Day 3- Post op

 After a good night's sleep, I got to my chair, looked out the window and saw Craig and Cooper pulling up front and walking to our house. What a nice surprise. They were on their way to do the Run Through Redlands and stopped in to check on me.  I was still in my silk pajamas and I was so glad to see them and know they are thinking about me. 

I always imagined that it would be great to have three nurses and a PT in the family if I ever had medical issues, and I was right. The help, advice, wisdom, kindness and attention from Melissa, Natalie, Craig, and Jess has been unmatched. Of course, Gene is at the helm and keeps the pills coming, the heparin shots given, and he has every comfort measure I could want at the ready. Graham and Tim are not totally off the hook. Tim watched the three kids while Melissa stayed with me, and Graham has been "on deck", ready to step in at any time. 

Luckily, I have needed much less hands-on help than I expected. And none of my "team" has gotten sick. So grateful for that. 

I'm getting around pretty well, walking twice a day around the block with a buddy, and steady on my feet. Getting in and out of bed is still a challenge, but definitely getting better. The nausea is a bugger that doesn't want to go away. So, I only have small meals and lots of jello and popsicles. I've able to decrease my pain meds, especially at night. 

I really enjoyed watching the families, dogs, strollers, joggers, athletes, grandmas and grandpas all walk down our street to the Run through Redlands this morning. One of the pleasures of living "down town". 

I finally made a big spread sheet today with all of the "duties" I am supposed to be doing to recover. Compared to lazying around in the hospital, where nurses are busy and no one cares how much you walk or eat or drink. At home, with 7 adults asking you when you last walked, how far and for how long, did you drink, deep breath, eat, manage your pain, etc, etc. I combined their lists of "jobs" and meds on a massive spreadsheet today and it took me back to the days when I used to organize the care of very sick premie babies. I know how to do this. 

I've always been the type that responds to lists and checking boxes. It is so empowering to put that check in the box and move forward. I am feeling much more comfortable with a schedule. 

I have some rough days ahead. First, my biopsy results next week are most likely going to need further follow-up. They could be pre-cancer, which would be great, or stage 1 or 2. But if they have come from another part of my body, then it is a different story, and I will be facing more testing and possible more surgery. 

In about a week, I will likely be scheduled to have an upper and lower GI, which has that horrible prep, but the test itself isn't so bad. My doctor is eager to check for any other spots that could be the source. I'm concerned, but can only take one day at a time.  

My goal today, is to prevent any complications, I have a long road ahead and complications can be avoided if I do everything that everyone is telling me to do. Whew, feels like it is time for a nap.😴

Correction: Sometimes complications just happen. Even with all of the best behaviors, my intestine healed and scarred in a way that blocked the outlet. In the end, the adhesions released and allowed the opening to re-open and allow the flow of contents to move. It was as a big set back and caught me by surprise, but there it is, complications happen.