Warning: Long post ahead - don't worry it isn't gross or anything, I just felt like writing and it became very long...I will tell a few of the highlights of my experience on Monday and Tuesday. I had general anesthesia (which makes me nervous - something about falling asleep and not knowing what is happening to me...) and apparently I was out of it for a long time. I am very sensitive to medications and usually require much less than the regular dose so they probably over did it on the anesthesia, but better that way than not giving me enough! The first thing I remember when I woke up was feeling the pain in my belly, thinking "holy cow, that HURTS," and uncontrolable shivering - my teeth were chattering so hard. The nurse kept asking if I was cold and I kept saying no so she eventually gave me some medicine to make the shivering stop. They asked me several times what my mom's name was (she is the one who came with me to the hospital) and they went out to the waiting room to get her.
As I was lying in the bed, still quite sleepy and out of it, I saw Dr. Jarem (the OB/GYN who delivered Stephen and who I saw throughout my pregnancy with Boston) walk by the foot of my bed. I said "it's Dr. Jarem!" (I am sure it sounded slurred and goofy.) She kept walking so I figured she must not have heard me. Then she came back a moment later at about the same time my mom got to me. I think we had some sort of conversation. I remember Dr. Jarem saying "hello, my dear!" (her trademark greeting - imagine it very cheerful with a heavy Polish accent) and I remember saying "you are my favorite doctor!" (which is true, but sounds a little childish to say to someone). She gave me a hug and kissed the top of my head (according to my mom). I also remember telling her that I had hernia surgery and that I would be back to see her in a year or two. Who knows what else came out of my mouth? I think that Dr. Jarem must have been pretty amused by my slurred statements.
When it was time to leave they gave me some Percoset and wheeled me out to the car. The rest of that day was kind of terrible - a lot of pain, nausia, throwing up, etc. The next day was a little better - no throwing up, and I had my brain back at full capacity - no more Percocet, thank you very much. I descovered that that particular narcotic makes me very sick. But, of course, without the narcotics, I felt the pain a lot more.
I think the most surprising thing for me through the experience has been that it hurt so much more than I anticipated. For some reason after having the two c-sections I figured that this would be a cake walk. Also, the term "outpatient" implies that it is not too bad. Fortunately today I feel so much better. I got to take a shower and finally see the results of the procedure and.........I have an INIE!! Well, for me it is an inie - it still has a little part that pokes out but it is so much more normal! Of course it is still bruised and looks pretty gross because of the incision and swelling, but I can tell it is going to look great!
The other big challenge with this surgery has been taking care of Boston. I pumped at least three days worth of milk and froze it in preparation for the surgery day. The pediatrician and anesthesiologist both told me to pump and toss the milk for the first 24 hours after the surgery. This meant that Scott had to feed Boston bottles for that first day. He did great - he always took the bottle without any trouble and seemed to be very content. In some selfish way, I feel bad that he took the bottle so well - I guess I would like to believe that I am the only one who can fill that need for him. After the 24 hours was up he went right back to nursing, just like a champ. My milk supply is a little lower because of the liquid only diet I had to be on, but it seems to be coming back in just fine.
To top it all off, Boston finally came down with the nasty cold that Stephen and I have had the last few days. I figured it was inevitable even though I washed my hands like a crazy person and tried to keep Stephen away from Boston. He is still a sweet little baby and doesn't complain much - his nose is just pretty stuffy and you can hear the congestion when he cries, poor little guy. Stephen is, of course, getting better. This is nice because we don't have to wipe his nose all of the time anymore and he is less cranky. All of you who have had a toddler with a cold can understand the misery it causes for the whole family.
