My surgery was scheduled for Jan. 8th for a parastomal hernia repair with mesh as well as a ileostomy stoma revision. I was only in the hospital 5 days a first for me in a long time.
I am doing as good as I can considering just having surgery. Instead of saying "grandma got ran over by a reindeer" I can say this grandma got run over by a Mack Truck. At least that is what it feels like. I have 4 or 5 small 2" incisions all over the place plus the holes from the drain and from the central line (both of which I have to watch because they are still draining).
I will just say a few things - I do know how strong pain killers will mess up ones intestines, mine even more so because of my extremely hypo-motility dysfunction so the 3 doctors looking after me didn't want to give me anything more the Tylenol IV, Toradol IV (IBP) and Valium.
So when my pain would not go down after pulling my IV meds, I asked something stronger that Lilly (ileostomy stoma) could handle, they gave NUCYNTA 50mg, I will only be on them for 4 more days if needed. Within an hour my pain went from a 7 to a 5 and I could for the first time in a month sleep on my right side (surgery side). I am to take it every 4hrs to keep the pain to less than a 4.
There is very little side effects Thank God, it controls my pain and Lilly still goes non stop. I am not even taking Miralax, matter of fact she now goes about 15 times during the day and only once at night. Verses always at night.
The REALLY good news about this surgery was EVERYTHING was normal. I have been dubbed abby normal by my doctors and my dear friend Marilyn. This surgery was a true act of God and from all of your prayers and support. I was in good hands.
Surgery was just over 3 hrs, got sick in recovery (not up stairs), no extra IV pokes (got a central line upon arrival), could eat/drink liquids within 24 hrs (that's a first for me), Full liquids 24 hrs later, solid low residue foods 3rd and 4th day. And I saved the best for last I am home 5 days after surgery (past 15 surgeries my shortest stay was 8 days longest was 35 days. So I do feel truly blessed.
I do not have to go see Marlene (the stoma nurse) there was talk I'd have to go every 3 days, but she called 3 companies to supply me more new products and she gave me enough supplies for 2 weeks. I will have some troubles seeing the bottom of my stoma, but I have a mirror that rotates so that should help me to put my paste on.
It will take some getting use to as she Lilly has tripled in size - she's 1-1/2" tall by 2" at the top and the stem 1-5/8" other than the color she looks like a mushroom. Verses 3/4" and underneath my skin at surgery.
My doctor said my surgery was in deed necessary as some hernias do not always have to be fixed. Thanks to all of you for your love and support I could not have gone through this without your friendships. Talk to you soon Debbie
