My spine surgery journey: from preparation to recovery

[bellbird]

Therefore:- You are doing very well!

Aawww. Ok, I can't argue with logic.
Thank you for helping me to see the positives I am doing. And for making a big smile on my face.
Love and hugs to ya from across the ditch. You're a right gem :hug:

 

[Deleted member 42984]

I'm so glad to hear that you're feeling better and are optimistic and full of hope. You have done so well and I'm proud of you. Many hugs for my badass warrior friend :hug:

 

[somerandomguy]

Bellbird, I didn't want to say anything, but when I read you had to drink that salty drink, I cringed. I know that was a HUGE trigger for you. But you did it!

I think you've turned a corner not just physically (and congratulations to you) but emotionally as well. Could last year's bellbird have drunk that without going to pieces, even if she really had to? I don't know. But you did it!!

You're getting better in EVERY way. I see it and celebrate it!

 

[bellbird]

Could last year's bellbird have drunk that without going to pieces, even if she really had to? I don't know. But you did it!!

She may have been able to, but it would have completely broken her to the point of hopelessness and despair.
In fact, I think this whole hospital stay would have.

You have done so well and I'm proud of you. Many hugs for my badass warrior friend :hug:

You're getting better in EVERY way. I see it and celebrate it!

Gosh, thank you both :hug: :hug:
These are the loveliest messages to read as I lie here in the early hours of the morning, unable to sleep due to pain and nausea.

I tried using my TENS machine, probably for 30 min. And it did help, but then my pain became too much and I've taken some sevredol just now. 10mgs.

I guess that's progress, but the sleep side needs to be managed at the same time as well. I can't afford to be awake from 3.30am every night, even if I'm taking less pain meds.

 

[bellbird]

This just in: no more enemas or salty laxative drink!!!!!
?????????
(9 party poppers for the 9 enemas I had)

 

[Deleted member 42984]

This just in: no more enemas or salty laxative drink!!!!!

Shitty news! In the most positive sense, yay! :-D

 

[blackemerald1]

This just in: no more enemas or salty laxative drink!!!!!

Yay!! So are you feeling more comfortable? No distension etc., ?

Are you feeling nausea from the pain killers or the constipation? Is that getting less as you recover from this complication?

Any discussion on when you can go home or is that shelved for the time being?

???

 

[Wendell_R]

I must admit, there have been some flashbacks

Yes, but you didn't stay there!! We all have recall--it's a question of how we cope with it, and you are coping very well with a very, very full stress cup. :hug:

 

[bellbird]

So are you feeling more comfortable? No distension etc., ?

More comfortable.
Less distension, but not completely gone. More like a "normal" boating now.

My surgeon thinks my gut was overly sensitive to the morphine.
Thank f*ck I somehow managed to avoid being drugged with it by my ex (he threatened it several times and I know he had some in the house).

My gut is sooooo gurgley and my last enema yesterday had a result of mostly liquid, so it seems all of the impaction has been cleared, and my belly just needs a bit of time for homeostasis to be found again.

Need to introduce more solid foods today, as well as a lot of water.
I am still on kiwi crush and laxol, but they are no bother to take.

Are you feeling nausea from the pain killers or the constipation? Is that getting less as you recover from this complication?

Both.
And yes.
I also started my period yesterday so that's likely a contributing factor to my nausea, pain, bloating, bowel status etc.

Any discussion on when you can go home or is that shelved for the time being?

Yeah, I actually had a discussion with my surgical team this morning when they came past, and discharge is looking like tomorrow!

It seems quite sudden, but I am cleared for discharge by physio and orthopaedics, and now that my impaction has been cleared, it will probably be best for it to be able to eat non-hospital food.

I've also only had 10mg of sevredol in the last 24 hours, which my pain team is pleased with.
I will see them again tomorrow before I am potentially discharged.

The more I think about going home, the more I am looking forward to being able to lie out in the sun and fresh air (I haven't felt either in 2 weeks!!), and having meals with lots of fresh veges from the garden. And being able to see Tweeter again! -- I've missed my little buddy ?

???

Fresh flowers for my room. Thank you :D

Yes, but you didn't stay there!! We all have recall--it's a question of how we cope with it, and you are coping very well with a very, very full stress cup. :hug:

Thank you :hug:

 

[Wendell_R]

Yeah, I actually had a discussion with my surgical team this morning when they came past, and discharge is looking like tomorrow!

Hooray, Hooray!

it will probably be best for it to be able to eat non-hospital food.

Yes! I know how much you like whole & healthy foods, and I know how much that keeps the bowels happy, too. Just finished dinner here in the states, and I was really happy to eat home-cooked food.

Looking forward to hearing about your veggies, and sun, and Tweeter!

 

[bellbird]

healthy foods, and I know how much that keeps the bowels happy, too. Just finished dinner here in the states, and I was really happy to eat home-cooked food.

:)
Wonderful.

Looking forward to hearing about your veggies, and sun, and Tweeter

Yes; the next phase of this journey, with many unknowns of its own.
But I think that I am ready.

 

[Ronin]

Ook, so not coming with flowers to your room, more like balloons and cake for Welcome Home and wishing everything go smoothly. :) ✌/? (or which ever emoji better suits Success and All the best to you.)