Ok. It realy has been some time since I blogged regarding my surgery. I have now had my surgery & am 4 days past operation day. I will try to document each day as I remember it:

Thursday 6th May 2010 – Day Of Surgery. I arrived at St George Private at just before 7.30am. I wasn’t feeling all that nervous, just anxious to get all of this over & done with. I was admitted at Reception & after a few minutes, was escorted through to Day Of Surgery. Here Dean & I sat & waited with other patients. Throughout this time, patients were having their pre-op checks done, some were receiving visits from Dr’s & then escorted to a bed. I was told a couple of times that I had a little wait ahead of me due to 2 patients before me. I managed to get my pre-op check done around 10.00am then Dean decided to head off at 10.30, which was the time he was due to move the vehicle, with us believeing that even though there was a wait, I would be heading in shortly myself. I waited for what felt like quite some time. Finally a nurse offerred me to come & hop into a bed as I was the only person left in the waiting area. Here I changed into a gown & climbed into bed with a warmed blanket to have a small nanna nap. Finally some hours later, Dean came around the corner of the curtain with Mum T, followed shortly after by Lynda &  Little Nanna (mum). This was a very pleasant surprise! They stayed with me for maybe about an hour, before finally someone came along to escort me to the holding area outisde of the Operating theatre. I had a nice send off with the nurses waving to me & telling me how much they liked my name along with my family waving me down the corridor.
Finally I am in the holding area at what must have been about 2pm. I met a nurse who used to live a few streets away from home in Flinders & had a nice chat with another patient in a bed beside me. I watched 3 groups of patients get wheeled into theatre in the time I spent yet again waiting. Then finally my time had come! My Aneathetist came & got my canula ready then shortly after I was wheeled into theatre. This was 3.30pm. I moved from my bed onto the operating table(!) & began to relax. As I started feeling drowsy, I made a note to say out loud to those around me that I appreciated all of their help in surgery today & that their assistance was going to make a difference to my life. A tear or two later I was out to it.
When I awoke, I remember feeling extremely groggy & very very thirsty! Afterall I hadn’t had anything in my system since 10pm the night before when I had a drink. I felt terrible, but not as sick as I normally would have. I had severe pain in my left shoulder which was obviously from the gas inside me during surgery. I can remember a few conversations during this time but what I remember most is hearing words like “She is still terribly drowsy”, “She is responding even though she is not opening her eyes”, “Had to repair a Hiatius Hernia” & finally when I opened my eyes to see 3 people standing around my feet discussing how I was & a male voice saying “Is she responding at all to anything? Can she lift her head?” At which I lifted my head & nodded to them. I heard a few giggles then remember being told I was finally going to my room after staying a little longer than normal in recovery.
I can briefly recall some of the journey to my room, as I kept trying to open my eyes to see where I was & if I could see Dean. As I got closer to my room I can remembering the sound of Dean’s voice finally coming to me & I felt relieved to know he was there. Also I recognised the voice of my brother Dave. I can remember Dean holding my left hand then I remember moving into the room. My Niece Lilly was nearby as well as her voice became clearer to me. Then once the bed was settled into the room, a nurse asked everyone to wait outside while I had a quick wash. This was a very pleasant thing actually. All she did was mainly clean up the “paint” as she called it & allowed me to wash my face as best I could. She straightened up my gown, tucked me in & was finished. All I felt like I wanted to do was go to sleep & sleep it all off. I was hot & sweaty & the oxygen mask was giving me the shits. Eventually a nurse came & swapped it for a nasal tube. I don’t remember sleeping with this later in the night so I think when I took ot off to walk to the bathroom early hours of the morning, it never returned LOL.
I requested some ice just so I could wet my lips. My mouth was so dry I couldnt even handle the idea of slipping a piece of ice inside my mouth. I just wanted the moisture.
It was nice having my family around me, I tried my best to join in conversation & listened to a lot that was being said. I just could not be bothered lifting my arms to hold hands let alone open my eyes. I felt so exhausted. Eventually it was time for everyone to leave & I had some good naps which helped wear off the anaesthetic. My Left Shoulder continued to give me grief but other than that, I was feeling pretty good, just tired. Lilly was realy good, asking questions, holding my hand, rubbing ice on my lips. Harmony seemed very distant. I think Lilly handled the unknown & the fear well. I believe the fear gripped Harmony & she just didn’t know any better way to deal with it. I can understand this as when I visit people in hospital, I can get quite emotional about what I see, even though I know everything is ok. The raw emotion just gets to me. I tried my best to involve myself with speaking to both girls, in particular Harmony as I didn’t want her to be scared. I don’t know if it helped, however I have not heard from them since I came home. I am very appreciative that they came to see me however. I also love the gift they left for me xxxx
I got up during the night with a nurse to attempt a trip to the toilet. That went ok, but because my room was extremely warm, I broke into a cold sweat then felt nauseated. I went straight back to bed & was given some maxalon for the nausea & a shot in my leg which stung like hell for pain relief. This I was asked if i’d had morphene before. So i’m not too sure what that shot was. however I soon drifted off to sleep with a vomit bag clutched tightly in my fist. I slept on & off for a few hours, then felt a little more alert. I put the tv on knowing full well it was very early in the morning. WWE Raw was on! Go figure! I looked at it, rolled over, turned it off then went back to sleep. I slept well until getting hot with the sun shining on the window, so I sat up, put the tv on again & went for a wonder through the room on my own. I knew I was feeling well as the nasusea had disapeared & I was getting fidgety. Finally breakfast arrived & I was so excited! I had an ornage jelly (which i’m lucky if I had 3 small spoonfuls), apple juice & a black tea. APPLE JUICE!!!!!!!!!!! Boy did I enjoy that! I was also now having water. After breakfast I was even more fidgety. I tried to relax in bed but kept getting up & walking around every few minutes or so. I was wanting Dean. There was nothing I could do but wait. I did try to watch some tv & perhaps try to nap a little more, that wasn’t going to happen however.
Finally Dean arrived! My Man! I missed him so much & felt so bad about my lack of response the night before. I also wanted to make sure my nieces were ok with what they saw the night before.
Dean settled in beside me & I felt the warmth of our love. It helped pass a few hours before lunch arrived (pureed soup, yoghurt & lemon coridal) & the anticipation of  the Dr coming to visit, which he told Dean before I arrived back at the room that he would be in around 1pm.
As soon as the Dr arrived, he left LOL. Everything went to plan, he was very happy, explained about the Haitus Hernia being repaired & said he would see me in a week, but for now, I could decide myself wether I went home or stayed. You can guess exactly what happened next! Within the hour we were packed, dressed & in the car heading home. Recovery was just beginning.

Saturday 8th May 2010:-  Not sleeping so well overnight. Got up a couple of times to walk around as I am feeling some discomfort in my chest. Obviously this is the repaired Hiatus Hernia. My Left shoulder is still giving me some grief however mostly I am feeling ok. I am having pureed liquids to a watery consistency as well as jelly, custard & yoghurt. I make sure these melt in my mouth before I swallow them. It feels very strange to have such small quantity of food going in me however.

Sunday 9th May 2010:- Feeling a lot of discomfort today, in particular in my chest. To the point that it even hurts to take a deep breath. However I am soldiering on. Not much else I can do LOL.
Mothers Day today. Dean, Lynda, myself, Mum T & Little Nanna went to the beach at Shellharbour & sat by the water for lunch. I had an Orange Juice. The mums & Dean enjoyed a Seafood Platter & Lynda had something else as she doesn’t eat seafood. We stayed afterwards for a short while & enjoyed the day as it was. TWe went to Woolies to do a little shop then came home. The mums did their presents & enjoyed the attention they deserved.

Monday 10th May 2010:- Today. I slept realy well last night. Still woke up numerous times but was able to get comfy again & drift back into slumber. Got up around 8.30am. Feeling the same discomfort in my chest & the pain in the left shoulder is noticable but not as bad. I am noticing bruising around my surgery wounds & the skin is getting itchy all around them. I have 5 wounds. 4 in a line around my tummy & 1 higher up, which I think is the Filling Port. I have showered with the help of my mummy(!) & am just resting as usual. I venture downstairs for a drink every now & again but mainly so I don’t get too bored LOL. Facebook has become a closer friend to me than it used to be, however I know I have a long week of recovery ahead.