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| Stapler. |
I did keep telling everyone it was bad, but I think it was only after I'd been assessed on the day for surgery on my 2nd appointment that everyone began to realise just how poorly I was. I was sent home that day with a corset and strong painkillers and a genuine apology that there hadn't been enough time to do my surgery.
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| Medical corset - forget frills and lace, think velcro and tubigrip! |
2 days later I was at A&E as I'd been unable to rehydrate myself after being 'nil by mouth', and we came home with different painkillers that didn't make me sick, and anti-emetics. After losing 18lbs over the previous 14 days, I put back on 5lbs over the next 2 days and felt like a new woman.
It was another 15 days before my operation date came around again - annoyingly being on the urgent list means they try to operate within 2 weeks, but if your operation doesn't happen you just go back on the urgent list and....they try to operate within 2 weeks...twice...
On the day I was 1st on the list for surgery. I went down to theatre by 8.10am without having even dehydrated, and I was awake in recovery by noon. Relieved and wrapped in cotton wool, very sore and absolutely shattered.
Because I'd spent months being told I wasn't so bad, I assumed I just had to get on with it, so by 3pm I walked to the toilet with a Nurse holding my arm to steady me. I moved about to try and get the blood flowing, and I slept to help my body recover. I'd been told beforehand I might be in overnight, and it became clear very quickly I wouldn't be going home that day.
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| A beautiful card hand-drawn for me by one of our 15 year olds. |
In fact, when I was assessed by a doctor the next morning at 11am, I was told I'd be staying two more days, and had 'massive hernia surgery'. The Doctor was really impressed I was already sitting up - and completely stunned when he realised I was taking myself to the loo. The first time anyone had actually acknowledged just how bad my hernia had been.
My family were suffering with me in hospital, my youngest child especially wasn't happy, and my partner was struggling with the limited visiting hours. I asked my doctor for an appeal, and he listened carefully.
My family has been through a lot. My children very well remember their Dad in hospital with Meningitis 2 years ago. They couldn't go and see him, but they knew he was seriously ill. Then they lost their sister, and they're all as terrified as I am that something will happen to someone else.
I agreed to give up Morphine as pain-relief and do absolutely nothing but sleep and gently walk around regularly for a few days, and in return I was allowed home. It was the right choice and I haven't suffered for it. I have constant visitors peeping in to see if I am okay while I sleep, so I demanded no-one was allowed to peep and disturb me unless they also give me a hug!
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| So many beautiful flowers keeping me company! |
It's now a full week since my operation and I'm still a bit sleepy. The operation was a lot harder on me than anticipated and my body knows what it wants, and I'm listening. I'm taking the painkillers and ignoring the mess and I'm still in my pyjamas, because that way I will just go to bed when I need to, and my kids get a constant reminder that although I'm here, I'm not 'working'.
The biggest lesson I've learnt from this is that I have a bigger tolerance for pain and discomfort than anyone suspected, I should have shouted and wailed more and had my operation months ago before it ever reached this stage. The upside to my resilience is that I was allowed home early, where my children and partner can speak to me and see me and know I'm going to be okay. They feel safe, and that's really important to them right now.
Just the small matter of 22 staples to be removed..... *gulp*
I can't believe everyone let it get so bad - including you Missy! So pleased it is sorted now though and fingers crossed for a speedy recovery (and no more illnesses please!) xxx
ReplyDeleteOh blooming heck I hope so. We really have had our share the past few years - I've aged 20 years I think xx
DeleteIt's so nice to have you back again and without Hernia Baby!! You already seem so much different in yourself and once you are feeling better again, I shall have you jogging round Burrs with me! ;)
ReplyDeleteIt has been one hell of a journey to finally get to the operation stage... but you are a week down chick and doing well. Just make sure you are getting plenty of rest! :) xx
I am, I am! Look, I didn't even reply for days :D
DeleteI thnk it'll be a cold day in hell before I'm jogging anywhere though! :D
You are quite possibly one of the strongest & bravest people I know. The lesson learned her is if Jenny moans then things are BAD!
ReplyDeleteWell, I try my best. I know I could moan 24 hours a day, but it gets in the way of doing nice stuff xxx
DeleteYour hernia sounds eerily similar to what I went through with my back, I waited two years for surgery, and then when it happened, the doctor said he didn't realize how bad it was, and couldn't fix it all. I'm glad you are at home and all is going well for you. Hugs from Canada
ReplyDeleteGordon Bennett! That's awful. You must have been devastated to find that out. I hope it doesn't cause you too much pain xx
DeleteI'm so glad you made it to the top of the list and now are on the right road to getting better. Sounds like you need to be at home with family just make sure you give yourself lots of getting better time, and hope to catch up with a much better you soon.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tina. It's a shame I won't see you at Britmums this year. I hope we do catch up soon x
DeleteGlad it was all over! Get well and see you soon!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! Thank you for all of your advice Eileen, you've been a star xx
DeleteReally pleased to hear you've had the op. Wishing you a speedy recovery xx
ReplyDeleteThank you Keri, that's really lovely of you. Thank you for taking the time to comment xx
DeleteMy mum had a hernia after my youngest sister was born (her 7th/8th pregnancy I think). My sisters were still young and they had to go and live with my uncle miles away for several weeks; I remember being told "she mustn't lift anything heavier than a saucepan."
ReplyDelete15 years later, I have a hernia. Like you, I had the ridge that came up while I was still pregnant; I found it vaguely amusing but soon found it wasn't so funny. I have a big secy tube-grip thing to use when it gets bad, and have been for physio a few times but it's a permanent lump above my navel at the moment. I'm hoping it will just go if I do enough exercises!
It's heartening to read your post though as yours was obviously a lot worse than mine - but you're ok after surgery... and you managed to attend Brit Mums Live! Thank you for writing about this, I feel like people often have a blank expression when I mention my hernia.
No-one gets it. Even Medical people don't get it. I went in to see the surgeon on the day of my op and he said "how are you?" I replied with "sore!" and he laughd and said "why, we haven't operated yet?". Erm.....because actually Hernias aren't always funny...
DeleteI hope your Physio helps, it sounds like you have managed to stave it off at least, if not solve it. It's definitely easier having the operation now my youngest is 5 and understands I can't pick him up and do anything much else just now. My Hernia just let go when I got flu, I really did go downhill very quickly over the last 2 or 3 months - so watch yourself! xx