Wednesday, October 24, 2012

My myomectomy experience: Going home


I've heard of other women having a morphine drip, but Yale Medical Center, they did not give me one. I white knuckled it until it was time to take the catheter out, then I caved in. Here's what happened...

Between 6 - 8 am I tried to get some sleep but I felt a weird feeling, as if my bladder was full. Strange since the catheter was in place, right?! I tried to sleep but that all too familiar feeling that happens right before the pee-pee dance takes place was getting stronger. I raised the back of my bed up and decided to investigate. I pushed the button to call the nurse. In my raspy voice, I told her that the catheter was as full. She said o.k but no one ever came. The pressure in my bladder was getting painful so decided to figure out what was going on myself.

The square portion of the container was full but the bag portion was empty. The tube contained fluid, so I manipulated the tube so that everything went into the container. As soon as I emptied the tube, more fluid was in it again. I drained it again. It filled again. It took a couple of minutes before I realize that my bladder was filling the hose up just as fast I as was able to empty it. The stupid thing was not draining properly. Shortly after I was able to drain the contents of my bladder, the nurse shows up ready to remove the catheter. Go figure.

Before she pulled the hose out of my bladder, she disconnected it from the bag. She filled my bladder up with a saline solution that made me want to urinate immediately. I had not yet left my bed, but I had to make it to the bathroom asap. Crouched over and on my tippy toes, she helped me onto the toilet. I was relieved to make it but the pain from my stomach, my back and my expanded bladder was too much. I needed drugs.

The nurse gave me a Percocet and added something that sound like the word "turtle" to my IV line. That was the first medication I received after my surgery. I asked her to please change my bed cloth again. I was still bleeding a bit, but the damn catheter was the real culprit this time. I was able to sleep a few more hours until a fellow doctor came by with the picture of my fibroids that I requested.

I wanted to see the damn things. Apparently, they were bigger and more plentiful than expected. I had a total of 7 fibroids removed. The ruler along the side is a 15 cm / 6 inch ruler. If you care to see my fibroids feel free to have a look.

Once the blessed drugs kicked in, I was able to walk. I ate breakfast, took a shower and prepared to go home. As my husband helped me get my things together, I wondered... What the hell I'm I going to do when these drugs wear off?

to be continued...

14 comments :

  1. Anndrea I am so glad you are feeling better and that you are heading home! God is good! I am glad that the fibroids are gone (i cant believe those big things were in your little body) Thank you for sharing your story and looking forward to vids when you are well rested. Praying for you as always and nuff love!

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    1. Girl, The fellow doctor said the same thing. She even made a joke that my stomach should be flat again shortly since the fibroids were taking up so much space in my tummy. I think I made the right decision takimg them out. I just hope they don't grow back. Thanks for the well wishes.

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  2. OMG!!!!!! Those things are huge! Definitely made the right decision. I also can't believe that huge one was in your little body, crazy. Continuing to pray for a speedy recovery and that you will remain fibroid free!. Miss ya

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    1. The one in the middle was actually one huge piece bit the doctor couldn't get it out without giving me a huge incision so he took it out in pieces. Those things are the devil!

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  3. Wow!!! You are definitely a soldier Ann! Goodness. I got queasy just listening to the catheter story. I was curious about the fibroids but literally looked at the pick for .01 seconds. I'm so glad you are doing well!

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    1. Thank Samantha. I'm just praying for no complications as I continue to heel. This ordeal has been quite exhausting. I'll be glad when it's all over.

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  4. Holy geesh!!! So glad you're on the mend, but a bit amazed they didn't give you an IV drip. Interesting how different hospitals have different processes and procedures.

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    1. I've been wondering if that had anything to do with my Insurance company because OMG, I was so freakin' sore and for whatever reason, my back was aching like nobodies business. Did you also experience lower backaches? That part took me completely by surprise.

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    2. My procedure was a bit different in that they went in through my femoral artery, so pain was isolated to my right groin and abdomen area. But because I was in so much pain initially, and still doped up from the surgical meds, I kept forgetting to push the button on the IV drip, so I wouldn't remember until I was in intense pain (lots of ups and downs on the pain scale until it kicked into my drugged addled brain to push that dayum button early and often). Once home though, still no backaches, but it did feel as if someone hit my tummy with all sorts of 2x4's. The most interesting side effect I had, and had for almost a year afterwards, I would get hot flashes. None of the dr's had ever heard of that as a side effect/complication, but it was intense.

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  5. Wow! Those things are huge! thanks for sharing luv. I hope your recovery is going well.

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    1. When I saw the photos of those things I was pretty shocked that all of that was in my body. I'm so glad they are out and I pray they never come back. Thanks so much for the well wishes.

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  6. Better late than never. Just wanted to say glad your procedure went well. Hope by this time now, that you are fully recovered and doing awesome! Take care. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thank you so much. I'm doing very well. The nerves in my lower ab are still not back to normal but it's such an improvement that I have no regrets at all. Thanks for checking on me.

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