Friday 19th May 2017

24 hours post surgery.
I originally thought that my surgery was going to be on the 8th May, but it was down in the books for the 18th.
This meant that I had an extra 10 days on the Optifast diet.
I did sway a bit on the diet only because, (only because...just a flimsy excuse), I had developed a nasty head cold and chest infection 9 days before my surgery date.
I'm still coughing up a bit of gunk now but my head feels clear now.
I was starting to feel better 3 days before the surgery and I had a word to the anaesthetist before surgery and he asked me a few questions about my symptoms.
Sometimes people who are sick can't proceed with their surgery but the anaesthetist seemed happy to proceed with my surgery.
So how have I fared in the last 24 hours?
I had a bit of nausea and vomiting in the first 12 hours after surgery that lasted late into the night.
Then this morning I had another bout of nausea but I didn't throw up - I like to think that I talked myself out of it.
The nausea episodes were pretty bad, (very intense) but they didn't last that long.
I had a bit of blood in my vomit which was a bit alarming to me after a lifetime of blood free chunder, but a nurse told me to not worry about the colour of it.
Apart from the vomiting there were no other issues.
Apart from been stuck in the Recovery ward for 7 hours.
My mum had to wait almost all day to see me but I wasn't very good company for anyone straight after surgery.
If I wasn't sleeping I was either trying to sleep or throwing up.
The nurses in the Recovery ward were very good sports about me been stranded there and very attentive to me.
I spent the first night in hospital in the ICU because I have sleep apnoea.
It was very uncomfortable as I had a heart monitor attached on my right, 4 IV bags attached on my left, and mechanical stockings fitted that made a constant noise.
The IV machine was also making noise.
The room temperature was very warm, too warm and I kept slipping down the bed.
There was noise, lights and sounds everywhere.
But I'm sure I got some quality of sleep because I was sitting up in a chair in the ICU ward at 5:30am this morning with minimal pain.
There were no complications post surgery apart from a bit of high blood pressure which was probably caused my my cold/cough infection and that was quickly brought under control.
Right now I'm already tolerating water quite well.
I farted earlier today which I was quite happy about because it indicated that both my ends are happy to get back to business again without missing much of a beat.
I don't know how or why, but I seem to handle surgery quite well.
You wouldn't think it, me being such a sleepy head and all, but I just seem to do it pretty well.
Mind you, I've only had 2 surgeries to date so far so I might be a bit premature in congratulating myself on a job well done.
I'm looking forward to going home - I'm her for another 2-3 night at this stage.
I saw my surgeon this morning at 9am who was impressed that I was already sitting up and sipping on water.
I've already walked a circuit around the ward today and I'll try to do another circuit and have a shower later today.
Apart from that I'm doing nothing, writing this down, listening to music on my phone and checking Facebook for useless information.
It's good in a way that I feel well enough to be bored in hospital.
Some people really suffer from surgery with all the anaesthetics and drugs involved and bouncing back after surgery.
I'm starting to get some gas pain now in my top shoulder area.
It's not too bad but enough to be annoying.

Later that day...

Mum came in to visit me earlier today which was nice.
She bought in a few supplies that I had requested and some trashy magazines to read.
I had my shower and now feel great.
It's quite warm on this ward too but not as tropical as in the ICU.
I received a phone call from one of my old high school friends today and also from my brother.
He is planning to come in to visit tomorrow.