Post-op problems

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to let you know I'm still alive. I'm so sorry that I

haven't been in touch but I've had a pretty rough ride with post-op

complications this time and have not been able to get online.

I was already in a lot of pain from my surgery, as my OS told me it

would hurt and he didn't lie! But sadly I've had some other issues

thrown into the mix which have made things even harder. Over the

weekend I had a bowel blockage and subsequent gastric/bowel

irritation and bleeding made worse by some of the meds I'd been

given. My clotting factors had been borderline before the surgery,

and my reaction to the painkillers had made things worse so I was

being monitored closely for any significant bleeding. Thankfully I

didn't suffer anything more dramatic, but it left me very weakened

and drained.

Sadly in my depleted immune state I was wide open to developing

infection and sure enough on Sunday night I began showing signs of

fever. By Monday I was knocked completely flat and spent much of the

day semi conscious, in a lot of pain and worrying my poor parents to

death. The doctor confirmed that I have been unlucky and picked up

an infection or virus, but don't know how to treat it yet so I'm

being watched like a hawk to see if the virus runs itself out or the

infection gathers speed at which point I will need stronger

antibiotics and possibly even hospitalisation. My biggest fears are

that my shoulder gets infected or I develop an MRSA due to my low

immunity. I'm currently propped up in bed, fighting my ribs for

breath and the room's spinning and praying hard. But I wanted to let

you know what was happening and thank everyone for their kind words,

thoughts and messages.

My shoulder is still very painful, a little worryingly so as it is

hypersensitive to the slightest touch at present. I'm hoping it's

just because of being so physically drained, but I intend informing

my surgeon when I see him. I'm due to see him on the 19th but get my

staples out on Tuesday so chances are I may see him then.

Well I'm going to have to go as sitting up is getting to be a bit

too strenuous for me. I promise I will be in touch as and when I

can. Please take care and know that I am thinking of you all even if

I'm not around as much as I would like.

Love and hugs....Jo

xxx

P.S. To everyone I owe emails and messages to, I apologise but

promise I will write as soon as I can.