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Post by blu06 on Mar 10, 2013 2:23:23 GMT -5
Well, my fellow Bluepriders, My life journey comes to the next miletone of an aging male in an affluent society. H E R N I A ! ! ! I've had it for years and my ever mindful doctor has been monitoring it's progression. At last year's annual physical, I stated that I was having pains in my lower abdomen. But he said no, it's thin, but not yet. This year, I wanted to get in and out as I had things to do, but let's face it, having any pair of hands cup my boys is a good thing.  Well, out came the "OhOH" from my doctor's mouth and I'm going , OH CRAP! NOT NOW! So, we scheduled an appointment with a surgeon and next thing i know, an even nicer looking man is cupping the boys and going. "Ah HUM.. Yep, there it is..." April 12th, after 1:00pm is the date and time. Out patient, I'll be home by 5:00pm I'll be out of work for two weeks. Sighs... So there you have it gentlemen, "Hernia Repair, The Other Procedure" Keep me in your thoughts, I can either have my hernia repaired, or come out with no testicles, or come out with a pair of 38C Cups, which would only add to the 44 A cup I l already seem to have.   Mac |
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Post by TheBear on Mar 10, 2013 7:33:38 GMT -5
Hey Mac, Uh Oh... yup, 'tis time... Nurse Bear to the rescue, gloves on... We're with ya all the way, Mac. Yur full support team is here setting up the cameras and a size 38D pillow for the boys so we can record every thrilling stitch n sew movement of yur special other-procedure moment. OH... and what kind of cookies do the boys like? MasterBaker Bear wants you to be comfy and the boys happy for your "I'm ready for my close-up now, Mr. DeMille" moment!  Your "support" Team,  Bear __________________________. |
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Post by edmontongreg on Mar 10, 2013 10:08:29 GMT -5
Good luck with that. Lay back, we'll do the rest.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 10, 2013 13:25:41 GMT -5
Hi Blue06. Don't worry about a thing. The hernia repair procedure is quite common. You will be back in fine form in no time, boys and all !!!! do you have anyone who can take care of you while you recover at home? As you know, you will not be able to lift anything so you must be careful. Bear, will there be any dietary restrictions for Blue? Can he drink fluids for the first few days after surgery? How soon can he get back to business downstairs?  Blue, you have a full team of supporters here. Keep us posted. |
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Post by blu06 on Mar 10, 2013 21:30:48 GMT -5
Thanks for the words. I must admit, I am a bit scared.
I'll have someone to bring me home, but I probably won't have anyone once I get here. I am thinking of just about everything I can to prepare for no lifting and bending for at least the first week.
My mom even lent me her toilet seat with the handles to assist me at those times.
I know the day of the surgery and probably that first weekend, I'll be bed ridden. or at least with limited mobility ability. Frozen foods, delivery, will be the my method for keeping fed.
I like any all type of cookies. ;D well,except peanut cookies,them, I do not care for at all.
Well, I need to get to my mom's She's having cataract surgery next week and we begin the drops tonight.
Talk soon.
Mac.
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Post by TheBear on Mar 10, 2013 21:32:21 GMT -5
Hi Blue06. Don't worry about a thing. The hernia repair procedure is quite common. You will be back in fine form in no time, boys and all !!!! do you have anyone who can take care of you while you recover at home? As you know, you will not be able to lift anything so you must be careful. Bear, will there be any dietary restrictions for Blue? Can he drink fluids for the first few days after surgery? How soon can he get back to business downstairs? Blue, you have a full team of supporters here. Keep us posted. Carroll is right! ... AND... the first thing is to FOLLOW YOUR DOCTOR'S INSTRUCTIONS! Depending upon precisely where the hernia is located, the size of the "tear" and the type of repair (whether any mesh support is used, etc.) a hernia repair is relatively simple... and frequently a go-home-the-same-day repair. It's doubtful a urinary catheter, if installed, will be in place when you go home. If so, follow all instructions you will be given to empty the bag. And, go back to the hospital/clinic to have it removed when instructed. Don't do as I did post prostate surgery and remove my own catheter. DAMN that pissed 'em off! Absolutely you must hydrate (drink fluids.) Now, for myself, I would just install an IV and hook up a bottle of wine (NAUGHTY BEAR!) but I'm thinking the doc will limit it to ORAL intake and mostly WATER. Diet... keep it mild and simple. The guts don't appreciate a giant bowl of NUCLEAR CHILI (even though Blu is in Texas.) AND, keep moving. "Taking it easy" means NO lifting (that part is CORRECT,) but that does not mean immobile. Move around, gently, as much as possible. That includes some slow deep-breathing. Gentle stretching will encourage healing. Any residual pain is made worse if one has been stationary too long. Follow doc's instructions regarding manually pressing gently on the surgical site. AND... stop by the BluePride break room frequently for support and cookies! Nurse Bear. |
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Post by TheBear on Mar 11, 2013 5:06:13 GMT -5
Hey Mac (aka Blu, for other BluePriders who may be wondering...)
You are going to be just fine. Yeah, there will be some soreness. Still, unless your doctor prescribes strict bed rest, I know from training and experience that moderate (no heavy lifting) exercise and just general moving around will LESSEN any pain. Done slowly, deep breathing exercise is excellent. Don't pant... you'll hyper-ventilate. Moderation in all things, my good man. Just keep MOVING. Ask your doctor.
Okay. I'm baking double batches of white, milk and dark chocolate / macadamia-nut cookies. You might also like my raisin walnut cookies... or the chewy coconut macaroons. Stop by the BluePride break room. I'll make up a special gift bag for your mom too. She is gonna be soooo glad she had the cataract surgery (which is a go-home-the-same-day procedure.)
We're all here for you, Blu. Keep us posted. Regular readers of your BluePride posts know you have a wonderful sense of HUMOR. Amazing the healing powers of LAUGHTER!
BearHugs, my good man,
Bear
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Post by bluepride on Mar 11, 2013 17:27:18 GMT -5
Ah yes....a hernia.....brings back a lot of memories.......not all good ones and not all bad ones either. Bottom line.....it's a temporary setback although it can be painful after the surgery. That's why you have to listen to the doctor. I'm going to give you some pointers seeing that I went through what you're going to face. I'll give you the good and the bad. This isn't a time to suger coat things; but please don't think that this is going to be a major ordeal. You just should know what to expect. And I hope I don't forget any part of what I went through. If I do, I'll update this.... 1. You'll go through a pre-surgery procedure. Things like blood pressure checks, interviews and whatever else they do these days. That's no biggie. They just have to know who they're dealing with beforehand in terms of medical history, etc. 2. Definitely have someone with you, to bring you home. You will not be in any condition to drive or take public transportation. Not even a taxi. Just make sure whoever drives you home does not stop to get gas while driving you home like I had to go through. You need to get from point A (hospital) to point B (home) without any delays. You won't be feeling good. (Drowsy, sleepy, lethargic, drugged up) They'll give you some kind of painkiller before you leave the hospital. Your anesthesia will be wearing off to some extent. 3. If at all possible, see if you can have your painkiller prescription filled before you have the operation. I had to wait in the car while my friend went into the pharmacy to get mine filled. It felt like it took a century to accomplish. I may have even had to go into the drug store myself with my friend. It's hard to remember. Bottom line is you don't want to be getting in and out of cars until you get home. 4. Once at home, you'll need to lie down and rest. And if the painkiller has started to wear off, you'll want another one right away. The pain is not fun. It gets better in a day or two...or three. But you need the painkillers. I had percocet. I'm not sure what they're doling out these days. Ideally if you can have someone stay with you the first night, that will be good. Let them do everything for you for the first 24 hours. Maybe, if you're by yourself, have easily prepared foods ready to go. Easily microwaved things might be good in the beginning. Unless someone is going to rattle the pots and pans for you. 5. When I called Health Services the day after I got home from the hospital, the Sergeant (who was my boss a few years earlier) was joking with me and making me laugh. Even with the painkillers, it made me hurt a lot! So ...no funny stuff!!! Your body and the area of the hernia are tender, traumatized or whatever you want to call it, so you want to treat yourself well and not do too much of anything. Urination should be no problem if I remember correctly but you might not be able to do #2 for a few days. Embrace that. When the time comes, let it happen naturally. Don't force things. Mother Nature knows what she's doing! 6. Best thing to do after you wake up in the morning and slowly and carefully have breakfast, is to become like millions of housewives all over the country. Lie on your sofa and watch TV. Take a nap if you feel like it. Maybe have some snacks handy, again if you feel like it. Watch "The View" if you can put up with those cows. I've never watched more than about 5 minutes of it since it would make me want to puke. Movies take up a good part of your day, hopefully. Or any other TV shows you want. You're entitled to veg out and recover, especially the first few days. After a couple of days, you'll feel better and s l o w l y but surely you'll get back into the swing of things. You don't have to shave or apply make-up.....you'll just need to relax and be a bum for a few days! 7. All in all, it probably sounds more scary than it actually is. Especially after I've described it!! ;D It's not that big a deal but it is an inconvenience, although fairly temporary. Usually, your stitches will dissolve by themselves but you still need to be careful getting around. You don't want to put undue pressure on them. And before I forget..... get a pair or two of loose, loose, loose......(did I mention, loose?) sweatpants. . No belted pants You don't want any pressure on the area that is affected. That shouldn't be a problem for you anyway. From what I understand, you're more the Mu-Mu type. ;D And when you start to feel better, still do not overdo it. Be very careful if you attempt to drive. Stay aware, etc.... And no high heels. Now that I've probably scared the crap out of you......(I hope I didn't).......Just know that it's only a temporary thing and after a few days, you feel better for the most part. In the whole scheme of things, this is a relatively minor procedure. You'll be back to yourself in practically no time. It's the first couple of days that are the ones that are "trying". Just take the first few days easy and stay with the painkillers and rest up and treat yourself well. I'm just relating what I went though and I think it will probably be similar for you. If I remember anything else that I feel you should know, I'll let you know right here! Just know that you won't be doing any "Rockette" kicks for a while. Yes, I know that's what you live for...but life requires sacrafice sometimes! You'll do fine and of course, we'll all be here trying to make you laugh. But don't laugh!!!! It hurts like hell! |
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Post by TheBear on Mar 12, 2013 2:26:44 GMT -5
Ah yes....a hernia.....brings back a lot of memories.......not all good ones and not all bad ones either. Bottom line.....it's a temporary setback although it can be painful after the surgery. That's why you have to listen to the doctor. (clip...) You'll do fine and of course, we'll all be here trying to make you laugh. But don't laugh!!!! It hurts like hell! Yup... it hurts... but that is exactly the point. I was super-pissed-off when the surgeon came to view his handiwork in the hospital room and cracked a whole series of jokes. Turns out LAUGHTER is therapeutic (and intentionally encouraged by the surgeon.) Gives a whole new meaning to the accepted medical term SOB ... (shortness of breath.) Tommy is right... USE the painkillers (as directed by doctor) and, believe me, GENTLY KEEP MOVING as you can. You'll be glad for it as the healing is quicker and the pain goes away sooner. ... oh... and I'm not sure there is ANYone desperate enough to watch The View (IMHO)  ... but it might be good for a LAUGH! Your choice! Okay... comfort cookies will be waiting. ;D Bear |
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Post by hcsodale on Mar 13, 2013 10:09:47 GMT -5
Mac, when Tommy said to sit back and watch movies, he didn't mean THOSE movies....depending on how aggressively you watch THOSE movies, you could hurt yourself further, though you might take more naps from all that exertion....  |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 16, 2013 17:54:16 GMT -5
Best of luck to you! I'm sure you'll come through it with flying colors! |
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Post by blu06 on Apr 8, 2013 20:05:26 GMT -5
Gentlemen, You won't believe what's happen. My surgeon's office called to post-pone my surgery scheduled for this coming Friday. Something about rehab and shaking hands....   No, no, my doctor has to go out of town on personal business, i.e. re-hab, he's got the shakes... I digress! So, I have a reprieve, which is ok, because it's April & April in San Antonio means... Ten days of fun, food, men, which in some circles, are one in the same I digress some more! Ha! Ha! ;D Not to mention, three major parades, the Oyster Bake at the old Alma Mater, and NIOSA, a very large and crowded block party where if you don't get felt up, you're doing something wrong.  But to get back to the matter at hand, I am given this reprieve till bout the end of May , early June. Thanks for all the words of support, believe me, as the days passed, concerns about the "what ifs, how am I gonna ..." were mounting steadily. I didn't think about "those movies" HCSODALE because believe it or not, they actually put me to sleep, LITERALLY! Sad but true. LOL Oh well, I'll have to stick to my Anne of the Thousand Days and Victor/Victoria, Le Jazz Hot, Baby! Stay Tuned! Mac |
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Post by TheBear on Apr 8, 2013 21:53:04 GMT -5
Mixed emotions, Mac. When you have a hernia, you NEED to have it repaired. A strangulated hernia is NO FUN... and can easily be permanent no fun.
But, since it has been postponed, you are going to need to take EXTRA CARE. Not kidding about this one, my good man. Just know that ol' Bear will be watching you on the security camera to be sure you are not doing anything beyond breathing (and even that is conditional! LOL!)
Oso
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Post by blu06 on Apr 8, 2013 23:55:03 GMT -5
I know. I haven't been ridding out, but next weekend is the busiest weekend of the year. So, I'm torn. I'm pretty sedated at the full time, it's an office job. The heaviest thing I pick up is the taco and cup of coffee I have in the AM. LOL I'll keep your words in mind.  |
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Post by hcsodale on May 25, 2013 21:25:56 GMT -5
Hey Mac, It should be getting close to "that time" since you mentioned end of May or early June. Just thinking about ya and checking in to make sure we don't have to send Nurse Bear down there to pet pamper you......yet....
Plus y'all have had a bit of the nasty weather too..Hope you're getting through it OK.
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