Round is a Shape Right??? West Bloomfield, MI

Today went pretty uneventful. I was able to stay off heavy painkillers for most of the day and even eliminated my mid afternoon nap. Since it was Monday Hubby had to go to work and Son had to go to school which left my mom and I home alone. She had to run her car to the shop for new struts so after breakfast she left to do that and I got some much needed alone time. At around noon she came back with my Aunt, grandma, and cousin in tow. We all got to visit a bit and they enjoyed seeing my pictures of pre op/ post op tina tummy and my no infamous bag of skin. I don't think any of them realized what I was carrying around and hiding under my clothes. After they left We relaxed a bit and waited for my son to call for a ride home as he was staying after school for extra math help. When we picked hi up we went over to walmart and I I bought a few more nightgown and more boxes of rolled gauze. I seriously underestimated my need for both in this process lol. I am not one to wear skirts a whole lot or dresses unless its to church or a wedding and I had never liked nightgowns as I found that I would usually wake up with them twisted around my body and needing serious adjustment. I have always favored sweatpants for hanging around the house and shorts for sleeping. Before I went into this I did even own a nightgown. It seems now that with the swelling and the drains however a nightgown is going to be my more efficient uniform of late. By the time we got back I was ready for a nice shower and change of bandages so I headed up to attempt to BM and then shower. Nothing happened in the first department so I settled for the shower and a change of nightgown. I finally took some pain meds after dinner sand settled in for some Tv. I finally insisted that hubby sleep in his own bed and so far that is working out very well. I have been getting up at around 3-4am to use the restroom but handle that pretty well on my own at this point. Well Time to get back to bed and get some more sleep. I am enjoying the flat side and it is better than I could have imagined.

Well today I really could feel like I overdid things yesterday. I was a bit sore and just wanted to relax today. Since it was 48 hours after surgery I was excited to be able to take my shower. So my mom brought all the stuff upstairs to the master bathroom and I got settled in. I tried making a BM but that wasn't happening just yet. I have been taking stool softeners but have always had problems in that area. So finally I gave up and took a shower. Let me tell you it felt like heaven! While I showered my mom hand washed my cg and then hubby put it in the dryer. By the time I got out and we had all the dressings on it was still a bit damp so he took it outside and waved it around in the wind. (Why yes I do have the best husband ever!) It felt really good to get a clean nightie on. I tried to go with pj pants and a tshirt but that wasn't going to happen just yet with the swelling and the layers of garments. The whole process exhausted me so much I ended up taking a 2 hour nap afterward. After that I sat out on the front porch and watched my son mow the front lawn and then fill all of the bird feeders. While everyone was getting things ready for dinner I ventured down into the basement and rummaged through the DVD collection as hubby will be at work tomorrow and I didn't want to have to try to explain where everything is to my mom. I can definitely feel that I am more swollen tonight and it really is hard having all the pressure on my binder. It seems for now that I was really prepared and have even shocked my mom with some of the things like a lanyard to hold my drains (thank you real self) but I still am surprised at the extent of other things like the swelling and not being able to keep up with all the things I used to do. WellI am getting tired now and am getting settled in for another night in my recliner. So far hubby has been sleeping on the couch next to my chair and I have told him that tonight he needs to sleep in his own bed so he can get a good nights rest. He outright refused and said he didn't want to leave me alone for the night just yet. Mind you he sleeps with his phone next to him, I have my phone next to me and my mother in a room 10 feet away. I have said it before and I will say it again Best Husband Ever!!!!

Today was a lot better than yesterday mobility wise. I had to get up a few times in the night to use the bathroom and hubby, Ken, who insisted on sleeping on the couch helped me in and then back to my chair. I woke up about 6 and took my medication and then emptied my drains. We had some breakfast and I managed to eat 2 scrambled eggs a half piece of toast and a little bit of fruit. I was given bacon but slipped it to the dog. Im still not able to shower so I just wiped myself with a warm soapy washcloth on my face and chest and arms. I put on a new nightgown and my extra set of compression hose. The hose must be worn until monday and I don't mind as it keeps my legs warm and no one knows that I haven't shaved my legs since yesterday morning. I wanted to get some fresh air so I stepped out to the porch for a bit and even made it to the mailbox! Later on I was getting a little stir crazy so I rode with my husband to drop of my mother's car to belle tire and then even went to Meijer for a few things. I figured there is only so many times in a person's life when they can get away with going to the store in my bathrobe and slippers and riding on those electric carts. I had taken a couple percocets before we left and by the time we made it home I was ready for a hour nap. I have been trying to make sure I manage my pain without over medicating and started out yesterday with 2 pills every 4 hours. Today I switched to 2 pills every 6 hours and have been pretty good with that. After my nap my mom had me lean over the kitchen sink and we washed my hair which felt like heaven! I can only imagine how it will feel tomorrow when I take a shower. we did take off just about all my bandages today to redress my BB and so far my tummy looks amazing lol. Its amazing to me that I can take so many naps and still sleep through the night but the smallest things tire me out. I managed to sit at the kitchen table for dinner and I had to take a nap to recover from that. Im not having the mood swings yet and Im thinking it might have to do with the support system that you have. I couldn't do this without my mom who is in the medical field and able to help with wound care and my hubby who waits on me hand and foot even when I want to help or to do something myself. Tomorrow I am going to have to stay off the pain pills long enough to get some homework done. I am working on my bachelor's degree and do not want to fall behind because of my surgery. The doctor had told me that I need to make myself cough like 3 times a day but I can't bring myself to do it. I have been taking time each day though to take deep breaths and help clear my lungs of any fluids. Im hoping its not doing too much damage. Well better get some more sleep it seems like that all I do but oh well when in rome...