THE RECOVERY

Many say that you wake up disoriented after surgery because of the effect of anesthesia. This was not true for me. It was like I never slept. The moment I opened my eyes I knew exactly where I was and why I was there. I was actually anxious to see my baby already!

Day 1 - After two hours in the recovery room, it was time to be transferred to my room. It was no walk in the park. They had to transfer me from bed to stretcher to bed by literally carrying me. Take note that they had to lift me like a rolled carpet, all straight and rigid. If not for the drowsiness I would have laughed at the absurdity! What hospital makes doors that does not fit a stretcher?

We initially stayed at a three-bed ward but then transferred to a small private room. I remember waking from sleep because I hear myself snore. Apparently, I snored loudly. Well, I was really tired! I didn't know that after surgery you should not talk because it could cause gas pains. Stupidly, I talked to my in-laws every waking moment and boy did I pay for that!

Day 2 - After years of giving bed baths to my patients, it was finally my turn to experience one. I don't know if surgery does that or giving birth in general, but my being nude was the least of my worries. I felt pain every time I move or turn sideways. The nurse advised me to move so that I would recover quickly.

By lunch time, I remember feeling the first pangs of gas pains. I was literally paralyzed by pain. To make matters worse, they already took out my Foley catheter. Who knew that urinating in a diaper was so hard?! It took me four hours before I could urinate freely thanks to a nursing aide who elevated the head part of my bed. Because of that small victory, I was inspired to sit and dangle my legs at the side of the bed.

Viewing time at the Nursery was just 6 pm - 7 pm for the day. My hubby would take pictures and videos of our baby so that I could see her even though I still could not walk. These pictures, and the hospital bill, motivated me even more to walk! By that evening, I was able to walk to the CR with the help of hubby.

Day 3 - I passed gas already, I was on full diet, and I could walk without support. The doctor told us that I can be discharged already the following day! We contemplated staying through the weekend but our hospital bill was already huge because of all the STAT procedures done to me. To make matters worse, because of my prolonged and tedious labor, our baby was able to swallow meconium and needed to stay at the NICU for seven days to receive and completer her antibiotic therapy. Weighing everything in my head, I decided that we should go home the following day.

That night we were the first by the Nursery window to see our little princess! She was so pretty and just the thought that my pride and hard-headedness was the reason she needed antibiotics at such an early age brought tears to my eyes.

Day 4 - Anxiety and guilt. These feelings were swirling around my heart the day of my discharge. Anxious because we had to go home and leave our precious baby. Guilty because she was suffering due to my stupidity. During my prayer time, God reminded me that everything has its reason for happening and this was just another obstacle that we had to go through.

I was discharged that day and was supposed to leave the hospital by 1 pm. However, I learned that I could breastfeed my baby in the Nursery. They had this room dedicated for breastfeeding mothers. Our 1 pm discharge time became 7 pm!

My path to recovery was definitely one that I would remember forever. It taught me that prayer really is very powerful. Also, the saying 'Mind over matter' is important and true. I said to myself, "No pain would ever trump that of labor pain." With this in mind, I trudged on one foot in front of the other towards home.