Hi everyone. So my surgery was Monday, April 15th. It was later in the day around 5:30pm. Post surgery I don't remember much. Some mild pain and just a feeling of relief. Relief that it was over and I survived. I was discharged the following night, still with some pain and with pain medication. Hardest part about being home was finding a position to sleep in. I slept sitting up on the couch. Unfortunately, what we thought was gas pains became increasingly less tolerable as days progressed. By Friday morning I called my surgeons office. My symptoms were 100.6 fever, terrible generalized pain on my left abdominal area and left back pain. They told me to go to ER. To make a long story as short as I can, after a cat scan, that thankfully ruled out a leak or obstruction, my pain was coming from a left pleural effusion. In other words excess fluid around my left lung. Which is not uncommon after abdominal surgery. So I was admitted and by the third day I was discharged and chest X-ray showed a vast improvement in the amount of fluid present. I felt so much better. I could breath without pain, cough/yawn without discomfort and I was able to properly do my breathing exercises. So I've been home since Monday the 22nd and I will admit that I cried. I was so traumatized by the whole ordeal and just kept crying about what the heck I'd done to myself. I was so nauseous and couldn't even get my liquids down. Everything seemed gross. Anyway two days ago, something just clicked. I've been getting my protein and liquids down and feeling so much better. It's insane how my attitude just changed. I stopped feeling sorry for myself and began to focus and be thankful for my recovery. I'm really looking forward to all that's yet to come. I see my dietician on May 6th and will begin purée stage that day. So looking forward to more than just drinking. Although I am not hungry one bit. Another plus is I've lost 16 pounds in less than 2 weeks. So I guess I wanted to write to just let everyone know that I made it, I'm okay and even though not every surgery goes without complication, that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. So happy to be a fellow sleever and can't wait to see what this journey brings!!

Wow you did have a rough go ofit. I am happy for you that the worst is over now! Yeah for you.... Best wishes I the coming days!

Awww, im so sorry you had to go through that, but on a positive note I happy your doing better my surgery is approaching fast cant wait to be on the loser bench..

Thank you both so much!! hewalkswithme good luck on your surgery!

Glad to hear you are doing well God Bless.

Thank you JProx. I appreciate it!

Wow, what a rough beginning. I get pleurisy do to having lupus and it is no fun, so kudos to you on being able to continue that positive attitude. That is #1 in my book. Glad you are now on the road to a healthier life.