The Other Side

Six days ago I had my surgery. I waited until I stopped all pain medicine before writing this so I could give a fair account of everything. I feel that stopping all pain medication less than a week after major surgery is pretty good considering my migraine history before surgery. Prior to this surgery, I was taking 800 mg of ibuprofen and 300 mg of neurontin per day just to take the edge off of my daily pain. Many days I had to add something stronger.

Last Wednesday I had a hysterectomy via the da Vinci Surgical System to remove my uterus, cervix, tubes, and one ovary. During the procedure, the robot removed endometriosis that had spread to other areas. I was diagnosed with Stage IV endometriosis due to where it had spread. My surgeon was able to save one ovary and I do not have to deal with surgical menopause.

I was blessed to wake up from surgery with no nausea and get to go home. My sweet husband got me a pumpkin spice latte and drove me home. After a long nap, I woke up and saw my sweet, little boy bringing flowers and a balloon into my room.

The first couple of days of recovery are a blur of pain meds and naps. I have 5 one inch incisions across my stomach that aren’t too bad. I’ve worked some on days five and six, but I work at a desk job with people bringing me things. I also work with family so people are always checking up on me and will take me home as soon as I get tired.

Before surgery I could not take any pain meds for seven days. I suffered from an extreme migraine the day before surgery. When I woke up from surgery, I had no head pain. I have only had a slight headache coming off the stronger pain meds and I think that’s probably to be expected anyways. I have no head pressure, no tension, nothing. It stormed here and I didn’t feel it coming. I was able to nap through a thunderstorm for the first time in two years and it was amazing. I have no other way to describe it. I can sleep through the night and it is just peaceful. I wake up and I don’t fear what kind of day it’s going to be.

When I went into this surgery, I never imagined I had Stage IV endometriosis. I lived in daily pain, but I just sucked it up and dealt with it. I thought it was “normal” girl stuff. I didn’t know I was abnormal. I never had a normal cycle. And I never imagined that this was controlling my migraines. I know I might still have the occasional migraine triggered by other things in life, but for now it’s so much better and I am nothing but thankful.

My family has been so taken care of through this. My sweet friends have stopped by and brought a bunch of food, entertained me, and spoiled all of us beyond belief. I don’t know how we’d have survived without all of them, but we sure didn’t eat sandwiches for a solid week! My boys have pigged out on delicious food and it has been so appreciated. I can’t begin to tell them how much they mean to me, but I am surrounded by the best women in the world. They are my prayer warriors, workout buddies, and best friends. I am so blessed!

Right now I am sitting still just waiting. I am in awe and feeling so very blessed. I had to be still and I feel so much better now. I have so much that I can do now that I feel better. My body has prevented me from truly living for so long and now I have to be still and heal.

One week down, three until I am released. Who’s counting???