6 Days Post Op Update
To say I have an easy time recovering is an understatement. I have been blessed in so many ways to have had a successful procedure and a quick recovery! My surgeon even commented that I am having an “easier time than average” with recovery!
Surgery day (Tuesday):
Going into surgery I was calm up until the moment the IV went in because I knew things would happen quickly and what was to come any minute. I recall on the way into the OR I quickly met the vascular surgeon, telling a random story to my nurses while being wheeled into the OR. And then noticing how cluttered the OR was with boxes and things. I was surprised!
Then I woke up. Surgery was a success and I had been re-aligned to my anatomical position. YAY! My surgery was over around 11:30 and I was up walking around 1pm (with nausea which lasted all night due to meds).
My brother and husband were in the hospital and got the news the surgery went well right from the surgeon. Then Lee stayed with me until it was time to get our son from school. I apparently was cracking jokes and making him and the nurse laugh. My nurse Nancy was the absolute best!!!
Day 1 (Wednesday):
First day I still had nausea so we decided to shift away from the pain pump to pills. The nausea then subsided but a new issue arose which was extremely low blood pressure clocking 66/39. I couldn’t get up to walk much day 1 as the nurses were worried I’d pass out.
But, my amazing family and friends visited me and kept me entertained all day, for real. Heather came from 3 hours and helped me calm my body when my full body tremors started. Natasha came and gave me a facial! Lee and Tyler came during dinner and fed me. I had multiple flower and food deliveries…i felt so loved! And exhausted, I went to bed at 8pm!
Day 2 (Thursday):
Day two we decided to stick to just oxy versus a variety of pain meds and put me back on an iV for hydration to help manage my blood pressure. PT came around and took my vitals from laying, to sitting and then standing and again clocked a low 65/34. I nearly passed out. I was textbook Orthostatic hypotensive.
Again, my friends to the rescue! Jon brought me delicious breakfast from Brooklyn Bagels and cracked me up. Heather couldn’t get enough and came back to hangout. Stacy and Sharmila came with balloons and more food! And then of course Tyler and Lee came to round out the day.
Day 3 (Friday):
With IVs and streamlined meds My Blood Pressure started to stabilize. YAY! I can say I never really had real pain except the first few days of getting out of bed but it was very short lived. I was discharged! YAY!
FUN FACTS!
I am a full INCH taller!! I am 5’7” now and restored to anatomical height I once was measured in high school.
I have 8 titanium screws, a titanium cage with bone graft and 2 rods
My bone density is very healthy, made it hard to screw into at times
So now I’ve been home for 3 days and doing FANTASTIC! I haven’t really been in true pain (the type I prepped my mind for). I haven’t had a pain med since the hospital (only used for 3 days!!). I am progressing quickly with getting out of bed easier and standing/walking more. I am so impressed with myself and my body. It’s a testament of prayers being answered, the positive energy people sent my way, my health and wellness going in also bing a huge factor.
My incisions are all pretty small. I asked for the stomach incision to be horizontal and they delivered! Apparently they only needed a small incision to get to my spine (only 1.5in away from the cut… thanks to being skinny!)
ps… Hi Jenny
