My follow-up with my new specialist was probably the most informative appointment I have had in a long time. He was my 15 specialist and had only just met me but had taken the time to study my file and really look at my case.
Not only did he understand my conditions he had a plan for anything he thought might adventuate and had a plan. We talked at length about the cyst, it's location, the risks and what might happen if he found anything in there he didnt like the look of.
Surgery was booked that following week once I got prior approval sorted and filled in all my paperwork. 17th July was the day, first day back at school for the girls and a really busy week at work, but we made it work.
I had to go off all my supplements two weeks before so decided also to go nil-by-mouth also for those two weeks to assist my body with its pains levels leading up to the surgery. Best thing I ever did as was ready and comfortable on the day. I only really shed about 500-700g which is good for me. I had weighed in at a whopping 51.6Kgs at pre-op appoinment... which was a win!
I arrived with DH to what looked like a hotel suite. It was a lovely room with and ensuite, with all I needed, and a great view as it was a nice sunny day in the middle of winter. I got settled and DH went and got a few trashy mags so we would have a distraction for the hour wait for the surgeon, anaethestist and the nurses to turn up to cannulise me and do my obs/covid test.
After chatting with the surgeon again re the plan, I gowned up, stockings on and jumped into bed. The anaethestist had his chat and then we were ready to go. Fraser walked me to the lift and then off to theatre we went.
It is always a surreal feeling climbing from the gurney onto the operating table, there are several people hovering about chatting with you (this time about my tattoo), when the other half are very serious and getting ready to put you under. Seds in my arm, mask on, night night.
Woke up to a very busy recovery ward, they avoided giving me tramadol this time and think that really helped as i sleepily ate my iceblock and struggled to keep my eyes open. It wasn't long till I was heading up to my room again and DH was waiting for me. He had heard the news before I. Just a cyst he thinks, was dangling there ready to be removed and was easy-peasy. No sign of Endo at this stage that he had to deal with. Appendix in normal place. Couldnt of been better news really.
I was soo sleepy I managed to ask DH about 3 times what he had for lunch even though I knew the answer. We visited for a while and they got me comfortable and medicated and dosed while DH left to go sort kids.
Dinner time came and went for the other patients on the ward. I waited until my drip bag had finished before asking for one of my nutritional drinks, just to spread out my fluids as getting up for a loo stop was not top of my list for then... but eventually managed to get up on my own and go, which is a first, normally I would have waited hours to attempt. I put on my nightie and fresh knickers and boy did that feel good.
I watched a little telly to wake myself up a bit then my Mum came to visit. I was lovely just to sit and chat with her, we don't often get the time. I knew it must be getting on a bit so we vid-called the girls to say goodnight and re-assure them I was ok. I've been using this as a learning experience for them as sometimes you have to do things that are hard, but you are stronger than you think. Hope it gives them some resilence when it comes to their own health journeys one day.
The night was long, interrupted and painful. You always look forward to daytime, especially when you know your family will be there soon, its lonely in a hospital room when you are feeling poorly.
It went so well it could of been a day surgery but due to my complex history they like to keep me in overnight. Being home is defintely harder to recover with constant jobs to do and children needing you. Blood pressure still a bit low but keeping up my fluids. Pain level mostly under control but happy to have some pain if it means not taking Tramadol. It's hard for me to rest, but I'm just doing my best.
Follow up with surgeon in 4 weeks time, pathology report still to come and photos to receive of the operation. I will post when I have more information about outcomes.
Next week I'm meeting with my OB/GYN to discuss my dilated ovarian vein and my stuck ovary, see what the long term plan is for that. That will be a whole other blog post...
To be continued...
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