First off I apologize for not updating sooner. I am glad that we decided to push forward and drive straight home from Chicago. I stayed awake for most of the trip through the US and I fell asleep an hour away from our house. It was so wonderful to wake up in our driveway!
The only complication that I seem to be having is my second-look lap incision seems to be infected (sorry, TMI!). I'm sure two days of bouncing around in a car didn't help! I phoned the nurses at PPVI and Dr. Hilgers (I still can't get over how cool it is that he is one of my doctors!!) said to cover it with a pressure dressing for a few days. I have my first phone follow-up tomorrow so I'm sure there will be other instructions. I'm not too concerned since I am not feverish and the incision isn't swollen, but I know that what is happening isn't normal nonetheless.
Yesterday we went on our first outing since coming home. I wanted to go to mass at 5pm since I knew that the pressure of getting ready for our regular 10am Sunday mass would've been too stressful. It was so nice to just be a regular parishioner! Mr. JB and I are Ministers of Hospitality and I also work at the Religious Articles Store once a month, but we're always asked to work when we go to mass (which means, every Sunday we are serving in some way). I knew that there was no way that I would be physically able to do anything, so it was a good move to go to a different mass.
Mr. JB went to the Christmas sale this morning and word had gotten out that I had had surgery. He didn't have to volunteer too many details and so many people said that they were praying for me. I guess our IF is going to become big church news sooner, rather than later!
So friends, I feel like I'm losing my mind. I like to pride myself in being a toughie, but this recovery is so much harder than I thought it was going to be. I have been better physically than I was after my last surgery, but it is still so frustrating that I have so little energy to do anything. I have a hard time sitting around and doing nothing!
I also started crying because I am so scared of being home alone. Mr. JB and I have been together pretty much 24/7 since October 29th and he is such a good nurse. I have been so blessed to have such an attentive husband! I have not had to lift a finger at all -- although I've wanted to! I put away some dishes yesterday and I was wiped out!
After my first laparotomy we were both home on summer vacation and I went back to work a couple of weeks later to get my classroom ready. I didn't have time to be sad or anxious! It's more difficult to have so much going on around me that I can't be a part of!
So, I'm asking you all for more prayers. Physical healing is one thing, but the psychological part is brutal!
Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely praying for you! Too much downtime can definitely be a tough thing.
ReplyDeleteThe need to transition to being back home--back in your own country--after what you've been through the last few weeks cannot be understated. Stepping up the prayers for you. Be kind to yourself...you'll be back on your feet before long. *gentle hugs*
ReplyDeleteEvery day gets a little bit better. Soon it'll just be a memory.
ReplyDeleteYou have already improved so much. Each day you will be able to do a little more and then you won't feel so stir crazy. God bless attentive husbands.
ReplyDeletePrayers coming for you dear JB!!!!
ReplyDeletePrayers coming your way!!!
ReplyDeletePrayers for you, sweet friend!!
ReplyDelete:( I'm sorry the recovery is so tough. I've never had surgery, so I can't imagine how rough it must be. Praying!
ReplyDeleteI'm still praying!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely take it easy. I know it's hard, but I had some pretty crazy adhesions after my NaPro laparotomy, and I couldn't help but wonder if my doing laundry contributed to it (I was specifically told not to lift anything, but I had a hard time sitting still, too.)
Praying for your recovery!! I was not happy at first when my church family found out about our misvarriages but honestly more prayers abounded which us the greatest gift! I know you could always use a few extra prayer warriors on your corner ;)
ReplyDeletePraying for you... I know it is so tough to just sit around and recover. I hate sitting around doing nothing. I couldn't just sit around and watch TV or movies either. I did work on some more leisure activities that helped me from going insane... sewing and I think some knitting. And I did catch up on a lot of reading! :) Your energy will come back though.. and then at some point you'll want that ample nap time back! :) Hugs!
ReplyDeleteYou are in my prayers!! You heal more quickly when you move but it is a fine line. The more activity, bending, reaching, lifting, carrying, too much walking you do will only cause set backs. Your body is trying to tell you to sit down and heal. I would say that 8 weeks at least is what you should expect before doing anything mentioned above. Frustrating as it sounds :( Be very careful of that questionable incision site you talked about. Nothing to mess around with. Hang in there. Many, many prayers your way!!
ReplyDeleteJB, I'll be praying for you!!
ReplyDeleteMy incision was infected too ... but those antibiotics prescribed did the trick. Praying that it heals soon for you!!!
ReplyDeleteThe mental side of things is harder to heal - and I'm praying for you. Is there some project you can do while sitting that will still help you feel like you're accomplishing something? I know these aren't the "vacation activities" you had in mind.
Oh JB, I am praying for you!
ReplyDeleteYou ARE a tough cookie, JB! :) Please email me when is good to come visit. I am free Sunday afternoon? Or when you are more healed in December. One day at a time!
ReplyDeleteIt is so hard to lay there and heal after a surgery! As soon as I started to get any energy back, I always wanted to GO GO GO, but my body was physically unable to handle it and that was always tough :(. Every day is better than the one before though, and soon you'll be back on your feet. Hopefully the healing goes quickly for you!
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