Arlo Kalon 2.0
New Member
This time a week ago I was back in the hospital. I had gotten home at around 5pm the day before and was thinking the events of surgery #17 were behind me now. At a little after 1am I began vomiting violently and had excruciating abdominal pain. I immediately knew I had an intestinal blockage from the vast amount of adhesion scar tissue I produce. By 5am I was back in the ER in Dallas. After some extensive digging at my shoddy veins an iv was connected and I settled in convinced I was headed for emergency surgery to resect a bowel at the obstruction site. My surgeon opted instead for a nasal/gastric tube to suction my stomach and alleviate pressure on my intestines. I spent the next three days wretching and in constant pain the morphine barely touched. Everything slowly began to resolve and food was gradually introduced. Finally, yesterday I was allowed to return home again. I made it thru last night, enjoying the comfort of my TempurPedic mattress.
I still have constant abdominal pain, but I'll take it over the pain of another surgery any day. My surgeon had already retired to his ranch in west Texas before I was dismissed. The surgeon I spoke with before being released said that with all the work my surgeon had done to me, she wouldn't be surprised if I had pain for up to six weeks. It's okay though as I have an ample supply of narcotics on hand with two refills.
I am mentally exhausted and on edge over the constant possibility of another obstruction... but I somehow feel that isn't going to happen and I'm headed for numerous seasons of normalcy instead. Don't ask me where that optimism comes from as I have no idea. I just believe the universe is going to cut me a big break finally.
It is my cherished goal to stop being this ongoing crisis with nothing but horrid news to report. At least I no longer have those vile draining holes in my belly. I also no longer have any remnants of a belly button left. I've decided on a tattoo to replace my belly button. It's going to be Stewie Griffin stretching his way out of a hole in the center of my belly. I've got a great cartoon artist I am hoping to be able to persuade to create the artwork for me. I have something whimsical to look forward to to replace all the dark thoughts and fears of the past few months. Can't wait to be able to post a pic of my new belly once it's all done!
I still have constant abdominal pain, but I'll take it over the pain of another surgery any day. My surgeon had already retired to his ranch in west Texas before I was dismissed. The surgeon I spoke with before being released said that with all the work my surgeon had done to me, she wouldn't be surprised if I had pain for up to six weeks. It's okay though as I have an ample supply of narcotics on hand with two refills.
I am mentally exhausted and on edge over the constant possibility of another obstruction... but I somehow feel that isn't going to happen and I'm headed for numerous seasons of normalcy instead. Don't ask me where that optimism comes from as I have no idea. I just believe the universe is going to cut me a big break finally.
It is my cherished goal to stop being this ongoing crisis with nothing but horrid news to report. At least I no longer have those vile draining holes in my belly. I also no longer have any remnants of a belly button left. I've decided on a tattoo to replace my belly button. It's going to be Stewie Griffin stretching his way out of a hole in the center of my belly. I've got a great cartoon artist I am hoping to be able to persuade to create the artwork for me. I have something whimsical to look forward to to replace all the dark thoughts and fears of the past few months. Can't wait to be able to post a pic of my new belly once it's all done!
