is-this-the-endo

[is-this-the-endo]

Laparoscopic cystectomy of ovarian cyst: day 2 post op

It doesn't hurt/ burn as much whilst peeing anymore. I reckon I will be back to peeing as per normal by tomorrow.

I continue to get up and walk around every 1-2 hours. All the farting and walking really helps with the gas. I don't have the typical shoulder pains from the carbon dioxide gas, but I have some soreness under my lower right ribcage. Maybe some gas is stuck there. My ovarian cyst was on the right side after all. The walking around also helps prevent blood clots/ DVT in overweight patients. If you have no energy to walk about, just flex your feet up and down, or rotate them. Maybe do 8-10 reps and 2-3 sets each leg every once in awhile. Get the blood moving.

The food here is so bland. I haven't much appetite so I still don't finish my food. Breakfast was 2 plain white bread slices (which I didn't eat), 2 soft boiled eggs, and 1 cup of hot milo (did not finish either). Had an avocado on 2 wholemeal bread slices courtesy of a visiting friend. Also had the dissolvable vitamin c tablet in a cup of water. Vit C is important for recovery!

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When I was discharged from MAH, the hospital portion for use of surgery theatre, meds, and bedstay (2 nights) was about S$5K. Anaesthesiologist was $2K, and my doctor/ surgeon was $10K. This was for a laparoscopic cystectomy on my right ovary wall and right ovarian tube, excision of endometriotic implants and adhesiolysis (removal of adhesions). Hopefully my insurance will cover it. Singapore insurance has so many levels so not sure just how much will be covered. Was given an interim bill, and insurance will inform in 2-4weeks how much would be reimbursed.

Discharge was at 11am. Felt a bit like a hotel check out. Everyone's in the lobby at 11am waiting to settle their bills lol

My brother and mother accompanied me at checkout and we all went out for lunch after. I was fine in the hospital but walking a few metres to our lunch destination made me nauseous. We ended up at popeye's (because I wanted the biscuit lol I know fast food after surgery? Wot? The tummy wants what it wants). I ate a biscuit and one chicken tender. Then I had a craving for bubble tea. I just ended up getting normal earl grey tea with no sugar, lemon slices, and aiyu jelly. I craved a lot of strange things post-surgery which I normally don't crave at all. Not really sure what this means but it would be good if you pre-prepared post surgery food at home so you won't have to leave the house or bother with cooking.

Climbing stairs was not an issue. Probs because I was on pain meds so it was unlikely i would feel any pain/ discomfort. Just have to move slowly as walking too fast jostles the abdomen (perhaps more so because I'm fat/flabby so there's more jiggle?).

Was pretty tired so went to bed early.

[is-this-the-endo]

Laparoscopic cystectomy of ovarian cyst: day 1 post op continued

It’s 14:32 now. Quick update of where I’m at. Shoulders don’t ache from the carbon dioxide anymore. The ache was only within the first 5 hours post-surgery.

Stomache/ cramps are continuing. No appetite. When I drink or eat hot, cold, or luke warm foods, I get the cramps. It feels like I need to poo, but when I get to the toilet, no poo. Have been a bit gassy though. Have farted once or twice.

Mama and david came at 8:00, but david left around 10:30 and mama has continued to stay.

Food wise, generally have no appetite. Could not finish breakfast. They served fish porridge, but i only ate the fish bits and 1-2 spoons of porridge. Drank half a cup of milo. Drank a cup of vit c+zinc drink. Drank 1/3 of nu smoothie. Drank another 1/3 of nu smoothies before lunch. Drank the remaining 1/3 of nu smoothie at lunch. Also ate ½ cup of watermelon slices and ¼ of the chicken beehoon served, and mama ate the rest. Tea time i managed to finish a cup of milo and the little apple pie served. Suffered cramps throughout all my drinks and meals. Stomach cramps are getting worse and mama deduced it’s from movement in the intestines as it gets heavier with food. Makes sense.

I’m dreading my first poo but i really want these stomach cramps to end. I have been taken off the IV because I’ve been able to eat. And I’m only on the iv for antibiotics. One 1hr dose from 8ish to 9ish in the morning. Was given ulset at breakfast and at lunch, and took doc's prescribed ibuprofen in between. They are giving me only 1 ibuprofen as I’m still on the hospital’s pain meds.

Still have a burning sensation when I pee. It hurts, but the kegels whilst peeing helps.

I managed to walk for about 5-10mins around 09:30. Nurse recommended it to bring my BP back to normal, and to reduce bloatedness.

[is-this-the-endo]

Laparoscopic cystectomy of ovarian cyst: day 1 post-op

I'm writing this at 2:36am, some time after my first piss post-surgery. I did it just in the nicik of time at 2am. Just on the point of the 6hr window when they hope you pass motion. If not, well, who knows. There was blood and bloody tissue and it was normal. I know because the nurse had to catch my pee to check and she said as much. My clit had a burning sensation and my vagina felt like it was ripping a bit as I repeatedly held and released my stream as instructed. I think it's supposed to reduce the pain. Fair warning to all though that kegels whilst peeing on a daily basis can lead to a UTI. My clit and vag weren't on fire or torn asunder, it was just a feeling. Carefully shuffling back to bed whilst holding my IV drip of fluids and antibiotics for support, I try to take deep breaths, but they come out short and shallow. Gingerly I sit on the side and turn to tuck my legs under the covers, forgetting to breath as I feel a stabbing paing under my right ribs and my abdommen. I ask the nurse for more painkillers, but my last dose of arcoxia and something else was at 10pm. She can't give me anything until 4am. I don't know if the ibuprofen I brought with me tucked in the bedside medical drawer is a counter indication. The pain isn't that bad to be honest. Way better that the monthly endo pains that accompany nature's way of telling me I failed to have a baby. Or congratulations. Depending on how you look at it. I decide I can deal and if I really can't, I'll ask for some at 4am.

I lift my covers to check my scars again. Only 3; one in the navel and one on either side of it, lower and closer to my hipbones. Perfectly symmetrical. Like what a belly button and microdermal hip piercings would like if you had a change of heart. I might tell that story if the scars are ever questioned, but I'll probably tell the truth. I don't want endo to be hidden and misunderstood. People need to understand.

It's 2:56am now. Took me 20mins to write 2 paragraphs as I dipped in and out of drowsiness. My phone also rudely dipped down into my face lol time for sleep.

A snippet of what it's like after a laparoscopic cystectomy of an 8cm endometriotic cyst of the right ovary.

[is-this-the-endo]

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