Post-Surgery Post!

I am one week and 2 days past my surgery and feeling pretty good. I have really appreciated all of the friends and family, both near and far, wishing me well and helping in all manner of ways. I did really well in the first few days after surgery, to the point where I started to wonder how I could possibly rest for two whole weeks. Sunday, all of that changed. We're (meaning me and my doc) not quite sure why, but Sunday afternoon I ended up in the ER with excruciating bladder spasms! I felt like I was in labor, only without the minutes of rest between contractions. After a shot of morphine, a CT scan, etc., it was decided that I should stay overnight for observation, since there was no internal bleeding or problems that they could see. I did great the rest of the night, but the following morning, after the nurse removed the catheter and IV, the bladder spasms started again and wouldn't dissipate. All the meds used to stop the bladder spasms stopped all other systems and I ended up leaving the hospital with my stomach as swollen as an 8 month pregnant belly. I don't think I could have left the hospital if I weren't married to a Urologist, since my problems are Pete's area of expertise. Anyhow, at home, I was still in pain, so Pete and my doc decided I was doing better with a catheter. That catheter stayed in until Thursday morning--that day I finally started feeling better. But Friday morning, I awoke with more bladder spasms, which we quickly shot down with Lortab and muscle relaxants. You can imagine how doped up I was--I was not very functional, but by Friday afternoon, I was feeling better again, and I've been doing well today. CRAZINESS!! I'll never take good health for granted! I really appreciate friends and family who stepped in to help me with my kids and me. I'll always appreciate the many kindnesses directed toward myself and my family in the last week. Wow!

Anyhow, I have my almost 2 week appointment on Tuesday, and if all goes well, I can start driving again then. The way I feel now, it's hard to imagine that I'm ready to drive yet, but I'm hoping the fog I'm in will lift soon. It's kind of funny at times--I'll start to say something, or even try to think of something to write, but the words don't come or my mind drifts elsewhere. I have felt very blessed and loved and that makes this situation much easier to get through. I will admit, this may be my first and last surgery. At least if I can help it!