|
Post by hellsbells on Jan 31, 2012 15:21:30 GMT -5
Gem please text me any updates tomorrow when you can. Excited for you!!!
|
|
|
Post by Karen on Jan 31, 2012 19:13:46 GMT -5
Sending you all sorts of love and well wishes for tomorrow! I'm so proud of you for pushing and pushing for this day, even though you went through a lot of sh*t to get here. Hugs!!
|
|
|
Post by gemstone on Feb 2, 2012 13:39:34 GMT -5
Hi Guys, well, I'm home!
I went into theatre at 3.30 yesterday for a lap scheduled for 1.5 hours however it ran over by another 2.5 hours. I also had a bad reaction to the anaesthetic which had me disoriented and vomiting until this morning. My abdomen is incredibly swollen and I'm in a lot of pain there and on and off with the gas pains.
I had the most wonderful consultant who I wished I had met before - I will be requesting her from now on.
In my pre-op assessment she said they will mainly be working on my bowel and just having a look at the other areas.
In reality, the following happened:
The 'nodule' that was found at the top of my vagina pressing into my rectum (the one I had to have the scan for to see if it had penetrated the rectum) was enormous apparently, about 3 inches wide. She said although it hadn't penetrated the rectum, it was incredibly close and they did a lot of work in that area, including cutting a hole in my vagina to assist with removal. She also said that the nodule was pre-gestation, having been there for 14 weeks before I was even born!! I have no idea how this is possible, but I guess it is.
I explained about all the bladder problems I have and she immediately said it sounds like interstitial cystitis which I had suspected. Again, there was no time to deal with but I saw pics and she said the endo appeared to have gone straight through my bladder.
The endo was also all over the pelvic wall and had spread past the section that they deal with in gynae (apparently there is a 'cut off' point as to where the section becomes general surgery), basically it has gone up towards my ribs and they spent a lot of time removing this.
In her words she said I was in desperate need of surgery and have quite obviously been in a lot if pain and discomfort. I have a follow up appointment in three months and I will then need further surgery to remove more - depending on how I'm feeling then, they may list the surgery as urgent.
There was more, although to be honest I am a bit out of it and can't remember everything so I will read the notes tomorrow or when I'm feeling more up to it.
I am so glad this has been done, and my consultant saying that when they got in there it was 'horrendous' and I needed the surgery desperately, has made me feel a lot better about complaining and pushing for this.
A few questions, I haven't passed gas yet, how long does this usually take? I also have no appetite although in the last 18 hours I have eaten 4 small biscuits (for the meds) and a sandwich and lots of fluid. It hurts when I eat and I bloat even more. Does that sound right after surgery?
Thank you for all your messages as well, you guys have kept me sane for the last 2 years!!!
|
|
|
Post by JC on Feb 2, 2012 14:41:56 GMT -5
Oh wow Gem! I am so glad you finally got this surgery! It's so sad you had to go through so much to get it. Thank goodness you pushed for answers!! I really hope this brings you relief to all of the hell you have been dealing with. I just can't get over how severe your endo was and you had to wait forever for this surgery. Maybe now that you have an official diagnosis and they know the extent of your endo then you'll never be pushed around again!
As far as the passing gas, my last surgery it took me like 4 days before I was able to. It sounds like they did A LOT inside for you so I can imagine anything that you do at this point is going to be painful and uncomfortable. Eating will be challenge until you can get things moving again(pass gas etc.). And as always, GET SOME REST! They did a lot in there so take it easy! I am so glad to hear it went well though and you finally got the care you needed!
|
|
|
Post by hellsbells on Feb 2, 2012 16:25:45 GMT -5
Oh sweetie I'm sp glad they finally got inside to take a look. Sounds pretty bad in there! It's normal to be a bit bunged up, the more you stress the worse it'll get so just try to relax and it'll happen when it happens. Ring/text me any time if you need to. Love you lots!
|
|
|
Post by omaklackey on Feb 2, 2012 17:35:02 GMT -5
Sounds like my situation, fighting for answers and then finding out that it was so incredibly extensive, much more then they ever thought. I'm so glad you finally got the surgery. Take care of yourself and remember: "you only get to recover right once". As for the gas pains, over here in my little area, you can't leave the hospital until you passed gas so I'm uncertain as to a correct answer but "movement makes movement" is a little thing we like to say on the med/surg. floor. Small amounts of easy ambulation may get those gas bubbles going. Hope you recover without incident!
|
|
|
Post by semicolon on Feb 2, 2012 20:33:26 GMT -5
Yep, try to get up and walk several times during the day. After my colon resection my doc wanted me to "rattle the windows" before I could go home, but I was happy with a few toots after four days! After my lap it didn't take as long but I can't really remember. Drink a lot, especially with any food and try small snacks throughout the day.
Sounds like quite a surgery, so glad you finally got in there and now you have some docs on your side! I'm sorry you are looking at another surgery, one recovery at a time.
|
|
|
Post by Karen on Feb 2, 2012 21:45:53 GMT -5
Gem, I'm SO glad you finally have a validation for all that you've been through. I'm sorry it's so extensive, but I'm glad you finally have someone's ear. I hope this gives your friends, family, and employer new insight.
I felt incredibly bloated for a few weeks after my lap, though I think part of that was the constipation that came with pain killers. I'm afraid I don't remember how long it took me to fart! Stay super hydrated and eat whatever little bits you can and I'm sure things will start moving soon.
Wishing you nothing but the speediest of recoveries, and hoping you get some relief after that three inch nodule is gone! OMG, that's huge!! Lots of love, Gem!
|
|
|
Post by JC on Feb 3, 2012 6:49:58 GMT -5
HA you guys, I totally forgot about the walking bit. It's difficult when you're tired and sore but it definitely helps get the bowels moving! Just a quick trip up and down a sidewalk every so often works!
LOVE YOU GEM! So glad you finally got this surgery! Keep us updated!
|
|
|
Post by 1234 on Feb 3, 2012 7:05:06 GMT -5
Gem, you are such a tough, tough girl. I'm sorry things looked so extensive, but I'm so glad that they found the reason for all the nightmarish pain you've been through. It makes me even angrier how they've dicked you around.
You're amazing. Rest up and let us know more when you feel better. hugs.
|
|
|
Post by gemstone on Feb 3, 2012 11:23:23 GMT -5
Thanks guys!! I am so sore and uncomfortable at the moment and I can't stand up straight which sucks I am walking around a few times a day but it really has me out of breath. I think I was (stupidly) expecting to feel better quickly, but I suppose the swelling and the fact my left side is bruised from my belly button down to the top of my thigh should tell me something. You've all been through this so I am even more in awe of you all because this sucks!!!
|
|
|
Post by hellsbells on Feb 3, 2012 13:06:00 GMT -5
Please please please give yourself time to heal!! Move around a but by all means but don't overdo it, you've been worked on good and proper!!
|
|
|
Post by painttheseconds on Feb 3, 2012 15:47:40 GMT -5
I echo Helene. Your body has gone through so much please get lots of rest and give yourself time to heal. I'm so sorry the endo was so extensive, but I'm glad you were finally able to have surgery and get things somewhat taken care of. If you have to have surgery again they better take you seriously and get you in in a timely matter.
Thinking of you Gem. Take care of yourself! *big hugs*
|
|
|
Post by gemstone on Feb 4, 2012 5:00:21 GMT -5
Thank you I have been taking it easy, only really walking to the loo and back! I have also had a bowel movement!!! I got high fived from the boyf from that, ha!
|
|
|
Post by Karen on Feb 4, 2012 7:56:12 GMT -5
Yay for pooping!
|
|