One Week Post-Surgery

One week after surgery, and I can't decide if it feels like a lot longer, or if it feels like it was just yesterday. When I think about my husband going back to work next week, it feels like it's flown by, but when I think about first getting out of the hospital bed, it feels like forever ago.
 Monday I saw my chiropractor, who said I seem to be doing really well and the incisions were healing up already. I felt good enough to go to a women's group that evening (just sitting and chatting), but had my husband drive me because I wasn't quite up for that yet. It downpoured on us on the way home, so I'm glad he drove.

Tuesday I went for a nice long walk, which was actually probably too far, as my belly above my large incision got fairly swollen after that. After napping I drove to my friend's house to visit her and meet her new baby. Bumps on the road were still uncomfortable, but it wasn't painful. 

Wednesday I woke up with a pretty sore back. I have a 90-minute massage scheduled for Monday but decided I couldn't wait, so I called around and got in last minute for a 30-minute massage Wednesday afternoon. It was so great! I wasn't sure if I'd be able to lay on my stomach comfortably, but it was no problem. It was nice to get some of the tension worked out of my muscles.

I think most of the swelling/bloating in my belly has gone away, except for just above my large incision. When I first looked at my incisions in the hospital, I was a little freaked out, because I couldn't even see the lower one; I had a large 'bulge' right above it that hid it. I haven't had a flat stomach in years, but it was much bigger than my usual 'baby pooch'. For some reason I was afraid that the placement of the incision would make that bulge permanent. 

But that bulge has gotten smaller and smaller, and this morning was just about gone, until I was up and walking around, when it swelled up a bit again. So it gives me hope - I might not ever have a flat belly again, but I'm not stuck with this weird bulge! 

One side effect of the surgery that they mention is nerve damage, and losing feeling in parts of your legs. On Monday I noticed this on my left inner thigh. It's not numb, and when I'm not touching it I don't notice anything, but if I rub the skin it feels...irritated? Almost like when you have a sunburn and you lightly run your hand over it. Hopefully it'll go away with time, but the effect is permanent for some people. I'll talk to my doc about it next week when I go in for my follow-up.

My husband goes back to work next week. He's been a huge help, even when I nag him. Doing dishes, laundry (I have been folding and putting it away), taking care of the kids 24/7. Monday was a rough day with the kids, especially our 4-year-old, as they are just used to me being 'in charge' during the day. He kept coming to me to ask for help or a snack or to take him outside to ride bikes, and he got upset when I needed a nap. "I don't WANT you to nap every day!!"
But it has gotten better, and I try to do as much as I can for them, to make them feel better and to help my husband out.

We have a high school girl coming every morning next week to take the kids to the park, ride bikes with, etc. so that I can either nap or go to some appointments without the kids. I think it'll be helpful for the transition back to me as the main caregiver. 

Tuesday I go back to the hospital for blood work, a follow-up with the surgeon, and a follow-up with the transplant psychologist. I have heard several different things about my lifting restriction, so I'll be sure to get the final answer then.