Life Since my Surgeries...

Just fair warning... This is going to be a very honest account of what my entire experience has been like since my surgeries. I've had lots of inquires on how life has been so I wanted to share.  Proceed with caution.... :D

When I was going in for my surgeries, I had so many incredible worries. I scoured the internet looking for answers to my questions and found new questions to ask. I want to put this candid look on how my life was prior to the surgeries and how my life is now.

I think one of the most difficult thing is women or just people in general don't talk about is how hard pregnancies are on our bodies and we have to deal with the repercussion for the rest of our lives. I'm not saying pregnancies and what we get out of it (the children) isn't wonderful. I love that but pregnancy and post pregnancy is not glamorous. Some women seem to get through these pregnancies unscathed and I think that's a) great for them or b) they're full of shit.

So to recall in August I had 4 surgeries: Bladder repair, gallbladder removal, partial hysterectomy, and repair of a hernia. 

Bladder repair: I was incredibly worried about this one. Prior to the surgery, my bladder was put through the ringer by my 4 pregnancies. Every time I wanted to go play with my kids I had to make sure that I had just gone to the bathroom. When I was pregnant with my last child, during puking from morning sickness, I peed all over myself because my body couldn't handle it. Running was difficult. Trying to stay hydrated plus long runs equaled a really weak bladder. What if this surgery made my bladder problems worse? So scouring the internet, I did my research as well as talking to my doctors. Now fast forward to directly after the surgery... 2 weeks spent with a catheter. Worse two weeks ever. I was terrified that I would never be able to go again on my own! However, I did get over that and for the most part it has been amazing! I love being able to go jump on the trampoline with my kids and not worry about peeing my pants. Not to mention when I used to be sick and had those colds that made me cough so hard repeatedly, I had to wear adult pull-ups. I know, incredibly sexy to imagine. Right? But there it is, that situation was terrible, but now that seems to be a thing of the past. The only downside to the surgery has been to completely relieve myself takes a bit longer than it used to and (hard to describe) I have to pull up my abdominal muscles just right to feel completely relieved. Bottom line: I'm really happy that I added this surgery to my list. I love being able to run and play with my kids and not peeing all over myself. 

Gallbladder removal: Prior to the surgery, the only problems I had was the wrenching pain after eating a slightly fattening meal. Very painful experiences! I had a few gallstones and my docs deemed necessary to tear out the organ. After thinking thoughtfully about the surgery and doing my homework, I came up with the conclusion that life wasn't going to get worse for me, so I feel like I had nothing to lose. After the surgery, I have not noticed any complications. No complications even when I indulge in a fatty meal. The only negative thing from this surgery is the scar that bugs me occasionally. It itches like crazy sometimes, but that certainly is doable. Bottom line: thumbs up from this surgery.

Partial hysterectomy: I had everything removed from except my ovaries. I couldn't stand the idea of putting myself into menopause by having everything removed. This surgery caused more distress from just everybody else's  opinions on telling me what was best for me. I get it in a way. In other people's eyes, I am a younger lady, still of child bearing age (keep in mind I already had my tubes tied), and everybody thought that this was the worst decision I could make. The reason I had talked to my OBGYN in the first place about this was because every two weeks a month, I was in terrible agony! I had such bad PMS the week prior to menstruating. With my pelvic girdle pain, I would feel these surges in hormones that would just take me to my knees. My pelvis was so tender I just wanted to stay in a pool for two weeks straight to help take the weight off my pelvis and free me. Obviously, that wasn't an option. Then the week of my period was just as bad. I always felt like I was splitting apart. This was two weeks out of a month that I was out of commission. I couldn't get anything done. I couldn't run, I couldn't be romantic with my husband- hell, I couldn't even stand! So my OB and I thought if we took the period out of the equation, it could help lessen the pain I was having for those two weeks. I still ovulate of course and I'm still trying to see if I can sense my body's rhythm. So, the plus side, I'm completely functional in all weeks of the month now. Don't get me wrong, I still have a lot of pain, but it takes away that extra pain. Plus, I knew I was done having babies so there was no point in me having  more periods. 
Right after the surgery, when I went into recovery, I had gotten taken down to Inland Imaging and I had another steroid shot in my pubis symphasis. It definitely seems in the last 6 weeks, that that has worn off. I felt in pain sometimes, but lately I feel my pelvis is super unstable (which the shot takes away those sensations). 
Anyhow, the plus side is now I don't have to deal with having a period ever again. That is heaven. The downside is I don't think my 3 girls will ever remember how mom dealt with periods. Matter-of-factly and with no nonsense. Not only that, but how their dad dealt with mom's periods, with the same no nonsense, doesn't-bother-me attitude. I will have to explain to them when they get to that point rather than leading by example. That is the only part out of this that I don't like, but maybe it wouldn't be a factor if I wouldn't of had the surgery. Bottom line: I'm really happy that I had the surgery at this point. Knock on wood, I'm hoping I don't regret it. Research shows I'm not putting myself at a higher risk for anything at this point but it still makes me nervous. 

Hernia Repair: I do not know how I got the hernia above my belly button. It was fairly small so the surgeon did not use the mesh. She just stitched me back together. I didn't notice the hernia before my friend pointed it out and I haven't noticed any difference post surgery. I was not worried in the slightest about this surgery. It seemed really routine. The worst part of all the surgeries was not being able to lift my little man for so long, but I made it through! Bottom line: Glad I had this done so hopefully I don't have to worry about it down the road. 

If you have any questions that I did not cover, please ask me. I really try to be an honest person. I know there are a lot of people in my life that wished I wasn't so open and blatant about everything, but if I can ease one person's worries about their upcoming surgery, I have done well. 

Recipe for Poppyseed/Chai Seed Muffins

Poppy Seed/Chai Seed Muffins

I fixed up a basic poppy seed muffin recipe from somewhere on the web. My husband swears by chai seeds. He uses them as a hydrating tool. Chai seeds absorb tons of water. Since chai seeds move through the digestive system slower than water itself, it keeps you hydrated on longer runs as opposed to peeing/sweating it all out. He initially started by putting a scoop of chai seeds into a cup of water. Nasty! They get all slimy and nasty. So I cook with them raw in breads/cookies, etc. They have a poppy seed texture. Then when you drink water with them, the chai seeds absorb the water in your stomach. Let a tablespoon sit in a cup of water for a few minutes. Watch how much they absorb. You will be amazed! Now just imagine that traveling through your system! Great stuff! Here's my recipe. 

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  3 eggs
  1 cups organic cane sugar
  1 1/8 cups olive oil
  1 1/2 cups milk
  1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  2 tablespoons poppy seeds & 2 tablespoons chai seeds (more or less to taste, i normally use 3-4tbl)
  1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
  3 cups all-purpose flour
  Beat together the eggs, sugar and olive oil. Add in milk, salt, baking powder, poppy seeds, chai seeds, vanilla, almond flavoring, and flour. Mix well.
  Bake in paper lined muffin cups (filled 3/4 full or 3 small greased loaf pans) at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 15-20 minutes for muffins and 50-60 minutes for loaves. The tops should be browned and a toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean. Makes about 2 1/2 dozen

  
  

  **also check out the post of Baking Products*