Home from hospital - 5 days

First, very sorry about the no contact. Late Wednesday evening, had a document to print for my wife with all kinds of important contact and financial information. Could not get our stupid printer to work, of course. So she had to wing it, many others were not able to be contacted because of this reason.

Surgery mostly went well. Actually "cutting" time was 3 hours, less than thought. Uro surgeon was not able to put stints into kidney tubes, so narrowed, couldn't even get the thinnest wire into them, let alone the stents. So this limited the other surgeon's methodology. In the end, he did not cut apart the intestine juncture, he found severe adhesion holding part of it up against a cavity in my body, so part of it was stuck in the wrong place, causing it to fold over causing, he believes, the blockages. He's hopeful it will cure the issue, but did state, the new surgery may cause future adhesion issues and additional scarring. Hope not.

Was very rough in recovery room, there for nearly 4 hours. And to I have never had a surgery with so much post surgery pain. At no time, did I feel that I was properly medicated. I argued several times with the surgeon about this to no avail. Most times, especially the first 24 hours, one is virtually pain free. Was having so much severe chest pains, they had to run scans and tests on my heart the night after surgery, and the next night, checking my lungs out. Said they found nothing wrong and standard answer: probably just more ongoing nerve damage from the radiation. Get tired of that catch all answer.

Since he didn't have to do as much, only had to spend 5 days in hospital instead of the expected 7-10 days. Was glad to leave to come home this afternoon, you never get any real sleep or rest in a hospital. Starting at about 3 AM each morning, was an endless line of people wanting to do something, about every 20-30 minutes. Until I got home, had been wide awake the past 30 hours in severe pain.

I see the surgeon in a week, to see if staples can be removed. On a 5 lb. weight restriction, and not sure when I will allowed to drive. I am in no physical or mental state to be driving, so just as well.

Will write more later, but wanted to get something out here. So appreciate every single prayer and concern for me during this time. As usual, wife has been a real trooper. She went to work this afternoon after I was safely home. Oldest son came by after he got off work to help me. I have others lined up to help out the rest of this week.

Thanks again, been rough, but knew it would be this way. Don't think I could endure another even like this, this has been the hardest on me, and I am just getting started on the recovery side.

David

David glad you got the surgery behind you. Knowing your resilience, you
L bounce back from this in due time. And hopefully with an improved QOL

David -

Everybody here on HW PC can now do a collective exhale, relieved to know that you have indeed made it to the other side. I don't know if our prayers and good wishes made a difference, but for sure they were there for you.

It sounds like it was a rough go, but if anyone could handle it, we know it was you. The strength that you have always shown showed up again in your post above: a major surgery, which even had to be modified as it went along, resulting in major pain and physical challenges for you when it was over, and you just calmly, in complete control, report the facts of it all in a manner that shows just how in charge you are, while others would be screaming into their computers about how awful it was. But that's not you, no not at all.

We are indeed so very happy for you that this major surgery has been concluded, and that you are now on the road to healing. Keep us updated, but only at a pace that is comfortable for you.

Glad to hear your home, and here is to the surgery results being all you could hope for and then some!
Bill

Thank you, one and all.

In our area, we only got about 6-7", and the entire time storm was raging, I was in the hospital, never even saw it rain, bed was facing away from only window in room. Where my daughter lives in Charleston, they got almost 17". She lives in a coastal marsh area, but not reporting any serious damage. The central part of SC got nailed the hardest, from Columbia the capital, and all the towns and cities that border Interstate 95. Still entire towns cut off completely, no way to enter or leave. Going to get way worse before it gets better.

Glad the surgery went ok.

Nice to have you back and posting.

Hope many of your issues have resolved

Mel

David,
I am one of the collective sigh of reliefers Was more concerned as days went by with no word, but so thrilled to hear that you are home now and will get some healing rest. Prayers that this will be the thing that finally gives you back your life.
Beth n Gary

Again so glad you got thru this major surgery. With the new federal rules with pain meds more and more hospitals are becoming Norco only zones, the out patient hospital were I had my recent knee scope was a norco only zone and I literally had to beg my pm for a script and it had me very worried, maybe give your pm doctor a call...so very sorry your dealing with post surgical pain like that. Hope your pain gets better soon.
For the scar try manuka honey.
Many prayers...

Thanks for the update. Happy you are home and this part behind you.

David - I am sorry that you went through so much pain but am thankful that you are now recovering and hopefully the surgery will remedy some of your problems. Good to hear that you and yours made it through the big rain event there. We had about 5.5" here in the Athens, GA area and can see a hint of sunshine right now. I know you will see some sunshine too as you recover and heal.

Hi David

I'm sorry I haven't been around. I'm really happy that the surgery went well. I'm sorry they let you go 5 days with so much pain.

Get all the rest you can. I have been wondering if your house and yard got flooded. I'm relieved to know that you have gotten through the storm with no damage.

Thoughts and prayers for a good recovery.

love and hugs
Loretta

chart - I was on less pain meds after surgery in the hospital then I would be on a normal day. made no sense to me, as in reality, the new surgery pain was over and above my normal pain. doctor wouldn't even let me use my fentanyl patch. what the ??? so all I had was diludid, low dose 1 mg, and only if I asked for it. what the ??? the first night, didn't realize I had to ask for it. threw a fit, next day, they hooked up a pain machine with a pump, but was still limiting me to 1 mg per 1 hour period. again, this has been one of the most painful post surgery events of my life. considering the size and depth of the major incision, plus what other cuts were made, fully expected to on a good dose of IV morphine, at least the first 24-48 hours. there was never an awake moment during those 5 days that I was in immense pain. never want to experience that again. should have discussed the pain management with the surgeon in advance, but he knew in detail what I was on, and why I was on it. I think he's on that ever growing list of anti-pain med doctors, that are trying to prove some moral point to themselves, at the expense of the suffering of the true in-severe pain patient. sorry, end of vent.

Oh my, You have every right to vent. So very sorry they put you through all that. Doctors are just so afraid of the DEA that one of these days it might come at the costs of a life. It's just crazy.
Many Prayers that your healing up and that your not getting an infection, so no infection. Once your wife looks at it then maybe she can see if you need to call the surgeon. with that major of a surgery you should be on a prophylactic antibotic.
Please take care and again you have my prayers...