Urinary bypass Recovery

I had my urinary bypass in late January. I have to thank my surgeon for moving hell and high water to make sure my operation wasn't cancelled.

The anaesthetist decided I was to have epidural combined with a knock out infusion due to my many allergies.

I went to theatre at 8am and arrived in the high dependency unit at 4.30pm. The first thing I was aware of was my husband with a very relieved look that I had finally made it through.

I spent 3 days there with the epidural under constant inspection. The extraordinary thing was the checking of where the epidural was working. No pin tests, just an aerosol can, and depending on whether the spray felt warm or cold to me told them how it was working and my position adjusted accordingly. The epidural hadn't gone down as far as they wanted it too due to the damage in my lower spine; which was why they were testing its effectiveness so frequently.

My Mainline Direct Into Jugular Vein 

I moved to the urology ward once I started moving for myself, and was aware of what was going on.
I  spent the next couple of days in the bathroom either sat on the toilet, or hanging my head in it, and a couple of occasions where I needed to be a contortionist  as both ends were active at the same time.  During those days there was a distinct smell to the whole ward as it seemed everyone was doing the same thing, and even closing my room door was no relief.

The time had arrived for the epidural to come out and standard pain relief to begin. I had enjoyed my breakfast for the first time since the operation. I took the last mouthful of rice krispies and the pain doctor was there to give me my 1st dose of pain relief. Dose swallowed the epidural was then taken out. Lunch time came and I had a lovely meal which again I was keeping down. Enter the pain doctor with the second dose of pain relief, 2 syringes of liquid taken orally. The doctor was leaving the room and I projectile vomited everything I had eaten that day in a totally undigested state. The rice krispie that had still been in my mouth at the first dose was deposited on the top of the lot. The doctor had me in bed and checking my vital signs so fast I wondered what was going on. I had had an allergic reaction to yet another drug. The doctor couldn't prescribe my own medication as it is not on his allowed list, so it was a good job I had taken my own stock. As it turned out I needed very little pain relief as the pain i did have was no worse than a cut finger compared to the pain I had been in previously.

Due to my disabilities the medical team had expected me to be in a minimum of 10 days; but more like 14 days. I was very happy to beat everyone and get home on day 8 post op.

Now the real healing and getting healthier began. More on that another time.