Yesterday was quite a day. I had brecky with my parents, then passed out on the couch for an hour or so. I had taken a pain pill when I ate and I guess it hit me pretty hard. It's definitely true that these things build up in your system, because the more I took, the quicker the effect was. When I woke up I took a shower and my mother wanted me to try to walk outside. We went pretty close, just to the food store, but I felt really queasy and dizzy and was wiped out by they time we returned. I ate again because we thought that might help, and then I fell asleep for a few hours. In the interim they had left. I was woken up around 19.30 by the phone and thought that I should eat something. I tried to look at some menus online but still felt ill, so just had a little cantaloupe that was cut up. I tried to sit in the other room for a while but just felt horrid so came back to bed and eventually fell asleep, on and off, for the night. I am glad that I didn't go to work today because I would have been a wreck.
This morning I still felt horrible, even though it had been about 24 hours since I had taken a pain pill! I decided last night that no matter how much pain I was in I was just going to take Tylenol because I hated the haze I was in. After I took a shower this morning and still felt ill, I thought some fresh air might help, so went across the street to Starbucks, where they have outdoor seats (I brought my own cushion - and it was still pretty painful). I was out there for an hour or so and it seemed to help a little. Then it started raining - just my luck. So I came home, ordered some lunch, and made myself eat. Since then just been vegging on the couch, trying to sit on my bum, and feel less sick. I think some of the meds are finally leaving my body. I truly hate feeling like this, like I've no control over my body.
I have to say this is a pretty horrible recovery and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. I can't begin to describe the pain. I have decided I am going to go to work tomorrow and am hoping to make it through the day, with just Tylenol - at least that's the goal. I am beyond bored. It's dull just sitting around with no company, so at least there I will (hopefully) have things to do. I am really bummed (no pun intended) that I will be missing the concert in the park tonight - it's perfect weather! Oh well. C'est la vie.
24 June, 2008
22 June, 2008
Pain, drugs, boredom and lack of sleep
Make me pretty loopy. I have been going between Demerol and Ultracet, and there doesn't seem to be much difference between the two.
Thankfully the surgery went well, and the procedure was the "easiest" version that the doctor had outlined. It was pretty quick, only about half an hour. I woke up screaming my head off though. The pain was completely unbearable. The last thing I remember was laying down on the table and the anesthesiologist putting drugs in my IV, and then I woke up in agony. Agony is an understatement. The amount of pain I had was completely indescribable. This was the third worst amount of pain I've had. (It's crazy that I have a running list: the first was waking up from hip surgery in September; the second was when they were doing the surgery on the abscess - both times since the damn resident buggered it up the first time - and didn't put me under). When I woke up and was hysterical they asked if I wanted my mother to come in, and she did. She's amazing, I don't know how she stayed so calm and level-headed when I was losing it completely. Thankfully after what seemed like much begging and pleading and pleading and begging they gave me a shot of Demerol. After a few minutes that finally kicked in, and though the pain was still bad at least my mind didn't seem to care much anymore.
They let me stay there for about half an hour and then pretty much kicked me out, telling me I'd be more comfortable at home. I just wanted more shots of Demerol but they wouldn't give me that. The doctor did give me a script for some Demerol tabs though. I don't remember much about Friday, but what I do was a nightmare. When I first got home I passed out on my bed from the sheer exhaustion of being in that much pain + the pain killers. When I woke up I had to go to the bathroom, and was pretty nervous. I was able to pee but I also saw all this blood on the gauze and it freaked me out as it was bright red. This was the first time I actually realised how they literally taped up my behind with gauze. I was nervous about the blood so my mother said I should call the doctors office. They were not very helpful and just kept repeating that I only needed to call if the pain was very bad (I wonder what they consider v. bad since I was in agony???), if I was bleeding more than normal (again - how was I meant to know what "normal" was for this) and if I couldn't pee. I also asked, as my stomach seemed to be getting a little upset, what I should do if I felt I had to have a bm. The guy said to just take off the gauze and tape and go. Ok, so long as he said it was fine.
My mother wanted me to eat something because I hadn't all day, so I went in to the kitchen to see if I could and all of a sudden my bum decided it was incontinent and let loose. This was pretty gross as I still had that taped gauze all over. What a mess, to say the least. I was pretty upset, not just about the mess, but since incontinence is something that can happen with this surgery. I was so glad my father was out when this happened. I thought all was well, washed up and did a sitz bath and got changed. All for naught it seemed as it happened again. I couldn't believe it. It was probably a good thing I was high on painkillers as otherwise I'd have been freaking out completely. Finally my insides decided to give it a rest and I was able to get sorted out and back in bed. Such fun stuff I tell you! After that I don't remember much. My mother made dinner and I had to go to the table to eat. This required lots of pillows under me. I don't know how I made it through, but went straight back to bed afterwards. Unfortunately I didn't sleep very well and was up all night from the pain. (the last two paragraphs were written later but I wanted to add them so that anyone who goes through this might know what to expect)
Yesterday was a little better than today. I finally slept a little last night but this morning was in agony, probably because I hadn't taken a pain tablet since last night. I'm still pretty out of it from the drugs now, so this might not even make sense.
People don't realise that even if you're loopy and in pain you can be bored out of your mind! Thankfully my mother had been a great sport playing monopoly and scrabble with me to keep my mind occupied. There is only so much bad telly you can watch. I would also like to that my friends for their support before and after, it means so much to me to have that. It seems a little thing perhaps, but when you're going in for surgery it's nice to get that and afterwards it is great to have people call. I guess if you've never been through this stuff you don't realise the importance of what a little phone call can do.
Hopefully I will be going back to work on Tuesday, but I will see how I am tomorrow. Sitting is still incredibly difficult at the moment - I'm not sitting now, just kneeling on the floor.
Ok, room is starting to spin again so going to go lay down.
Thankfully the surgery went well, and the procedure was the "easiest" version that the doctor had outlined. It was pretty quick, only about half an hour. I woke up screaming my head off though. The pain was completely unbearable. The last thing I remember was laying down on the table and the anesthesiologist putting drugs in my IV, and then I woke up in agony. Agony is an understatement. The amount of pain I had was completely indescribable. This was the third worst amount of pain I've had. (It's crazy that I have a running list: the first was waking up from hip surgery in September; the second was when they were doing the surgery on the abscess - both times since the damn resident buggered it up the first time - and didn't put me under). When I woke up and was hysterical they asked if I wanted my mother to come in, and she did. She's amazing, I don't know how she stayed so calm and level-headed when I was losing it completely. Thankfully after what seemed like much begging and pleading and pleading and begging they gave me a shot of Demerol. After a few minutes that finally kicked in, and though the pain was still bad at least my mind didn't seem to care much anymore.
They let me stay there for about half an hour and then pretty much kicked me out, telling me I'd be more comfortable at home. I just wanted more shots of Demerol but they wouldn't give me that. The doctor did give me a script for some Demerol tabs though. I don't remember much about Friday, but what I do was a nightmare. When I first got home I passed out on my bed from the sheer exhaustion of being in that much pain + the pain killers. When I woke up I had to go to the bathroom, and was pretty nervous. I was able to pee but I also saw all this blood on the gauze and it freaked me out as it was bright red. This was the first time I actually realised how they literally taped up my behind with gauze. I was nervous about the blood so my mother said I should call the doctors office. They were not very helpful and just kept repeating that I only needed to call if the pain was very bad (I wonder what they consider v. bad since I was in agony???), if I was bleeding more than normal (again - how was I meant to know what "normal" was for this) and if I couldn't pee. I also asked, as my stomach seemed to be getting a little upset, what I should do if I felt I had to have a bm. The guy said to just take off the gauze and tape and go. Ok, so long as he said it was fine.
My mother wanted me to eat something because I hadn't all day, so I went in to the kitchen to see if I could and all of a sudden my bum decided it was incontinent and let loose. This was pretty gross as I still had that taped gauze all over. What a mess, to say the least. I was pretty upset, not just about the mess, but since incontinence is something that can happen with this surgery. I was so glad my father was out when this happened. I thought all was well, washed up and did a sitz bath and got changed. All for naught it seemed as it happened again. I couldn't believe it. It was probably a good thing I was high on painkillers as otherwise I'd have been freaking out completely. Finally my insides decided to give it a rest and I was able to get sorted out and back in bed. Such fun stuff I tell you! After that I don't remember much. My mother made dinner and I had to go to the table to eat. This required lots of pillows under me. I don't know how I made it through, but went straight back to bed afterwards. Unfortunately I didn't sleep very well and was up all night from the pain. (the last two paragraphs were written later but I wanted to add them so that anyone who goes through this might know what to expect)
Yesterday was a little better than today. I finally slept a little last night but this morning was in agony, probably because I hadn't taken a pain tablet since last night. I'm still pretty out of it from the drugs now, so this might not even make sense.
People don't realise that even if you're loopy and in pain you can be bored out of your mind! Thankfully my mother had been a great sport playing monopoly and scrabble with me to keep my mind occupied. There is only so much bad telly you can watch. I would also like to that my friends for their support before and after, it means so much to me to have that. It seems a little thing perhaps, but when you're going in for surgery it's nice to get that and afterwards it is great to have people call. I guess if you've never been through this stuff you don't realise the importance of what a little phone call can do.
Hopefully I will be going back to work on Tuesday, but I will see how I am tomorrow. Sitting is still incredibly difficult at the moment - I'm not sitting now, just kneeling on the floor.
Ok, room is starting to spin again so going to go lay down.
19 June, 2008
Dread
Well, the bites have plateaued. Not much better but at least not worse. Thankfully they're not too itchy though. I'm so glad it was cool this week because I've had to wear trousers to cover them up. Other than that I'm pretty stressed about tomorrows surgery. I think it is worse when you know how much pain you're going to be in. I am just praying it all goes well and is the simplest procedure of all (touch wood, poo poo, fingers crossed, etc.) I've been in so much pain the last couple of days that I don't even have the desire to put it off any longer.
My parents are coming in tonight so they can come tomorrow. I don't know what I'd do with my mother, she's just such a trooper when it comes to taking care of me after all of these lovely medical things. So now just have to get through sitting today (ouch!) and thankfully I have the chiro and massage at lunch.
May go to the pool after work but it depends on how I'm feeling. My tummy has been pretty wonky all week, I think from the stress. The hip has been holding up okay. I walked all the way home from work on Tuesday and it was pretty good. I can't believe it's taken this long to get there though - 9 months. And I still haven't heard back from my second appeal for PT from the state. I really hope I do get some visits approved so I can see how the hip is doing and what I can do to move forward though.
My parents are coming in tonight so they can come tomorrow. I don't know what I'd do with my mother, she's just such a trooper when it comes to taking care of me after all of these lovely medical things. So now just have to get through sitting today (ouch!) and thankfully I have the chiro and massage at lunch.
May go to the pool after work but it depends on how I'm feeling. My tummy has been pretty wonky all week, I think from the stress. The hip has been holding up okay. I walked all the way home from work on Tuesday and it was pretty good. I can't believe it's taken this long to get there though - 9 months. And I still haven't heard back from my second appeal for PT from the state. I really hope I do get some visits approved so I can see how the hip is doing and what I can do to move forward though.
18 June, 2008
Walking Hazard Zone
Well, I have to say I am a walking hazard zone. Sunday afternoon my left leg was itching and I saw I had a bug bite. It seemed normal so I just ignored it. A few hours later when my parents arrived, I had numerous bites and some were starting to really swell up. I can only think I got them at the park (a concrete one mind you) before I went (indoor) swimming on Saturday, or perhaps Saturday night as the doors were open at the bar I was at, though nighttime doesn't seem like a big time for mosquitoes to be out. Anyway, I ended up not sleeping at all on Sunday because my legs were so itchy I was debating ripping the skin off of them. By Monday, the bites had gotten pretty big and were swelling up my ankles and feet. I rang the doctor, who was not in, so there went that idea. The nice pharmacist across the street told me to use Benadryl at night and a cream that has an antihistamine in it during the day. I found that helped more than the cortisone I had been spraying. Witch hazel also seemed to help a bit.
This is what the biggest bite looked like on Monday (my inside right leg):
Monday night I took two Benadryl and went to bed by 9pm. I woke up once around 2am, but thankfully fell back to sleep pretty quickly. Tuesday morning I woke up to this lovely picture (same bite as in last pic):
It's lovely, I know. I've been wearing trousers all week because I have a few that look this red, though thankfully they're not all this big. I am documenting this because for the last few summers I get bites out of nowhere, they get all icky and gooey, and seem to get infected immediately. This all started after my trip to Egypt in 2005. I was eaten alive there by bugs and ever since, about once a spring/summer, I get bites like this, and then (touch wood) it doesn't happen again until the next year. The first time it happened I woke up with huge bumps all over my legs, and had such a big bite by my ankle that I couldn't even bend my ankle properly and had trouble walking. I went to the emergency room that time, and the doctors were all stumped. They thought it might have been spider bites, and even drew circles around the infected bites. If the bites got bigger I was to go back to the ER. I didn't want to so ended up going to my regular doctor. She also was shocked. No one seems to know why this happens. My own personal theory - and granted there is no factual basis for it - is that the Egyptian bugs poisoned me and now I am really allergic to the American bugs. It doesn't make sense but it's the only thing I can think of, as I can't recall this ever happening beforehand, and especially not on an annual basis.
Here is what it looks like today (same spot), thankfully they seem to be improving. My motto is definitely "never a dull (medical) moment!" :-/
This is what the biggest bite looked like on Monday (my inside right leg):
Monday night I took two Benadryl and went to bed by 9pm. I woke up once around 2am, but thankfully fell back to sleep pretty quickly. Tuesday morning I woke up to this lovely picture (same bite as in last pic):
It's lovely, I know. I've been wearing trousers all week because I have a few that look this red, though thankfully they're not all this big. I am documenting this because for the last few summers I get bites out of nowhere, they get all icky and gooey, and seem to get infected immediately. This all started after my trip to Egypt in 2005. I was eaten alive there by bugs and ever since, about once a spring/summer, I get bites like this, and then (touch wood) it doesn't happen again until the next year. The first time it happened I woke up with huge bumps all over my legs, and had such a big bite by my ankle that I couldn't even bend my ankle properly and had trouble walking. I went to the emergency room that time, and the doctors were all stumped. They thought it might have been spider bites, and even drew circles around the infected bites. If the bites got bigger I was to go back to the ER. I didn't want to so ended up going to my regular doctor. She also was shocked. No one seems to know why this happens. My own personal theory - and granted there is no factual basis for it - is that the Egyptian bugs poisoned me and now I am really allergic to the American bugs. It doesn't make sense but it's the only thing I can think of, as I can't recall this ever happening beforehand, and especially not on an annual basis.
Here is what it looks like today (same spot), thankfully they seem to be improving. My motto is definitely "never a dull (medical) moment!" :-/
15 June, 2008
More swimming
I went to the pool yesterday and did about 15 laps of just swimming. I was trying to walk in between but my current injury was hurting when I did that, so I just did the laps. After the last two my right hip started to act up so I decided to not push it and just stopped. But I am v. happy to report that I was not suffering for it, so far that is. Hopefully it will keep up.
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