Less than 48 hours now...

[Beth Andrea]

Getting out of bed was exhausting, and made me feel pretty drunk. When I got back in bed I felt very tired...but after a few minutes I was ready to try again!

Gotta wait for the nurse to show me how to cap and uncap the catheter!

[Tessa James]

You got this Beth!  Rebuilding energy and some attention to detail as you recover and heal baby heal.  Let the rest wash over you like a warm wave.

[Beth Andrea]

Got up again, all by myself this time! Went to the door and asked if I could walk around a bit...a staff person went with me and we walked about 50 yards in a loop, ending at my room. Tired again, but getting better everytime!

Wish I were witty or entertaining, but I've always been more of a clinical person, not an entertainer. 

[Tessa James]

You're still a class act Girl!

[Mariah]

That is normal to start with. Your body has to get used to having your heart work that hard again. Hugs
Mariah

Getting out of bed was exhausting, and made me feel pretty drunk. When I got back in bed I felt very tired...but after a few minutes I was ready to try again!

Gotta wait for the nurse to show me how to cap and uncap the catheter!

[Mariah]

Before you know it you will be walking around the entire floor. Hugs
Mariah

Got up again, all by myself this time! Went to the door and asked if I could walk around a bit...a staff person went with me and we walked about 50 yards in a loop, ending at my room. Tired again, but getting better everytime!

Wish I were witty or entertaining, but I've always been more of a clinical person, not an entertainer. 

[Beth Andrea]

Beginning bladder training!!

[Rachel]

I think it helped to not look down when I walked.

[Beth Andrea]

Well I've got this bladder training thing down pat, now just gotta do more laps--but not too many, too many causes swelling of delicate parts which are still healing.

Dena visited for awhile, very charming and sweet to spend time with! Thank you!

[Dena]

I made her giggle a number of times while she still has the packing in.  That's evil of me. 

[Beth Andrea]

So here I am, ~64 hours post-op. "Post op day 3", they call it. I'm going to get my drains (2) taken out, and continue walking and bladder training.

Pain is 0, unless I move about, then it goes to about a 1...enough to remind me that, yes, I had a surgery.

I did two consecutive laps in the hallway this morning, endurance is getting better...there is a dull ache in "that" area, mostly due to the vibrations sent up my legs as my feet hit the floor. Tolerable, I was even able to pick up the pace during the walk.

I got this!

[Beth Andrea]

Did my first #2 today, that should help with the upset tummy I've had the last day or two...

Tip to self: Just because you're on a 75g carb restricted diet, does NOT mean that you should order enough food to reach that number! It's not a goal, it's a limit. 

They took out the two drains just a few minutes ago...snipped 3-4 sutures then just pulled them out. The second one was the most uncomfortable, I could feel the inside tissue being dragged by the tube. < 2 seconds and it was done, no biggie.

[Tessa James]

When doing a #2 is #1 on your mind we gotta acknowledge we're old people, just had surgery or both, congratulations on your big move!

[Rachel]

Getting drains out feels good afterwards but getting the catheter and packing out is absolutely wonderful.

[Beth Andrea]

When doing a #2 is #1 on your mind we gotta acknowledge we're old people, just had surgery or both, congratulations on your big move!

It's a good thing you're not closer, or I'd throw my walker at you! LOL

(As an aside, I've always been really "into" guns, and in the last few months I've discovered black powder (muzzle loaders)...well today while watching a YouTube video I realized the only people I've seen take an interest in BP have been...well, older people. OMG! Am I in that stage of life already?!)

I am also experiencing a little spritzing around the cather when I drain the synthetic "crane"... I'm told this is a good thing because it means the bladder is doing what it's designed to do: make a mess from the crotch to the floor! (Yes I stand, because if I sit the suction from the catheter causes a weird+icky feeling inside)

[Mariah]

Yes, I experienced the same thing, but I was doing more than just a little spritzing around the catheter.  Hugs
Mariah

I am also experiencing a little spritzing around the cather when I drain the synthetic "crane"... I'm told this is a good thing because it means the bladder is doing what it's designed to do: make a mess from the crotch to the floor! (Yes I stand, because if I sit the suction from the catheter causes a weird+icky feeling inside)

[Beth Andrea]

Ah, post-op day #4 is done. Only exciting thing was I went outside for the first time since surgery and bought a small bag of Cheetos...one thing is for sure, it hasn't felt like 4 days, it feels like it's been 1, maybe 2 days. I was startled when I walked past admissions, where I'd done some paperwork. That seemed so long ago, almost dreamlike. It was 5 days ago...but between that day and the day after, an eternity happened.

Wow.

*giggles*



I'm just very happy. Avatar pic is me, outside the surgery center.

[Tessa James]

Rocking that bag of Cheetos in the Sunshine, way so normal!  Love to see you smiling with what I imagine is satisfaction and feeling complete.  I was once part of delivering that dreamlike experience and had people occasionally tell me they were like la la for weeks.  May you let the days float by as you gain strength and healing.

[Beth Andrea]

Well if it's anything like first starting HRT it'll be great! (And it is like starting HRT, only *MUCH* more so! LOL)

Nearing end of POD #5...did a lot less than I'd hoped. Went outside and got a brisket sandwich from the "BratHaus" across the street. I feel in love with the place, the atmosphere, small park-like setting, adult-sized Jenga games, and oh yes the food...if I were local I'd frequent this place so hard...

I was careful to not eat too much, but I started getting sleepy tired and headed back in. I changed into the gown and spent the rest of the day on bed rest, only now (6pm) getting up to do hallway laps. Oh well, when I need rest I listen to my body!

Tomorrow will be the biggest, most important day since surgery: The Unwrapping and Dilation 101.

*Hugs* and loves

[Mariah]

I would expect they will around in the early afternoon. If that happens to be the case you will have 9 dilations in about 36 hours. It is worth it, but your first couple of days of dilation will take a lot out of you. Glad your doing so well. I guess it is a good thing I'm going to be about 45 min when traffic is bad from that place or I would gain weight. Hugs
Mariah

Well if it's anything like first starting HRT it'll be great! (And it is like starting HRT, only *MUCH* more so! LOL)

Nearing end of POD #5...did a lot less than I'd hoped. Went outside and got a brisket sandwich from the "BratHaus" across the street. I feel in love with the place, the atmosphere, small park-like setting, adult-sized Jenga games, and oh yes the food...if I were local I'd frequent this place so hard...

I was careful to not eat too much, but I started getting sleepy tired and headed back in. I changed into the gown and spent the rest of the day on bed rest, only now (6pm) getting up to do hallway laps. Oh well, when I need rest I listen to my body!

Tomorrow will be the biggest, most important day since surgery: The Unwrapping and Dilation 101.

*Hugs* and loves