My health deteriorated fast and furious…

My last blog post to my classmates in Rowan’s WEC class described my impending hysterectomy.  But what happened in the days following was scary.  I saw the doctor on Wednesday, February 27th.  I had pre-admission testing that afternoon, thinking I would be scheduled for the surgery the following Monday.  I didn’t hear from the doctor by late Friday, the 29th.  My symptoms were worsening by the day.  I was told I’d hear from the doctor by Monday, March 3rd.  Nada.  Little did I know that my doctor scheduled the procedure for Thursday, March 7th.  I guess they forgot the little details, like letting the patient know.  Early Tuesday morning on the 4th, my body gave out.  I passed out cold onto the bathroom floor, in the process giving myself a black eye and a broken front tooth.  Thankfully, my husband was there to rush me to the emergency room, where I was admitted and the blood transfusion began.  In all, I needed 3 pints of blood before I was stable for the surgery. 

The surgery was successful, the post-surgery morphine drip delightful, and the hospital stay of 5 days was actually pleasant.  Could that be the morphine talking?  I don’t remember much of the few days prior, or the 24 hours after the surgery – I was really out of it until Saturday when they sent me home. 

Did you know that sneezing or coughing can be excruciatingly painful after abdominal surgery?  We take such things for granted.  Even getting out of bed, walking, and sitting in a chair are a challenge in those first few days and weeks.  I did nothing but lay flat on my back for many days, getting up only to eat and use the bathroom.  

I’m glad that part of the recuperation is behind me.  I still can’t drive a car, and am out of work for another 4 weeks.  I also have the repair of my tooth to look forward to, and I like most people dread dental work.  If you’ve never been on medical leave, the perception is that it is a nice long vacation from work, school, and other community obligations.  Nothing could be further from the truth.