littleprincess's Cancer Blog
May 23, 2008
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Monday was my surgery. The trachelectomy was not a success, so I did have a hysterectomy. I won’t know about my lymph nodes until next week. The doctors are still optimistic that they will be clear. I’m still worried that they won’t. I’ve heard horrible things about pelvic radiation-menopause at 27?! sigh
So Sunday we went and stayed at a hotel in Houston so we wouldn’t have to get up so early to be to the hospial at 6 am. I had to do a bowel prep. I don’t know which was worse, drinking the stuff or everything that came out…We got to the hospital and my pre op nurse was one of our friends! She’s not a close friend, but we knew she worked there and we were going to call her, but she ended up being my nurse anyway. That was nice! Then my nurse anesthetist came and placed my IV in my hand-Ouchie! Turns out my anesthesiologist is an ex-veterinarian, so we talked about animals for the few seconds I had before the Versed zonked me out. I don’t remember anything thank goodness!
Tuesday I woke up and was soooo ready to get out of bed. I felt like I was strapped down. I had an IV line in each arm, the foley catheter, and those air boots on each leg. I was scared to move afraid I would pull something out! The nurse came and “bathed” me, then I walked around the ward for a little bit. That wore me out. I was able to eat some Jello and drink one of those nasty drinks. Took a nap and woke up with a migraine. Puked all over myself! 4 times! Headache would not go away-they gave me tylenol. Thought it was due to the morphine. It was all crazy. I was not a happy camper!
Wednesday morning my IV came out and I bled all over the bed. I had to wait an hour to get a new IV, but all my arm veins were pretty crappy. Another IV in the hand-that hurts so much! They finally gave me something specifically for migraines and magically I felt better. Took a shower and started eating. Thursday they sent me home. Now I’m here.
No one ever tells you that you never get any rest in the hospital. They come to take your vitals, suck your blood, flip you over, change your fluid bags, look at your incision…so when I got home yesterday I slept a LOT. Oh, and most of my lower body is numb. Below my belly button all the way down to my pelvic floor, and my left thigh is all numb. Supposedly it will go away. And I have this wonderful foley catheter, with the stylish thigh collection bag. I am so bloated/swollen I look like I could be pregnant. My cats all want to curl up in my lap, and they keep staring at me and making me feel guilty! That’s about it for now. My mind is still fuzzy. I still can’t carry on a conversation, but getting better. Its about naptime. Hope everyone is doing well!
XOXO
07.07.08 - 
Thanks for your support -
Hi Lisa, I am so…glad that your surgery is behind you, now you can look forward to years of good health! I am not sure why your lower body is numb but when I had my surgery I had what they call an intrathecal which is where they inject a long acting anesthetic (in my case morphine LA)that helped with post op pain making it easier for me to return to ADL after a few days. Unfortunately, like you I developed a migraine that lasted 5 days and I dont know what was worse….the head banging pain OR the unstoppable vomiting! Come to find out I am allergic to a drug called fentenyl which most surgical patients receive during anesthesia and that was the cause of the never ending migraine, something for you to look into. Best wishes for a great recovery! Healing and positive thoughts that your nodes will be free of disease! Lily
Lisa, so glad it went well. I’m new to site, but have been reading through your blog and remembering – I’ve had a similar operation and know that it wasn’t fun! I didn’t have any of the nausea or migranes, but I did take a little longer than normal to recover just because I couldn’t get my energy levels back. I hope the recovery goes well for you, and send prayers for good news on the nodes. SB