Sept. 12, 13, 14, 15 University Hospital Cincinnati

On Friday September 12 I was admitted to University Hospital in Cincinnati to have a liver resection. I haven't the slightest idea why I never thought to take any pictures because it was a pretty eventful stay, although I guess hospital gowns are none too flattering so maybe it was a good idea to leave the camera tucked away. I always like to have fun no matter what I'm doing and I was struggling to figure out how to make this fun. Finally I decided I wanted to do something funny to get the surgeon and nurses to enjoy their work. I thought of using markers to draw or write something on my tummy for them to see as they began surgery. Then I thought that might mess up surgery if the ink would interfere with sterile-ness in the operating room. Okay, so I made this sash out of paper that wrapped around my belly, I had drawn a Christmas tree and present on it and wrote in the typical style you see on cards you buy at Christmas "DO NOT OPEN" until Christmas. Dr. Tevar evidently did not take me seriously because when I woke up in my hospital room I knew I had been opened up! I don't remember being in the recovery room at all..... I think I was really put under deep...... a good thing when you're being worked on! Once in my room I was thinking to myself that I didn't really feel too bad, considering all I had gone through. I didn't realize then just how nicely my pain pump was working. The next day, the 13th. was my birthday.....#52; well not really #52 but that is where I've decided to stop. Anyway, Christi made a cake and brought it in and Nancy brought in plates and forks and anyone who came to visit was offered a piece of BD cake. I had presents and cards and lots of visitors........ it may have not been my best BD but it was still fun celebrating. I'm thinking maybe the next day was my painful day.......... don't know why, but ooooooooh my did I have some serious hurting going on. I understand why babies cry when they have gas on their tummy! I had laproscopic surgery with four cuts being made instead of cutting from side to side completely. My longest cut was supposed to be 3 to 3 1/2 inches but I've checked it out closely and it is more like 5 to 6 inches.... still better than side to side I tell myself. And lastly, I was going to list the ten things I learned while being in the hospital but I've decided to just give you the #10, you know, the last is always the most important anyway. So here goes...................... and #10 ~ You can go 6 days without pooping and your eyes will not turn brown!