Surgery Num8

I feel like a pro when it comes to surgery. Not the best feeling...I had tubes put in my ears when I was little; my appendix came out @ 16; 3 knee surgeries after I blew it out in gymnastics;  I said goodbye to my gallbladder in 2010; and last November, I went in for jaw surgery on both sides. That would make my most recent hernia repair surgery number 8. I discovered a lump back in November and it took going to 3 different doctors before my GI doctor simply diagnosed it as a hernia. The previous doctors thought I just had swollen lymph nodes, which I did, but they were missing the main lump I was feeling....Dr. Jennifer Tittensor is my favorite. She is such a happy and caring person. She was very thorough and made sure I had full understanding of what was happening. We scheduled the surgery and did an ultra sound and CT before I went in. The reason being, because I have had a lot of pain in the opposite side and she wanted to be sure I didn't have a second before she went in to repair the one they were sure on. Anyways, the results showed nothing on the other side, so I went in for the left side only. I checked in on Friday morning, March 16th at 10:30am but sat around waiting for a long time. The nurse that drew my IV gets a gold star bc she did it in one try! Woohoo! I normally expect multiple pokes when I go in, especially after fasting since the night before. The gown I changed into was something different...it fills with hot air to keep me warm, it was awesome, but I felt like a sumo wrestler! haha. I didn't actually get back into the surgery room until about 2pm! And I don't remember any of the prep really, I was out cold quick! 

Then...I woke up in pain. Doctor Tittensor got in there to discover my hernia was bigger then she thought, about the size of a .50 cent piece. She had to double mesh it to repair it properly. The pain was to be expected, but they couldn't get it under control. I don't know what my deal is when I come out of surgery. I have a really high pain tolerance, but it seems with any surgery, they have a hard time getting the pain under control. Once they control it, I am fine and as soon as I come home, I'm not on the stronger pain meds for too long. I hate the side effects, so I would rather deal with the pain then the other effects. Anyway, they were giving me all kinds of meds and I was still wide awake and the pain remained high.
They ended up admitting me to the hospital and I went on a winding ride to my room. My care from that point on, was horrible! No joke. I would ask for pain meds, 45 min later, they would bring it. I would ask for ice refill, an hour later I would get it. They gave me morphine to control the pain, which was great, but I tend to stop breathing. My mom reminded them on her way out, to hook me up to the oxygen monitor. They didn't. My RN basically told me to suck it up that morning...Throughout the day I went on walks down the bare halls, watched tv, and smiled when my mom walked in with Aspen running beside her dressed in a pink princess dress, clasping a purple pony in her tiny hand. She wanted to come see me, and I was so glad she did :)
Throughout most of the day I was uncomfortable because my bladder wasn't working the way it was supposed to. I was sore, tired, angry, and just wanted it all to be over. That night they sent me home in tears...I was in so much pain. I am glad I went home though because my mom did a 100% better job taking care of me then the crappy nurses at American Fork Hospital. The ride home was bumpy and uncomfortable, but I made it to my very own bed....now I have the whole week to recover and relax. I am grateful for my mom's great care. For her unconditional love and patience. She has put up with me for 25 years and she is always there for me whenever I need her. I love her SO much!
The night they admitted me, I had an amazing experience. It was about 3 am, and I was ready for more pain meds since mine had long since worn off. I called the nurse and she said she would be on her way in. As I lay there, I became overwhelmed. I was alone in an unfamiliar room, I was in pain, and I wanted this moment to pass quicker than it was. Then, I remembered the blessing Tyler gave me after I came out of surgery. In it, he reminded me of Christ's atonement. He told me I would gain a better understanding of this great sacrifice. Then, I realized that I wasn't alone. My savior suffered for us, he suffered for me so I didn't have to be alone. I knew then that he understood exactly what I was going through, physically and mentally. That single thought, helped me through the night. I was comforted and knew he was there, right by my side, helping me get through this hard trial in life. I felt his love and my testimony of the atonement grew tremendously in that single moment. I am so grateful for His plan, and I am grateful for the priesthood. I was blessed with a great knowledge and reminded of the good things in life. The words of my brother strengthened me and helped me get through the night.
-Peanut