Well, that’s going to leave a mark…

Well, my surgery is done.  Now comes the recovery part.  But first, here’s a few bits and pieces about my surgery…

When they got “in there”, the hernia was bigger than they thought and it was evident that I had had the hernia far longer than they thought.  So, on top of closing my hernia, they also had to do a small “tummy tuck” because the stomach had attached to the fat at the top of the hernia and the surgeon had to cut and remove a section of belly fat so the stomach would fall back into place properly.  So I was 3 hours late going in to surgery, in surgery for 4 hours and in recovery for 2 hours.   What I remember is waiting for ever, then hearing the nurse say “we’re going to give you a shot now.”  I remember being wheeled down the hall and going into the operating room and then I remember hearing people call my name and not being able to talk or move, not knowing where I was or what was going on.  Then I saw Cindy and grabbed hold of her hand while they pulled the tube out of my throat.  Surprisingly, I realized it didn’t hurt and I tried to tell Cindy she couldn’t leave, but she said she had to and everybody else told me to relax, everything was done and I was going to my room.  I think they had me help them move me onto the bed in the hospital room, but I could be wrong.  I remember waking up at 6 am Friday morning thinking I had to let everybody know I had survived surgery.  So I sent out a bunch of texts, then went back to sleep for several more hours.  And that is what I remember most of Friday.  Waking up from sleeping – a lot.  I did manage to sit up and I did walk down the hall.  Everybody was so very nice and so pleased at how quickly I was recovering (at this time I didn’t know how long the surgery had been or about the tummy tuck).  I kept telling them that this was my first only, ever surgery and they seemed even more surprised by that.

On Saturday, in the afternoon, I was released from the hospital.  Today is Wednesday.  I’m still on percocet, but have reduced what I’m taking by at least half, I’m still on Oxygen but I have an appointment with my Doctor on Monday and hopefully will be off oxygen by then, and I still have very little stamina at the moment.  But that will come back in time.  I’m still not eating a lot, and that I’m hoping will stick around for a little while longer…

So I’ve been “up” for 5 hours so far today and I think I’m going to go lay down for a little rest now…

Updating….

I see it’s been awhile so, I better do some updating…

I finally completed all the tests that were required from me for my hernia surgery.  Went to the cardiologist to see if I was cleared for surgery and found out that I am 100% cleared for surgery.  His words?  My heart is great and my lungs are good there should be no problems at all and he didn’t expect to see me as a regular patient for many, many years.

So, here I was all ready for surgery and have to wait two more weeks.  You see, the surgeon called me the Friday before and told me the surgery was pushed back 2 weeks because he hadn’t received all the paperwork from my Doctors down here.  So, after my meeting with the Cardiologist, I called my personal Doctor and made sure he was sending the information to my surgeon quickly.  So now, my pre surgery meeting is set for Oct. 13th and surgery is set for the 16th.  Then, hopefully, home by the 20th or 21st.  Yea.

Before all that, I became the president of the Prowers County Genealogy Society.  At least I won’t miss my first meeting as president, even though I have no idea how to run the meeting.  Oh well, I will learn.

So I’m still in that holding pattern, but at least I have a landing schedule now.  Yeah, I know, mixed metaphors.  Give me a break, it’s been a long day…