Well, I haven't been writing or sewing for that matter for a while now due to being bedridden for quite sometime now. I was diagnosed with bilateral ovary cyst end of May and had to undergo surgery earlier this month. It was sudden but I was not surprised at all, to be perfectly honest I was somewhat too calm through everything..
It started out with recurrent lower back pain (daily to be precise) and it didn't go away after my trusty Synflex 275mg. I had a lump on my lower right abdomen for a while (more than a year maybe) but it wasn't very obvious, sometimes it goes away and it's mobile too (sometimes it moves to lower middle abdomen). I thought it was nothing but intestinal gas, and it usually was more prominent when I ate irregularly or have empty stomach. But end of May, I decided to go for a check-up since the back pain was always there (dull pain and uncomfortable) and I realized the lump was more prominent and seems to grow in size :S .
After check-up and whatnot, I was diagnosed with having 2 ovary cysts on my right and left abdomen. The right cysts was 10 x 7 x7 cm (quite huge, as I were told by a few doctors and nurses) and the left cysts was 7x4x4cm if I recall correctly. They suggested immediate surgery since it could rupture anytime and cause further complications. So, I called up my family and discussed with them. We decided to do the surgery back at my hometown in JB. The main reason was nobody to take care of me in KL. My sister is doing her intern at my mother's workplace and I have no other relatives in KL. The surgery is a major one and I'm expected to be bedridden for quite sometime. My appointment in Hospital Sultan Ismail in JB is on the 20th June, and so I wait patiently. With the referral from HUKM KL, I got through check-up easily (they only have to confirmed the cysts) and voila my surgery was scheduled on the 1st of July. On the 30th June, I check into the O & G Ward at HSI and waited patiently. It was ironic and funny, I had always wonder how it feels to be warded and I got my wish, icky. I asked to be warded in the second class ward and it was great. The room was really clean and toilets close by. I was roomed with 3 other patients one has a fibroid, another a cysts too and another lady was for minor post-natal surgery. We chat and I relaxed on my bed. The food was okay but being in the room was great. In this hot, sweltering heat I stayed in a full air-conditioned room. Ah, it was cooling. The experience of wearing the hospital dressing gown was unique in itself. It felt funny but the fabric was comfortable. My sister kept asking if she could take a picture and I refused.
That night, I was fasted and ready for the surgery next day. Some relatives ask me if I was afraid, and I say "Well, no use to be frightened. It has to go whether I like it or not. Better for it to go as soon as possible rather than later." At 1.45pm on the 1st July, I went into the operating room. I was still calm because I didn't want my surgery to be postponed due to stress or high blood pressure (well, your heart will beat faster if you are afraid). The operating room was really cold. I was shivering and clattering my teeth. After inhaling oxygen, the jab in the anesthetic and I fell into deep sleep. I didn't even realized when they woke me up to take out the breathing tube. I was in and out of consciousness after the surgery (I just barely see the post-operating hall). At 5.30pm I fully awake and asked the nurse by my side on the time. I can't believe I was in surgery and asleep that long, wow. And I thought the surgery only take one or two hours the most. Alhamdulillah, the surgery was a success and I didn't lose both my ovaries (didn't ask the doctor till way later haha). I was also lucky the stitches and the open surgery site didn't hurt much. Only the cyst removal site (the right side) throbs and ache once in a while. It seems they didn't only remove the cysts but also reconstruct the right ovary. I wondered what they actually do and silly me didn't even ask the doctor. I was hooked to a pain killer machine but it was actually morphine, didn't really remove the throb and ache, only made me real sleepy. I fell asleep midway talking to my mom and even the doctor. Everything went well for me and I was discharged two days after the surgery. Thank god for the removal or urine tube, that thing hurts and painful. I lost bladder control for a week after that. Disgusting really (having no control over your own bladder).
Today it is 27 days after the surgery and I am feeling healthier with each day. Some food are still banned for me and one part of the stitch still haven't fully recovered. My motto after the surgery is 'one day at a time'. I lie down most of the time and lounge usually. I haven't bend down for 27 days now and still needs help to get up from sitting or lying down. This hot weather doesn't help much either since I sweat a lot and causes the one spot of the stitches to get moist and sometimes bled a bit. I am on birth control pills and also menopause-like medication till December. I guess my family and bf have to accept the occasional mood swings and irritation XD . Other than that I feel great. Though I try to limit my movement (though sometimes I go out shopping), and take things slow. I lost 5kg after the surgery (the cysts were THAT heavy?!) and I hope to lose weight more. Not right now though, rigorous exercise is still a no-no at the moment. Maybe in September? Recuperating is nice but after weeks of lying down sure is boring. I can't wait to indulge in my sewing projects soon...........
