Surgery

This past Thursday I had my gallbladder removed. The surgery went well, and I’m feeling good today. My surgery was at 7am, so we had to be at the hospital at 5am. I was not looking forward to getting up that early. Thankfully the hospital is only 5 minutes from our house, so we didn’t have a long drive. My mom came out on Wednesday to keep me busy with shopping and just being together so I wasn’t thinking on the upcoming surgery all day. 🙂

After Paul and I got to the hospital, things moved pretty quickly, thankfully. The nurses and the hospital was the best. The staff was so friendly, and very efficient too. My mom and sister were coming in early to see me before surgery and my pastor and his wife where going to stop by to pray for me. We found out the day before that my surgery was changed form 7:30am to 7am, which changed the timing for everyone. They were wheeling me out of my room, taking me to pre-op at 6:20am, earlier than we all expected, so my mom, sister, Pastor and his wife hadn’t made it yet. I was literally being wheeled down the hallway when all four of them came walking down the hall at the same time. 😀 I asked the orderly that was pushing me if we could stop for a minute so my pastor could pray for me. He said, sure, no problem. So right there, in the hallway was a group of us praying before my surgery. 😀 I was so blessed that I got to see my mom and sister and that my pastor got to pray for me before surgery. Then we found out that the orderly was a Christian also, and goes to our former church. That was pretty neat.

Pre-op went fine, and Paul got to pray for me again. Then I was given a sedative, said goodbye to hubby (trying not to cry) and they wheeled me away. Everyone was so nice and friendly in the operating room. Once I was moved onto the surgery table, and I was feeling the sedative quite a bit, they put a mask over my mouth, told me to breath deeply and that’s all I remember. The next thing I remember was hearing some guy yelling (well it sounded to me like yelling) my name. I saw a nurse sitting next to me, talking to me, though I can’t remember what she was saying. I don’t think I was in post-op long, though I don’t really remember. After that, they wheeled me back to my room and while they were getting me settled, Paul came in. I was so happy to see him.

Slowly my family came in to see me, the kids, my sister, my mom and my best friend had shown up too. They were getting me up and moving pretty quickly, and the first time I stood up I felt a bit nauseous, so they had me lie back down and gave me some anti-nausea medicine. I tried again to stand about 10 minutes later and did much better than. After I walked around a bit and used the bathroom, they said I could go home. I got dressed (with help of course), they took me in a wheel chair out to where Paul had the car waiting, and I was home by 11:30am. Paul got me set up in bed and I rested the rest of the day. Though it was so quick, I was so happy to be home. I would much rather rest and re-coup at home than in a hospital room, so I didn’t mind them getting me out so quickly.

My mom and sister made sure my family was fed while I was in surgery, and then my friend brought over some dinner that night. I was eating, but mainly mashed potatoes and eggs, that kind of food. I took myself off the narcotic pain meds that night, and now I’m just on regular ibuprofen for the discomfort. Each day I feel better, with today feeling the best so far. Though I am more tired today than the past two days. Of course it’s only been 2 days since my surgery, so I guess it’s only normal. 😉

I’m taking it easy and letting my family spoil me. Though I do get up and walk around, I’m not doing anything to strenuous right now. This is even the first day I’ve been on my laptop. We’ve been having fun as a family, hanging out and watching movies together while I recuperate. The kids don’t start school up again until Monday, but Paul has to go back to work on Sunday. I’ll continue to take it easy next week, listening to my body, and not pushing myself too hard.

I was truly surprised and blessed by the different flowers that I received. My best friend brought over some beautiful yellow roses when she brought dinner, my church family sent a pretty bouquet and my mom and sister brought over a pretty purple vase of flowers.

I’m so blessed by family and friends that took care of me during all of this, especially my husband. He hasn’t left my side since that morning, and he has taken care of me in more ways that I can count. I look forward to continuing to feel better and more myself as I continue to heal. Thank you to those that did know about this surgery and kept me in prayer. I truly appreciate you, and I’m so thankful for your prayers for me.