So here I sit at a quarter till 5am with not a darn thing to do because I am too excited to sleep... I keep waking up every hour or so... finally I just decided to give up. My surgery is at 10:30am, have to be at the hospital by 8:30am. I'm mostly packed (just a couple odds and ends to toss into the bag yet, and then pack up the CPAP for travel,) and am as prepared as I think I can be. I'm not even feeling nervous... I just can't sleep. How stupid is that? Insomnia the night before surgery. Oy. This is my brain, let me tell you.

I guess I'm basically writing for lack of anything better to do. Bad night to get insomnia. I already took some melatonin and don't want to take any more.

I got a really touching e-mail from my Dad saying he was with me in spirit and that he loved me. My Dad is not given to displays of affection like this, even in e-mail, so this was a big surprise for me and made me tear up a little. My Mom sent me a little care package to take to the hospital (chapstick, a mini-lotion, a bar of cinnamon-scented soap) and a card that said how proud of me she is for being brave enough to take this big a step. I am so lucky to have supportive parents. It's amazing how much their approval still means to me.

The cat is playing with his toy bird that chirps and driving me nuts. Also, this big 1-liter bottle of Water is calling my name and I can't have anything by mouth until tomorrow morning after my leak test.

It's going to be a long day, but hopefully a good one.

Wish me luck!

Home from the hospital. I have had some nausea and the pain level has come up to what was expected, but still isn't that bad. I do not anticipate having to take pain meds for it.

Nausea is mostly gone.

Very wiped out; going to go sleep. More later.

It's good to hear from you! Get plenty of rest and fluids - and be sure to keep mobile by getting up to walk around too. Hugs, and you are WELL ON YOUR WAY!!!

Well here we are at 5am again. This time it's cause I shifted position in my sleep and the pain of moving woke me up. It's been 8 hours since my last dose of tylenol so it was past time anyway to wake up and take more. Had a little nausea as well so took some phenergen. Or however you spell it. So now I'm sitting here waiting for the meds to kick in before I go back to sleep. The cat is dying for my attention - he doesn't understand where I was for four days, poor little dude. It's funny, when I get up to walk my laps of the apartment he follows me the entire time. We're both getting exercise, LOL!

So far so good on the buyer's remorse aka none yet. I keep reminding myself that this too shall pass. Getting liquids in is... interesting. It's hard to sip when I want to chug, and hard to have tiny spoonfuls of broth when I want to drink it straight, but I'm afraid of hurting myself. I'm a big wimp and don't want to deal with pain. Plus, the LAST thing I want to do is start retching again... I had a half day of that in the hospital and man, it is way worse right now than it was before the surgery. I'm avoiding it at all costs so - teensy spoonfuls, teensy sips. So far I've had 5 oz of Water in 30 mins, which means it's time to slow down for a little while.

Throughout all of this I have tried to keep to the positive side and know that it is for the best and that this recovery phase will not last forever. It is easy for me to get negative, so I'm really trying hard not to let that happen. All of your support and prayers and thoughts have been very helpful. Also, giant dancing banana macros.

Off to sleep again for now... talk to you all later.

Congrats to you Bryn. Sounds like you are doing great. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

I'm sleeved! YAY OMG!

I'm still in the hospital, probably until this time or so tomorrow while they make sure I can get all my fluids in and am having normal bowel function.

So far I have walked 4 laps of the surgical floor. I had some beef broth and red sf Jello for lunch and couldn't finish either of them... just didn't want to. OMFG that is AMAZING to me.

I am sipping 2oz every 15 mins. No difficulty and very little pain. I can honestly say I have no regrets at this stage. My drain doesn't even hurt.

My love to you all, especially my fellow firecrackers!

Mythreechildren and Bryn, your at the hospital by now and probably the nerves have started, but you'll be just fine. . . in a few hours you'll be out and doing ok. . pretty sore, but you'll be ok. . . JUST remember walk! walk, walk, walk, or the gas will kill you and sip sip sip once your allowed ok. . your going to find this really weird, but be patient and just do what your doctor says for you to do. . . and like the rest of us, soon you'll be here giving advice to nervous newbies too. . . good luck and God bless. . . it's a great journey!

Thank you! I just noticed your post. It was sure more difficult than I expected, but getting better every day! Thanks again!

Bryn~sorry you've had the nausea to deal with. I've only had a couple of moments with that, and taking the PPI they gave me took care of that. I'm feeling better every day, but it's been a lot harder than I expected for some reason. I had buyer's remorse for the first day or two, but it's all good now! I hope you feel better and get some rest!

Lil Sister glad to hear you are doing well. I am so envious you got sleeved before me but so very glad for you to be on your way to a new you. Keep us posted and best wishes to a speedy recovery. Remember you are not alone and don't get negative you are too beautiful a person for that. :bananapowerslide:

:Banane11: :grouphug4: