I’M HOMEEEEE!
(Enjoy this photo of me sedated in the hospital.)
My entire body aches and I have an ice pack permanently attached to my torso, but I’m home and in my own bed and it’s all very exciting. We got home this morning around 11am and I passed out as soon as I walked into the house. I woke up to friends coming by my house with flowers, only to be surprised later with more visits with a whole case of Arnold Palmers, and even some chocolate covered strawberries! I’ve certainly been spoiled silly the past couple weeks and I have to keep pinching myself over how lucky I am to be surrounded by such incredible people.
Yesterday wound up being the most excruciating day EVER. I wrote yesterday’s blog post in the morning, and then I continually got worse. They took me off of my magical drug supply around noon – which enhanced the pain and made me VERY aware of how bloated I was. I guess, when they do laparoscopic procedures, they fill up your torso with gas in order to have more room to work (makes sense). Of course, I didn’t expect just how severe this pain would be to deal with after the fact. I was lucky enough to have a team of nurses who were there to help me every step of the way. Of course, it also helped that my parents were there to limp around the hospital floor with me to try and get me back to normal.
Most of yesterday was a blur. Apparently, someone came in to give me communion and I wound up crying and getting all hysterical on him (I don’t really remember this). I know I spent a great portion of time doubled over my bed with a nurse rubbing my back – and a bunch of them comparing it to pregnancy. (Yay?). I kind of ate, but it’s hard when your stomach feels like it’s all over the place and your body literally feels like it’s about to explode. I’m glad that I was able to spend another night in the hospital, because I honestly can’t even imagine what it would have been like having to go through all of that by myself.
This morning, my surgeon came in to say good bye before I was discharged and just went over the lifestyle changes I’ll have to deal with in the upcoming weeks. For one, I’ll be on a liquid diet for the time being, to protect anything from happening to the wrap. I can’t take any baths or fully submerge myself in water (like a swimming pool) for a couple of weeks. No heavy lifting for the time being, and I’m supposed to try and walk a lot – since this will help to break up all that excess air in my body (thank god) and will just help me get used to my new stomach. So much to learn!
I’ll keep you all posted on how this progresses. And I swear the blog (and my life, hopefully!!) will go back to normal soon 🙂
