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Sicking up after Nissen - what happens?

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Posted 11/1/2010 2:56 PM (GMT 0)
Tommorow is your day of surgery and I just wanted to let you know I am thinking of you and stay in the moment, do not get caught up in the 'What ifs" .

As a nurse,  I know walking is the best way to get your strength back after surgery so shuffle away down the halls ~ that way you can keep an eye on those nurses.  LOL.

Gentle Hugs coming your way.

Kitt

Posted 11/1/2010 3:17 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Kitt. I'm a bundle of nerves.
I dont think I've slept really in the last few days except for cat naps.
I'll do better once it's over. The anticipation is freaking killing me. lol

I promise to walk.
Hopefully they'll be liberal with the meds that will make that easier.
I'm a huge baby about pain. ; )

I keep telling myself that this time tomorrow it'll all be over.
I'll be waking up with nothing to do do but start healing.

Thank you so much for your support. The digital hand holding has been such a blessing. : )

Cat
Posted 11/1/2010 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
OMG.... why didnt you guys warn me about the heprin shot in the belly??!!!? *shudders*
Is this standard??!?
My BFF is my nurse for pre-op and she pulled my chart, then called to give me a head's up.
She knows me well enough to know not to spring anything as nasty and unpleasant as that on me without a chance for me to get used to the idea....so we can avoid biting, crying, and kicking.....
I would like to get through this with a shred of dignity intact but am, unfortunately, a cowardly Kitty.
Please tell me this only happens once, right before surgery, and not like daily while I'm in the hospital?
I seriously don't like the idea, but DO understand why it's necessary, all things considered.
I suppose it wont be as bad as what comes right after that - but at least I'll be asleep for that part!

Cat
Posted 11/1/2010 6:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kitty,
One day and counting! Yay!

The heprin shot is an individual call by the surgeon. I didn't have one. I had even had a blood clot the last time I had surgery. Go figure. Can't they put that into the IV and administer it that way? I don't see why not.

Don't feel so bad, though. When I had the blood clot, I had to give myself the heprin (Lovenox) shot each day for two weeks! No big deal, really. It's all in your head. Start thinking positive, and strong thoughts. You can do this.

You keep worrying about pain. You don't have to. The pain meds they give you are very effective and take care of everything quite nicely. The shoulder/gas pain is the one that can bother you, which seems like such a strange post op symptom, doesn't it. When I first heard of it, I couldn't see why on earth your shoulder should hurt from stomach surgery! For me it was more in the collar bone area. The more you walk the less you will hurt.

As far as the bra question goes, I don't have that problem. I can't stand bras and only wear a "bra top" that gives a tiny bit of support. Obviously, I'm not one with a movie star figure! I do wear a sports bra when fitness walking or working out. It all depends on how long the bra is. You do have an incision in your upper middle belly area, but it's down a ways from the bra line.
I guess you'll just have to do some trial and error!

Best wishes tomorrow!
Denise
Posted 11/1/2010 7:06 PM (GMT 0)
I went ahead and packed one... I cant go without one. My chest weighs too much. LOL
I guess I'll just have to see if I can stand the bands. I dont wear wires or anything because I dont need them...so maybe that will be okay. I wasn't sure if anyone else had found it hard to wear one....

Alright, you're the perfect person for me to ask then since you've done it - does the belly shot hurt or burn and if so how much? (Honesty, please. Only the unknown scares me.)
I wont be a baby about it if I'm prepared. That's the thing with me and with most high functioning autistic people - we dont like surprises. I can accept anything I can comprehend if I have time to think my way through it.
It's too bad life usually doesnt give you time to prepare for the things you really could have used a minute for - but this time, fortunately for me, I have plenty of time. I'll be okay with it now that it isnt going to be a surprise.
That wouldn't have gone over well. Thankfully, Missy knew that. She held my chart, called, and walked me through the entire thing, what to expect tomorrow - so I'd know every single thing to expect before I go into the OR based on what she does to prep patients and what my specific orders are in my chart. It's nice to have someone who is able to read it to me like that. It really helps with the anxiety.
If you can describe what it feels like then I'll be ready for it and it wont cause a fuss.
I really appreciate it. : )
I only panicked for a few minutes on hearing about it...she knew I would though...and now I'm over that.
I would like to know what to expect though, sensation-wise, if you wouldn't mind?

I admit, the pain does scare me. Most of us (Aspies) have very low pain thresholds ... and lots of things that neuro-typical people hardly notice we find to be overstimulating.... so I do worry about it.
I'm sure you're right and when I wake up tomorrow I wont find it to be nearly what I'm expecting.

Maybe the time will come on this forum when others like me will come looking for help and I'll be able to help them.
I bet I've asked more questions pre-op than anyone else who ever came here. LOL
I'm sorry for that - it's in my nature to need to know details when doing anything new. : )

You guys are the best....

Cat
Posted 11/1/2010 9:08 PM (GMT 0)
Cat I did not receive a hefrin shot in the stomach so I can't tell you what that feels like but as far as the pain after the surgery the nurses were very good about giving me pain medication whenever I asked for it I didn't have that much pain in the abdomen or shoulder area for some reason I had bad headaches whicch could have been a side affect of the morphine.  I thought it was there hard pillows so I had my wife bring me my pillow from home and that helped some but I still had headaches and I didn't like the liquid lortab because it made me sick most likely because I wasn't eating anything and it was going in on a empty stomach.  They did a good job of controlling my nausea with zofran and compazine these medications make you drowsy though.  I am sure will do just great try to get some sleep tonight and not worry to much about it by this time tomorrow it will be all over.
Posted 11/1/2010 9:17 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Ritchg!!!!

I have my own pillow and blanket packed to go with me.
I also have been assured that they'll maintain me on iv dilaudid and anti nausea meds while I'm there.
I dont like lortab either. It makes me really nauseous.

I keep telling myself that by this time tomorrow - it'll all be over. It really helps to hear it. : )
Posted 11/1/2010 9:26 PM (GMT 0)
Kitty, in response to the bra issue, my girls are rather large. I didn't feel like wearing mine that first day, but by day two I could wear mine.
I didn't have the heparin shot either. Good luck in getting a lot of sleep that first night. They seem to come in about every two hours to check on me. LOL!
Good luck on your surgery. We will be here when you get back.
Posted 11/1/2010 9:35 PM (GMT 0)
That's such a relief! I wondered if I would have to try to go without one and I was like... surely there must be another way... lol

I do have blood pressure problems and am on various meds so I'm not shocked by this now that I understand what it's for... but it doesnt seem to be standard either.
Oh well, if I'm the only one getting it then at least if it happens to someone else who comes after me I can tell them what it's like so they'll be less afraid. More information = less fear.

I haven't really slept this week. I'm exhausted... I assume that wont change much until I get a few days out and can get home to peace and quiet. Then maybe I can get a few hours straight sleep.... by then I will surely need it. lol

Thanks Joy!
Posted 11/1/2010 10:03 PM (GMT 0)
Cat,

The heparin injection is used with a Subq needle which is really small and short and yes it stings a bit but is over very quickly.  My hubby had to have 2 per day when he has major surgery last Fabruary.  He was in the hospital 16 days.  In your case I would bet it is a one time order so big breath and no worries.

I know you will be medicated for pain and if you feel you need more pain medication do ask for what you need. Remember to advocate for you.

We are here to give you a big send off.  Good luck and I hope your recovery is speedy.

Gentle Hugs,

Kitt

 

Posted 11/1/2010 10:17 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much Kitt!

I'm not scared of the needle - it's the idea of the burning sensation that makes me feel trepidatious.
Thank you for explaining that to me. It helps to know it will be over quickly.

I will be taking big breaths.... trying to stay calm.
I've been doing it all day.
This many days without food or sleep has left me feeling rather wrecked. lol

I really appreciate the send off.... it's all helped me so much! Thank you SO much!!!!!

*hugs*
Posted 11/1/2010 11:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kitty,
So...they'll pinch the fat on your belly (that's when it comes in handy!), and stick the little needle in there. It burns a little, but it doesn't last long. You may get a little bruise where it went in. I had little bruise spots all over my belly, as I had to find a new spot to inject each time. Look...if I can give the shot to myself (think of it!) you can get one little prick from a nurse! You'll do just fine.

You won't get any sleep at the hospital...I can assure you that. They'll be checking on you, and you'll be making trips to the bathroom and treks around the hallways. Once you're over the surgery, and safely home, you'll begin to rest.

Don't be surprised if it takes you a while the morning following the surgery, to get "sprung". I couldn't wait to get home, but it seemed to take forever for the doc to come and sign the release. They obviously don't care about us getting home as much as we do!

Well...here's your send off for a super surgery! yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Just think...when you're a member of the Wrapped Club, you can join us in cheering on others!
I'll be waiting to hear how you're doing. While every experience is different (seen through different eyes), there are some similarities. I trust you will find it much better than you thought.

Remember...surrender to your recovery. Let it lead the way. If you can do that, you will let go of the struggle that makes it difficult!
Hugs and best wishes!
Denise turn
Posted 11/2/2010 12:46 AM (GMT 0)
That sounds utterly dreadful - but for some reason it made me laugh.
Thank you for making me laugh. My nerves are so shot, it's a relief.
I'm over tired from not sleeping and weak from not eating... and this night will be a long one I bet.
I just need it over with if I'm going to do it. lol My nerves cant take this. lol
I'm getting too old for this much excitement.

I will try to remember to just surrender - like you have to do with labor to get through it.
(I stayed home to have my son)

If I have internet access in the hospital I will update tomorrow as soon as I wake up enough to type.
I'm taking this thing with me. I loaded it with movies and music - though I dont know that I'll want them.

Thank you so much for being so kind and supportive. I dont know what I'd have done if I hadnt found this place. : )

*hugs*

Thanks for the luck!
Posted 11/2/2010 1:27 AM (GMT 0)
Ok, going offline now!

I'll see you guys when it's all over!! : )


*waves*
Posted 11/2/2010 4:30 PM (GMT 0)
I am locking this post and will start your new thread now.  :-) :-)

Thinking of you !

Kitt

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