Home from hospital!

I got back last night. Lance asked the black cab driver to drive extra slow as I had just had surgery, and he was a gem. Drove so gently and slowly round the bends etc. Was a difficult journey but the easiest I could have had I think.

I cannot shower as I had an allergic reaction to the plasters they used, am quite blistered. Lance (bless him) has bathed me, and I've been for a short refreshing walk in the garden. My abdomen feels so weird.

Given myself the anti DVT injection (Enoxaparin Sodium) which stings like hell and makes (yet another) glorious bruise, but it has to be done every day for 2 weeks.

Surgical team were fantastic, ward staff were (mostly) excellent. Had a good night's sleep, hardly slept in the ward, due to pain, and the ward staff are so noisy.

But I had trouble with cannulas. So they had to come out and I had dissolved/injected pain killers. After the first 2 cannulas (one in each wrist) had to come out as they were hurting too much after the first night, they tried to insert another 6 cannulas in different areas, all failed. I have small delicate veins I think. And I bruise so easily. Looks like I've been in a punching match, my arms are so bruised.

I have 6 key hole wounds (they are bigger than we thought they'd be tbh - the shortest is about 2-3 cms long), and a bigger drain wound. That hurt like hell getting out, even though they morphined me prior to taking it out.

Amazing to think it took me 6 months from start to surgery, it took others in the ward at least 1 year to surgery, I was fast tracked for sure. An answer to prayer. W e are delighted that the surgery went okay too... just over 4 hrs in surgery, 5 hours in recovery, 3 days in hospital, not bad for major abdominal surgery! 

I have not taken any painkillers today, am very sore (especially in drain site) and achy, but am bearing it and will try and use painkillers as little as possible.

Hubby has taken some lovely gory pics, will paste them on my blog. He is also cooking me some chicken vegetable soup... with everything in it... chicken, stock, carrots, onions, chickpeas, tomatoes, celery, potato etc. and it is smelling divine! He will strain it for me, as I can only have clear liquid for 2 weeks, then onto pureed for a month, softer foods for a month... then slowly building up to more solid food.


Onwards and upwards, small steps... and in my case... small sips :)