A hernia tale
It started back in January, a dull pain that came and went usually while I was running or lifting weights centered in my lower right abdomen. For the next few months it got progressively worse up until I think it was in May, I was convinced I needed to go to the E.R. just in case it was an incarcerated hernia. I had been throwing up and huddled in a ball that entire weekend, so it seemed somewhat justified. After spending an entire day and my entire fortune, it turned out to just be ruptured cyst on one of my ovaries.
Long story made short, a month later I was shopping (surprise) and my hand brushed against a large bump on my abdomen. I pulled Tom into the dressing room and there it was popping out at me. A hernia. I went to the E.R. two more times for it, the last time being more justified, and this last Thursday it was to be removed once and for all. I put it off for some time due to us not having insurance and scheduling conflicts, my doctor's fault.
Generally speaking, hernia's really aren't that big of a deal unless they get backed up. They shouldn't cause you any pain and the surgery shouldn't be too invasive. In and out is what they told me. Athletes are usually back to exercising just days after. I of course planned on the same. I thought I would take the train home after the surgery, go apple picking the next day, and then really enjoy my first weekend back with Tom and my visiting sister. Tom thankfully thought otherwise, took the day off work, brought me to the hospital for my 7:45am check in time, complete with an empty stomach. Finally at 10:30 am it was my turn to get in my gown, booties, and cap and lay on my stretcher. I couldn't help but chuckle as the different doctors re-explained each and every procedure they would be doing on me, had me sign various consent forms, I mean did it have to be so dramatic? wasn't this a minimally invasive surgery? They then wheeled me into the surgery room and very quickly several monitors were stuck all over my chest and the nurse said "just a few breaths of this gas", and I was out.
I awoke in a different room. I could barely make out the different patients lying beside me and in front of me. And I really don't remember anything more about it except for waking up in more pain than I expected and asking for more morphine. After asking for Tom over and over in my brief moments of awakeness, they finally wheeled me to the recovery room. The next few hours were also a blur. I asked for more pain relievers, they gave them to me, with also a good dose of nausea. But instead of throwing up, I just burped. The surgery was done via camera so my stomach was blown up with air. In fact, I still look 4 months pregnant, 3 days later. During my stay, I was fortunate to overhear other patients recovering from hernia surgery, they
seemed to be doing just fine, what was my problem? I was so over tired, sick, and pained, I
could barely speak, walk, or stay awake. After complaining, my doctor explained that women don't get hernia's often, and men of course recover much quicker. After mustering up the energy and core strength to make it to the bathroom a few times, I lied, and said I did go, just so I could leave before everyone else did for the night.
But my first night home wasn't any better. I puked and puked, for hours it felt like. The only thing I had eaten in the last day and a half was a saltine cracker that tasted like paste from the lack of saliva I had left in my mouth. But somehow I worked something up each time. I didn't get out of bed the next day either. Luckily I had a few vampire books to keep my mind off of the pain and never ending nausea.
But here I am Saturday. I had my first real meal this evening including dessert, it was delicious. And I am now just finishing up this post which has taken me three days. My record keeping and recovery has gone something like this: paragraph, small bite of food, nap, paragraph, vampires, paragraph, nap. Real productive.
Will I miss my hernia? maybe. But thankfully I will have three little scars to always remind me of the time it spent with me. The strange looks I got when I told people about it, the many many trips to the hospital and doctor's office I took for it, and how my experience was quite a bit different everyone else's, will never be forgotten.
Saturday, October 20, 2007 at 5:32PM
Reader Comments (15)
Wow! That sounds pretty awful! I hope there is someone around to take care of you while you recover. No food is like torture to me so I hope your dinner stays down. Good luck!
That sounds awful! Sometimes it takes dramatic health issues to realize how great it is to be healthy. I am glad you are feeling better and that you have a cute sister there to help.
Ah, the days when I worked as a recovery room nurse were not that long ago. I loved giving lots of dangerous drugs like morphine, percocet, and fentanyl and asking people fifty times "what's your pain level between 0-10?" The only part I didn't like about the job was watching patients puke or hock loagies into a little pink bowl (sorry, gross!) Let's just say it was more than a little nauseating when I was pregnant. I'm glad you are feeling better and hope that you get back to normal life soon.
I am so sorry to hear about all the discomfort one hernia can cause! My sister had one last year and yes, the recovery was more of a breeze for her. I don't even think she remembers it anymore...I wish the same fate for you my friend. It sounds like you are on the road to recovery. And by vampire books do you mean the Twilight series because I just finished that. Hmmm, think they're up to the hype or not? :)
I am so sorry to hear about all the discomfort one hernia can cause! My sister had one last year and yes, the recovery was more of a breeze for her. I don't even think she remembers it anymore...I wish the same fate for you my friend. It sounds like you are on the road to recovery. And by vampire books do you mean the Twilight series because I just finished that. Hmmm, think they're up to the hype or not? :)
I am so sorry to hear about all the discomfort one hernia can cause! My sister had one last year and yes, the recovery was more of a breeze for her. I don't even think she remembers it anymore...I wish the same fate for you my friend. It sounds like you are on the road to recovery. And by vampire books do you mean the Twilight series because I just finished that. Hmmm, think they're up to the hype or not? :)
i hope you're doing better! i need to know what you thought of the books, and tell you that i am obsessed with wikston.
Dear oh me oh my!! What a horrible experience this all sounds like! I am ever SO sorry about even dreaming of wanting to stop by and bugging you with my emails! I had no idea what you were going through! Please accept my apologies! :) But, I am very happy to hear you are better if only slightly. Say hi to your sister (which ever one it is) for me! :)
I will deffinitely be in touch to plan our weekend-o-fun! (When you are back to yer 'ol self again that is.
Talk to you soon!
-Hillary
p.s. I had no idea that posted 3 times!! Oops.
I'm so glad the saga is over! Now, on to more important things...
but have you peed yet?
chip
Oh my gosh - Alysha! I am so sorry! Can I do anything to help??? So sad!!!
I am so sorry that your hernia has given so much pain and trouble and cost you so much dang money.
I am glad that it is gone. I hope you feel like yourself again soon!
Vampires, vomit, & a little Veronica Mars. Isn't that like every other weekend? I'm so happy that your organs are no longer poking through your body. I'm sorry your recovery hasn't been as speedy as you thought but it was kind of fun to all hang out in the living room together while you vomited vampires while watching Veronica Mars.
that sucks, glad it's over.
i am sure H will be happy it's remembered.