I had abdominal hernia surgery on 6/10.
I didn’t sleep well the night before. I don’t know if it was nerves, that I wasn’t able to sleep comfortably, or that I was afraid I’d sleep through my alarm. Regardless, it was a long night.
My mom picked me up at 5:45 am to go to the hospital. After I was checked in, we went up to the second floor for outpatient surgery. I changed into the hospital gown, was hooked up to machines, had an IV and was asked a barrage of questions by doctors, nurses and anesthesiologists. I grew impatient as 7:30 came and went and my doctor still haven’t arrived. I became antsy and began to debate if I really needed the surgery.
He arrived around 7:45 and the nurses began to make final preparations for the procedure. They gave me something that would make me sleepy before giving me the actual anesthesia. I was out so fast, and I wasn’t able to tell them to suck out any extra fat that’s in their way while repairing the hernia.
I came to in the recovery room. They said the procedure went well. My mom came in and said I looked good. When I was able to, I got dressed and we went home. My kids were happy to see me and know that I was ok. my husband was relieved, as well.
I spent the rest of the day in my bed. I slept on and off, watched lots of stupid tv and crocheted. I’m so thankful that I have an adjustable-base bed, and I could sit upright without having to put stress on my incision.
I didn’t sleep well that night, and when I was sleeping, it certainly wasn’t restful.
The next day (6/11) was rough. My mom left that morning to go to see her sister in PA and my husband was at work. I was home with the kids who were very helpful. I was mobile, but had limited ability and everything hurt. I had a sore throat from a tube used during surgery. My abdomen hurt in different locations and for different reasons. I was able to drive since it had been 24 hours since the anesthesia had worn off. I went to Eagles’ Haven for a teacher support group, as well as for an accupressure/meditation class. I then went home for the rest of the day. I slept on and off, and tried to get up a little more than the day before.
The next day (6/12) was a little better.
I woke up on 6/13 and was finally able to shower since the surgery. It felt wonderful to wash my hair and feel like a person. After the shower I noticed that my eyes felt like they were on fire. They were irritated, red, bloodshot. I knew it couldn’t be pink eye. I chalked it up to lack of sleep and having been a zombie for the past 72 hours. I went to take my son to play hockey at the rink which is five minutes from the house. I got outside and realized I couldn’t see while driving. My eyes were so light sensitive, they were closing involuntarily. I got to the end of the block and had to come home. I spent most of the rest of the day awake with my eyes closed. I asked my dad to take my daughter to dance, because I couldn’t safely operate a vehicle. It was another rough night.
When I woke up on 6/14, my eyes felt worse. I called my eye doctor when they opened at 9. They told me that there wouldn’t be a doctor in today, and referred me to another office. I called the other doctor and made an appointment. My husband had to come home from work to drive me to the appointment. After a full eye exam, the doctor told me that something was inflamed, which was causing the irritation, redness light sensitivity. Whatever was actually wrong with my eyes was explained to me in actual medical language, but I can’t remember the technical terms for the life of me. I was given eye drops and started to feel better by bedtime.
It just seemed to be my luck to have additional issues and complications after something as serious as surgery. My mom always says that G-d doesn’t give you more than you can handle. I guess I filled my quota this week.