So I just got out of the bath (#2 HappyAss!) and thought now might be as good a time as any to try and sit up and write. I do have one question for you guys that I will start with:
I did have those two small turds come out but nothing has happened since then. The directions were that if I didn't have a BM by the end of Day 2 I should take MOM. Do you think a small BM is good enough or should I go that extra step? Of course, the day isn't over (it's only 4 PM here in Colorado). I thought I was going to have to go right before this bath after I had a late lunch and took more Advil and only 1 Vicodin. I am scared to take two around the clock for fear of the constipation. Is that a mistake? I guess I'll just see if I continue to have some pain in a while.
So I checked in yesterday morning at the surgery center at 7:30. In the past when I've had surgery, the thing I've dreaded most is the IV being put in. I told the nurse that wasn't the case this time! I was so scared I really thought I might have an anxiety attack. The IV went in pretty easily and I really didn't even care that it hurt some. After a while, they let my wonderful hubbie come back. Boy that was some busy place! Anyway- it really helped me because we passed the time by my hubbie giving me clues from the daily crossword in the paper . After a while, I became really distracted by my worried thoughts, but then I'd focus back on thinking of words. It was amazing to me because I actually was coming up with a lot more of the words than I usually would.
The CRS came in to talk to me and shook my confidence a little when he answered my question of how long it took for most people to feel more normal that "if the operation is successful, most people heal within 4-6 weeks". I asked something back by saying, but most people do heal, right? He reached over and patted my back and rubbed it and said "you are going to heal- this is a half glass full moment". I was so looking forward to getting the "I don't care" drugs, but I still needed to talk to the anesthesiologist. He was an interesting guy- had to go check with my CRS across the way to make sure I was next. I talked to him about how I've been really hoarse for weeks after general before and he explained that he would try to use a smaller tube but that since they have you on your stomach for this, he might not be able to. I am pretty hoarse today, but I think it will pass.
So then they came for me and I have vague memories of getting in the actual room. Next thing I remember is a new nurse and I was back where I started. At some point, I remember just sobbing in her arms and she patted me and said it was all over and everything was fine. She was great! Such a wonderful nurse. I wish I could remember more of what she said to me- when we waited for my hubbie to bring the car around at the end, she was rubbing my back and kept reminding me to take my pain meds and not to worry - that everything is going to be all right. She called this morning and I told her I thought she was wonderful!
Got home and our dear daughter was here. I think I already talked more about that. The one thing I didn't mention was that I went up around 7 last night to take a sitz bath and that was the first time I had my shirt off since I got home. On the underside of my right arm from just under my arm pit to just above my "elbow pit", I had all these kindof burgandy colored streaks. There was no pain, the skin was not abraded. This was all under the skin and was more like a bruise- looked like I had been scratched by a cat or something. I haven't had a fever and this morning that was not any worse. Just now, I looked at it and it is maybe a little better, a little more faded. It doesn't hurt like a bruise. When the nurse called this morning, she was at a loss. Someone else at the surgery center said sometimes people scratch themselves under the influence of the drugs, but there is no skin broken. They advised me to call the Dr. so I did leave a message for him- he was in surgery most of the day today, so he will probably call later. I am not really worried about it, but it is strange...
Today I have definitely been sore. The plug thing I was talking about was the packing people have referred to before. I don't have very much bleeding or discharge today- just a little bit. Sitting is definitely a challenge and I plan to just go lie down and watch TV or read.
I am still nervous about the next BM because I don't really know if the one earlier constitutes enough of one and will the next one be firmer. I will feel better after this next one and definitely do feel encouraged by earlier.
One thing I would say is that I am very glad to have done this and feel good about what the outcome will be. I am finding myself having a hard time relaxing- sometimes drugs have opposite effects for me and make me a little aggitated (like Benydryl really revs me up!). Remind me that I should lie low for the next week and not be goofy about it.
What do you see as a mistake you made post surgery that you would change if you could go back?
Bambi
And thanks again for all the support. I am definitely rambling even more than usual!

hi bambi,
do you have MOM handy? i think your two soft turds count as your first BM. however, it doesn't dictate what kind of pattern your BMs will have - ie, you could have one today or tomorrow or the next day.
please continue to drink lots of water - room temperature if you can rather than too hot or too cold - so that it can help keep your bowels moist and counteract all the pain meds. you will need lots of liquid for sure.
hmmm, sounds like i was the only one who had legs up in the air like giving birth during the procedure. everyone else seems to have been turned face down. LOL.
try to get your hot baths in and not sure what you were given for pain meds - was it just vicodin? or did you get something else, like toradol? (i think that is what it was called).
if you can get a hold of toradol if you were just given vicodin, that toradol (only enough given for 3 days so it's not a big quantity), that will definitely help with inflammation mostly. the Toradol + Vicodin just relaxed me completely.
as long as you have your MOM and plenty of water to drink, i think just relax and let your body indicate to you when it is ready to go. it's going to be like musical chairs, you just won't know when the music will stop and you will have to find a toilet to sit down! hehehehe.....
i just came back from early evening mass and asked God to take care of you. i have a good feeling about your new future.

So you would take the MOM tonight- unless something else happens in the meantime? I was told to take 600 mg. of Advil every 6 hours the first two days and then as needed. And Vicodin is the only narcotic I was given, with instructions to take 1 or 2 every 6 hours as needed. I am not familiar with Toradol. I know some people have mentioned Tramadol and I used to take that at night for my fibromyalgia pain. It worked great but was very predictable in waking me up almost exactly 6 hours after I had taken it and I always had a terrible headache from it. It really worked on the body pain though.
Thank you so much for your prayers. I will include you in mine as well. I was sorry to read that you have had your share of other health issues- I had not realized you were struggling with HIV as well. I am glad that you seem to have such a strong faith and I can tell that really sustains you. I have felt God watching over me so much lately. And my late mother, who I know had this surgery in the 90s. I have really wished she were around to talk to about it but I have really felt her presence with me.

Bambi,
I just wanted to say I had small bm's in the beginning too.
I did get the valium on day 8, I believe and started having the complete ones right when I took one. You probably remember I had the spasms after my surgery.
As Happy said the bm will come, so try not to worry. I don't think taking a little of the milk of magnesia would hurt.
I only got the vicodin too. I didn't get the toradol.

Hey Dawn-
Did you take your pain meds pretty consistently for the first few days? I'm trying to decide if I should take another Vicodin in a few minutes before bed. I am supposed to take 3 Advil for sure and I hurt a little. I am conflicted about allowing the pain to get started and the constipation thing. I don't have the MOM here so would need to send the hubbie out to the store. I felt like I was going to go a few minutes ago but nothing happened and I just got out of the bath. Pretty sleepy and would just like to go to bed- Not sure if it is best to forgo the Vicodin and just see if I wake up in the night and need it...

hi bambi,
yes, the drug in addition to vicodin was called toradol. it was 10 mg dose and enough for 3 days only.
with regards to taking your vicodin, i think for me it was take as needed every 6 hours. so if you have similar instructions, i would take it if you are in a new 6 hour frame. for the first three-four days, definitely take your vicodin and advil to keep the discomfort and pain in check.
once you give the pain a way in to make you uncomfortable, the more challenging it will be to keep it in check with pain medication.
as for me, yes, it took the vicodin and toradol for sure the first three days on the clock. it really helped.
just note that you may experience a delay in your next BM but this may or may not be the case for you. i didn't even have a little turd come out but a big one around the start of day 3. i was so happy! LOL.
you can have hubby get your MOM tomorrow as i think you will be ok tonight.
have a good nite's rest and sweet dreams with vicodin and advil! make sure you drink plenty of liquids - although this may keep you busy going to pee during the night!
don't allow the pain to get started this early in your recovery. keep it under control! maybe by day 4 and after your first big BM, you can judge if you want to taper off.

HappyAss- I was on my back (I assume with my legs in stirrups too). You are not alone! LOL.