Trekking out (Post-Fundoplication - Day 5)

I am recuperating from my Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication quite well.

I am sleeping much less, only a couple of hours more than my regular schedule. I spend most of the day in bed watching TV or on the computer (mostly Twitter, Facebook, & Richmond Times-Dispatch).

I am feeling much more energetic; enough so that I can go out for an hour or two before coming home to rest. My first venture out from my recuperation bed was going to church (only Sacrament Meeting) on Sunday, which exhausted me.

Today, we went to Lowes (my 2nd home), and then Walmart. By the time we got to Walmart, I was feeling a bit more tired, so I drove around in one of those electric carts.

Ashley posted this to Facebook:
He's not allowed to drive a car,
but that didn't stop him from
driving a cart around the store.

(Note: Although the date and tone of this blog post make it appear that it was written on July 23, it was actually written on July 26 because I need to improve my blogging timeliness.)

Home again! (Post-Fundoplication - Day 2)

I came home around today around noon. Than slept most of the day.

As part of my surgery, they pumped my belly full of carbon dioxide. While they try to release most of it, some of that gas stays in your body until it can be 'released naturally.' But, until then, the gas raises inside your body, creating painful areas in your shoulders and neck.

I am on tylenol with codeine, which makes me sleep even more, but helps my neck and shoulders feel much better. The best thing about it is that, because I'm on a full liquid diet (don't get me started on the "full" designation), my medicine is a tasty, liquid that makes me feel like a kid.

(Note: Although the date and tone of this blog post make it appear that it was written on July 20, it was actually written on July 26 because I need to improve my blogging timeliness.)

Food! (Post-Fundoplication - Day 2)

I'm feeling much better today because I finally got some food! I was not allowed to eat anything yesterday other than water. By the late evening, I was starving.

My nurses have been very kind. They like me because I am quickly feeling better and don't call them very often. Yesterday, I felt well enough to unplug my IV pole from the wall, and take myself (and IV pole) to the bathroom.

This morning, I got up, went out to the hall and said, "So its morning now, can I have something to eat please?" I had thought that I would be on a liquid diet, which meant true liquids. Come to find out, I am on a "full liquid" diet, which isn't fully liquid in any way. It means I can have applesauce... and ice cream!

I started with applesauce. Then went on to ice cream. When they brought breakfast around, I told the lady that I probably didn't get breakfast. She said, "Nope, you can have this "full liquid" breakfast or Cream of Wheat, yogurt, and juice."

(Seriously, do these people not own a dictionary? The definition of 'full' reveals its synonyms as 'complete' or 'entire.' Now exactly how can applesauce or ice cream be described as entirely liquid? But, when you have not eaten in 32 hours, you don't question people who let you have ice cream for breakfast.)

The second bonus of today is that I got to watch all of the coverage of The Open Championship (aka the British Open). I scheduled this surgery perfectly!

Happiness is breaking a 32 hr fast
w/ surprise discovery that a
"liquid" diet includes applesauce
(& The Open Championship on TV).

Ice cream, u scream, we all scream
for breakfast in the hospital!

(Note: Although the date and tone of this blog post make it appear that it was written on July 20, it was actually written on July 26 because I need to improve my blogging timeliness.)

I've been shot! No, actually just fundoplicated.

This morning, I had Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication to fix my GERD issues. The surgery took less than 90 minutes and the doctor said that it went extremely well. I will be staying overnight at the CJW - Johnston-Willis Campus of the CJW Medical Center.

Before my surgery, the hospital gave me these
supper snazzy socks to wear.

The 5 "bullet holes" from my
Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication

(Note: Although the date and tone of this blog post make it appear that it was written on July 19, it was actually written on July 26 because I need to improve my blogging timeliness.)

Happy Birthday! You need surgery!

As part of my tireless effort to personally fund the college education of the children of every doctor in the Richmond Region, I continue to pursue a remedy for the chronic cough y’all have come to know and love.

Over the past few years, I have been diagnosed with asthma and sleep apnea, both of which contribute to the causes of the cough. However, the doctors have now identified GERD as the most likely cause of my cough (and possibly to my asthma).

You may know that a few weeks ago, a gastroenterologist performed a esophageal endoscopy to implant a small transmitter inside my esophagus to measure the ph levels just above my stomach. (Yes, the same doctor who made me eat radioactive eggs in March.) As part of the endoscopy, the doctor found that I have a hiatal hernia, which is the cause for my severe GERD. Unfortunately, medication alone does not seem to be alleviating the symptoms and the cough comes back frequently.

Today, as a special birthday present to myself, I went to see a specialist surgeon about the next step in possible solutions. She gave me the gift of telling me that I needed surgery to repair the hiatal hernia. So, in July, I will be having a Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication. Despite its name, it is not “fun” and does not involve winning a new Nissan Altima. In actuality, the surgery can be summarized as tying a knot in my stomach (see video below or a shorter 36-second video).

The surgeon has told me that the recovery will require me to be out of the office for 1-2 weeks. I have arranged for the surgery to take place on Thursday, July 19, with the plan for me to return to work on Monday, July 30.

The good news is that the surgery will force me into losing more weight, which should enhance the progress I’ve made with my asthma, sleep apnea, and ruptured spinal disc. As a result of the surgery, I will be on a liquid-only diet for 10-14 days, followed by a soft food diet for an addition 14-21 days.

 

Problem: Hiatal hernia

WebMD’s page on Hiatal Hernia Causes, Picture, Symptoms, Tests, and Treatments

Surgery – Short Video (0:36)

Animated video providing quick explanation of the surgery

Surgery – Longer Video (4:42)

More detailed animated video that discusses the problem and the surgery

(Note: Although the date and tone of this blog post make it appear that it was written on June 12, it was actually written on July 26 because I need to improve my blogging timeliness.)