Surgery tomorrow

[pegkerr]

So: surgery tomorrow at 1:15 p.m. I felt better today, so I went in for a couple of hours, just to clear off my desk and talk to the HR people before starting my medical leave. Fortunately, it's a pretty good time to take the leave. My attorneys have just settled several cases and so it'll be quiet around the office this month.

It's been sinking in today that this is a little bigger deal than I had initially realized. I had expected that I'd have the surgery and I'd go home, spend maybe Wednesday recovering and then I'd be back at work maybe half a day on Thursday and Friday, depending on how I felt.

My human resources manager laughed at me. "Oh, no," she said. "We weren't planning on you coming back for two weeks. And you are NOT coming back until you have a note from your doctor saying it's okay.

My doctor said the same thing. "And you're not driving at first, and you're not lifting anything heavier than a six-pack for at least a week.

It suddenly occurred to me: I can't even lift my own damn purse?

I was surprised, but there was another secretary legal administrative assistant who did indeed require two weeks at home before she was able to come back to work. "The anaesthesia really knocks you out. And they pump CO2 into your belly, which can really hurt as you're recovering. It really knocked me absolutely flat for two weeks."

Well, okay. I won't plan on coming back for at least a week, certainly, and then I'll just assess how I'm doing after that. And I'm not planning on biking for at least three weeks, maybe four. *sigh*

So I told Rob and the girls, and the girls angelically promised to do the cooking, etc., while I'm recovering. (I think Delia in particular is looking forward to that.) Now that I've adjusted my thinking, I think I can find some pleasure in this. Imagine. I will be forced to let up for at least a week, maybe more. Not lift anything. Not drive anywhere. Not be the responsible one. Wow. I will sit on the porch and enjoy the nice weather. I will read and I will nap. I have plans on sitting in the rocking chair in the girls room in a pleasantly fragile state and watching and directing as they go through their clothes and possessions--we want to cull stuff out, preparatory to rearranging the furniture, to separate the bunk beds (don't worry--I don't plan on shifting any furniture around). We will put up Delia's rack on the wall for her karate belts--I need to get one for Fiona, too.

And I might actually come up with an abstract for that fantasy conference and get it in on time.

I will take it easy. I promise. And I will sit around and do nothing. Cool.

Comments

[chamisa.livejournal.com]

Sending you wishes for an easy procedure and a speedy recovery! My mom had this surgery year before last and it went well for her, and she felt much better after.

[tassie-gal.livejournal.com]

Lots of good thoughts heading your way. Maybe this is what your family needs to realise how much you actually DO - and that pitching in is a GOOD thing.

[mizzlaurajean.livejournal.com]

Best of luck for a speedy and relaxing recovering.


I know even for my day surgery I was expecting much more bounce back much quicker then it happened. But after about a week I began to feel better and get my energy back.


We will be thinking of you over here at the manor!

[rivka.livejournal.com]

All the best of luck to you, and best wishes for a speedy and restful recovery.

If you haven't had general anesthetic before: I'm not sure how exactly to phrase this, but don't expect to be particularly smart afterwards, for a while. It does tend to have long-term (like, say, a week) cognitive effects. The last time I had it, I was horrified to find myself unable to follow the plot of a David Eddings novel for a few days afterward.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Sympathies about the gall bladder, but I hope you receover quickly from the surgery and enjoy your time off!

[kijjohnson.livejournal.com]

Cool, indeed. I'm wishing you a painless and speedy recovery.

[satakieli.livejournal.com]

First thought was: Oh dear! Best wishes and take it easy.

Second thought was: Does she carry stones in her purse, that it is heavier than a six-pack?

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

I am a Mom. I carry the world in my purse.

[fireriven.livejournal.com]

I wish you an easy surgery and a quick recovery!

I had to have my gall bladder out when I was 19, but I didn't have time to get used to the idea. You see, I'd been having gall bladder attacks for the previous 7 years, since I was 12: by the time I was 19, my gall bladder was a bulging sack of stones. So things went to hell really quickly and I had to have emergency surgery.

The hardest thing for me was recovery: the incisions may be small, but the healing hurts. As do the exercises they ask you to do. Definitely takes discipline.

[jonquil.livejournal.com]

It will do you good.

[faithhopetricks.livejournal.com]

You're in my thoughts, and I wish you a safe, fast operation and enjoyable convalescence!

[dichroic.livejournal.com]

I wish you minimal pain, and a week or so in which you get to enjoy having others take care of you for a change.

[ceilidh]

*sends best wishes*

I had it done eight weeks after my daughter was born (I was in agony) and it really knocked me flat for a good two weeks; BUT I was still exhausted from having her, and I had JUST gone back to work, so I think I was already far more tired than most people are when they have it done.

[morganmuffle]

I hope the surgery all goes smoothly and you have a truly relaxing recovery time,
*sends best wishes and prayers*

[incandescens]

Best of luck, much sympathy, and I hope all goes well and the convalescence goes fast and smoothly.

Best

[lsanderson.livejournal.com]

Best of luck and a speedy recovery.

[guipago.livejournal.com]

be careful you.

It took me a week before I could sit up on my own without crying and another before I was feeling somewhat able to heft my backpack.

Of course I pushed it and took the dog for a walk :P

Good luck and take care :/

[roadnotes.livejournal.com]

Best wishes for a clean and thorough healing.

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

I hope it won't be that bad for you. Please don't rush going back. I hope you enjoy your downtime.

[buymeaclue.livejournal.com]

Glad it sounds like your job is being sane. Best of luck with the surgery and recovery!

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

Will be thinking of you today and after.

[malinaldarose.livejournal.com]

I was surprised by how wiped out I was after my tubal ligation. Simple procedure, right? Outpatient surgery. I had it done on a Friday morning and I slept most of the weekend, then was still shaky when I went back to work the following Thursday.

I assume they're doing laparascopic surgery, since that's how they generally do it these days? Anyway, I shall pass on to you what my husband said to me: No matter how simple it seems, it's still a wound in your torso, and it takes time to recover.

Good luck; you'll be fine. You have a supply of books laid in, yes?

[blpurdom.livejournal.com]

Good heavens! What on earth are you carrying around in your purse? LOL! After I broke my arm, when I was in my third month of physical therapy, I still wasn't allowed to carry anything heavier than a can of soup!

Seriously, don't try to do too much too soon. Right after the surgery you'll be on all kinds of meds to prevent infection and control your pain; let everyone else do EVERYTHING for you. And that includes cleaning the house. I know you think it's a mess, and it may still be unlikely that Rob and the kids will clean it to your standards (if at all), but you have to let go of some things and just relax and recover. (If your friends who live nearby really want to do something nice for you, they could have a cleaning party at your house. And while such a thing can be embarrassing at first--because they'll see what condition it's in now--you'll be so happy when it's done.)

:hug:

[dreamflower]

You will find that you *have* to take it easy, and sit around and do nothing (except maybe read). I wish you all the best in your surgery *and* your recovery.

(And who will you call for when you go under anesthesia? I was calling for "Gandalf", as I was later informed...)8-)

[madlori.livejournal.com]

Happy surgery vibes to you! And you should absolutely take advantage of the enforced respite.

[huladavid.livejournal.com]

Hope all goes well. I figure this is a good chance to play at being a fragile, comsumptive heroine, so I hope you milk it for all it's worth.

[pazlazuli.livejournal.com]

I will be thinking of you today, and sending healing energy your way. Your convalescence plans sound wonderful... So makes sure to actually carry it through. Sit on the porch. Read. Have a nap. Write. Order your children and husband about while they do the slave work (hehehe...)

ahhh, the good life...

many hugs!
Paula

[huladavid.livejournal.com]

Oh, and I hope they give you really good drugs.

[maribou]

Indeed! The drugs were the best part of the last surgery I had.

And I will be thinking good thoughts for everything going well, as well.

[nmsunbear.livejournal.com]

Good luck with the surgery and recovery. I had mine done recently, and it went well and the recovery was easy; I was playing volleyball again in a couple of weeks. But obviously it all depends, so take it as it comes. Enjoy some quiet time.

[nwl.livejournal.com]

Late as always, but good luck with the surgery. Since it's today, I'll be thinking of you.

[eal.livejournal.com]

Good luck with your surgery!

Make sure you really rest, Peg, it's really important!

healing thoughts your way

[dragonet2.livejournal.com]

you may already be out of surgery...

You don't sound like it's acting up bad so I'm sure the surgery will be simple. But it will knock you out for at least a day or two, and just give yourself a break for a bit. Especially if the workload is light at work.

Blessings!

[folk.livejournal.com]

Very best of luck for a smooth and speedy surgery and recovery. I'll reiterate my advice from earlier -- make sure they give you some prescription painkillers, but ask if you can also dose yourself up on NSAIDs like Aleve (naproxen sodium) if they give you something that's an opiod. NSAIDs are really helpful for reducing swelling and pain in this surgery!

(Also, and this is advice that I was not given before surgery, you may wish to note that the musculature of the area concerned is strongly connected to the same musculature that produces the human orgasm. You may wish to delay fun grownup activities until you can lift things without pain again.)

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

(Also, and this is advice that I was not given before surgery, you may wish to note that the musculature of the area concerned is strongly connected to the same musculature that produces the human orgasm. You may wish to delay fun grownup activities until you can lift things without pain again.)

*snickers* THANK you for that voice-of-experience insight. I wasn't told that, either, but you're right, it's a VERY good thing to know!