Post Op problem!

I had hernia repair (lap with Nissen) on 2/15. My recovery has been going well ~ then a week or so I got what felt & acted like a cold. I'm better but still cough like crazy, especially at night. I've been coughing up phlegm, but I have trouble getting it to " come up". It feels like it gets caught in my throat & I have to keep hacking until I can spit it out. It is like the cough catches in my throat. Last night I got no sleep at all- I sound like a cat with a gigantic hairball. I'm thinking part of the problem is my throat & esophageas are swollen. Any ideas? I thought I was doing so well now this ~ I continue to be SOB which was one of my biggest issues pre op. One half of my stomach was out. I'm afraid I may have lung cancer ~ I had. CT Scan with contrast & endoscopy pre op & everything was clean except for the hernia. I'm wondering if maybe the hernia hid the cancer ~~~ really afraid thank you!

as Alcie, said. you need to try and relax, I had a lot of phlegm, for awhile before it abated. this is major surgery, and a tricky recovery, if something unnerves you, call and speak to your surgeon or his/her triage nurse. hang in there.

LGSE, I agree with the folks here. Your doctor should be able to quell your fears. I, too, only 5 days post-op am finding that I cough up -- or feel the need to cough up -- quite a bit of phlegm. I think this is surgery and recovery related, but it could also be a good ol' cold or allergies. I try to suppress the cough when I can but keep a pillow handy so that I can brace my chest/stomach if I need to cough. The doctor told me that if coughing becomes an issue (I'm also asthmatic), he can prescribe a cough suppressant to help until I'm better healed. Only 5 days into recovery, I've now developed thrush, which means even more nasty mouth/throat stuff. I just keep telling myself that this all will pass. I just need to be patient. I know it's hard, but try to go easy on yourself.

And never hesitate to call your doctor's office. All questions are good questions, particularly because they stick with you and run around in your brain until you get an answer, you know? Remember that our surgeons and doctors for us, not the other way around. The hospitalist attending to my case in the hospital reminded me of this. When he recommended a transfusion for my anemia a couple of days ago, I said, "If you think it's appropriate, you're the boss." He said to me, "No, actually you are. I work for you here." It gave me pause and has really stuck with me.

So glad you saw the doctor for some resolution. Mucinex is great stuff -- helps to thin out the mucous for sure. But it works best with lots of water/liquid to assist it. I'm definitely a cougher too... I ended up with costochondritis last fall that hurt so badly in my ribs and back that I thought I broke something. The codeine should do wonders for your sleep. If it gives you a headache, like it does me, go a bit smaller on the dosage. I hope that the antibiotics kick in soon -- it sounds awful to have a chest cold during recovery!!!

Feel better soon!!!

Slow but ok so far. Taking my time at home now, after a few days in hospital. Still doing clear liquids -- may try to add some dairy tomorrow. Sleeping a lot. Walking as often as I can muster, up and down the hallway. Breathing is getting better; came out of surgery with a partial lung collapse, which made breathing difficult and the chest/upper abdomen pain even greater. But, with breathing exercises, my breathing is much better now and not painful. Yay! Visited the doctor yesterday as something was wrong in my mouth and throat -- turns out that I've developed thrush, which is SO GROSS. The meds he prescribed yesterday, though, seem to be working quickly so it's improving, thank goodness.

Overall, with not quite a week post-op, I'm happy with where I am. I expect some setbacks once food is introduced and I'm more mobile and active. But I'll keep coming here to the board for a reality check -- it helps.

I'm keeping a journal of my progress here:
https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=3601350

Thanks for asking, LGSE! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for your prompt recovery too... you've been through enough already!

lgse I just realized you had your surgery the day before mine. Other than the cold, how is you recovery going?

4 and 1/2 weeks out and I am doing very well. Feeling stronger each day. My husband and I, pre surgery, used to walk 45 minutes a day. I am now up to 25 minutes without getting too tired so that is good. I had severe shortness of breath before surgery but it is not so bad now and I hope it will go away soon. I do have some soreness for some reasons today in the area of the wrap. It may be due to the fact that I put chairs up on the table yesterday after a training and may have overdone it. The chairs were not heavy but the motion may have contributed to the soreness. Some constipation still due to not eating enough vegetables but Miralax has actually helped relieve that problem. Still lots of gas. I recently went to a Broadway musical and had a very difficult time sitting for that long of a time. By the intermission I was in considerable pain from the trapped gas. Not being able to move freely when needed was truly difficult. I was not going to leave though as the tickets were very expensive!!! I stuck it out to the end and made a beeline for the exit when it was over.

I am still on PPIs but only until the beginning of next week. My surgeon wanted me to stay on them for awhile to allow the maximum time for my stomach to heal. Looking forward to not having reflux! I have not taken any pain medication since week 3 and that was only a desperate try at getting some sleep. I had been experiencing insomnia so much so that I was lucky to get a couple hours of sleep a night. This happened after my last surgery years ago. I was given Ambien then but I refused it this time. I loved the sleep I got but not the side effects. I started using essential oils a few nights ago which seem to help. I have now had at least 4 hours of uninterrupted sleep the last few nights.

I am still on liquids and soft, mushy baby food, yogurt (the whipped is great for ease of going down!) and things like pureed soups. This is my choice as my surgeon has given me the okay to start more solid food. I think I am a little fearful of venturing off the diet. I am still using my baby spoon which really helps me be aware of the amount and size bites I take. I don't eat very much but I seem to eat enough to keep my energy up. I also have to watch my blood sugar as I am a type ll diabetic. My levels have been very good but then not eating much I wouldn't expect anything else. I have had some esophageal spasms which feel like a heart attack. They last anywhere from a few minutes to an hour or so. Pretty scary but it is from things getting stuck like my iron pills. I have to take iron for the anemia and had these pills from before the NF. I break them into fourths but that is still too big. I am going to have to find some liquid for awhile I think. I know most people say the swelling is the worst at the 2 week mark but I was told to expect swelling for another couple of weeks.

Overall I would say I am doing really well. Because I wasn't informed much before and I didn't have this site to help I was in the dark about a lot of things. This site has really been so helpful though. Talking to others has made a world of difference. Hearing what others have been through before me makes me feel that I am not alone in this. Most of my problems which overall haven't been many, have been normal and not unusual at this stage in my recovery. I will continue to take it easy and not push anything. Going back to work has been okay but tiring, but now I am on Spring Break so I get another week to heal. I am sure I will be one of the many NF success stories. I just have to remember that it will take time for everything to sort itself out.