Umbilical Hernia Repair: my experience
This week I underwent my first surgery. It was a terrifying and relieving process to say the least. I feel in order to really understand the whole story that some backstory is needed. This year I decided I wanted to be a trail runner. I was inspired by one of my very close friends she is amazing and she owns this running business. Where I live there is a nice "mountain" basically in our backyard so I decided to start running up and down that. I bought the shoes, got fitted. and Even got nice headphones that made it so much more fun! I was really enjoying myself. But then I started to feel this pain in my stomach right down the middle anytime I would run. It got so bad that one evening I couldn't get up off the bathroom floor I was in so much pain. I mistakenly thought it was a diastase recti or an abdominal separation from my pregnancies. So I stopped running, and worked on strengthening my core to alleviate the pain. That was all going fine and dandy until a few months later I decided I wanted to do my first 10k trail race with my friends in the Bay area. on the drive down I got to talking with my friends about my pain I'd been experiencing. Our friend who ran with us had recently had a hernia repaired and alerted me to the fact that she believed the pain in my stomach was indeed a hernia and not a diastase recti. I was very sure it wasn't. I can be very strong willed... we all ran the race it was soooooooooo hard and sooooooooo fun. after the race that pain in my stomach did not go away. After a month I decided I should go see my GP even if just to prove everyone wrong. At that appointment she confirmed that it was indeed an umbilical hernia caused by pregnancy and I was refereed to general surgery. By the grace of God I was able to get an appointment with them in two weeks then get the surgery scheduled about 3 weeks after that. You might be wondering why the rush? Well in the middle of all of this My husband switched jobs for the better (He is back doing what he wants to with his career yay!!!!) So for 2 weeks out of this year we had two insurances. I don't have to tell you that surgery isn't cheap.
Now onto the Surgery, oh my goodness I was so much more nervous than I thought going into this. Apparently I am a nervous cleaner though so our house was fantastic going into this surgery haha. The night before was terrible I was dreading it, dreading the pain, the what ifs, and how it would affect the kids. I think I slept a total of 2 hours. good thing you don't have to be well rested for surgery. the whole way there and basically until they brought me into pre-op I was in tears, begging Andrew to not make me do this (I know how terrible right!). The doctors and nurses came in one by one, started my IV and basically went over everything that was about to happen. The last to come in was the anesthesiologist. he put some sedative in my IV and the last thing I remember was giving my sweet husband a kiss. Apparently we were still in there for a bit then they wheeled me off to surgery. Even writing about it now I am getting emotional. and teary eyed... And to think people have always called me emotional!
The next thing I remember is being in post op with a nurse that kept asking me where I was and if I knew what happened. She told me I'd been pretty confused. Once I came to a little better they wheeled me down to recovery, I hardly remember that ride. The next thing I remember is Andrew and the nurse telling me to just sleep, it'll be ok, the worst was over. I proceeded to fall in and out of sleep, unable to talk between sips of water. I knew they wouldn't let me leave until I was able to pee so anytime I was semi conscious I was asking for water. Not to mention my throat was so dry and so strained from the surgery. Eventually the nurse said I needed to try and get up and walk around, and possibly pee. I was so dizzy upon sitting up I had to just sit for a few minutes before I tried walking. the nurse brought an IV pole over to assist me with my husband on the other side for balance. I have never had such a hard time walking in my entire life. it was a terrible pain, I was dizzy beyond belief, my head was spinning, my heart was pounding and I could hardly support my own weight. Guys Surgery is no small thing to your body. I eventually made the what seemed like HUGE loop to the bathroom, and was able to pee SUCCESS I could go home!!!! I honestly just sat there while my amazing husband dressed me like our 2 year old... good thing he has had so much practice with her!
they wheeled me down to my car and helped me in. The drive to the pharmacy and home was terrible every twist, and every bump, was a pain that shot right through my body. I mean dang it hurt. besides the pain all I remember is really wanting oranges. I think I read the sale sigh at scolaries by the pharmacy and by this point was famished and wanting anything to nourish my aching body. We eventually made it home and Andrew helped me get back to bed where I proceeded to sleep until dinner. My throat was so dry and wanted to cough, but that hurt so bad. So I drank lots of water and ate a lot of soup. Andrew even went to the store and I finally got my orange!
Ok guys seriously this recovery feels like more than I bargained for. I feel like my medical team made it seem like recovery would be a cake walk and I'd be back to normal in no time flat. Which maybe that is so, but for me and for this being my first surgery this has been hard. I have spent a lot of time in bed unable to help out around the house. Today I went and walked next to Andrew around Costco and I am hardly able to function this evening.... My poor kiddos are so confused, I'm normally the one who cooks, cleans, and takes care of every one of their needs. This week I have thankfully had an amazing friend and family support system who have come and taken care of my babies, who have cooked, and who have cleaned for me. I feel so blessed to have such an amazing support system. Thank you so much to each and every single one of you!
Things I have learned from this surgery. Surgery is hard on your body no matter how you swing it. It adds stresses that are not normal and it is ok to rest, and to not be ok for awhile. Don't be afraid to ask for help as it can be ones gift of service and them being Christlike. Pain meds are you friend after surgery, take them, don't try to tough it out, it's not like working out being in pain does not help you. Give yourself time to heal, don't rush back into life or else your recovery will take longer.
Through all of this I can totally see God's hand. He knew I had a hernia, and he knew it needed to be repaired, but he completely orchestrated all of this. For this timing. He helped me have the right conversations and make the right appointments all so that it would fall in the two weeks, we had two insurances. He orchestrated the help I needed everyday. Even though I wish he would have magically repaired my hernia I am thankful for how he has worked in all of this! Until next time, Have a great day!
Verse of the week: "This is my command - be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Now onto the Surgery, oh my goodness I was so much more nervous than I thought going into this. Apparently I am a nervous cleaner though so our house was fantastic going into this surgery haha. The night before was terrible I was dreading it, dreading the pain, the what ifs, and how it would affect the kids. I think I slept a total of 2 hours. good thing you don't have to be well rested for surgery. the whole way there and basically until they brought me into pre-op I was in tears, begging Andrew to not make me do this (I know how terrible right!). The doctors and nurses came in one by one, started my IV and basically went over everything that was about to happen. The last to come in was the anesthesiologist. he put some sedative in my IV and the last thing I remember was giving my sweet husband a kiss. Apparently we were still in there for a bit then they wheeled me off to surgery. Even writing about it now I am getting emotional. and teary eyed... And to think people have always called me emotional!
The next thing I remember is being in post op with a nurse that kept asking me where I was and if I knew what happened. She told me I'd been pretty confused. Once I came to a little better they wheeled me down to recovery, I hardly remember that ride. The next thing I remember is Andrew and the nurse telling me to just sleep, it'll be ok, the worst was over. I proceeded to fall in and out of sleep, unable to talk between sips of water. I knew they wouldn't let me leave until I was able to pee so anytime I was semi conscious I was asking for water. Not to mention my throat was so dry and so strained from the surgery. Eventually the nurse said I needed to try and get up and walk around, and possibly pee. I was so dizzy upon sitting up I had to just sit for a few minutes before I tried walking. the nurse brought an IV pole over to assist me with my husband on the other side for balance. I have never had such a hard time walking in my entire life. it was a terrible pain, I was dizzy beyond belief, my head was spinning, my heart was pounding and I could hardly support my own weight. Guys Surgery is no small thing to your body. I eventually made the what seemed like HUGE loop to the bathroom, and was able to pee SUCCESS I could go home!!!! I honestly just sat there while my amazing husband dressed me like our 2 year old... good thing he has had so much practice with her!
they wheeled me down to my car and helped me in. The drive to the pharmacy and home was terrible every twist, and every bump, was a pain that shot right through my body. I mean dang it hurt. besides the pain all I remember is really wanting oranges. I think I read the sale sigh at scolaries by the pharmacy and by this point was famished and wanting anything to nourish my aching body. We eventually made it home and Andrew helped me get back to bed where I proceeded to sleep until dinner. My throat was so dry and wanted to cough, but that hurt so bad. So I drank lots of water and ate a lot of soup. Andrew even went to the store and I finally got my orange!
Ok guys seriously this recovery feels like more than I bargained for. I feel like my medical team made it seem like recovery would be a cake walk and I'd be back to normal in no time flat. Which maybe that is so, but for me and for this being my first surgery this has been hard. I have spent a lot of time in bed unable to help out around the house. Today I went and walked next to Andrew around Costco and I am hardly able to function this evening.... My poor kiddos are so confused, I'm normally the one who cooks, cleans, and takes care of every one of their needs. This week I have thankfully had an amazing friend and family support system who have come and taken care of my babies, who have cooked, and who have cleaned for me. I feel so blessed to have such an amazing support system. Thank you so much to each and every single one of you!
Things I have learned from this surgery. Surgery is hard on your body no matter how you swing it. It adds stresses that are not normal and it is ok to rest, and to not be ok for awhile. Don't be afraid to ask for help as it can be ones gift of service and them being Christlike. Pain meds are you friend after surgery, take them, don't try to tough it out, it's not like working out being in pain does not help you. Give yourself time to heal, don't rush back into life or else your recovery will take longer.
Through all of this I can totally see God's hand. He knew I had a hernia, and he knew it needed to be repaired, but he completely orchestrated all of this. For this timing. He helped me have the right conversations and make the right appointments all so that it would fall in the two weeks, we had two insurances. He orchestrated the help I needed everyday. Even though I wish he would have magically repaired my hernia I am thankful for how he has worked in all of this! Until next time, Have a great day!
Verse of the week: "This is my command - be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Comments
Post a Comment