Surgery Day + 2
Woken early again by the nursing staff and sent for a walk. The surgeon had warned me that he had given me a lot of meds and not to be alarmed if it took a week for my bowels to come to life again. The nurses, although it seemed cruel at the time, had my best interest at heart. Walking surely does get things moving again. Surgeon stopped by for a visit. Poked and prodded a bit and had a look at my staples and wounds. He had not much to add, but did say the wounds appeared to be healing as planned. My stomach is sore. Not a sharp intense pain, but rather the pain of a workout gone too far, or an overexertion. Very sore muscles.
Only time I used the pain pump today was prior to having the open stoma wound repacked. I am glad I did. The attending nurse, bless her heart, didn't have much experience, and once the outer bandage was off, she grabbed the end of the packing material with tweezers and gave it a mighty pull. I think my fingerprints will be forever embedded in the guardrails of that bed.
Word to the wise is to have the nurses wet the packing material with sterile saline solution and let it soak for just a few minutes. This loosens any adhesions to the wound socket and makes its removal far less painful.
Another visit from the respiratory therapist for some more breathing exercises and lung work. Coughing hurts, but the pain is eased if you hug a pillow and pull in and up on it with your hands. Like doing the Heimlich maneuver to it.
Pain very manageable today.
Stoma wound repacked.
Midline incision dressing changed.
Foley catheter still in
Inflatable boots still used when sleeping
Pain pump still in, but barely used.
NG tube still in.
Good breath sounds and vitals.
No bowel sounds and no cramps.
End of Surgery Day + 2

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