Thank you! It’s been nuts! [emoji23]Maybe because it’s not through the state. When I called BCBSNC last year about it I was told that there were pretty much no requirements if you’re on a state employee plan. But for me, having purchased it through the marketplace, I got to have LOTS of fun with the process. But 12 days to go! I honestly hope no one else has to go through the process like I did! May everyone else have a much easier journey!
I remember waking up in the recovery room and the nurse was super nice. I fought to stay awake, kept concentrating on things, doing mental math, asked to sit up a little more. Finally asked to suck on an ice chip and the nurses seemed impressed with that. I had some pain in my shoulder (which I thought was gas, but later discovered might have been deferred pain from my hernia repair)...they gave me an ice pack for my shoulder and it helped.
Once I woke up, I worked to stay away and become as alert and oriented as possible. Did a little deep breathing to get rid of as much anesthetic as possible.
Literally as soon as they got me to my room, I asked to get up and use the restroom....which I did with no assistance. They were impressed I was well balanced and coordinated, but I credit this with making myself wake up.
After the restroom, I asked if I could go for a walk with my husband. They were fine with that. So I put on some lounge pants and my fitbit and started walking. I walked nearly a mile...very slowly....around the ward with my hubby and my IV pole.
Then, they wanted to give me pain meds and a little sip of water...so I laid down for a bit, drank my Water in tiny sips, learned to use my spirometer. Asked for as few pain meds as possible. Opted out of narcotics for the most part. ( I had one dose before bed to try to get some good sleep...and it worked) Learned how to drink my fluids for the next week until my recheck.
I ordered dinner that night and got a tray of Jello, broth, coffee and sugar free flavored water. My bestie came to visit, after work and we walked the ward for another mile. I felt a lot better and was moving at a more normal pace. Nurses were pretty impressed and it was helping to get the gas out....so I just kept walking. It felt good to walk, so I did.
Hubby brought mom for a visit as bestie was leaving. Hung out with Mom and hubby...drank my fluids, blew in the spirometer, checked the boxes. Daughter called from college and thought I sounded great...she was relieved. Hubby took mom home and I walked the ward again...trying to tire myself out to get some decent sleep. One nurse commented I was walking so much she was afraid I'd crash the next day and not want to wake up and get out of the hospital. She was very wrong. LOL
Had a good night's sleep, interrupted by a few labs....but the dose of narcotics I took at night really helped me get right back to sleep.
Woke up at 7:30, asked to take a shower. Got my IV capped, took shower, shampooed, blew out my hair, put on makeup and put on street clothes and started walking the halls again hoping my doctor would let me go home. Had some labs taken, doctor visited, and I got to go home:)
Hospital was a piece of cake for me.
The presurgical diet and being hungry after surgery were much harder for me.
Premier Protein for sure! Their pre-made drinks are perfect to throw in the fridge and drink. They're not a terrible taste either. I wouldn't try their powder though.
I was really worried not knowing what to expect but I swear it was so easy. My throat was a tiny bit sore afterwards but after not eating nor drinking for awhile we went to lunch afterwards and I was still able to eat a good meal with no trouble at all.
I was put to sleep and before i knew it was waking up with everything all done. I didn't fell anything! So no worries:)
