I’m finally feeling a bit better today! 🙂 I had the catheter removed from my uterus yesterday, which has made a BIG difference in my pain level. The catheter had come loose, and I had tubes hanging out of my VJJ! It was quite uncomfortable and awkward – especially at Thanksgiving dinner LOL. The balloon inflated in my uterus was moving around, so the doctor thinks that’s where my extra pain and cramping came from. No worries though – he said that happens quite often. I wanted to do a little re-cap of the past few days…
Surgery day: Click here to read more about my surgery and findings. We had a 3 hour drive home from the hospital and got stuck in rush hour traffic. I was nauseous and in pain the whole way home. Finally, we got home, and Andy went to fill my prescriptions: Vicodin (for pain), Doxycycline (antibiotic), and Estrace (Estrogen to re-build my lining that was removed during the D&C). I hadn’t eaten since the day before, but I had no appetite. I forced down a couple crackers to take my meds. One of the worst parts was not being able to pee!!! I had to go so badly, but it wouldn’t come out even though I kept trying. I went about 17 hours without peeing. I was bleeding at about a medium flow, kind of like AF. All night, I was extremely restless, and I had to take Vicodin every 4 hours.
Day 1 post-op: I didn’t move much from the couch. I felt like complete crap. I still had intense pain and cramping and had to take 1-2 Vicodins every 4-6 hours. Bleeding was at a light-medium flow. Still no appetite, but I managed to eat a bowl of soup and a few crackers. Thankfully, I began peeing normally. I took stool softeners prior to surgery, which was a great idea! I had no problems with #2. The C02 that they pumped into me during surgery was causing a lot of hiccups, burping, and pain in my shoulders. My catheter started coming loose in the evening. I could feel the tubes starting to come down into my cervix. Not cool.
Belly button incision Day 1:
Day 2 post-op: Thanksgiving day! I didn’t feel quite as bad or take very much Vicodin at all. It still felt like I was having AF – with light-medium bleeding. I made the mistake of taking my antibiotic in the morning on an empty stomach and vomited & dry-heaved profusely. 😦 My stomach settled, and luckily we were staying in town to eat dinner with my husband’s family. I was actually able to eat, like really eat, for the first time in a few days! Although, it was not a good idea to fill my belly. I had severe pain that evening, which lasted into the next morning. The worst part of the day though – having tubes hanging out of me while attending a family function!
Day 3 post-op: Doctor’s appt to get the catheter removed! I woke up in severe pain but couldn’t take any Vicodin because I had to drive to Cincinnati. It only took a few seconds to take out the catheter. I still felt crampy, and I began to bleed a little heavier. My doctor said I should start to feel better soon but to keep taking it easy. A few hours later, my cramping and bleeding lessened. I slept a little bit easier for the first time.
Day 4 post-op: Today! Dinner out of town with my family. I have very little pain, and I’m so glad to be rid of that stupid catheter! It’s going to be a long day, but I’m not doing anything strenuous, so hopefully it’ll be alright. I’m only spotting a bit so far today.
Belly button incision Day 4:
(There’s also one on my pubic area, but it’s tiny)
*Disclaimer: I hope this doesn’t scare anyone! I would do it again in a heartbeat. It was TOTALLY worth it. Plus, my problems aren’t typical. I not only had a Lap, but also an HSG, D&C, and had my septum removed. I also had that darn catheter that caused extra pain. I highly recommend considering a Lap if you have never had one.
God is good!!!
The Pursuit of Pregnancy 