One Week PO and here's what I've learned:

TW: vomit and poop mentioned

I wanted to just put out what I've learned/experienced seeing as posts like these helped me so much when I was preparing. I hope mine helps someone else, too. 💞 Fair warning, it's long!

Surgery Day: I arrived at the hospital early (6am). Everything was pretty quiet. Got called up quickly to the PACU. Brought my mom. Got changed and started having meetings with the whole team. Everyone was amazing and addressed all my fears and hesitations. Cried a bit. They brought me back and I was in theater by 745. Didn't recall anything after the sedative. Woke up nauseous and in some pain, but it was attended to quickly and thoroughly. Seriously, the team was amazing (day after Xmas helped with getting more attention as it was slow, I believe) Was able to pee and walk a bit and was discharged and home by 230. Was so quick my best friend coming from out of town to stay with me arrived after I got home! Highly recommend bringing an advocate to help you feel at least like you've got someone in your corner! And definitely ask all the questions because that's why your team is there to meet with you.

First Day PO: Super out of it due to anesthesia. I have a history of nausea and vomiting when anesthesia is involved, so having a dose of nausea meds via IV before leaving the PACU was clutch. Took only one oxy and started the Tylenol/Motrin 6 hour cycle. Minimum pain first day, just lots of grogginess fatigue. Had lots of people checking in and had my mom/best friend/brother as a support team. Started shuffling around the house. Definitely recommend a pillow to hold for coughing and a heating pad for when you're sitting on the couch. Only bled a little and kept the underwear on that they gave me in the hospital to catch whatever came out.

Day Two PO: Woke up super nauseated (ate a cinnamon roll night before... Bad idea) and vomited violently (Won't be eating cinnamon rolls for awhile!) Continued to have nausea, and my BFF went and got me some otc Emetrol. It helped a bit, but I was still lingering on vomiting for the next four or five hours, so I was able to call in to my surgeons office and get Zofran prescribed. Once that was in me, it was a way better day. Again, having someone with me to help me advocate for what I needed was so helpful. Even if I made the call, having someone tell me they've got my back made a world of difference. I truly hope each of you has someone like that! Spent the rest of the day doing small shuffles and eating small bites of food with the meds.

3-4DPO: Lots of shoulder pain. Found out it's actually referred pain from the diaphragm. The phrenic nerve shoots up from the diaphragm into the neck/shoulder. Heat is what helped me most here and deep breathing. Gasx didn't touch it. Pain meds helped. Started small outside walks which helped all the pain and started the guts going again. Having a grabber tool was amazing and a basket to put meds and things in was brilliant. I also used my 32oz water bottle because it's bright pink and reminded me to drink H2O.

5-6DPO: Was constipated, so took some Colace. They unfortunately destroyed me and sent things in the opposite direction. Had a hard time holding in anything. It was gnarly. Finally balanced out yesterday. Lots of Gatorade and toast. Felt good enough to do some chores/go on a longer walk. May have overdone it though, SO LISTEN TO YOUR BODY! God, it's so much smarter than our brains, I swear.

Today: Feel much better. I've been having bladder urgency, but overnight last night I felt briefly completely free of any pains/discomfort. Almost like I was "normal"! We'll see how the day goes, but I'm happy to report it's all on the up and up!

If you're with me still, know that I am with you in this, even as an internet stranger. You've got this, you're amazing, and we are all so much stronger than we know!! Much love!!