I've been fortunate to live a healthy life so far. Other than three C-Sections in the '80s, I've managed to completely avoid hospitals. That changed last Thursday when I had a hernia repaired.
About a month ago I noticed a lump in my lower abdomen right underneath the C-Section scar. I went to my primary care doctor, who said it was probably a hernia and referred me to a surgeon. The surgeon took one look, confirmed the diagnosis (an inguinal hernia, which happens when the muscles in the groin area tear and allow the lining of the abdominal cavity to protrude), and had me talk to the scheduling department. Before I left the office I had an appointment for surgery two weeks later.
On Hernia Repair Day I was at the hospital at 6:00 AM and out by lunchtime. This was my first time to have general anesthesia; I don't remember a thing between the time they gave me some 'relaxation' medicine on the way to the operating room and the time I woke up in the recovery room. The doctor sent me home with a prescription for pain medicine, but I don't like taking strong drugs and for the most part I've been able to rely on over-the-counter stuff.
Hubby Tony's pampered me and taken care of things around the house, but I'm not a very good patient. It's hard for me to do nothing. Even using a computer was difficult. It hurt to sit at the desktop too long, and my laptop hit me right at the incision. After the first day I found that if I take things really slow I can do activities that don't require lifting or bending. My body tells me when I'm doing too much!
My instructions said that everyone's healing is different, and I might not feel 100% improved for six weeks. I really hope they're wrong and I'm ahead of the curve on that.
A speedy recovery! You'll be on the top of the recovery curve, I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteWow. Prayers that you heal QUICKLY and well. (But do enjoy the spoiling in the meantime!) :-)
ReplyDeleteHere's to a speedy recovery and good on Tony for being such a great hubbadub.
ReplyDeleteI've been reading your blog for a while now and really enjoy it. I live not far from you and can relate to some of the places you mention. I hope you have an easy recovery. My husband and I each have a unique piece of furniture called Able Life Able Tray by Stander. It's a sturdy tray mounted on a very strong pivoting arm that's attached to a pole which has 'feet' that go under your chair or couch to support it all. I know that sounds complicated, but the whole thing is really simple. You can look it up on line. Amazon sells it, but we bought ours on line from Costco several years ago. We use the trays for our laptops. We never have to actually handle the computers; they stay on the tray and it pivots out of the way when we sit down or get up. It works wonderfully with a recliner and I use the arm of my chair for my mouse. Its main function is to give you something to hold for support when you want to stand. The chair or sofa holds down the feet of it so it doesn't tip over and you can use it to push against or pull yourself up. We're senior citizens and figure that when we have difficulty getting up they'll come in handy. One might help you if you have trouble getting up and down. It would also keep the computer from bumping your sore body. They're not cheap, but we've had ours probably over 5 years and they're like new.
ReplyDeletePeg, thanks for leaving a comment! It's nice to 'meet' a fellow blogger, especially another local one. I think I know the kind of tray you're talking about, and will keep that in mind. With the configuration of our couch and side tables I don't know that there would be room for it.
DeleteI've never been hospitalized though I was a sickly kid.
ReplyDeleteI do hope for your speedy recovery.
So glad they caught and took care of this hernia before it could make matters worse. With your good health and disposition I'm sure you'll be way ahead of the curve for getting back to normal.
ReplyDeleteI certainly hope so! There's a lot to get done around here :-)
Deletesorry to hear this Kathy, get well soon! I know the feeling, it's awful keeping quiet after surgery.
ReplyDeleteBe gentle with yourself as you recover. Remember that it takes a while just to get the anesthesia out of your system, let alone healing the surgical site! Be well, my friend!
ReplyDeleteThanks.
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