Well I had my surgery

[Jame0223]

They removed the dermoid on the 19th as scheduled. This is my first day back to work...but I may have come back to soon. Just last night I started experiencing flu symptoms. Today it was pretty bad. My body still doesn't like wearing pants or even underwear for that matter...I am wearing very stretchy ones too...I am going on about 3 hours of sleep. The night in the hospital was horrible. I didn't sleep a wink because of the leg respirators I had on. They would inflate and deflate and make noise...and the nurses would come in. I was miserable. I went in at 10 am and got out at 1 pm the next day. Not bad huh? Everything went smoothly...the only bad part was when they removed my catheter and had me stand up I had just taken my pain meds so they hadn't kicked in yet. WORST PAIN EVER...I cried when I tried to sit on the toilet....It hurt so bad to crouch down.. I was balling my eyes out which made it hurt that much worse. I went pee fortunately and got back in bed and they gave me an injection of demoral because I hurt so bad...and I turned out to be allergic to it. I was hesitant to have it because I know I have grandparents allergic to it. I got all puffy and itchy and blotchy. It looked like someon punched me in the face! But it wore off after a couple hours (took the blotchiness all day to go away). Right before this the doctor came in and just started ripping off my bandages...I kept saying ow and ouch but hes like "its gotta be fast like a bandaid" He took a bunch of skin off and I still have lines across my stomach from the couple layers of skin he ripped off. I only have two pieces of tape still intact. I didn't get any stitches or staples, just tape and glue. I am kinda in pain right now but I get to go home in about ten minutes thankfully. I would say once I got home, recovery was quite alright...not too much pain (thank god for percocet and vicodin) I went back to the doc for my follow up and he said everything looks good and he said If I feel ready I can go back to work. I called them today and they told me I can use tampons and have intercourse again, just not lifting or hard activities. Above all, the best news came today, pathology came back normal. I DO NOT HAVE CANCER! yay! Anyways I believe this is long enough. Thanks for all the encouraging words pre-op ladies! I got my cocktail right before going under so I was okay!

[Jame0223]

I agree that its important to listen to your body. I went to michael's to get some more beading stuff about a week after surgery and I was there for about 15 minutes and my insides started burning (i assume it was my ovary) and I was like..ok we have to go home. And when I got there I went straight to my room and layed down with an ice pack. Which brings me to another point. Having surgery has made me pick up a few hobbies, so now when I get bored I make jewelry, latch hook, or paint by numbers! lol and boy oh boy the painting by numbers takes up A LOT of time! I have made everyone a bunch of accessories!

It hasn't even been three weeks and I just took off my last two pieces of surgical tape and my incision looks so good and clean. My insides don't hurt anymore but I still feel quite bruised on the surface right around my belly button. If I lay on my belly I feel like I am laying on a pipe..or something right under my belly button...but I guess thats because of the bruising and some spots still being numb. Right now I have killer cramps because I am on my period and it seems like advil just doesn't want to work for me! Tampons tend to make the cramps worse but I'm stuck! I am wearing a very low cut thong and I can't really stick a pad on it!

It has been quite an experience but I must say I feel so good knowing that it turned out okay...and the pathology report is even better.

One bit of advice though to anyone having surgery! Pillows are necessary! If you laugh, cough, or sneeze put a pillow over the incision to dull the painful shock! I laughed for the first time 4 hours after surgery and WOAH OUCHIE! but pillows make it better. Haha or a person, like my bf. I was standing in my kitchen and he cracked a joke and I started laughing and saying ouch ouch ouch so he pressed up against me. I asked him what he was doing and he said "I'M YOUR PILLOW!" what a cutie..

[Morrowville]

Congrats on your good news, and thanks for sharing your story.
I am 4 months post op, and wish everyone to have the recovery I have, I feel so much better now than I did before the surgery!

Just remember (really) to realize that your body has been through some serious trauma.
Treat it with respect, and gentleness.  It takes so long to heal inside and out--I caution everyone to just take care of themselves, and to listen to their bodies!

Hugs,
Morrowville

[Sharon2714]

i am happy ur recovery seems to be going so well
... BUT ... taking good care of urself and resting when ur body gives u
the stop signal is important.  i pray u keep moving forward
love
sharon

[Sandymac]

That sounds wonderful.. Please consider staying on the forum to help those that haven't had their surgeries yet. Experience is priceless.. And wear whatever is comfy !! you can get stylish later.. Comfort first is my motto !

Good to hear from you and hope you stick around.

Take care of yourself,
Sandy

[Jame0223]

I almost stayed home today because I didn't know how I was going to feel. I was thinking about a half day as well but were missing 4 people at work so I figured I would be needed, but were so dead! I feel good today. I don't feel feverish *knock on wood* and I feel more strengthened...I got a couple more hours of sleep. Still having trouble falling asleep but its better then yesterday. I pulled off the last two pieces of tape because its been a week since the others came off and he said it should only be a few more days...my incision actually looks very good. Barely any redness at all, didnt hurt to pull off the tape(except for a few hairs). The incision is about 3.5 inches across and is about 4 inches below my belly button. The pants I am wearing today I am wearing up high like grandma, but the shirt I have on is loose and flowy...so you can't tell but hey...whatever is comfortable right? I feel today is a much better day. I am drinking antioxidant rich tea too...so I feel better just after drinking that! To health and recovery!

Your welcome to anyone who was helped by my experience. I was soooo terrified to go under I started crying right before they gave me the cocktail...when I said bye to my family. Mostly when I was hugging my boyfriend. I started crying and I didn't wanna let go of him. In fact, I'm pretty sure I made him tear up. But it wasn't as bad as I expected it to be..well the 1st day was but after you get home...its just so much better! Good luck and best wishes to anyone having their own surgery!  

[Sandymac]

What good news !! Now, don't be rushing into doing too much too soon.. Just take it easy for awhile and remember that you may feel and look wonderful on the outside, but it takes a little longer to heal internally!!.. Take care and keep us posted,

Sandy

[justscore]

Congrats on you good news.

Please don't rush back to real life..................
Rest and heal!!!

Heidi

[TrudieC]

I appreciate you sharing your experience.  Yes, sometimes efficiencies in hospitals can get in the way of patient care.  I wonder if you can try just working part time and work up to full time in another week?  Sleep is what you really need right now.

Take care,
Trudie

[Jaxsie]

YAY- congratulations on the path result- fantastic news. Glad to hear the surgery went well- thank you for sharing your info, it is helpful for those of us with upcoming surgeries.

Live life to the fullest,
best wishes