Happy New Year. Big round of applause to Loren for posting so well and often. Bless all of you for the support, caring, kind words and keeping us in your thoughts. And huge thanks to Nan for spending the holidays with us through yet more uncharted waters.
My plan is to take the lead from this unfazed healthy kidney and just keep on going no matter what the bumps in the road. I have this bullet proof abdominal bionic mesh to take me the distance. Three weeks of healing behind me now and each day brings more. The tough love recovery walking has commenced and thank goodness for pain pills. I’m doing well, all things considered.
My latest blood test was all normal. Creatinine at 1.17, really good. It had been 1.3 in the hospital, probably due to low fluid intake. With the immunosuppression they said my healing would be slower than most people. And as Loren had to remind me, with the big piece of mesh laid in, my pain would be higher. The fascia layer had to be cut back more than expected, requiring the mesh. Based on my bruising the square measures about 4×5 inches. I think we are finito with that, not writing the book on hernial surgery. No, it is straight on to chocolate from here, not even stopping for the 4 or 5 stages of grief.
Back to reclining position now……… not ready for sitting at the computer yet and can stand only for so long……
gaylechipman
QueCEUs
lisawallender
zenpaths
A bionic abdominal wall … let’s hope you don’t have to find out if it’s bullet proof. 4 x 5 inches of mesh? Wow. That’s a big hunk of mesh.
Glad to hear you’re out walking again. Take care!
Pat
This one could take a good while to fully adapt to the abdominal landscape. I’m getting along great though. Hope all is well with your mom.
It is certainly good to see you posting…. as much as I totally enjoyed Lauren’s posts, I am relieved to know you are able to get up and around some. As you know, just listen to your body & don’t try to do too much too soon (sound a little familiar??). We will be happy when you are up and about for good…..
Take care, you know you are in our thoughts <3
Hugs ((()))
Judi & Van
Thanks guys. Believe it or not I had dug up the wonderful graber device that Van let me borrow last time, to return it. Well, it got another round of use. Thanks for all your support!
Gayle,
Great to see you’re up to posting, even if you had to do it standing up. You are definitely a trooper!
A bionic abdomen? Maybe now the government will recruit you for secret dining missions at fine restaurants and chocolate shops…
Take care,
Nikki
Ha, ha, I would love the foodie assignment. Still testing the give and flexibility of this mesh. Looking forward to seeing you real soon.
So glad to hear you are doing much better. I’ve been in job change blur land and hadn’t had a chance to check your blog. Walked by circ on my way back from class (Psychology of Aging this quarter–I think Psychology of Death last quarter was less depressing!). Saw a file with a big not on it that was for “Gayle Chipman catastrophic leave” and managed to remember all the way back to my desk that I wanted to check.
Hang in there and hope to see you back here in the near future. It’s the same so no hurry
Wow, can’t wait to hear what you learn in the Aging class. Aw gee, there is a whole file for me? Am I the most blessed person in the library or what. I am forever in gratitude to so many people. Hope the job change is going smooth.