Recovery: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

3:08 PM by Adam and Penny Lain Hensley
So I am 9 days post-op. I am off pain meds, walking around the block, wearing make up and jewelry, and driving on my own. And I am only 9 days post-op!!!! This does not mean I could run a marathon. Ok, I have never been able to run a marathon due to my massive chest that beat me up but perhaps I could give it a go now.

Now for the downside of recovery...

I am in lots of pain and wait until 7 AM and 7 PM so I can take more Aleve. I get tired after walking around Target. I am stuck in bed yet I feel great. My house is a total disaster. My husband is probably frowning as he reads this. He is doing his best but let's face it, he is no house wife! I have Julie arriving in 2 days and her bed isn't even made, her mini fridge isn't stocked with her favorite treats, her bathroom isn't cleaned. And I can't lift anything heavier than a comb or brush. So I sit in bed watching Grey's Anatomy reruns, pinning on Pinterest, and Facebook stalking my sister's friend's brother's cousin's dog! My poor husband is working all day and has to come home to refill my drink since lifting a 2 Liter bottle of Ginger Ale is not allowed, cook supper, and somehow have this house cleaned before Saturday. I am going crazy!!! I wish I was still on pain meds and felt like I had just had major surgery so I didn't feel so bad for lying in bed all day long.

This is what I see while stuck in bed... 
My lap desk with coloring books, a laptop, snoring puppies, and Grey's on the TV.

Now onto the upside of this surgery...

I have not complained of back pain in 9 days. Adam brought me ice cream the other night as I was sitting in the living room. Typically I would rest it on my chest as I ate it but I couldn't because there was nothing there for it to rest on! The bottoms of my shirts are not 2 inches shorter in the front than the back. Adam could not play football with a straw wrapper and my cleavage at lunch the other day. After eating, I don't have crumbs down my shirt and food on my chest. I feel amazing despite the huge incisions and the massive pain. This was the best decision I have ever made.
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I survived my first surgery!!

3:10 PM by Adam and Penny Lain Hensley
I have an absolute phobia of needles and doctors. I spent months in therapy to overcome this fear. I did not overcome it, instead I now have ways to cope with this phobia. After years of back pain, not being able to wear certain clothes, and being very disproportional, I had a breast reduction. 

Last Tuesday, we checked into Fort Sutter Surgery Center. The nurses were amazing with accommodating my crazy ways to cope with my fear. I was taken back quickly and given my gown to change into. Next the nurse put lidocaine cream on my hand where the IV would be inserted. I must add that the entire time, I was wearing sunglasses. Those awful lights set off anxiety attacks for me and I have found that sunglasses prevent these attacks. While waiting for the cream to numb the surface area, the nurses brought Adam back. I quickly realized I did not pack my iPod with my ocean sounds. There was a lot going on in the pre-op area and I began getting quite anxious. Adam had his iPad but it did not have my ocean sounds on it. I chose our Mardi Gras playlist. Instantly, I calmed down! Adam and I began talking about our trip to New Orleans. By the time the nurse came to insert the IV, Adam and I were in full force reminiscing about our favorite city. I could slightly feel the needle go in and began doing my breathing techniques while Adam continued talking about NOLA.

Here I am waiting to be taken into the OR

Once the IV was in, my surgeon and anesthesiologist both came to get my consent for what seemed like the hundredth time! Next thing I knew, I was being wheeled into the operating room. I moved from the gurney onto the operating table and that's the last thing I remember.

I woke up in the recovery room very out of it and in lots of pain. The nurse was right by my side giving me ice chips, pieces of crackers, and apple juice. After being given morphine through my IV and taking a few pain pills, they allowed Adam back. After keeping the crackers and juice down, I changed back into my clothes with lots of help and was moved to the wheel chair. Adam and the nurse got me into the car and we headed home. Once the morphine wore off, the pain meds were not helping me sleep. The doctor tried 2 other meds, one made me sick and the other caused me to break out in a massive rash. 

Here I am with my childhood stuffed animal sleeping.

We couldn't keep Tucker and Otis from being right by me.

Adam has been amazing this week while I recover. He has set alarms to wake up to keep meds in me, changed my bandages as I almost pass out, and put my hair in ponytails. I am not sure what I would do without him this past week. I still have several more weeks to go of recovery. The pain is becoming more bearable and now we are just keeping the incisions cleaned and bandages changed daily.





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Life of Leisure...HA!

8:11 PM by Adam and Penny Lain Hensley
Now that I am no longer working, you may want to know what I do with my time. My first day not working began with Adam's brothers, Kevin and Kyle, coming to visit. Below is a quick overview of their trip to California.

Kevin and Kyle at the State Capitol

 Old Town Sacramento

Jelly Belly Factory

Jelly Belly Factory

Giants Game

Giants Game

Fisherman's Wharf 

Kevin hanging out on the open air, double decker bus 

Golden Gate Bridge 

We even managed to see the eclipse. 
Adam had the great idea to use old ultra sound film of mine to look at the eclipse! 

Copperopolis...creepiest town ever!

Big Tree State Park 

Kevin standing inside the tree 

Kyle inside the tree 

Roots of a fallen tree 

I hope I speak for all of us when I say we had an absolute blast the week they were in town!!

Since Kevin and Kyle left, Adam has been back to working nonstop and I have been enjoying my time not working. I picked up a tutoring job working with a soon to be first grader and third grader. They are the sweetest girls and I have had a blast working with them. I am still on the hunt for a teaching job! It looks as though I will sub next year and take online classes to receive my English Language Learner certificate. I have been walking each morning with Adam's boss's wife each morning. Michelle and I meet up around 8:15 and go for a good walk while visiting. It has been amazing getting to know Michelle. I am not looking forward to surgery as that will mean I won't be able to walk and visit!

Now on to what we have coming up. My Mom and Dad arrive on Saturday for a week. We have a full week planned...barbecue with friends, Napa, San Francisco, Big Tree State Park, and Old Town Sac!! After they leave, I have 2 days to prepare for my surgery. I am beyond excited about this surgery. As I have said previously, this surgery will be life changing and will greatly improve my health. The only thing I ask from my California friends is that you come do my hair. I love my husband and all but he is not exactly the best hair dresser!! 
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