Certain family members are sick of hearing overly-descriptive details of my surgery process, but I thought I'd post a bit of an update anyway.
I still have pain. A bit of tenderness popped up, telling me that I must have over-done it. But it made me realize just how far I've progressed: walking like normal (full speed, no shuffle), hustling if I'm late for the train, even jogging now and then. More importantly, I'm on my bicycle every day. It's so much more convenient! 15 min from work instead of 35.
But I think the bicycle is what caused the tenderness below my scar to flare up. About three weeks ago my bicycle speed progressed from the Japan-standard "Mama Speed" to my more typical "he knows how to use gears and stuff" road speed. That makes normal road bumps harder, with less time to stand and lessen the blow of big ones. Since I have long legs, my seat is high. That means my body angles over, which puts a lot of pressure on the lower abdomen. And in addition the bicycle seat ... well, no delicate way to put it, it puts quite a unique amount of pressure on the crotch region. Which is the ingronial region.
Needless to say, when it started to hurt more about two weeks ago, I notched back the speed, taking it easy again. In addition to going slow, I've been riding as upright as possible. (Wish I had an adjustable handlebar stem.) The pain and tenderness is less as a result.
When it first appeared, I feared that the repair had failed, so I tried a few gentle abdominal "pushes" to look for the movement/swelling symptom that had been there before the operation: nothing. But if the pain comes back, of course I'll go see the doctor.
In general I feel a lot better, but obviously the body is telling me "You're not 100% yet." I'd love to play soccer in Tokyo again before I leave, but looks like that might not be possible. Maybe November? .. A lot longer than the 2 months I had originally hoped for. At least I can jog slowly--better than nothing!
... I should also mention: there's also an annoying surface pain, immediately at the scar. Could be a hair growing at a bad angle--it's kind of like a splinter, where the bark is worse than the bite. It sometimes occurs when I sit down, as my clothes settle. It occurs more strongly if I wear close-fitting undershorts instead of boxers.
It goes away if I lightly sweep away hair near the scar.. but that isn't always socially acceptable behavior. "OH, no, I had surgery, you see... really."
Showing posts with label hernia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hernia. Show all posts
11 September 2008
10 July 2008
Sneeze and a half
In light of passing the week anniversary, today is 8 days since the procedure, thought I could spend a few words on symptoms and observations.
Short version: try not to sneeze. It hurts.
Long version:
Every day is a little different, generally with less and less bad stuff. Same as before the surgery, the mornings are better than the evenings. I got bruising, I got aches. Piercing pain tends to hit around 4pm.
A growing problem is the plastic wrap thing--imagine a big clear sticker. I imagine it was placed on my (shaved) skin at the end of the procedure by two people: one to stretch out the area and the other to apply it. At first, due to the swelling, it was pretty smooth. But now the swelling has gone down to about 25% of how it used to be, so the plastic is rippling and the edges are more stiff. I get a whole range of sensations; my hair is growing back but is trapped underneath the plastic. It's like beard itch and a bandaid slowly peeling off at the same time. ... The blood that had leaked and pooled under the plastic is now all dry--so that's also a bit odd. Looking forward to my appointment next Monday to get the plastic off and that stuff finally cleaned.
I'm depleting my medicine cabinet pretty quickly. The anti-inflammatory diclofenac that I got when leaving the hospital ran out the third back home. Now I'm doing acetaminophen for pain and sometimes ibuprofen for swelling.
I can't laugh, can't cough.. and sneezing hurts. I've had two sneezing events since the surgery. One of them was a half sneeze--somehow I stiffled it. Yesterday I had a 3/4 sneeze, and it nearly knocked me out!! I had a throbbing pain for the rest of the day. ..if my procedure happened during the spring time, I'd definitely take anti-allergy (loratadine). Sneeze risk a serious deal.
... but I should add, not everything is bad. Not sure if it's due to stress relief, an unobstructed pathway now that my small intestine is where it should be, or the cleansing effect of hospital food, but ... well, hopefully I can be indirect about what I mean. Very efficient use of time on the toilet.
Edit: Forgot to mention two things. #1) There was some internal leakage during the procedure, resulting in dark coloration of the back/rear side of my right scrotal sac. (Same side as the hernia.) That discoloration is now gone. I wasn't checking it every day, but I guess it was the first bruising to appear and recover. #2) My Dad experienced numbness near his incision, but I never did. I can feel through the plastic pretty well.
Short version: try not to sneeze. It hurts.
Long version:
Every day is a little different, generally with less and less bad stuff. Same as before the surgery, the mornings are better than the evenings. I got bruising, I got aches. Piercing pain tends to hit around 4pm.
A growing problem is the plastic wrap thing--imagine a big clear sticker. I imagine it was placed on my (shaved) skin at the end of the procedure by two people: one to stretch out the area and the other to apply it. At first, due to the swelling, it was pretty smooth. But now the swelling has gone down to about 25% of how it used to be, so the plastic is rippling and the edges are more stiff. I get a whole range of sensations; my hair is growing back but is trapped underneath the plastic. It's like beard itch and a bandaid slowly peeling off at the same time. ... The blood that had leaked and pooled under the plastic is now all dry--so that's also a bit odd. Looking forward to my appointment next Monday to get the plastic off and that stuff finally cleaned.
I'm depleting my medicine cabinet pretty quickly. The anti-inflammatory diclofenac that I got when leaving the hospital ran out the third back home. Now I'm doing acetaminophen for pain and sometimes ibuprofen for swelling.
I can't laugh, can't cough.. and sneezing hurts. I've had two sneezing events since the surgery. One of them was a half sneeze--somehow I stiffled it. Yesterday I had a 3/4 sneeze, and it nearly knocked me out!! I had a throbbing pain for the rest of the day. ..if my procedure happened during the spring time, I'd definitely take anti-allergy (loratadine). Sneeze risk a serious deal.
... but I should add, not everything is bad. Not sure if it's due to stress relief, an unobstructed pathway now that my small intestine is where it should be, or the cleansing effect of hospital food, but ... well, hopefully I can be indirect about what I mean. Very efficient use of time on the toilet.
Edit: Forgot to mention two things. #1) There was some internal leakage during the procedure, resulting in dark coloration of the back/rear side of my right scrotal sac. (Same side as the hernia.) That discoloration is now gone. I wasn't checking it every day, but I guess it was the first bruising to appear and recover. #2) My Dad experienced numbness near his incision, but I never did. I can feel through the plastic pretty well.
04 July 2008
Dating your nurse
First, I want to say that my surgery proceeded normally, and I'm starting to feel better. My procedure was exactly 48 hours ago. I have some swelling and some pain when I move, but I feel lost better today than yesterday. If the trend continues, I'll be walking like normal in 5 or 6 days. (I'm still doing the hospital shuffle at the moment.) [I'll add a couple things in the advice post.]
But I have a new problem: I'm in love with my nurse.
... OK, not really "Love" but it sounds more dramatic that way. Let's just say, she's really cute, what's more she seems like a good person, and I'm interested in learning more about her and seeing her again.
This brings up two questions. #1 Is this some kind of patient-caregiver syndrome, like what happened in "Back to the Future" between Marty and his (future) Mom but in reverse? #2 How do you make that awkward first step at changing a professional relationship into a personal one?
The answer to #1 I'm leaving up to you guys. Am I being dumb? Please comment.
The answer to #2, I think, is to bring a little thank-you gift, like a fruit basket, next time I come to the hospital for my appointment, which is about 10 days from now. I'll print out the photo of me and her (taken by my request) and include my email on the back in case she wants to meet and practice English. ... We occasionally spoke about how to say different things that she often says to patients in English, so maybe that would be appropriate. (For examplle instead of "Please check your wound," to use "Please let me check your wound.") The point being, if she's interested she can write me. But if not, I'm just being thankful for the nursing staff who helped me out the past couple days.
Yes, I've been thinking about that. Could be I consider a nurse to be a good match since there are many nurses in my family, I dunno.
But I have a new problem: I'm in love with my nurse.
... OK, not really "Love" but it sounds more dramatic that way. Let's just say, she's really cute, what's more she seems like a good person, and I'm interested in learning more about her and seeing her again.
This brings up two questions. #1 Is this some kind of patient-caregiver syndrome, like what happened in "Back to the Future" between Marty and his (future) Mom but in reverse? #2 How do you make that awkward first step at changing a professional relationship into a personal one?
The answer to #1 I'm leaving up to you guys. Am I being dumb? Please comment.
The answer to #2, I think, is to bring a little thank-you gift, like a fruit basket, next time I come to the hospital for my appointment, which is about 10 days from now. I'll print out the photo of me and her (taken by my request) and include my email on the back in case she wants to meet and practice English. ... We occasionally spoke about how to say different things that she often says to patients in English, so maybe that would be appropriate. (For examplle instead of "Please check your wound," to use "Please let me check your wound.") The point being, if she's interested she can write me. But if not, I'm just being thankful for the nursing staff who helped me out the past couple days.
Yes, I've been thinking about that. Could be I consider a nurse to be a good match since there are many nurses in my family, I dunno.
01 July 2008
Inguinal hernia in Tokyo - advice
In case some of my ex-pat comrades stumble upon this blog because they're going through the same thing as me, I thought I should journal a bit of the process I've gone through in the last few weeks.
If you Googled "inguinal hernia Tokyo" then chances are you've at least gotten a preliminary diagnosis. If not, here are some points:
When you get your check-in date, you'll get a list of things you should bring. Some of these things are unlike Western-country hospitals. In case your list is in a language you can't read, it includes: [[**See Edit coments]]
That's it! If I have anything to add once it's all over, I'll edit my post and tack new advice below.
I check-in tomorrow. .. Yesterday's appointment with the head of anesthesia reassured me so much that I'm almost dreading the 9am rush hour more than the procedure.. Wish me luck
[[Edit: Comments after checking-out]]
My impression of my stay was as I expected or better. Part of that may be due to a room upgrade for the same price--as explained to me, the lower rate room I'd requested and they said would be available was full, so I was given the much better room for the same price. It included towel service, a cup for tea, and hand soap in the bath room. I was thankful for my shampoo, kleenex, and PC notebook with movies.
Also, I should comment that the swelling near my incision (which is a bit higher up on my body than where my hernia poked out) is substantial, and I was very glad to be wearing a loose / free form yukata on my way home. Perhaps my obi looked like crap since it was tied very loose, but without being able or wanting to use any abdominal muscles, my belly pooches out a LOT now. So.. not having to button trousers has been a very good thing. Loose boxers as underwear has also been great--worn high to reduce pressure on the critical zone.
As far as the procedure goes, everything went as I expected. I'd stayed up late the night before the procedure getting everything packed, and that combined with the many naps I'd taken immediately after the surgery perhaps lead to a hard time sleeping through the night. But the second night I slept great and woke up with no pain. Good stuff. ... Just as it was before the procedure, staying prone and lying down is the best way to be.
Best of luck to any of you going through this too! I'll make occasional comments about my recovery as time goes by so maybe you can gauge how long it really takes.
If you Googled "inguinal hernia Tokyo" then chances are you've at least gotten a preliminary diagnosis. If not, here are some points:
- Step 1, clinic. In Japan, you'll pay about a $50 fee if you go directly to the hospital without a referral letter. The idea is to promote preventive medicine and get more people to go to local clinics.
- It can be almost any clinic; they're used to writing letters. Go to a clinic you're comfortable with. I was lucky to find a bowel/internal guy close to my apartment who advertises "English-speaking Doctor in Tokyo." (He's also on lists on embassy websites. (Check out US, Oz, and NZ sites)
- Double-check health insurance coverage before you go. I'm part time thus on Japan National Health Insurance, which means no access to the "foreigner clinics" in Roppongi/Embassy part of town.
- This is fixed by surgery. Real surgery, anesthesia, sutures, battle scars, the whole bit. BUT NOTE: it's a common surgery with very low risks.
- On the net you'll find information that endoscopic / laparoscopic / video camera procedures might seem like the way to go. Smaller scars, quicker recovery, etc. However, the truth is that method takes twice as long on the table as conventional mesh-type herniorrhaphy (aka hernia repair) with a slightly larger set of risks. (Though still low.) It isn't an every-day procedure in the US, and in Japan it's even more rare. If you really want it, you'll likely have to search or travel for surgery.
- Most doctors speak so-so English, but most staff have broken English at best. If you have a friend / significant figure to help you, use them.
- Seems like most hospitals have ID cards, looks like a credit card. Always keep that handy, it gets swiped a lot.
- Important one: Surgeons don't consider this procedure to be a terribly challenging job--it's routine. So, if you go to a renown university hospital, you're almost guaranteed to get a young less-experienced person doing the procedure. A smaller, private hospital is more likely to assign an experienced surgeon when you ask for it.
- Each time you leave the hospital you're likely to stick cash into a machine (as if buying stamps).
- The two common choices for anesthesia are spinal and general. Most surgeons have a preference for one over the other, but if not you might get to choose. Worth asking.
- Spinal anesthesia involves putting your lower body to sleep by numbing your spine. A very thin needle is used to administer a single drug directly to the spine. The upper body is awake (& you too).
- Spinal is super cheap and has less risk of allergic reaction (when only one active drug), but when the numbness wears off most young guys go through a painful, messy, and potentially embarrassing episode with the urinary catheter.
- Some patients want to be able to talk with their surgeon during the procedure.
- Sedation is an option to help the time pass (and perhaps lessen anxiety) but then the prices jumps back up to the same as General.
- Spinal is super cheap and has less risk of allergic reaction (when only one active drug), but when the numbness wears off most young guys go through a painful, messy, and potentially embarrassing episode with the urinary catheter.
- General anesthesia involves drugs through the IV line. There's often a mixture of at least two drugs, one to put you 100% out and the other to stop all body movement.
- General anesthesia is pricey, and a tube goes down your throat to ensure that the body gets enough oxygen. It's there for a couple hours, so the throat will hurt and you might be hoarse for a while. The plus side is that you're body is 100% stationary for the surgeon, and you get to simply wake up when it's over.
When you get your check-in date, you'll get a list of things you should bring. Some of these things are unlike Western-country hospitals. In case your list is in a language you can't read, it includes: [[**See Edit coments]]
- Slippers with rubber soles. Guess you might have to walk through .. liquid.
- Cup for tea/coffee, if you want it between meals.
- Pajamas.
- Robe. My hospital seems to emphasize this point: no roaming in pajamas. I just bought some yukata for summer so I'll bring one to use as a robe and use zori as my slippers.
- Kleenex / tissue.
- Towels. My hospital has different level rooms; most rooms get towel changes but the cheapest ones don't.
- Underwear / undershirts / socks / etc, enough for the whole stay. They don't do laundry, traditionally your family members take care of that.
- Toiletries: toothbrush/etc, soap, shampoo/etc, razor. Too bad hospitals aren't set up like love hotels which (as I've heard) have all that complimentary.
- cell phone charger
- laptop with movies & shows I wanna watch. .. so I don't have to pay for a TV rental card
- AC cord for laptop
- stuffed animal so I can mark where my scar is and not have to awkwardly point to my groin region all the time.
- ATM card. They traditionally get payment at check-out. My bank's machine is even in the lobby! Credit card should also work.
That's it! If I have anything to add once it's all over, I'll edit my post and tack new advice below.
I check-in tomorrow. .. Yesterday's appointment with the head of anesthesia reassured me so much that I'm almost dreading the 9am rush hour more than the procedure.. Wish me luck
[[Edit: Comments after checking-out]]
My impression of my stay was as I expected or better. Part of that may be due to a room upgrade for the same price--as explained to me, the lower rate room I'd requested and they said would be available was full, so I was given the much better room for the same price. It included towel service, a cup for tea, and hand soap in the bath room. I was thankful for my shampoo, kleenex, and PC notebook with movies.
Also, I should comment that the swelling near my incision (which is a bit higher up on my body than where my hernia poked out) is substantial, and I was very glad to be wearing a loose / free form yukata on my way home. Perhaps my obi looked like crap since it was tied very loose, but without being able or wanting to use any abdominal muscles, my belly pooches out a LOT now. So.. not having to button trousers has been a very good thing. Loose boxers as underwear has also been great--worn high to reduce pressure on the critical zone.
As far as the procedure goes, everything went as I expected. I'd stayed up late the night before the procedure getting everything packed, and that combined with the many naps I'd taken immediately after the surgery perhaps lead to a hard time sleeping through the night. But the second night I slept great and woke up with no pain. Good stuff. ... Just as it was before the procedure, staying prone and lying down is the best way to be.
Best of luck to any of you going through this too! I'll make occasional comments about my recovery as time goes by so maybe you can gauge how long it really takes.
pre-hospital whirlwind
Tomorrow is the day. Things have been fairly hectic lately. Or it could be that trying to keep a "normal" Tokyo schedule is a bit trying at present.
In the past 5 days I've prepared and given group seminar, waited about an hour for an appointment with my surgeon, had dinner with the lab to welcome a visiting student from my alma mater, met with friends twice, tried a new restaurant to keep things fresh, prepared an submitted a job application with cover letter and sample 600-word editorial on a recent nanotech paper, met with my anesthesiologist, filled in my paperwork for my June pay stub, signed a release on a court settlement from a car crash that was ages ago, sewed a new hem on my yukata so I can wear it in the hospital as a robe, and typed a blog entry.
(I left out a few things, but you get the drift.)
... What I really want to do at this point is document my condition, so I can read it later anddecide if be reassured that it was all really worth it.
Right now as I type, the pain is not that bad. From when I wake in the morning until early afternoon I'm fine--I simply have a little ponch on one side of the lowest part of the abdomen when I stand up. It's totally gone with I lie down. (In fact, I've envisioned taking a photo of the area as pre-scar documentation, but.. uh.. still haven't figured out a non compromising pose to make...)
Eventually the region gets tender, as if someone had punched me hard enough to hit my pelvis bone. I self-consciously start protecting it. Then a nerve to other nearby areas (which need not be mentioned) must get activated, some kind of secondary effect, which makes me feel like I just got kicked in the groin.
I walk slow when that happens. Real slow.
I have a lot in common with the Tokyo retiree community these days. Youngins move faster than me, I don't ride the train at times when I can't get a seat, and when I do get a seat I make one of a variety of "coming in for a landing" grunts. (...I think a lot of it is psychological, because I really don't want to enlarge the herniation.)
So, despite typical surgery fears (general anesthesia, scarring, etc), cheapness (a bed for $300/night?!? damn!), and anxiety over inevitable cultural differences, I have good reasons to look forward to my surgery. All this will be fixed up soon.
I really look forward to the moment when I'm fit enough to play soccer (2 months?) and jog again.
In the past 5 days I've prepared and given group seminar, waited about an hour for an appointment with my surgeon, had dinner with the lab to welcome a visiting student from my alma mater, met with friends twice, tried a new restaurant to keep things fresh, prepared an submitted a job application with cover letter and sample 600-word editorial on a recent nanotech paper, met with my anesthesiologist, filled in my paperwork for my June pay stub, signed a release on a court settlement from a car crash that was ages ago, sewed a new hem on my yukata so I can wear it in the hospital as a robe, and typed a blog entry.
(I left out a few things, but you get the drift.)
... What I really want to do at this point is document my condition, so I can read it later and
Right now as I type, the pain is not that bad. From when I wake in the morning until early afternoon I'm fine--I simply have a little ponch on one side of the lowest part of the abdomen when I stand up. It's totally gone with I lie down. (In fact, I've envisioned taking a photo of the area as pre-scar documentation, but.. uh.. still haven't figured out a non compromising pose to make...)
Eventually the region gets tender, as if someone had punched me hard enough to hit my pelvis bone. I self-consciously start protecting it. Then a nerve to other nearby areas (which need not be mentioned) must get activated, some kind of secondary effect, which makes me feel like I just got kicked in the groin.
I walk slow when that happens. Real slow.
I have a lot in common with the Tokyo retiree community these days. Youngins move faster than me, I don't ride the train at times when I can't get a seat, and when I do get a seat I make one of a variety of "coming in for a landing" grunts. (...I think a lot of it is psychological, because I really don't want to enlarge the herniation.)
So, despite typical surgery fears (general anesthesia, scarring, etc), cheapness (a bed for $300/night?!? damn!), and anxiety over inevitable cultural differences, I have good reasons to look forward to my surgery. All this will be fixed up soon.
I really look forward to the moment when I'm fit enough to play soccer (2 months?) and jog again.
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