I heard the anesthetist say my name asking if I could open my eyes, my first thought was wow she has lovely strawberry blonde curls but my first words were 'Do I have a flat tummy?' the anesthetist laughed and said 'Yes' I think this was indeed the point my recovery accelerated - No joke! My consultant then spoke to me but in all honesty I don't really remember what he said except that the right hand side of my liver and the middle part had been removed.
Before I was taken to the high dependency unit I was given a chest x-ray, I assume to check all was well and I was just feeling really tired, like totally wiped out. The nurses were coming and going taking my temperature, my blood pressure, checking the epidural.
The nurse came up and said my husband and parents were here and did I want to see them, I said yes. I saw my husband and Dad first both looking at me with a strange look then I saw my Mum who then disappeared behind the curtain - turned out she was crying. She later said I looked dead; I was so white and because I had shut my eyes there was no colour on me at all.
The nurse must have seen my mum upset as she quickly came over and reassured my parents and husband. She also told them I was doing as well as they hoped and that I had had a blood transfusion and they were about to give me another which they hoped would improve my colour.
I could barely keep my eyes open the rest of the day but my other senses were fully awake it was very strange. I just kept looking at my tummy and thinking wow! No more bloating, no more questions about when I was 'due' no more baggy clothes!
The following day I was a bit more alert and was watching the coming and goings in the ward, I was desperate to lie on my side as my back ached but it hurt too much. The last thing I felt was hungry but I did have a couple of licks of ice cream I just wanted to get well as soon as possible. I had a bed bath, I actually thought this would be the worst experience ever for me but it wasn't the nurses were very discreet and let me do what I could in the way of washing myself and I got the first look at my wound - impressive! There was slight concern over the amount of fluid that was being drained for me but it turned out this was fine - my consultant said they have 'washed me out thoroughly' so the amount was accounted for.
The medication I was on was obviously strong and I had the epidural in but through it all I still felt stiff (mainly in my back and ribs) and sore. Around lunchtime I was moved over to a chair where I sat rather uncomfortably for about an hour before projectile vomiting and being taken back to bed.
Day 3
One of the consultants came round with his 'gang' he said that if my stats remained positive then I would be moved to the next ward down.
By now I was more aware and able to shuffle up my bed a bit. The nurse asked how I was and I said I was feeling dirty and was desperate for a shower, she explained that as I had so many wires, machines and a catheter in then it wouldn't be possible but she helped me have a bed bath, and moved me to a chair. The nurse then gave a shower cap which had some magic stuff in it to 'dry' wash hair, she rubbed my head which felt like getting a head massage, the smell was a bit funny but it at least my hair looked and smelt better and I felt a little more human again.
I managed to sit up for another half hour.
Day 4
I was out of HDU and off to a new ward! As it was first thing they said I could now go for a shower!!! Yippee. With some help I walked tubes and all to the shower room, the nurse helped me sit in a seat and I had the most glorious shower EVER! I was a bit cautious around my wound but it was fine. Got my dressing changed when I got out, clean jammies and I was a new person. My friend came to visit at night along with my Mum (who had now recovered!) and they couldn't believe the difference in me. I have to say though when I saw myself in the mirror for the first time I and a fright myself I was so pale my eyes looked black.
Day 5
I had a gorgeous bath, the nurse helped me wash my hair which was lovely another mini head massage. My catheter came out in the morning which was great although I was worried about having an accident on the bed (didn't happen) and my drain came out in the afternoon - NOW that was an experience it felt like someone had pulled a foot of tubing out my tummy Oh yes that’s because they did! Weirdest sensation ever, not sore just blinking weird! They also removed my epidural.
Late afternoon I started feeling rather rubbish, they had changed my medication because the epidural had been removed and it did not feel good. My brother and Dad came up to visit, I was just eating my veg soup when they arrived but instead of saying 'hello' I was sick everywhere, my head was pounding and my tummy was in turmoil. Fortunately they knew straight away it was the meds so they changed it and by bedtime I was tired but ok.
Day 6
I was feeling good I managed to sleep on my side so I had a better rest, gave y back a rest my tailbone was throbbing! Medication seemed to be agreeing with me now. I even managed to read a few pages of my magazine - something I had not had the concentration to do since my operation. Had a shower all by myself no help still had to sit on chair but stayed in for ages having a good old soak. My wound was feeling itchy as was the hole from my drain although the dressing was needing changed as it had seeped a little.
My little princesses came to see me!!! Hubby and I had agreed they shouldn’t come up until I looked semi normal. My 4 year old was very strange around me she was asking my 'what’s my favourite colour' and 'Do I like Scooby doo' as if she was checking I was still her mum. My 1 year old had the cold so she really wasn't impressed by the hour drive to see me.
Day 7
Best day yet, feel great, stiff but great.
Consultant came round about 10am checked my stats and asked who I lived with. He then said 'you can go home if you like'. I liked!
My husband came and got me at 5pm by then my medication was ready and he wheeled me to the front door - you forget how lovely outdoors is especially when you've been cooped up for a week!
I was free...
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