I started this blog for Milomade and to document the work I do as well a advertise my wares, but I’ve also used it to keep you all up to date with my Life in Kinghorn, our house renovations and my health has also slipped into the bag. I hope that’s OK. Here’s a little update on the events of this week.
I went into hospital with Colin on Wednesday afternoon. We had to check in at the day bed ward and much to my despair, Colin had to leave as it was a women’s only ward. I was really upset by this as I wanted him to be there to keep me entertained and support me as I’ve gone through all previous tests and investigations on my own and as this one involved surgery, I didn’t want to be on my own. But off he had to trot and I was left there by myself, boo hoo.
I got asked a million questions by the nurse in charge and then it seemed like hours went by – in fact several hours did go by [we arrived at 12.30 and I didn’t go into surgery until 3.15] and then the consultant eventually arrived. He came and introduced himself as he was standing in for Dr Boyd, who I’d seen before and who I was expecting to do the surgery. He talked through the procedure I was having and answered all my questions and managed to put me at ease as I was very nervous.
I then met the lovely anaesthetist and he ran through what he would be doing during he surgery and then it was time to get undressed and into my hospital gown. I hadn’t brought anything with me and so was asked to put my shoes on to walk to the surgery – this looked rather daft, so I must remember to bring slippers next time, but it was quite nice to have my new shoes on my feet as it made me smile all the way to the operating table.
I was led into a very large room and the operating table was in the middle. I was surprised that there were so many people in there, all doing something specific and getting things ready for the procedure. Lying on the table and looking up at the two massive movable lamps made me feel like I was in an alien abduction scene, but I was kept amused by the ECG guy and an undergraduate who had come in to observe the operation – they were both so lovely and kept me laughing. Then the anaesthetist got to work and I was soon out for the count.
I came round back in my bed in the ward with an oxygen mask over my face to help me breath. the consultant was looking over me trying to get me to focus on him so he could tell me how the procedure went. I could barely concentrate on his words, but did manage to grasp that I had severe endometriosis, all my bits were stuck together and they had discovered a cyst on my left ovary which they removed. I then drifted off back to sleep and was woken by the nurse later on and asked if I could manage a cup of tea and some toast. As I hadn’t eaten or drunk anything since the night before I certainly could manage tea and toast and also some water.
And then it was a waiting game until Colin came to collect me and sit with me until I could manage to go to the loo – they wouldn’t let me go until I could successfully pee and this took a long time. I had no urge to pee at all, so I kept drinking water and waiting. So we didn’t get home till quite late.
I now have to wait 6 weeks for the follow up appointment for a full diagnosis and where to go from there. It’s a long time to wait and so I’m hoping to speak to the consultant over the phone this week just so that I can get a clearer indication of what was discovered within and have a chat about how he was suggests we proceed.
I’m now in recovery at home and have spent most of my days in bed. Colin has been at my beck and call and has been brilliant. For some reason I’ve got totally addicted to tea and drinking it by the gallon, so he’s been bringing me a fresh pot every few hours and plumping up my pillows and helping me in and out of bed.
I have two incision points on my stomach, one through my belly button and one just above my pubic line and I’ve got sterile dressings on both. My tummy is very tender to touch and bruises are appearing and changing colour as each hour passes. It was all so swollen at first, but this has subsided now and I had severe shoulder pain for the first two days caused by the carbon dioxide they used to inflate my tummy during the procedure, but thankfully this has all gone now as it was really uncomfortable. It’s been difficult to walk, but the most frustrating thing is not being able to cough or clear my throat without severe pain but holding a cushion against my belly helps a little.
So as I said on my facebook page – I’m in pain emotionally and physically. It’s great to finally have a diagnosis for my infertility and no longer be in the ‘unexplained’ pile. Trying to stay positive and hopeful that I can be ‘fixed’ – but we have had a discussion about adoption as that might be the next journey we embark upon… who knows…
