Umbilical Hernia Repair

So yesterday was the day. I've officially had my first surgery, and I wish I hadn't had to go through with that. But I did need to get it taken care of. :(

The doctors and staff at Virginia Mason Hospital were nice and informative. They did do their best to make me as calm about it as possible, and they certainly kept me in the loop. They were even nice enough to do a local nerve block around the area that was going to be operated on that would last well after the surgery for about 12-24 hours so I'd be more comfortable right after. Believe me, as I've felt it wear off, it was effective, and I'm sad it doesn't last longer! Ugh.

They were even kind enough to do a topical numb for the IV they gave me. When I was in labor the nurses, while nice at Northwest (which IS one of the best hospitals in the area) weren't as kind for that. Heh.

Anyhow things went fairly smoothly except when they were in the process of knocking me out with general anesthesia. Before I was out every muscle in my body suddenly cramped up, I had the sensation that I couldn't breathe. I was breathing, as it turned out, I just couldn't tell, and I couldn't talk to tell them, all I could do was move my hands a tiny bit. Last thing I remember hearing was "I didn't think she'd react to the anesthesia like that!" Then I was out. I could be wrong, but I think my it was from my body fighting off the ansethesia. I guess the surgery took roughly 30minutes as I woke up about 4pm and they said I'd been in recovery for a couple of hours. It took me longer than anticipated to come out of medically induced sleep. Though I have been told I briefly woke up long enough to rip off the oxygen mask in recovery, then was right back out. I didn't even open my eyes. Sounds like something I'd do. It was likely during that period of time I had weird wacked out dreams. I won't be going into those.

They then gave me jello, water, and apple juice. Jello due to the gluten free diet, water cause it was what I wanted, and well, they wanted juice in me to help wake me up more, from the sugars in it. They then had me take two vicodin pills. I was nauseated, but at the time just attributed it to the whole just had surgery bit. I later realized it was the vicodin that made me feel ill. I wasn't told much about the operation, except that things went well. Which is good. When I see the doctor on the 11th I'll ask more details perhaps.

So I was sent home that evening, and got home after we went through a pharmacy drive-thru for my prescriptions, at about 6pm. I then promptly went to bed. Nathan brought me my laptop, so I could do a quick update to people and I had a small snack and dozed for awhile.

Now when I left the nurses suggested I eat before taking a vicodin. Most people get sick if they don't. Only everytime it was time for me to take them, and I ate, I'd throw up. I ended up throwing up three times, and was nauseated almost the entire night. Until I took a dose without food. I still feel a little queasy, but I'm not tossing my cookies either. It seems I'm a weirdo, and have to do the opposite of most people. Told the nurse this when they called today to check up on me, and she got a bit of a chuckle. Heh. And instead of taking two every four hours, I take one, every five. I'm not completely numbed, but I'd rather have a bit of discomfort than throwing up.

Biggest side effect I have now, aside from pain in the area that they operated on, is well my whole body aches. Likely from the anesthesia. Hopefully I feel less bleah tomorrow, as Nathan goes back to work and I'm on my own. At least the munchkin is with my sister. I don't have to worry on how I'll take care of him too. I miss him, but I'm not in any shape at the moment.

Tomorrow I hope I can manage to sit up on my own too. It's a bit tricky as I have to use my abdominal muscles as little as possible. Add in the pain, stiffness, and soreness. Meh. But tomorrow afternoon/evening I do get to take a shower finally, and to remove the main bandaging. I'll probably feel a bit more human then.

And I'll leave it at that I suppose. I'll keep details on how I feel as it goes along in case any of you need a surgery like that. :P Hopefully you won't though.