Halloween 2016

I dressed up as Tuesday Addams, Wednesday Addams' blonde cousin.

1 Week Post-Op

I had surgery 1 week ago. 

My recovered has been interesting. Highs and lows in surprising places. 

Day 1. I don't have much memory of surgery day but I remember Lesley got me a chocolate shake from Chick-Fil-A and it was amazing!

Day 2 was pretty great. I felt good. I had very little pain and was happy to have visitors throughout the day. My sister brought me a strawberry banana smoothie that was the delicious. 

Day 3 post-op was the lowest of lows. I woke up super nauseated and vomited most of the morning which really hurt my incisions, especially my belly button. I could hardly eat anything all day until my grandma brought me magic rice pudding and I ate all of it which really helped. My mom came and watched TV with me and helped me shower. I was too scared to change my bandages because they were bleeding and I was afraid I would split open. I ended up doing it myself later in the day when I wasn't so shaky. 

Day 4 I was back up to the high of day 2 and felt good. TMI but I finally pooped after using lots of stool softeners. (I'm still taking the stool softeners and it's day 8)

Day 5 I started to taper off the pain meds and transition more to ibuprofen. It was tough but okay. I was really happy to have my twin back (she had left on day 2 to go to LA for a few days). 

Day 6 was tough. It was Sunday and I knew I had to go back to work the next day. I tried not to take any opioids and only ibuprofen- that did not go well. I ended up taking a Percocet after dinner so I could sleep. I did put real clothes on and went to my grandma's house for dinner so that was a big step; first time leaving the apartment. I didn't realize most of my incisions are right around my waist line, where I like to wear my pants. Bring on the joggers/fancy sweat pants! Jeans are out of the question for right now. My incisions were still tender and 2 were still oozing. 

Day 7- back to work! The day started out okay but I was in tears after 8 hours of work and only took Tylenol and ibuprofen. I should have practiced sitting up in a desk chair throughout the week but I only laid on the couch or in my bed with a few time of sitting at a table to eat. I feel so much better when I lay down! I took my last Percocet to sleep and had a good nights sleep. 

Day 8- I am back to work but plan to take more breaks. All of my incisions have stopped oozing and I am going band aid free (the adhesive was starting to give me a rash). I still have an ice pack which helps with my incision pain. My side and belly button hurt the worst of the 4. I did not plan on ice packs in my pre-op preparation but I am so glad to have them. They are wonderful!!

I have a follow-up appointment with the surgeon tomorrow. 

Incisions

The nurse blew my veins trying to get IV in. It's okay but looks pretty bad.
> I have 4 incisions and they are tender and painful.
> They also filled my abdomen full of air so I'm super bloated.
> Good news is I don't have nausea and my should pain is gone!!
>

Pre-Op Video

Gallbladder Removal Surgery

I had my gallbladder removed today via laparoscopic surgery at IMC (Intermountain Medical Center). I'm in a fair amount of pain and on pain killers so I'll write more later.
I'm so glad it was out patient so I'm already home.