Nissen Surgery Scheduled April 17th

Glad you are doing well Barb. Sounds great! I have been following your story. Just haven't posted too much the last few weeks. Here's to a speedy recovery for you. You're off to a great start.

Debra

THIRD DAY POST SURGERY -- Happy Easter! Recovery still going well. I am feeling more swelling in abdomen; pressure, but not pain. Food is moving in and out just fine. I take a little prune juice with the meds to prevent constipation. I am not doing any nutrition shakes. (I have heard the sugar in them can add to "dumping.") I am using Stevia to sweeten oatmeal and yogurt. I got a few babyfood meat/vegetable dishes. The portion is just right, is very easy to take along, and no added sugars. 1/2 cup total food/liquid at a time is my max comfort level.
I have been out walking about a mile a day at a brisk pace. Thank you to all who suggested walking for the chest/shoulder pressure. It certainly has worked for me. I still take frequent naps. Lots of reading and computer fun. It is delightful to not have any guilt for taking all the 'me' time my body tells me.
Today, I get to see how well I travel. We decided to go to church with our grandkids an hour and one half away. I am bringing my own food, but I am eager to see what I might be able to "mush" from the Easter dinner.
Blessings to all this Easter day.
Barb

I will be praying for you tomorrow, Bev. lol My few bits of wisdom from my 3 days post surgery.

Relax and trust in your body to heal in its' time.

If they give you ice water, straws, orange juice, or other things not on a Nissen Diet, politely
decline. Make sure temps of everything are just warm - not hot or cold.

Smile and laugh each day - lots.

Walk as soon as you can and as often as you can.

Relax and accept what each day brings. Worry will slow the healing.

Take the pain meds on schedule for the first few days. Stay ahead of the pain and you will heal better due to less stress.

Relax and let YOUR healing path unfold. It is wonderful to be unique.

Sleep whenever you are a bit tired. Activity to get your systems alert and sleep to let them heal are a good 1-2 punch.

Enjoy this bit of down time. Read, do puzzles, write letters, call friends, get crafty.... whatever floats your boat will bring you along a healing stream.

If you have questions ask the wonderful experienced people here.

Relax and go with the flow.

Blessings, and know you are in my thoughts and prayers throughout the day.

Barb

Thanks for the support Barb, Debra, and others. Barb are you still doing well?

Hi Barb,

It is great to hear you're doing well! It sounds like you have a great attitude.
Thanks for sharing your experience! It is very helpful to others who come seeking information.

Happy healing!
Denise

Hey Barb, where do you teach? I used to live in Benson and taught in Hancock. We moved to Albert Lea in 1991 and I taught here until two years ago (5-6). We have a lot in common. So glad for you that your recovery is coming along so well. I won't be walking two miles for awhile, or being "brisk" about it. But I will walk every day. I don't plan to cook either. If it doesn't come ready to heat and eat, then I won't be having it! Ha. Continue to update with your progress, I love hearing how well you are doing. Bev

Bev - I teach at a Montessori school in St. Cloud. I have ages 3-6 in my class. It is a joy to stop before I enter and feel the peace, and then be greeted with hugs and smiles. They are really doing well in my "absence". My assistant teases me about showing up each day, but I know spending some quiet time with a few of the 'active' ones does help the sub. It is also nice to be able to leave when I need to. I still have another week of leave, if I want it, and right now the short visits are just right for my recovery.

Walking any speed is just fine. My husband finds greater joy in a slow pace. lol I often say our inner metronomes are not matched.

Barb

Post Edited (grandma barb) : 4/23/2014 6:01:06 PM (GMT-6)

One week after my Nissen wrap, and hernia repair and I am feeling great!
What is great?

Great is being alive THIS DAY, with all that comes my way.
Great is NO reflux cough.
Great is bending over after I eat and feel nothing come back up.
Great is no excessive throat clearing. (It used to drive my husband nuts.)
Great is a good night's sleep lying in one position.
Great is having fun food “adventures.”
Great is losing a few extra pounds.
Great is having a network of family and friends.
Great is having some “found” time to read, write, play...
Great is guilt-free naps.
Great is being able to read a story or sing a song without coughing.
Great is a supportive husband who eats his pizza out of my sight.
Great is a job where I can go each day and volunteer until I am ready for my full schedule.
Great is taking a brisk walk without stomach/ reflux issues.
Great is feeling God's love and care.
Great is knowing how wonderfully our bodies are made to heal.
Great is signs of spring all around.
Great is leaving the house without checking to see if I have antacids, inhaler, and a dozen kleenixes in my pocket.
Great is knowing there is a supportive Healing Well community if I have concerns.
Great is knowing there is a fellow Minnesotan sharing this recovery journey with me.
Great is celebrating may parents' 68th anniversary.
Great is them both turning 92 years old and still living at their home in the country.
Great is new things to learn, new challenges to keep me growing.
Great is learning more about my strengths... and about areas where I still need to grow.
Great is knowing life may not always be easy, but it still very good.

Blessings, Barb

GREAT is reading such a positive post to start my day!!!

Thanks for your positivity it truly is a pick me up on a not so good morning.

Blessings from another Minnesotan,

Keith

Barb is GREAT! So glad you have so many positives in your life. Your posts are one of the positives in mine!

8TH DAY POST SURGERY

Today has been a 'healing day.' I can feel more tightness around the wrap site and food is going down a little more slowly. I expect it will even swell a bit more yet, so I am trying to remember to eat slowly and chew, chew, chew. (I think of you each time I eat Denise.) I have not felt very hungry today, and when I eat, 1/4 cup seems to fill me up.

Incisions are itchy and some mild stinging. I remember this from my other surgeries and this is another sign of healing. My grandchildren wanted to see the scars (important to 8 and 10 year olds) and were impressed that most of the black, blue, and yellow are gone.

I did my daily brisk walk this morning as the sun came out. (After several days of rain) What a morale booster! Most of the snow has finally melted! I came home and napped off and on for half the day. I have given myself permission to enjoy feeling "lazy." I think that is one of the things that has helped my healing this time proceed more quickly than some previous surgeries.

I received a call from a nurse at my insurance company. (I have never had that before!) She spent over 30 minutes wanting to listen to what I was experiencing. Really listened! I shared the importance of being prepared and the value I found in this site.

I thought of all the veteran "wrappers" and all the newly wrapped friends I have met. I really appreciate the connectedness of our journeys and hope it will continue. Even recovery that gives more challenges such as yours, Debra and Bev, help me see the power of hope and spirit in healing. We will not be defeated!! Thank you to all of you. And Keith, Bev and I welcome you to the "Minnesota Wrappers."

Blessings, again, to all. Barb

DAY 9 POST OP

I woke up feeling "normal"... until my son's dog greeted me, jumping on my chest. But, any exuberant interactions with children and animals were more than balanced by the healing power of love! (even puppy love!) I spent a precious morning at a retreat with my grandchildren. What a gift to have these times of intimate sharing with them! But, after three hours,I was ready for a looong nap. (Minus, kids, puppy, and cats. )

Still not very hungry today, so I am trying to make every bit I do eat count. The grandkids offered to share Easter treats, but I think they were actually just as happy that I declined! I love sweets, but am still sticking to no added sugar. I am not having bowel issues, but with the smaller amounts of food they are not truly normal and I don't want to take chances of stressing the system.

Still lots of good, healing, itching. At least that's what I tell myself when it is driving me a little nuts.

Riding in the car (1 1/2 hours each way) was no stress this week. Tomorrow's trip to my parent's anniversary will be a bit longer, (2 hours each way and all in one day) but I do not anticipate problems. Our family gatherings always involve lots of good food. That will probably be my biggest challenge tomorrow.

So, far on my recovery, I feel some progress each day. I am wondering at what point the daily healing levels, and progress is more evident week by week.

Praying that you all are finding blessings this day, Barb

Minnesota Wrappers! I like it. Maybe when everyone is all healed we can try to meet somewhere! Glad to hear you are continuing to improve Barb albeit a little slower. I understand the itching, my long incision is getting really itchy too. I am so pleased with my recovery the last couple of days. I am actually no longer looking like the Hunchback of Notre Dame or CroMagnon man. I am standing almost upright and taking the stairs much more normally. I still have trouble sleeping. I haven't been able to sleep in my foam bed, it is very high and once I get in I really struggle to get out. I spend half the night on my couch, and half in my recliner. But other than that I honestly can't complain too much. Good to hear Keith and Debra's progress too.