Here is an account of my experience in the hospital during my last surgery. It is long and detailed, so if you not interested, please ignore it. I wrote it in detail because I knew I would forget otherwise (especially considering all the meds I was on). During the procedure they reconstructed my left ectopic ureter (ureter-the tube draining urine from the kidney to the bladder) and re-implanted it into my bladder wall. Over the course of my life time it was previously draining urine into my uterus. This obviously creates a myriad of health issues which have finally been resolved. I feel tremendously blessed to have found a doctor who could finally diagnose the problem and to my Heavenly Father for cutting me a break. I am looking forward to a healthier life and for the chance to begin our family by some means undecided by us and the Lord. If you are interested in the details of the most challenging physical, mental, and emotional struggle I have ever faced, please read on….
After 5 days in the hospital, 15 shots, 3 IV's, 3 new incisions, 2 suppositories, 2 catheters, 1 epidural, 1 stent, and lots of medication… I have finally returned home. This experience has been the most challenging physical trial I have ever been through. I went into the surgery prepared for what I knew would be the hardest recovery I would have to face thus far, but nonetheless, I was optimistic! I was optimistic that I was young and healthy and that my recovery would surely be quicker than most. I had no idea just what kind of wake-up call I was in for.
Everything done surgically went just as planned; it was the recovery that would prove differently. Moments before I was taken into the operating room, my doctor strongly recommended that I get an epidural to control my pain during recovery. I am not typically afraid of needles or shots, but I have to admit I was completely beside myself with fear! They gave me a sedative to calm my nerves before giving me the epidural, but I don't think I ever really calmed down until it was done! Dave commented that I wouldn't shut-up and I kept making random comments. The nurse assured him I probably wouldn't remember any of it when I woke up. It wasn't nearly as bad as I think I had made it up to be in my head (the IV's were definitely more painful than the epidural).
My five day hospital stay seemed never ending. My nurses during the day were less than great. The night nurse's seemed to be the most prompt with my care. They came in every few hours to check my blood pressure, pulse, and temperature, so as you might imagine, sleep was seldom and interrupted. Saturday was a difficult day as I couldn't keep anything down. Vomiting is never fun… but vomiting with a large incision in your stomach and 4 tubes hanging from you is horrible. Dave left me for a few hours to go home and take a shower and get some food. During that time they brought me a "wonderfully" prepared hospital meal (no sarcasm intended). It was the first bit of solid food since the operation and I was pretty excited about it. I took it easy but about half way through the meal I started to feel sick. With practically no warning, I threw-up all over my lunch tray. I pressed my nurse call button and informed the nurse's desk I had thrown-up. I figured this would result in someone being sent to help. After waiting for about 10 minutes and trying every attempt possible to not vomit again, I paged the nurse's desk a second time. This time I was in tears and informed them I needed something to throw-up in immediately. After waiting a while they finally came with something for me to throw-up in besides my lunch tray (not that I was planning on eating any more of it anyways). My mom arrived late that evening and dropped by for a quick hello before I fell asleep.
Sunday was the best day I had during my stay in the hospital. Maybe it was because the Lord knew I needed a break since it was the Sabbath. I never threw-up and I was alert and talkative for most of the day. Monday I woke up to more nausea and vomiting and the discouragement that I would not be going home yet. Before the surgery the Doctor said I would have to stay in the hospital for a minimum of three nights but he would judge my stay according to my progress. In the back of my mind, all I heard was three nights, and that is all I had prepared myself for. On the bright side, the doctor ordered my 2nd (urethra) catheter to be removed, which meant one less tube attached to me! The urethra catheter was very uncomfortable, so its removal brought me a much needed smile.
Tuesday would prove to be my most challenging day. After a very sleepless night, my Doctor came by for a visit at 5:30 in the morning. He informed me that it the end of the time clock with what had become a dear friend, as they would be removing my epidural. The rest of the day was a bit of an awaking as I don't think any of us quit understood how much GOOD the epidural was doing at managing my pain. After its removal, it was very clear how much pain it had been covering up. The pain made me vomit and the vomit created more pain! Most of the pain was resulting from bladder spasms. I was warned prior to my operation that they were very painful and similar to contractions. I was having several problems with my super-pubic catheter draining properly as well. They wheeled me down to radiology to do an x-ray of my abdomen. This was to make sure there were not any twists or kinks in the catheter. The doctor also wanted me to try taking my pain medication by mouth in preparation for my IV removal. It was all I could do to try and keep my pain meds down and the anti-nausea medicine never seemed to help.
Wednesday's early morning doctor's visit was filled with many mixed emotions. I received the exciting news that everything looked as though I would finally be able to return home. He ordered my fluids in my IV to be reduced and removed my JP (incision drain) in preparation for my release. The JP drain is like a suction bulb with a LONG tube attached to the end of it. That tube is inserted into my abdomen to drain fluid from the incision site. The bulb is drained several times a day to measure the amount of fluid the incision is producing. The doctor snipped a few of the stitches around the JP which held it in place. He then proceeded to tell me to take a deep breath...
What took place after that deep breath became a sudden blur of some of the worse sudden pain I have ever experienced in my life. I literally screamed in pain during the removal (I am sure I woke up the entire floor at 6 in morning). The tube felt never ending as he pulled and pulled and pulled. I know this maybe a little graphic, but since this is my way of journaling my experience I will share it. As he pulled I could feel chunks of my flesh coming out with the tube. In that moment, I felt as if my insides were being ripped out and every part of me was ready to call it quits. I laid there in complete tears as he assured me that the removal of my super-pubic catheter would feel nothing like that experience. It wasn't too long after he left that the nausea and vomiting returned. I am sure it was due to the state of shock that I was in after the removal of the JP drain. The rest of the day seemed fairly uneventful until my discharge late that afternoon.
The wheelchair ride to the car and car ride home were both "bumpy", but I survived. Coming home was a huge relief, but also an enormous challenge. I then had to adjust to my "stuff" with my new equipment. I had grown to love the adjustable bed at the hospital (it was really more of a love-hate relationship). It made getting up and down, in and out, much easier. The hospital bed was also equipped with adequate areas to hang my catheter bag (or as I like to call it, my pee bag). At the hospital, I didn't have to worry about getting any "gross stuff" (I will leave that up for interpretation) on my furniture, floor, rugs, ect. I have my post-op appointment next Thursday, and I am really hoping the will remove my super pubic catheter (aka: the "un-super" pubic catheter).
We have been so grateful to everyone who has kept us in their thoughts and prayers. We have appreciated the generous meals and visits. I still have a long way to go, but things seem to be healing. My mom has been a tremendous help and I have especially enjoyed her company. I hope it is all downhill from here…
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