Let'r Rip, Tater Chip!

Day 3 postop…
We made the trip from Decatur to home on Thursday, just 24 hours after my surgery.  The night in the hospital was probably exhausting for Todd, since every time I awoke, I wanted to walk.  The goal was to move the gas out of my largely inflated abdomen.  Of course, the ways that gas moves out of the abdomen are less than ladylike…you burp or you fart.  Pardon my vulgarity, but I'm just calling it like it is.  So…I walked every chance I got. And when I was finally able to expel some of that gas, there was a huge celebration!  Any nurse will tell you that celebrations are in order for passing gas and pooping.  On more than one occasion, I have declared to my patients who have accomplished these goals, "Let'r rip, tater chip!"  That always seems to lighten the mood and lessen the embarrassment because, let's face it, tooting, burping, and pooping are taboo outside the hospital walls.   Sorry for that, but Hey!  It's real life!

Anyway, WOW!  That went south, huh?  My surgery went just as expected, and I was back in my room before noon where Todd and Emily were waiting for me.  Emily was thoughtful enough to record some of the wisdom I shared under the influence of anesthesia and my Demerol PCA.  Apparently, as I entered the room, I asked the nurses, "Did they tell you I wanted to keep my excised stomach?"  WHAT?!?  Evidently no one else got the message because I left the hospital without that piece of anatomy.  Other Missy-isms include: announcing "I brought Q-tips," stating that "I started to ask if it was a boy or a girl," and telling my family "You might have to remind me to breathe."  Evidently, I kept my family entertained.

Life after surgery has proven to have its own set of challenges.  I am NOT hungry, yet I know I have to constantly keep something in me.  I am supposed to squeeze 64 oz of water per day into this tiny, swollen pouch of mine that was once a stomach.  The tricky part is finding something that doesn't trigger nausea.  I have discovered that orange and lime sugar-free popsicles are tolerable, as well as raspberry lemonade and lemon-lime G2 Gatorade. As I write this blog post, I am sipping spring water from a champagne flute.  Fancy!  So far, nothing chicken flavored is appealing.  Tomorrow or Monday, I will try my clear protein drinks to see if there is anything palatable.  I have several to choose from, so hopefully, I will find some that I love.

Walking is GOOD, and I really enjoy it.  The cool, autumn weather makes it even more enjoyable.  In fact, I think it's time to get up and go for a little walk.  It's time to let'r rip, tater chip!