finally able to pee. They had to put a catheter in during surgery, so apparently peeing on my own was part of my discharge orders.
The nurse helped me to the restroom and change back into my clothes. I had to sit because I felt like I was going to vomit again, but she had me smell some alcohol pads and the feeling passed eventually. I never did throw up from the anesthesia, so I guess whatever they gave me worked. She wheeled me out in a wheelchair where I saw Evan, immediately, at the exit. She told him to go get the car and she would push me out when he had it. He ran off really fast! The next thing I knew they were both helping me into the car and we were off.
I was in a lot of pain and asked him to drive VERY slow. Any bumps or nudges or accelerations were excruciating. I could tell he was having a hard time seeing me in so much pain and was just rubbing my leg and taking it really really easy driving. We decided to drop my prescription off on the way home since I wasn't suppose to be left alone for the first 24 hours. We got home, and walking up the stairs was... interesting. I asked my doctor if it would be alright to walk up stairs afterward since that's where our bedroom is and he said "yes, with help". It took us about 2 minutes to walk to the top, taking it one step at a time.
I had no idea the amount of pain that I would be in, in my abdomen after surgery. I had prepared myself for the possible diarrhea and even the bloated shoulders and chest because of the gas they had to pump inside to inflate me. I had no idea that walking, sitting, laying, standing, sitting down to pee, coughing, sneezing, etc. would be so painful. I told Evan "it feels like I've been stabbed in my stomach!?" He said, "You were stabbed. 4 times" My stomach looked gross. Covered in yellow betadine, three 1-inch bloody scabs closed with sutcher glue on my stomach, and a huge bloody scab directly below my belly button - my belly button itself was also filled with dried blood so for the first few days I thought I had 5 incisions.
Evan set up a TV tray next to my bed with water and tissues and my pain meds. He also started a sheet with the time and quantity when I took my pills since I was limited to 6 every 24 hours. I slept off and on the entire rest of the day and through the night. I had to sleep sitting up propped against 3 or 4 pillows because the gas pain in my chest and shoulders. I probably could have slept standing up though since I was so tired and the anesthesia hadn't completely worn off. Evan went downstairs and fielded calls from concerned friends and family checking to make sure I was OK. He would run up the stairs 2 at a time if I called his name. I needed help getting out of bed and walking to the bathroom. I hadn't eaten since the night before at about 6:00pm and at this point it was after 2:00pm the next day, but I wasn't the least bit hungry.
My sister came over after work to check on me and sit with me for a while. Evan and Megan both said I was in surprisingly good spirits for having gone through such an ordeal that day. My thought process was that I needed all the help I could get so I might as well do it with a smile on my face so they'd be more willing to help. :)
My dear husband offered to sleep in our master retreat that night on the futon since having someone just sit or lay on the bed was painful to me. I also couldn't cover myself from the waist up with our duvet (it hurt because it heavy) so that would have been interesting too. The first 24 hours were definitely a blur and I could only think about the baby and hoping that everything was OK.
I finally ate something the next morning and it took me at least a 3 or 4 days to get over the fear of eating. I had been watching my diet for 6 months and knew that any little thing could cause another gall stone attack. I had to retrain my brain to realize it was ok and that I wasn't going to have an attack again.
My pain level went down day by day and I wheened myself off of my pain medication (I didn't like taking anything at all, even though I know acetaminophen is safe for the baby). I was able to come downstairs and watch TV on the 3rd day and moving around by myself was getting easier. The gas pains in my chest lasted about 5 days as well as the incision pains. My insides themselves were sore and I assume that's because they had to move stuff around inside. I was feeling considerable improvement by day 5 and on day 7 I requested an appointment with my OB to make sure everything was still OK with the baby. Of course, the heart rate was 140 and everything was fine.
Today, I am a little more than 3 weeks out of surgery. I can eat anything I want and have had no traces of "gall stone attacks". I have been a lot more, uh, regular but that was to be expected because my food digests much more quickly now. Above all, I am FINALLY getting the nutrients the baby needs and I am not CONSTANTLY worrying about attacks I've also finally gained weight, up 5 pounds! My betadine finally wore off and the glue peeled off as well as the scabs. I have 3 scars that seems to be healing nicely on my upper stomach and the big one in my belly button is healing but itches some and isn't such a nice neat line as my others.
Was having surgery while pregnant ideal? No.
Did we have the option to postpone it until I delivered? Not if I also wanted to have a healthy pregnancy.
Was I more scared than I've been in my entire life? Yes.
Did everything end up OK in the end? Yes.
I shuffled back to my bed and got under the warm covers. I was still in panic mode and started crying again thinking about how scared I was. Another nurse eventually came over and asked me about 578,612 questions that included my entire medical history. He was also the one to get my IV started and thankfully he only had to stick me once to find a vein. I have extremely small and deep veins so even the act of getting blood drawn usually requires 3 to 4 sticks and numerous nurses standing over me exclaiming "I think I got a vein this time!"
I had a list of questions ready to ask anybody that would listen, but mostly my surgeon. I needed to know about what, if any, pain medications I would be prescribed for post op that would be safe for me and safe for the baby. I am allergic to most of the pain meds that they would normally administer, so they finally settled on a codeine-free extra strength Tylenol. Also, I didn't see a Doppler machine anywhere and my OBGYN made sure to tell my surgeon I needed fetal monitoring before AND after my surgery. The nurse said someone from Labor & Delivery was coming over. Also, I am RH-, so it was imperative that I received a shot of Rogam after my surgery since my blood type is different than my baby's.
Eventually, they let Evan come back and stay with me while they were waiting to wheel me back and by that time my mom was there, so she came back too. They were able to stay with me for about 20 minutes and they were also there when my anesthesiologist came in to talk to me/ask me more questions. I asked my list of questions to him, too and my mom and Evan got to hear his answers. I let him know that I always have severe reactions to anesthesia when in recovery, so if there was anything safe for the baby that they could give me to help alleviate vomiting 10+ times Post OP. I cried a few times again while talking to him and kept apologizing and told him that I was just really nervous. Holding Evan's hand helped, but I still knew I'd be on my own soon.
My surgeon finally came over and answered all my questions. The L&D nurse came down and took note of the baby's heartbeat, which sounded great. He also made sure the shot of Rogam that I needed was documented clearly on my chart. The next thing I knew, Evan and my mom were kissing me and saying goodbye and the nurse was starting to wheel me back to the OR. Of course, I start crying again and cried all the way down the hall.
In the OR they had me scoot over to the operating table and my anesthesiologist and nurse kept telling me it was going to be OK. They gave me oxygen and the last thing I remember was hearing them tell me to take deep breaths. I was staring up at all the operating lights and feeling the tears stream down my cheeks.
The next thing I remember is being wheeled into recovery and trying to talk with the oxygen mask still on my face. It was hard to speak because the tube they had inserted in my throat made my throat hurt and feel scratchy. I kept saying "I'm going to throw up. I feel like I'm going to throw up", but nobody could either hear me or cared. I was in and out of consciousness and felt very achy and lethargic. I kept the oxygen mask on and kept falling back asleep. My surgeon came over and told me that everything went great and that the L&D nurse was coming back down to test the baby's heartbeat again. Also, he was there when another nurse gave me my Rogam shot. My surgery lasted about an hour but I think putting me back together took longer because the times didn't add up when I looked at the clock in recovery.
My throat was throbbing and I was in a lot of pain in my abdomen. They would not let Evan come back (HIPAA regulations), but said I would be in recovery until I could use the restroom. I was in recovery for about 2 hours total until I was finally able to pee. They had to put a catheter in during surgery, so apparently peeing on my own was part of my discharge orders.
The nurse helped me to the restroom and change back into my clothes. I had to sit because I felt like I was going to vomit again, but she had me smell some alcohol pads and the feeling passed eventually. I never did throw up from the anesthesia, so I guess whatever they gave me worked. She wheeled me out in a wheelchair where I saw Evan, immediately, at the exit. She told him to go get the car and she would push me out when he had it. He ran off really fast! The next thing I knew they were both helping me into the car and we were off.
I was in a lot of pain and asked him to drive VERY slow. Any bumps or nudges or accelerations were excruciating. I could tell he was having a hard time seeing me in so much pain and was just rubbing my leg and taking it really really easy driving. We decided to drop my prescription off on the way home since I wasn't suppose to be left alone for the first 24 hours. We got home, and walking up the stairs was... interesting. I asked my doctor if it would be alright to walk up stairs afterward since that's where our bedroom is and he said "yes, with help". It took us about 2 minutes to walk to the top, taking it one step at a time.
I had no idea the amount of pain that I would be in, in my abdomen after surgery. I had prepared myself for the possible diarrhea and even the bloated shoulders and chest because of the gas they had to pump inside to inflate me. I had no idea that walking, sitting, laying, standing, sitting down to pee, coughing, sneezing, etc. would be so painful. I told Evan "it feels like I've been stabbed in my stomach!?" He said, "You were stabbed. 4 times" My stomach looked gross. Covered in yellow betadine, three 1-inch bloody scabs closed with sutcher glue on my stomach, and a huge bloody scab directly below my belly button - my belly button itself was also filled with dried blood so for the first few days I thought I had 5 incisions.
Evan set up a TV tray next to my bed with water and tissues and my pain meds. He also started a sheet with the time and quantity when I took my pills since I was limited to 6 every 24 hours. I slept off and on the entire rest of the day and through the night. I had to sleep sitting up propped against 3 or 4 pillows because the gas pain in my chest and shoulders. I probably could have slept standing up though since I was so tired and the anesthesia hadn't completely worn off. Evan went downstairs and fielded calls from concerned friends and family checking to make sure I was OK. He would run up the stairs 2 at a time if I called his name. I needed help getting out of bed and walking to the bathroom. I hadn't eaten since the night before at about 6:00pm and at this point it was after 2:00pm the next day, but I wasn't the least bit hungry.
My sister came over after work to check on me and sit with me for a while. Evan and Megan both said I was in surprisingly good spirits for having gone through such an ordeal that day. My thought process was that I needed all the help I could get so I might as well do it with a smile on my face so they'd be more willing to help. :)
My dear husband offered to sleep in our master retreat that night on the futon since having someone just sit or lay on the bed was painful to me. I also couldn't cover myself from the waist up with our duvet (it hurt because it heavy) so that would have been interesting too. The first 24 hours were definitely a blur and I could only think about the baby and hoping that everything was OK.
I finally ate something the next morning and it took me at least a 3 or 4 days to get over the fear of eating. I had been watching my diet for 6 months and knew that any little thing could cause another gall stone attack. I had to retrain my brain to realize it was ok and that I wasn't going to have an attack again.
My pain level went down day by day and I wheened myself off of my pain medication (I didn't like taking anything at all, even though I know acetaminophen is safe for the baby). I was able to come downstairs and watch TV on the 3rd day and moving around by myself was getting easier. The gas pains in my chest lasted about 5 days as well as the incision pains. My insides themselves were sore and I assume that's because they had to move stuff around inside. I was feeling considerable improvement by day 5 and on day 7 I requested an appointment with my OB to make sure everything was still OK with the baby. Of course, the heart rate was 140 and everything was fine.
Today, I am a little more than 3 weeks out of surgery. I can eat anything I want and have had no traces of "gall stone attacks". I have been a lot more, uh, regular but that was to be expected because my food digests much more quickly now. Above all, I am FINALLY getting the nutrients the baby needs and I am not CONSTANTLY worrying about attacks I've also finally gained weight, up 5 pounds! My betadine finally wore off and the glue peeled off as well as the scabs. I have 3 scars that seems to be healing nicely on my upper stomach and the big one in my belly button is healing but itches some and isn't such a nice neat line as my others.
Was having surgery while pregnant ideal? No.
Did we have the option to postpone it until I delivered? Not if I also wanted to have a healthy pregnancy.
Was I more scared than I've been in my entire life? Yes.
Did everything end up OK in the end? Yes.
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