I still have the stent in my nose from my DCR Surgery in February, and now it's 8 weeks later and I have a hole in my gut where a hernia was repaired. It's kind of something I forgot about (the hernia) I was diagnosed with it after nagging aches, pains and burning sensations after running or lifting. I was informed I had one and that it was small, but if if bothered me again I should have it operated on. Though I had the option whether to have that done or not on my own accord. I opted with not having surgery and seeing how it went. I REALLY WISH I HAD DONE IT BACK THEN. Which would have been in October of 2013.
I was laid off the same month from my previous job. Mostly a desk job, logistics and warehousing sort of thing. I didn't do anything that would particularly aggravate a hernia. I was laid off and spent time looking for jobs, getting my life together etc. Then in March of 2014 I was offered a job doing a similar position with another company. Well, apparently the way they do things is "old school" which means me physically moving heavy stuff, constantly all day. I ended up on the first day feeling that familiar aggravation and decided to inform my employer about the hernia - I had literally forgotten about it. You don't think much about something that isn't bothering you. They told me to get the hell out of there and get it repaired, if it was an option. Which of course it was. I went back to the surgeon and told him of my plight, that basically I probably can't work until I get this thing sorted out. My surgery date was scheduled within 2 weeks of my visit (yay? no) I didn't have a lot of prep time. I still had the stent hanging out of my face like I said from a surgery not long ago. I feel like I haven't had any time to recover, really. I've spent the last 2 months (and 2 more) in various states of pain and recovery. The DCR surgery has side effects like headaches behind that eye, feelings of pressure, which can be relieved when i stick my finger up my nose and adjust my stent. pretty awesome, I know. So anyway, I'll fast forward to this past Tuesday (it is Thursday now).
I have an umbilical hernia, relatively small. The surgeon informed me that it's "no biggie" of a surgery. That I'll be back on my elliptical trainer and doing normal dude stuff in no time ( a week or two, he said) NOOOOPE! nope. no way in hell. Not sure what his reasoning is on this.. but No. I found this blog which helped a lot (the comments) over all it sums it up as a positive surgery, good thing to have done. But I now see I am in for a long road of recovery. check out comments on this blog http://moyawatson.com/2012/05/18/whats-it-like-to-have-umbilical-hernia-repair-surgery/
here's 100 or so other people going through the same thing, with similar stories.
Day 1:
So anyway Tuesday the 22nd I arrive at the hospital at 730am for a 1030am surgery.
I get all checked in, wired up, IV in, all that stuff by 9. and low and behold by 10:30 i am in the OR. the dr goes over what he's doing. I was very nervous. Mainly because I do not do well under anaesthetic. The specialist however told me that they would give me two anti emetic drugs because of my history with PONV (post operative nausea) and that made all the difference. Anyway, I woke up at 1130 in recovery. Asked how my pain was, I said about a 2. I didn't feel much of anything. I napped in recovery til about noon, woke up and my Mom was there. We chatted, I had some ginger ale and crackers. I was pretty hungry and they were great. I then started getting changed to check out and that's when I felt pain. Just an ache. i felt limited. It was hard getting my clothes on. I got wheeled out and got home around 4. I ate normally and felt OK. I didn't require any pain medication, I was sore and had problems getting around but It was okay.
Day 2:
I woke up and felt very sore. Getting in and out of bed sucked a lot. The post operative instructions said I should walk, so my Dad and I went to Wal-Mart (yay) , he stayed at my place over night as I live alone and required assistance according to the hospital instructions. I walked maybe 15 minutes, 20. Came back and hung out with my Dad. We watched movies and what not. I sat up most of the day, walked around here and there. Had normal BM's and all of that good stuff. Ate fruits and vegs. Good times were had by all (but not by me due to pain) I didn't require any pain medication, and due to this crappy decision i slept terribly. Go me.
Day 3:
I got to sleep around 4am due to discomfort. Slept til around noon on this day. I woke up, took the biggest piss i've had in years and my parents stopped by. We went to walmart again (don't ask me why, because it's close I guess) walked around maybe 15-20 minutes and and returned. Walking is slow and cumbersome. I shuffle and have a lot of pressure and pain in the abdomen. Getting in and out of chairs, bed and the couch sucks terribly. The first few minutes immediately after are painful. I took the bandage off today as per instructions and the incision looks "ok" as in, not pus filled, bloody or red. Just a noticeable healing gash covered by Steri Strips. Today I spent most of the day laid out on the couch. occasional walks around the apartment. I can do stuff like dishes, and light cooking (making sandwiches and heating stuff up) but I feel very much disabled, vulnerable in a way. i'm realizing there's no way in fucking hell I am setting foot on my elliptical trainer in weeks, if I am lucky. Not sure what the Dr. was smoking, but ... Maybe some people have had more miraculous recoveries. I know waking up in to day 4 tomorrow will be more of the same. But all I can do is hope not. I broke down tonight and took percocet. It helped with the pain, but now i am nauseas and having problems sleeping hahaha. Awesome. Thankfully I have no place I need to be tomorrow, or for the next ..... weeks. I am having my family members stop by and do chores for me. I am absolutely useless. Monday before the surgery I ran 5km in 25 minutes or so, to give you an idea of my fitness before this. Now I can walk around walmart in the same time, barely. Yay.
Days 4 & 5: I'll lump these together because just more of the same. One thing I do want to address is: a small % of people who have abdominal surgery end up with post operative diarrhea. This would be me. I have IBS to begin with (awesome, right!?) so when anything happens to my body, I shit. That's how it is. So I've been doing that. I've been holed up in the house for the last 2 days. I got out yesterday for groceries (with help) and today went out and had lunch with my Mom. I walked around the house quite a bit. Stairs seem to be OK now. I still have pain when I first get up and lay down. I expect that to last for a while. I've caught up on videogames, internet reading and other nonsense. Anyway, so yeah. I have diarrhea. It isn't constant but it's usually around meals and is crampy and painful. I am hoping next week is a vast improvement but as I said yesterday, don't expect to heal over night. And even if you do feel good, just take it easy. I plan on going on a walk to the coffee shop and back tomorrow, which to my estimate would be a grand total of half a kilometer. HAha, crazy, I know.. right? This coming week I would like to walk a bit further every day, depending on how I feel of course. My Doctor also suggested low impact cardio when I feel better, I have an elliptical trainer as I mentioned so I am *hoping* I will be on that soon, even just to walk. I feel like I am just collecting dust/taking up space. The pain is honestly about the same. The incision was itchy earlier which is of course normal. It's looking fine. I feel really worn out and tired, some people think it's from anaesthetic - which it can be - but honestly the more you sit at home and do nothing, the more than kind of happens in general... Anyway, that's all for these two days.
Days 6-10: more of the same. I am sore when i get up from sitting down, or from laying down. I am now able to do some light low impact cardio on my elliptical machine. I am also able to get around easier, drive my car and do those sorts of things. I still haven't lifted much of anything and I don't plan on trying any time soon. I haven't needed pain pills in days, including over the counter stuff. I've just been taking it easy, which is important to do for healing. the incision is healing up well, but unfortunately it can get irritated if it rubs on my clothing. Other than that, the experience hasn't been terrible.
