My surgery was scheduled for Dec 22nd. And as par for my course, nothing went according to schedule. Jim and I went to the hospital at 11:30 as scheduled. I got called back, put on the gown, got on the bed and awaited my IV. I hate needles so I do not look forward to this part. I had a great nurse named Deanna. They took my vitals and were a bit concerned when my blood pressure was 60/45. As we tried to get the IV in something went wrong. I don't know if I hyperventilated or if it was something else but first my hands clenched up. Then it worked it's way up my arms, my feet, calves, thighs, and into my abdomen. Every muscle contracted. I was one giant Charlie horse and I couldn't do a thing about it. It took time to get the IV in because of the dehydration and it took roughly a half hour before I could move my hands and legs again. It was horrible and painful. They called in lab to take blood and my levels were all wacked out so no surgery. They eventually put me in a room on 2nd floor. It has been remodeled and is beautiful! Jim and Rylee hung out for a while and my friend Carly brought me a Christmas tree!!! I got to spend the night with fluids on full drip to try to get my levels back up. The goal was noon the next day. My levels were barely on target to make the noon deadline.
I went in to surgery around 1:00 on Dec 23rd. I woke up and was taken to 5th floor. The ileostomy reversal was successful. But my lab work was still out of wack and my blood pressure is way down. I still have fluids running at full bore and there isn't anything coming out of the catheter. Still fighting dehydration. Jim's sister came over that night and decorated my room. I had lights and everything! I have the best family! I have had more random doctors in and out of my room. They all tell me stuff and then disappear and I don't see them again. It is so odd.
Christmas Eve rolls around and Jen from Patient Services stopped by with flowers and certificates for my family to use at the coffee bar and the cafeteria. She let me know that the letter had gone out from the board and that she had done all she could. Rylee, Kelsey, Jeremy, Kasen, Brenda, Barry, and Judd came by on their way to Grandma and Grandpa's. Brought me 3 1/2 lbs of M&M's. Rylee brought up some cheesecake minis and we gave them to the nurses. Jim was still working but came by on his way home. I shooed him out and sent him off to meet up with the rest of the family. They are still pouring fluids into me. I did get a shower in today. I lost so much hair my nurse actually made a comment about the floor being slippery. Again today with the random doctors. No clue if they are part of a team or just curious.
Christmas Day rolls around and my doctor comes in. I am starting to swell from all the fluids. I have no knuckles. I got the catheter out the day before so I ask to have the fluids turned down. My labs are finally coming out decent. My doctor is working with another doctor today. A lady who stopped in a couple of times. Jim and Rylee came in with bags of gifts. They brought all of Christmas morning to me. We went around and opened gifts. It wasn't the same but it was what we made it. An old dance friend of Erin's, Tia and her parents Chris and Anna, dropped by to say hi. They were there to visit an aunt and thought they would see if I was in the same hospital. Jim and Rylee headed off to Jim's sister Brenda's for lunch and then to his other sister Anita's. Around 2:30, Liz, my nurse, came in to tell me I could go home if I wanted to!! She would discharge me at the end of her shift in an hour!! I sent Jim a text to tell him to come and get me. True to her word, the lady doctor came in and took out my drain, redressed my incision and Liz discharged me!! I went home on Christmas Day!
The next day I got up and had breakfast. My system seems to be working. Now all of the sudden too well. I have severe diarrhea. Thankfully there are clinic hours today so I called and left a message for my doc. He told me to take Pepto Bismol. Rylee is out running with her cousin so I sent her a text and she picked some up for me. It seems to have done the trick but I am so tired. I spend the day on the couch. Jim is on the road tonight so I am on my own.
It's now Sat. I am up and showered. I can't believe how much hair came out in the shower this morning. Scares the crap out of me! Rylee is in her room ignoring me. I do a few things around the house. My legs shake after I am up for a while. I hate feeling so weak. Jim comes home around suppertime. We open the mail and I find the letter from the grievance committee. Pretty much saying exactly what Jen told me. There was also a note from Jen in there with $100 in West Acres gift cards. A very nice gesture. I ordered groceries online to be delivered tomorrow. Thank God for that service. It has delivered so many times in the past few months.
Today is Sun. I am doing laundry-slowly. Groceries were delivered and I got them put away. I feel stronger every day. I went in to the hospital at 147 lbs and after all the fluids I am about 160. Not sure if that will stay that way or not. I should be going back to work in a week or so. I will be glad to have something to occupy my mind.
My sister lost her father in law yesterday and I should be home helping her however she needs me. I feel bad that all I can do is send a card. I hate not feeling like me but I will be back soon.
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