Well I started this blog 10 days pre-op, so now I am restarting it 10 days post-op. As I sit here in my recovery recliner (just a new Lay-z-boy crammed into my room) I am still having a good bit of pain and am just getting some solid food in me as well as getting used to walking every hour and cleaning my splint three times a day. I am mostly off the pain medicine. I'm really not sure why, because I definitely need it, but my doctor says my body needs to recognize that it needs to heal...or something?
I had a bilateral disc repositioning and repair, using surrounding tissue, where fibrosis was also cleaned out. Since I had not chewed for over a year, my surgeon was surprised at the quality of the discs for how long I have been in this situation. The texture and thickness were both good, but he did reinforce them a little with surrounding tissue. And the discs, which are basically the size and shape of guitar picks, are held in place by fishing line-like sutures. The incision is kind of the inside of my ear, plus it has been 10 days, so it it almost gone, though still sore.
The hospital and staff were great. All private rooms and brand new.
Thank goodness that bandage only stayed on 24-hours! Itchy, itchy, itchy!
As soon as I woke up in the recovery room though, I was in the worst pain I had ever been in. The pain continued and my blood pressure rose, so I had to stay two nights instead of one. Also, upon intubation my throat was scratched a bit, which had to be repaired, so I had an awful sore throat for about 7 days.
It has been really tough so far. I'm not going to lie. I have spoken to so many people, many of whom said they were immediately out of pain. I wish that were me, but it's not, so slowly but surely I will recover and be pain free.
The surgery supposedly worked, now I just have to heal and get out of pain. I just realized earlier that I'm not even sure what that feels like anymore.
Also, thank you to all the people who have given advice, prayers, and have been reading my blog so far. I love you all.
Yes, pain become our un-best friend.
ReplyDeleteThe only good part of it, is our huge compassion that we will have for other people in our lives and those we meet along the way.
You have so many family and friends, that can't wait to see the real you when this is all over with.
I think this blog was a great idea. After awhile it becomes a distant memory of the battle you have been through and won. Get well, get free and get happy! Better days to come.....my friend.