Conniption Fit

I had myself a little breakdown yesterday... it wasn't pretty. My doctor was concerned that due to my recent surgery and all its post-op complications/infections along with lack of rest and stress from school and work, my body just isn't coping and healing well. I got some new sleeping pills and am happy to report that I actually slept through the night yesterday!

I am a happier camper today :)

Oh Mr. Sandman... where are you?!?!

I have been awake since Tuesday, with the exception of about 3 hours. Last night I didn't sleep at all... not even 5 minutes. This insomnia is getting ridiculous... My little green pills have failed me and I feel like I'm about to snap. Not sure what else to do with myself for the next hour until my doctor's office opens up, that's why I'm here posting something that probably doesn't even make sense to anyone other than myself... my apologies.

That is all.

Welcome ICLW'ers!

Wow, this is my first time doing this and already I'm off to a slow start since I'm just now posting this... eeek! Sorry :(

Welcome! Just a quick blurb about me, I'm Alex, I'm 28 years old and have Stage 4 Endometriosis/PCOS/Infertility. This is my blog about my pains, both physical and mental/emotional as I try to live life to its fullest in the midst of chronic pain... not to mention the inability to reproduce! Grrr....

Most recently, I've had a Laparoscopic surgery to deal with cysts/adhesions/fibroids, etc. DH and I have tried for over 3 years (unsuccessfully) to have children and right now we are on a much deserved BREAK from it all due to many reasons... mostly health related but also because we just can't afford IVF right now.

Hmm... I guess thats it! I'm at work, so I appologize for the shortness of this post... just wanted to get something out there though for all you fellow ICLW'ers! Happy posting!!! :)

Still alive!

Sorry for the lack of updates, I've been pretty much sleeping/lounging around... a lot. I decided against going back to work this week, especially with that terrible rash and still being in a considerate amount of pain. I think that's the Mirena because its very crampy like pain, very different from the pain I experienced post-op last time, sans Mirena. I've also had a lot of spotting, which I also attribute to the Mirena, argh.

My rash is getting better! The combo of Prednisone and Benadryl is finally starting to kick it, although I still have itchy moments throughout the day. At least I can tolerate clothing now... another reason I decided against going to work this week- I didn't think they'd like it if I came back naked, heehee. I've been slowly forcing myself to stay in clothes longer and longer each day as Monday is the BIG day when I absolutely have to go back. :(

My insicions are healing nicely. Still a bit tender, but thats normal. My bellybutton is the stubborn one though, still hurts like the dickens! Waist bands are murder, and while I protect it with gauze, it is still quite bothersome. Today was the first day it hasn't bled after wearing clothes, so I guess thats a good thing!

Energy wise I'm starting to feel a lot better. I'm going to have a hard time giving up my numerous daily naps, but at least I can sleep in late since I don't go in until 12:30PM each day! I know I should expect to still be tired for a few weeks, so I'm not expecting too much from myself this next coming week...

That's it I guess. My 6 week postop is on July 15th, entirely too far away for me, but oh well. I'm sure time will start flying by once I start working again.

Still in the dark

Warning: Picture of belly button and rash at bottom of post, just in case you don't want to see... careful as you scroll down!

So after a few days of using Hydrocortisone cream and seeing no results (in fact, it just kept getting worse!) I spoke to my doc and told him what was going on with my rash. He was really surprised to hear about it because not only had he not used the Dermabond, but he's also switched to a different kind of antiseptic wash that is supposed to be a bit more hypoallergenic, just in case it was that causing the rash. So we still have no idea what is causing this!!! The rash has spread up to my chest, down my thighs, and around my sides towards my back now! I've been walking around/laying practically in the buff for 2 days because I cannot handle anything even touching me, its awful!!! I'm starting a medrol pack (steroids) tonight though and a different kind of topical cream along with it.

On the other front, I'm still taking the Nystatin for the thrush and started Diflucan yesterday for my vag yeast infection. Can we just say uncomfortable?!?! I am just so frustrated... I really did think this Lap would be so much easier and faster recovery-wise than my last. I was 1/2 wat contemplating returning to work this week but now I'm not so sure... At least I don't seem to be having any problems with the Mirena (as of yet, knock on wood) other than some slight cramping but nothing major. I'm still soooooooooooo tired though, but last night was the first night I slept more than 2-3 hours! (Pretty sure it was due to the Phenegran I took right before bedtime) so that made me happy. I guess I'll just have to take it a day at a time and see how it goes.

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(Hopefully that took enough space to keep the picture out of the first screen!)

Here is a picture of my rash for those that want to see: at least my incisions look better this time around, so we're pretty sure not using the dermabond was a good idea anyway, even if it wasn't the ONLY cause of the rash.

Are you kidding me??!

I seriously thought that this Lap would be completely different from my first one, in the sense that we were better prepared and knew how to avoid those bumps in the recovery road that plagued me 2 years ago. Apparently though, my body had a plan to prove us wrong...

1) Last time I got oral thrush a few days post-op. This time I got it again... so I'm back on the Nystatin for that, hooray. My biggest qualm with this is the fact that by now I should be enjoying yummy solid meals but instead I'm still stuck drinking soups and eating pudding/jello because it hurts SO bad to chew and swallow!!! ARGH!!

2) I've also got another yeast infection (vaginal) like last time...*sigh*

and the best one yet:

3) Remember how I had that rash from the Dermabond and we discussed other forms of wound closure to avoid that? Well, he used stitches instead (so no adhesive at all) but guess what showed up last night? THE RASH!!! Last time it started small and spread from my inscisions out, this time it just appreared all over in the span of a day! I was itchy one minute (no rash) and then by nightfall yesterday, there it was... everywhere! I'ts been driving me bonkers and I spent most of last night with a cold washcloth, alternating places on my belly. I'v already started the hydrocortisone cream, but I know thats not going to work b/c it didn't do anything last time either. What am I allergic to?!?! My new theory is Iodine. They went to town on me with that stuff (much more than last time) and I'd been itching a little for days. It's super sticky though, so I've been working on gently scrubbing it off in the shower daily(ouchie!!!) but I guess that wasn't fast/good enough because here I am all itchy and blistery again...

I am anxiously awaiting 9am so that I can call my doc and let him know our plan was debunked... *sigh*

Lovely

I'm still just a wee bit too drugged up right now to write a very coherent post, so I'll just have you all go here for today's update. I'm so silly, I know... but it was fun.

Gas pains = no sleepy :(

So here I am, awake and hurting at 4:30am. Just like last time, I cannot lay down because the gas pains are excruciating in that position. Sleeping sitting up is just not very comfortable, and this is my 5th time waking up due to this dilemma. Grrr...
I figured I might as well do something to distract myself and maybe sleep will come... eventually! So here's my Lap experience:

Bowel prep- So glad that's over! Not fun, but then again could I have expected anything more? lol

We arrived at the hospital at 5AM sharp. They got me all prep-ed and then the torture began... waiting... waiting... and waiting some more. About 1 1/2 hours later my Anesthesiologist came in to talk with us and promised me a sedative b/c I was pretty anxious at that point. Then my doc came in and we chitchatted for another little while. Then my nurse arrived with that blessed little syringe full of the good stuff. I kissed Ben, they doped me up and off we went. I saw a little too much of the OR this time, which freaked me out, but then they put on my gas mask and bam, I was out!

I woke up to a nurse putting my abdominal binder on (aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh, LOVE that thing!)asking me if I was in pain. YES! She gave me something, brought more warm blankies and then off we went to phase 2 recovery. I had to transfer myself to a recliner (ouch!) and after my vitals were taken, Ben was allowed to come in. Forty-five minutes later I was just one big mess of tears... sooooooo much pain! They had already given me 2 Percocets and an 800mg Ibuprofen, but to no avail. My chest was hurting so bad and the crying wasn't helping so my doc ordered I'd be given some Morphine. Oddly enough that just barely took the edge off. I was still shaking and bawling and the nurse felt awful because I wasn't getting any relief/ Paged my doc again and this time they gave me 1/2 a dose of Demerol. THAT did the trick! Once the pain was under control, they got me some apple juice and saltine crackers, yuuuuum! It felt really good to eat and sip, that totally helped! Right before they discharged me (early afternoon) they gave me the other 1/2 dose of Demerol for the ride home. We received instructions on how to care for and remove my catheter at home, Ben was given all my post-op in instructions and Rx's and that was it! I don't really remember much about the ride home due to the Demerol, but at least it wasn't super painful, right? :)

So this is what they found: Endo was back (duh) though not nearly as bad as last time in 2007. Lots of adhesions and endometriomas. My right ovary (the one that gives me the most grief) was stuck to my abdominal wall, so he freed that and wrapped it in that filmy stuff. I had a fibroid on the outside of my uterus removed, as well as a polyp on the inside. He cleared out my tubes, did a D&C and then inserted the Mirena. The surgery itself took about 1 1/2 hours, so not too bad. I got some pictures to take home with me, thats always fun!

The pain has been manageable with the Percocet and Ibuprofen, though I take them right on time b/c if I wait too long that pain gets insane and then I'm stuck writhing around for 45 minutes while the pills kick in. This time I have 3 incisions instead of 4. Doc said the incisions are closed with sutures but I have yet to see them since they put big bandages over them. I can take them off in the shower today if I want and then replace them with fresh/clean/dry ones. The catheter comes out today was well which should also improve my comfort level.

I go back in 6 weeks for my post-op and to check the Mirena. This time around seems to be a bit easier than last, so I'm hoping the recovery will go smoother. Ben is taking excellent care of me, I'm so blessed to have such a wonderful hubby!

Ok, pain is creeping back up... I better go and get some rest. More updates to come!

It's over, phew!

I survived! I'm home now. Lots of pain.. lots and lots of pain. Thank goodness for morphine and demerol, I thought I was going to die when I woke up. More details to come when I'm feeling a little better. Thanks for the prayers and well wishes!