But, last Monday afternoon I sure felt like it. The surgery on Monday morning went well. Three hernias... one under the belly button which was very small and not a problem so not bothered with. One low left... small and repaired. One on the right. I knew it was large. My wife said that the surgeon showed her a picture... said she could have put her hand through the hole. Was not able to stand up long enough last Sunday to preach two morning services. Had to sit most of the week and do nothing. Did slip off to the range for a bit. Shot a 15-22 and a 1911 Marvel .22 conversion. Really tired when got home.
On Monday morning we got to the hospital by 5:30 a.m. My district superintendent was in the waiting room when we walked in the door. He and my wife accompanied me to the little room with the bed, etc. where I waited. We had prayer and he left for a district set-up meeting, first one I've ever missed. In a few minutes, I was dressed in a designer hospital gown. The set up a IV and maybe a few minutes later I was rolling down the hallway. They put something in the IV and I went bye bye. About 10 a.m. they had me back in the little room. It took quite a while for me to come around from the anesthesia. About 4 p.m. I could finally use the toilet, so they let me go home. That night was lots of fun... pain. Got burned in 1998... this was a different kind of pain.
Next day I was alone as my wife had to go to work. Getting out of the bed took quite a while. Next two days spent on couch and walking around house. Yesterday slipped out and drove car to bank to deposit paycheck. Got home... enough of that. Finally able to eat solid food on Thursday night... stewed potatoes w/ bacon and cornbread. It was wonderful. Had only had ice cream and sherbert since Monday b/c throat was sore. Bruises starting to fade. Look like someone held me down on the floor and stomped me from about the middle of my stomach on down. Real colorful. You will hopefully understand that there are no pictures.
This morning... just finished a nice big mug of semi-hot mostly warm coffee. Starting to feel like a human being again. Was so swollen up Tuesday morning the only pants I could get on were a pair of BDU's ... size Ex. Lg. ... about 42 waist. Normally I wear size 38 pants. This morning... can get a pair of 38 Carhartt's on... but still to tight to sit in comfortably... so back with the BDU's. Weak as dish water. In a few minutes... will make another mug of coffee. Then I will start composing and typing and printing bulletins for the four churches for Sunday morning. Got one finished last night. Two are not so difficult. One is fairly complicated. Must finish and have ready to go not later than 11.40 a.m. to get into town (1.5 miles) so various folks can carry them to the churches for me. Otherwise... got a 32 mile trip to make. One man is coming by this afternoon for one set of bulletins so that will save me an additional 25 miles of driving. Sorry for the poor quality of writing. Just real tired. I can tell you now, this surgery stuff is a real experience, one dance that I will in the future do my best to avoid.
Looking at my stomach it is hard to believe the difference. I have always tried to keep myself in decent shape. Never was a great athlete, but was not a couch potato. About January, knew I'd hurt myself... thought maybe pulled/torn a muscle. Figured it'd get better. By March... had gotten to the point I was no longer able to run, etc. Got hard to carry my M-1 rifle when walking, etc. Never imagined what was actually wrong. During Annual Conference on Sunday night a few weeks ago... hurt so bad thought they were going to have to take me to the hospital. It really hurt, bulged. Pushed it back and made it through to Wednesday. Went to local doctor on Thursday and he found the hernias. Told me not to cough/sneeze... if had to then be very careful or would be going to emergency room. Really got my attention. Between January... June... I got all swelled up. Figured it was just b/c I could no longer go running, etc. Now... my stomach is as flat as a board. Weird. Never imagined hernias could mess you up so much.
Must be quiet for the next few weeks as per doctor orders. So, intend to do exactly as I'm told. Absolutely don't want a repeat of this mess. Only thing really concerned about right now... cost. Surgery on eyes earlier this year... paid all my deductibles (which have gone way up... from $500 to $2000 yr.). Hopefully this time the insurance will actually pay something. Trying to get set for the bills. Just no idea what they will be. Thanks for letting me ramble. Wonderful to have a place to go... get stuff of chest... stomach! Sincerely. brucev.
On Monday morning we got to the hospital by 5:30 a.m. My district superintendent was in the waiting room when we walked in the door. He and my wife accompanied me to the little room with the bed, etc. where I waited. We had prayer and he left for a district set-up meeting, first one I've ever missed. In a few minutes, I was dressed in a designer hospital gown. The set up a IV and maybe a few minutes later I was rolling down the hallway. They put something in the IV and I went bye bye. About 10 a.m. they had me back in the little room. It took quite a while for me to come around from the anesthesia. About 4 p.m. I could finally use the toilet, so they let me go home. That night was lots of fun... pain. Got burned in 1998... this was a different kind of pain.
Next day I was alone as my wife had to go to work. Getting out of the bed took quite a while. Next two days spent on couch and walking around house. Yesterday slipped out and drove car to bank to deposit paycheck. Got home... enough of that. Finally able to eat solid food on Thursday night... stewed potatoes w/ bacon and cornbread. It was wonderful. Had only had ice cream and sherbert since Monday b/c throat was sore. Bruises starting to fade. Look like someone held me down on the floor and stomped me from about the middle of my stomach on down. Real colorful. You will hopefully understand that there are no pictures.
This morning... just finished a nice big mug of semi-hot mostly warm coffee. Starting to feel like a human being again. Was so swollen up Tuesday morning the only pants I could get on were a pair of BDU's ... size Ex. Lg. ... about 42 waist. Normally I wear size 38 pants. This morning... can get a pair of 38 Carhartt's on... but still to tight to sit in comfortably... so back with the BDU's. Weak as dish water. In a few minutes... will make another mug of coffee. Then I will start composing and typing and printing bulletins for the four churches for Sunday morning. Got one finished last night. Two are not so difficult. One is fairly complicated. Must finish and have ready to go not later than 11.40 a.m. to get into town (1.5 miles) so various folks can carry them to the churches for me. Otherwise... got a 32 mile trip to make. One man is coming by this afternoon for one set of bulletins so that will save me an additional 25 miles of driving. Sorry for the poor quality of writing. Just real tired. I can tell you now, this surgery stuff is a real experience, one dance that I will in the future do my best to avoid.
Looking at my stomach it is hard to believe the difference. I have always tried to keep myself in decent shape. Never was a great athlete, but was not a couch potato. About January, knew I'd hurt myself... thought maybe pulled/torn a muscle. Figured it'd get better. By March... had gotten to the point I was no longer able to run, etc. Got hard to carry my M-1 rifle when walking, etc. Never imagined what was actually wrong. During Annual Conference on Sunday night a few weeks ago... hurt so bad thought they were going to have to take me to the hospital. It really hurt, bulged. Pushed it back and made it through to Wednesday. Went to local doctor on Thursday and he found the hernias. Told me not to cough/sneeze... if had to then be very careful or would be going to emergency room. Really got my attention. Between January... June... I got all swelled up. Figured it was just b/c I could no longer go running, etc. Now... my stomach is as flat as a board. Weird. Never imagined hernias could mess you up so much.
Must be quiet for the next few weeks as per doctor orders. So, intend to do exactly as I'm told. Absolutely don't want a repeat of this mess. Only thing really concerned about right now... cost. Surgery on eyes earlier this year... paid all my deductibles (which have gone way up... from $500 to $2000 yr.). Hopefully this time the insurance will actually pay something. Trying to get set for the bills. Just no idea what they will be. Thanks for letting me ramble. Wonderful to have a place to go... get stuff of chest... stomach! Sincerely. brucev.
