Gail’s Aug 11th GCS at NYU. . . .

[Gail20]

Well, its done and I'm one day Post-Op!! Went in at 10:30 am Friday and was out of the OR at 3!!! Pain in the area is not as bad as my back pain and bloating, which is really bad.

Was able to get up with assistance, take a couple steps and sit in a chair briefly. Sitting on the bandages is painful. I also don't have much appetite. Still, everything is textbook. Great blood pressure, temp and oxygenation. Passing the usual fluid just fine and the drainage from the operation sites is minimal . . . one day at a time . . . later my friends . . .

[Megan.]

Congratulations,  very happy for you and glad all is well. X

Sent from my MI 5s using Tapatalk

[HappyMoni]

Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaa! You are kicking my butt, I couldn't get up the first day. So happy it went well.
Moni

[Gail20]

Well, shock upon shock, physical therapy person came in to get me up to try and walk. I walked around the entire floor twice! Cant believe I could do this. Wed the packing comes out and dilation begins. They gave me a complete set. And like others have said, the orange one looks impossible . . .

[HappyMoni]

Well, shock upon shock, physical therapy person came in to get me up to try and walk. I walked around the entire floor twice! Cant believe I could do this. Wed the packing comes out and dilation begins. They gave me a complete set. And like others have said, the orange one looks impossible . . .

It looks like they stopped the wrong person's operation the first time. You sound strong as a bull, eh, or as a cow. Well, there is probably no good bovine reference here. lol  You sound like you are kicking butt. I couldn't walk like that because I lost a lot of blood. I almost needed a transfusion. Glad you are doing so well. Does it seem real yet? Oh, I am about 8 weeks out and thought the same thing about orange, but I find I am doing it comfortably now. One step at a time.
    If you get a chance at some point, I am curious if they used a robot and for what parts of the procedure. No hurry, basque in the glow of having this thing done. Yea!!!!!!!
Moni

[Gail20]

Thanks Moni.  No, I really don't feel like a real Cow yet.. .;-)  I think some of that will come when the bandages all come off and I see all the new equipment.  Its clearly evident that I'm flat down there now but its pretty heavily bandaged so Ive yet to see the definitive view. So no complications yet but the list is long of all the potential ones so I'm still planing for the worst and hoping for the best . . .     Gail

[HappyMoni]

Well unless your complication is growing  utters down there, I won't call you a cow. I like your approach to things. Enjoy this exciting time, Gail.
Moni

[SadieBlake]

Great news Gail!!! Happy happy happy for you :-)

[Gail20]

Complications!!

So Ive always had the understanding that all the packing comes out tomorrow (Wed) and they teach me to dilate. I'm then in the hospital till Friday. 

They just told me that, yes I get the packing out and will dilate twice, but then I'll be released tomorrow at 3pm!!! I just don't see this. I know some go to other care facilities but I thought most stayed for a week. Am I mistaken about all this??  I sure don't feel ready for a cab or train ride!!

[SadieBlake]

I was overnight at the surgery center, then to a recovery facility for 2 additional days and left for my 3 week stay in SF after that.

It came to about 80 hours of hospital time.

[Gail20]

Thank you so much! Somehow in all my prep and planning I'd gotten this apect wrong early-on and kept the error alive till now. . . . got a room in NYC for 2 nights. . . .

[SadieBlake]

Woo! Where are you staying?

Click click click

[Gail20]

I've found the area around Penn Station to be good if you're living here for a bit on your own dime. Ive been staying at the Stewart Hotel and New Yorker, both catercorner from Penn Station.  I'm booked at the New Yorker now for Thur and Fri tis week. Then we'll take the train or drive to Princeton for 10 days . . . also I generally like old hotels . .

[HappyMoni]

I had surgery on a Tuesday and left the hospital that Friday morning for a recovery BnB.
Moni

[Gail20]

Yes, I certainly was not paying attention to this issue.  I created calendars based on it and they were just plain wrong.

I do think its a bit much to plan for the first bowel movement, two pees, bandage removal and the first 2 dilations tomorrow and then release me at 3pm.  Should have had bandages removal and some of the other stuff today, , ,

[Gail20]

Everything went well except my Bladder did not respond. They're calling it Lazy bladder; generally the result of someone who has continously held their Bladder a lot over the years. Guilty! :-( (I was tucked. I could hold it all night. Not a good idea)

They released me yesterday afternoon with a catheter in place. Stayed in a hotel in NYC last night and took the train early this Afternoon to Princeton.  I go back to my Surgeons office Tues morning for the Catheter removal, bladder scan and check up. Dilating is pretty easy but I have an incredibly helpful friend  who is making it all far, far more easy

Bruising is huge and more continues to be revealed as I'm more active. Walked about 7 blocks from hotel to Train track!!! I'm certainly strong at least. Pain is not fun at all but I'm using Tylenol and Ibuprofen and no more Oxycodone for the last 2 days.

Just diated and now going to nap before dinner with my new adoptive Princeton family

[Laurie]

Hi Gail,

  It sounds like you are doing okay in spite of the  bit of planning mishap. Glad you are  okay and making progressing with healing.

Hugs,
   Laurie

[Gail20]

Day 8:

well, I sent an update from my phone yesterday but its not here. . .  :-(

First a question, seems like standing or laying down are really the only 2 options.  Sitting is pretty tough.   Took the hour long train ride down from NYC to Princeton Friday but grabbing the rack overhead and balancing on one hip was as good as it got. . . My donut really just crushes down too far under my weight to really offer much relief. . .

Yesterday after the train ride and 7 block walk, I was in pain much of the day.  Got a bit better just before bed and today has been far batter . . .:-)

[SadieBlake]

Yep, standing and laying down is how I spent most of my first few weeks. You may need a better donut, mine worked well enough to be able to sit and I needed some form of pressure relief for the first 7-8 weeks.

Hugs, glad it's going well! I certainly didn't have the energy to stand on a train for an hour 8 days out.

[JennJenn]

Hey I am really glad you had a successful surgery and are moving around . I'll ask more questions later about it when you are feeling better.

Regarding the donut, perhaps go to a store that sells a lot of this medical equipment and get a donut that is thicker?  That out to help you out a bit?  Or are you getting better quick enough to start sitting soon?