If you’ve been following me on Facebook and Twitter, you know I got online via my phone at the hospital as soon as I could think clearly.
I didn’t have the energy to post a diary, but I did upload a thumbs up photo (R) last night. I was in pain, but the nurses kept me on Percocet much of the time, so I was able to sleep.
Well, actually, I didn’t sleep much because various nurses came into my room every half-hour or so to check blood sugar, pain meds, blood pressure, etc. I was definitely treated well and carefully monitored. No fever, no chills, thank goodness.
I didn’t move most of the night (had catheter), but this AM my discharge was conditional based on whether I could go to the bathroom on my own. Talk about frustrating. I simply couldn’t go; and the fatigue from trying was debilitating. This afternoon I had one last try before they were going to have to re-cath me and send me home with that mess. Around 2PM I was successful, and so I was able to leave after I walked around the ward 2x to make sure I could walk without passing out or go into severe pain.
One of the complications I had was some tearing of tissue as the uterus was removed in one piece vaginally after laproscopically detaching it. So that area was swollen and thus affecting my ability to void. It’s now off to pathology, with the fibroids intact. I’m really sore, even with the pain meds ratcheted up. Typing this post was challenging; I am almost asleep at the keyboard.
I stayed overnight in the maternity ward, so it was very quiet, and the nurses are all well-versed in gyn stuff. When I was finally able to void this afternoon, they were all excited and doing the happy dance for me. It was hilarious. No one wanted to see me leave with a cath.
So Kate took me home around 3PM, and we stopped to get my painkillers, which I will use sparingly, and we came home to find this on the front porch…

Flowers from sweetie David Mixner.
And speaking of thank yous — many virtual hugs to all of my colleagues who participated in the “Blogswarm of Love for Pam,” as well as those who kindly hit the tip jar or wrote emails/Tweets of support. I don’t take health for granted, and given my constellation of inter-related conditions, major surgery is quite a bit more risky than for most folks.
So now I can crash and burn in my own bed with my 5 holes poked in my from the surgery. I report back to the surgeon in a couple of weeks. so hopefully I will beat back any infections.
Now I am going to hit the sack. I’m quite woozy.




22 Comments


Very gladSo very glad that you came through the surgery so (relatively) well.
Now:
1. Get some rest
2. Look after #1 (that’s you, Pam)
3. When the pain gets bad don’t hesitate in the short term to take pain meds (when pain gets out of control it is harder to get control of it). The pain will lessen over time, as will the need for meds.
4. Follow the doctor’s and nurses advice.
5. Let Kate know how much we appreciate how well she is taking care of you for us.
Brian & Greg/Minneapolis
Medicated and Motivated!Awesome Pam.
Glad everything went alright.
Take it easy, get some rest and you’ll be back in no time.
Yeah, if only Kate can keep that CrackBerry away from you, LOLGet ya rest Pam!
Best of luckIn your recovery.
So glad you are home!Hope your recovery goes well; I am a maternity nurse and take care of patients who have had your procedure all the time. It can be exhausting, but it is a much simpler way than through the abdomen! Take good care and get lots of rest!
Aww!Beautiful flowers; well done David!
So so so glad you are home. This will definitely be one of the things I am thankful for this week.
(((Many gentle hugs from all of us in the Louise/Snooky asylum!)))
Glad you’re home …thanks for keeping us posted!
Welcome home!We all love you, Pam! Get well soon.
Glad to hear everything went wellRest up, recover well!
Thankful for everything you do here…
feel better soon….glad you’re home.
healingsecond sigh of relief – you’re home – and as someone who has had painful surgery my advice is take the pain meds as prescribed – you have time to take them sparingly because you need to be relieved from the stress of pain for the first few days to help your body heal- take it easy & thanks for letting us know how you are doing – continuing to send you healing energy & love from the universe
Glad to have you back.I needed good news today.
Looking good, Pam! Sending happy healing thoughts to you.
sleep well …And wake up to our best wishes.
Hope you can still enjoy Thanksgiving in some relaxed way.
God bless us, every one.
PamYou look marvelous
Much loveMuch love and good wishes to you and yours.
I must say that can’t be PamAt least the person in the first picture looks like her but is way too young looking (looks like a neighbors daughter who is just going to college). Unless maybe the relief has taken years away :) Welcome home hon, take care of your self, relax and get better /hugs
Thank Goodness!! Now I can get some sleep knowing you came through the surgery so well. Please take it easy and don’t push it. And give Kate a big kiss for taking such good care of you.
Love you…
SM
HugsDarlene and I send you hugs. If you and Kate ever get to Atlanta again, we will treat you at a great home-cooked meal. Now, go and recover.
Get well soon, Pam!I’m sending big hug vibes out to you. As uncomfortable as this may be, take heart in that you will never have to deal with the monthly pain ever again. It sounded like it was extremely intense. Happy Thanksgiving to you and Kate as well.
Welcome to the sisterhood of the Never More.No more periods! You start out so proud to have your first one and then…..well, it’s nice to more on to the next part of your journey.
Happy HealingWishing you a speedy recovery.