Victoria’s Read

I would like to start by thanking you all for your words of encouragement and well wishes.

I was told by many people who had this surgery that there would only be some slight discomfort. HA! I woke up from surgery feeling as though my insides had been ripped open by a savage wolf only to see five very small slits.                

 As I laid in my ever so uncomfortable bed waiting for a room, I wondered if I had done the right thing. My throat was killing me and I needed a drink of water desperately. “I can’t give you any water but I’ll get you a wet swab.” A kind voice stated.

My first night in the hospital was pretty rough. Did I mention that I started menstruating the day before my surgery? The nurses were wonderful and did their very best to reassure me. “Some people have difficulty after the surgery but everything is just fine.”

The next day wasn’t much better. I mostly slept, once the pain killers kicked in, that is. Every single time I opened my eyes, my mother was there, and looking as any good mother would when her child is in pain. She did all that she could for me and was the best nurse.

During one of our many walks around the halls, we found the lounge and a very comfortable chair and this is where I spent pretty much the rest of the evening. By the time I needed to go back to my room, I was beginning to feel much better.

What a difference a day makes. I woke up from a pretty good night’s sleep, took my breakfast which consisted of some yogurt to the lounge and watched a little tv. Today was the day that I was to be discharged from the hospital and head to the hotel for the recovery period. When my mother saw me, she was filled with happiness to see such a dramatic turnaround in my recovery.

I tell you, the hotel room is no place to recover for five days but we made the best of it. My food intake consisted strictly of liquid and protein shakes. It didn’t matter to me though because eating was the last thing on my mind.

The day finely came for my follow up visit with the Dr. I was anxious to know how much weight I had lost so far and was pleasantly surprised to learn that I had lost eighteen pounds. My staples were removed, given post operative instructions and put on a puree diet for one month.

Mom and I then headed back to the hotel to wait for my father to take us home.                               

 So, now I’m home, recuperating. I go back on the 22nd and then will be on a soft diet. Things are going great and all I have now is some slight discomfort.

……………to be continued