6th Day Post Op Update

General
1

First of all, I am feeling much better!

Have yet to see if my symptoms return or not but post op wise I have passed all the hurdles in this order: nausea/gone, can't pee (gone), can't have bm (gone).

That is the order in which they occurred Lol.

For those approaching surgery: I didn't need 3/4 of the stuff I brought to the hospital.

I really only needed to bring slippers and chapstick.

They had a toothbrush and paste there for me.

You don't give a hoot about anything you think you will!

I just wanted to go HOME!

So, after I was finally able to pee on my own I was allowed to go home (2 nights in hospital out by noon the next day).

NO appetite the first day, second day or third day but got down a jello cup the third day.

Don't rush it. Just wait ...your body will tell you when it's time to eat again.

Try to drink something though: water, ginger ale stuff like that to flush out the anesthesia (which in my opinion is what is causing all this nausea etc...)

Thursday my appetite started to return and I just stuck with pudding, jello, fruit cups, toast and soup.

I get a Boom, boom, boom pounding in my head and took pain meds for that but turns out I am allergic to the codone. Not sure if I spelled it right.

So, just took flexeril (a muscle relaxer) and Tylenol and it works better. Must have been muscle spasms.

I took some Philips Milk of Magsnesia caplets and finally had a BM. Just be gentle drink some coffee and wait...don't try to get the job done asap or anything. That is my advice ;-)

Rested all day Wed, Thurs and Friday and today I feel like moving more. I cannot bend over or do stuff for 2 weeks so...I have to walk around the house every so often and then sit and be a good girl.

Lol

Today I ditched the pj's and am wearing a tank top and yoga pants and a cardigan.

And mascara, and lipstick and a wee bit of perfume and switched out my ponytail holders for another color!

These are major psychological boosts believe me...you will understand later.

The first two days were the worst!

After that you WILL start to feel better.

I was like "I should never have done this!" on day one and two.

The scar looks worse than it feels for sure.

Hope this helps someone! :-)

2

Please note: I only had the duraplasty thing no spine stuff.

Also, try to sleep on your sides...sleeping on the back just screwed with the pressure in my head.

And, I needed someone with me for the first day home from the hospital and the next day. I wait to sponge bathe until someone is home.And when I am allowed to shower I am waiting til the bf comes home cuz I am dizzy from the meds.

I keep a notepad with time/dose/type of meds taken.

Be good and don't bend over or do stuff! Someone needs to do laundry, dishes etc...for 2 weeks until your stitches come out. And I mean it. You can cause a leak. :-)

Move your neck side to side as much as possible without torturing yourself. It will move more and more each day. Most of my pain is from muscle spasms so...this is good advice from my surgeon.

3

Thanks for sharing! I have surgery in about a week so it was good for me to read your post. I am glad your feeling better. Continue to take it easy and you will just get better and better!

4

Great to hear you're doing so well, and thanks for sharing your experiences for others

Geoff

5

Glad to hear that you are doing so well after this whole surgery thing. I am 11 weeks post op this coming Monday. didn't fair so well and was kept in ICU for 6 days. When I got home, I couldn't sleep, my temperatures fluctuated and I was miserable.

I agree that mostly, you don't need to bring anything but chapstick to the hospital. I didn't have mine, but the hospital had some off brand type. If you brought your slippers, everything else is not necessary. Keeping a notepad and pen/pencil is beneficial for at home medication lists and times.

I am still plagued with nausea and lack of appetite. I am told that can happen from now until....

I still need help sometimes at home. No lifting, bending, or stooping. Sneezing is not fun.

Move as much as you can without over doing it! Doing too much too soon is not recommended. I still get tired more easily than before. It is strange. I am hyper and an insomniac, not a vegetable - usually. Now, I feel like a veg - all the time. Weird. My advice is listen to your body, it will tell you when to rest.

I will also advise that showering in the next few months can be a challenge. Something about a shower makes me dizzy / loopy. I keep my husband around to listen for a crash, bam, boom.

Good luck and keep progressing. Be blessed!

Prayers,

-M

6

Ophelia- so excited to you hear from you and that you are doing well!!

7

Thank you Ophelia. YOU HAVE A GREAT ATTITUDE. I hope you feel even better today. I am going in for a decompression on Wednesday. Trying to stay positive.