my castle story

It's been 3 wks and a day since my surgery. Here's my story.
My dh and I left home at 4am to get to Fargo at 5:30 am to be admitted. After checking in, we were taken to a room where I changed into gown, robe, and paper slippers. I was asked a bunch of medical history questions again and they ordered a potassium blood screen before surgery because of the high blood pressure meds I'm on.
I left my dh and walked with a nurse to the elevator that took me to the first floor where I hopped on a gurney and I met the nurse anesthesist (NA). I told her about having crowns on my four front teeth (and one had been reseated 3 times over the years---to please be careful with it). She introduced me to her assistant, a man, and I told him again and he looked into my mouth. The NA was bubbly and cheerful.
They got an iv in and soon I was wheeled down the hall to the OR. My DR came running down the hall and was greeting me just before I went through the OR doors. Inside, the scrub nurse looked at me and said, "Janie Franz? Are you married to Ron Franz?"
"Yes"
Then she proceeded to tell me that she had been married to someone who had been in my husband's band several years ago.
I said, "Farrah?"
She leaned over me, with those big brown eyes of hers, and said, "We're going to take good care of you."
Just about that time, I went out like a light, smiling.
I woke up in recovery, in some discomfort but not as much as I thought. A nurse was bustling about. She acknowleded that I was awake but didn't offer pain meds. Finally, I figured I wouldn't get anything unless I moaned a little. So, I let out a couple of whimpering moans.
"Oh, I suppose you need some pain meds," she said.
She gave them to me and then started to take off ekg patches. Then she slapped a hormone patch on me.
"No, I don't take hormones."
"But the Dr said..."
"I then gave her a litany of my family's cancer history. She called the dr and she ordered it removed.
The nurse then said to me, "You aren't from around here, are you?"
I told her I was from Grand Forks. She said, "No, from some place not in North Dakota."
I told her I was born in Tennessee. I have no idea what I must have said or ranted when I was coming out of anesthesia!!!
The surgery took only 45 minutes. I was taken to my room where My dh was waiting. I had a morphine pump and they kept telling me that they could add more meds to my iv if I needed it.
I also had a Foley catherter in place.
The cath was removed in 24 hours and the iv pump was taken away. I didn't use it much. They had me sit up and dangle my legs over the bed the evening of my surgery.
The day after surgery I had one Tylenol3 w/codine, which I've had before and it made me loopy. I asked if there was anything else I needed for pain. they started giving me Motrin 800 mgs.
I peed on my own one hour after they took the Foley out. I passed gas soon after. I was up walking the second day twice. The third day I was given more substantial food and had a great bm. But I had been taking anti-gas tabs and stool softeners that were so effective I was going too often. I stopped them.
I had surgery on a thursday (11/8) and came home on Sunday. The 1 1/2 hour ride home was a trip, but I made it.
I have gotten stronger every day. Now I am battling a yeast infection and a urinary tract infection.
My pathology report was all clear. They removed a very large cyst in my fallopian tube, which had been causing so much pain.
I am better for it and I look forward to getting back to work after Christmas.

Congradulations and thank you for sharing your experience.
You sound like you were a model patient.:jumping: You are a true princess now and must behave accordingly. Lots of rest rest rest lots of love Jacqui

Welcome home, Sweet Jane!

Thank you for sharing your story with us!

You're 3 weeks post now; I trust you have been pampering the princess and continuing to rest and drink plenty of water and juice.

I wish you continued success in your recovery!

Gentle s,

I love reading about others experiences in the hospital. I am glad to hear you had a delightful before and after event. I can truly say that I was treated very well also, however I was very :evil: and I was acting like a big baby in the hospital and for about a week after I got home. I am only going to admit this to my fellow sister. I would never admit this to my family. Today I am 4 months post and feeling great.

Take care

Sisters,
I wanted to thank you all for your support. I don't know what I would have done without it. I was prepared for surgery and for recovery. I have been resting so much I am sick and tired of daytime tv! I have had a couple of outings out with my husband, besides the two loooong trips to my doctor's office since surgery.
I have not overdone, though I have tried to become as independent as possible. I still find it hard to sit at the dinner table so dh still brings me meals on a tray, bless him!
I have to keep telling myself I am still early in my recovery.
Thanks again for answering all my questions, and some I didn't even think to ask.
Blessings,