- so I mentioned there is not a lot of instructions pre or post surgery. Hoping you will find the below of some benefit:
Arrival in Belgrade :
- Landed and as soon as exited saw my name tag. Awesome guy called George (Djordje) picked me up
- Went to apartment half hour drive right in city (remember they have many apartments so you will not know which one you will be booked into or an address until much closer to the time. I kept asking coz I thought you have to mention on landing card but Marta said there isn't no card, but more so for my sanity and advising my family haha - she did was the city and area so all good was able to do google maps and see a lot of groceries etc) - side note when I did go to the airport at the passport check in they said where was I going and I couldn't remember the address area nor had the full address but I said straight to St Medica for surgery hahaha quick thinking :))
- Back to apartment George took me up showed me wifi password, there was a paper with all details like landline number, full address, and mobile number - they give you a HTC you can use and it already has all numbers for all doctors mobiles! (I didn't use it cos there was no credit but more so I preferred to get a line and use my own apps on my own phone etc).
So things you need to know:
- Hardly anyone spoke English hence why I needed my 'say-hi' app or google translate hence needed my phone and data. So go to any of them red kiosks you will see in every corner like a cigarette store and ask them for any SIM card and I also asked the guy to add it into my phone and add top up and data. Things are cheap here in my opinion so whatever he charged me was fine for the convenience of doing that all and hassle (I think like 1500dinars)
- secondly I didn't reliase they do not use EUROs here hahaha coz Marta always quoted in euros. I brought about 200 euro in cash which I think is more than enough and there are a plethora of currency exchanges to dinars all over)
what I learned:
- bring earplugs (love all the nurses but Serbians are loud AF even in the hospital you think they all shouting at each other, but they not - same when you change tv channels)
- bring eye mask - so you can sleep anytime
- bring essential oils 'fighting five' - this was my saving grace for discomfort, I used it to rub my back and feet and knees and elbows whenever it was sore before bed. Sister assisted.
- I wish I had this but if you can bring a tray thing like breakfast in bed type thing that goes around your whole body then do so - easier to put laptop and type on otherwise not really necessary. I found a way buy sitting on coach, adding large pillow on thighs, adding a rubber doughnut on pillow then adding my MacBook, so comfy laptop was right in front of me, I just needed to make sure the pressures on thighs not on your groin.
- Bring a doughnut - if you can get a memory foam one like this get it! better than rubber ones (MUST GET IT) https://www.bsmartliving.com.au/products/Convoluted-Cushion-p101624584
- I just brought open button shirts so easier to put on and off and lounged around.
Consultation (mine day before surgery) Sunday
- Take blood, pressure etc
- fill a lot of health questionnaires and consult forms
- Miro check your anatomy and determine ball size (mine small as bigger inner thighs. I asked Marta what if we put medium and she said if you go to gym a lot or bike etc its much much more comfortable to have smaller plus also proportion size is very important etc so I am ok with that).
- I didn't get to feel them bummer I should have asked.
PAIN COMPARISON
- to give you an idea of pain tolerances - I hate needles, paper cuts I can live with, I never really take pain killers (don't want to rely on them), I am fit, good BMI go gym 3 times avg or everyday when I can. but. I HATE PAIN. I think I am average pain tolerance - I know some jocks who play sport and bash into each other. - I stay away from such madness/pain. So hope this gives context when you go through the pain ratings each day below. Also note I hardly cry ever so below means pain.
Day of surgery (2 December 2019) Monday
- No food or water after 7am (think my last meal was late lunch of pizza and fries lol)
- I had to take a suppository night before then morning - youtube how to do it I was scared but its easy (wash hands, remove trousers, lie on side as scissors, bend knee to tummy, then open n insert tip in water then in you- only remove suppository when ready to insert as it melts)
- I had everything all in one including hysto - surgery at 11 am and came out at 445pm (c6hours).
- I woke up shivering like crazy all I remember was that and holding my sisters hands.
- not much pain as you high on painkillers
- all I remember that night was a lot of nurses coming in an out to check on me drips, antibiotics, temperature, blood pressure etc. Amazing care
PAIN RATING - 0/10
DISCOMFORT RATING - 5/10
I guess they numb you well, you just uncomfortable but half asleep to realise
Day 2 Tuesday
- worst day in my life.
- gas from laparoscopy - this feels like you tummy is a volcano full or erupting gas and there is nothing you can do about it but see it through...., back hurts like hell and have bed sores on my feet and neck hurts too
- Nurse made me get up and walk around bed - I liked the nurse she was experienced and had good English. She looked straight me in the eyes and said "only look forward not to the sides, you are fine everything is ok etc" she said it all with confidence and conviction she gave me courage and I did it.
- later they had to change dressing and remove bandages and clean and also do an ultrasound of the laparoscopy - so they pulled out the sticky bandages - and pressed the ultrasound - I HAVE NEVER SCREAMED OR BEEN IN SO MUCH AGONY EVER.
- recovery is not easy cried
PAIN RATING - 11/10
to be fair the rating was due to the change of dressing in the arvo - the rest of the day before this would range from discomfort to gas etc so 8/10.
Day 3 Wednesday
- each day gets better. the body is Remarkable!
- got up brushed n washed face - felt good. I stunk still.
- pain back - stomach gas - bed sores continue
- what helped me is these youtube videos - just keep them playing - your subconscious mind will be at work and take those courage affirmations in and relaxation music for sleep and healing etc:
- https://youtu.be/QasYFScOpTk
- https://youtu.be/_bRqKmjMgms
- https://youtu.be/ELYCL02Nryw
- https://youtu.be/hdmvMc7TZn0
- https://youtu.be/QZbuj3RJcjI
- https://youtu.be/Fysjjt2Epc4
PAIN RATING - 5/10 (pain from gas- remember all those internal organs are removed so no pain there - I realised this after words when I was asking myself after the L-gas went away why my organs internally are not sore.. then I was like wait they removed so course no pain ! haha :))
DISCOMFORT RATING - 7/10 (back, neck feet)
Day 4 Thursday
- got moved to downstairs I walked all the way chanting an affirmation of courage n I focused on wat was in front of me not the nurse. I am under control, my mind is under control...
- Hadn't been eating - they don't seem to have a proper kitchen at the hospital or maybe as I am vegetarian that's a struggle - I ate sachet soup - salty. My first meal was a hard pastry .... so today I got proper food looks like they bought from a restaurant grilled veggies (mushrooms, peppers, eggplant, zucchini and potatoes). Went number 2 today was not sore - watery.
- Started feeling better
- then changing the dressing in the arvo where they removed a drain from down there plus all padding and bandages and stockings. The drain hurt like crazy! I cried
- Also overall you will sweat alotttt but I had a cold when I got to Serbia so too bad for me I had a cough.. not fun as it pushes everything down there :( - don't get sick! No cold drinks nothing - cover your ears and head when you go out in order to avoid getting a cold!
- I could not sleep all night from 9pm to 630am - first time got out bed myself during this time
PAIN RATING - 8/10 (pain from bandages and mainly drain removal)
DISCOMFORT RATING - 8/10 (back, neck feet)
I stopped taking pain killers from here - they asked me but I didn't need them so since I wanted to flush toxins out I didn't take any not even when I got to apartment though I brought oxycodone.
Day 5 Friday
- As couldn't sleep - fell asleep at 630am
- as anaesthesia leaves body feel better -keep drinking water ..just keep on drinking trust me flush these out of system
- cleaning session better today - there is only two gauzes and a lacy underwear. healing :)
- back apartment 6pm..YAY
- the drive from hospital not fun - about half hour I was holding my body weight with my right knuckles.... but I made it.
- you will find over time you will learn how to stretch on the bed eg need to use your elbows n fists n lower self - move shoulders to stretch left and right side as well.
PAIN RATING - 4/10
DISCOMFORT RATING - 4/10 (your body will need this day to adjust to new straight bed)
Day 6 Saturday
- my first shower took like 1.5 hrs lol - but remember everything is covered n solid - you are ok
- Barko came to change dressing no issues
PAIN RATING - 1/10
DISCOMFORT RATING - 1/10 (love the bed!)
Day 7 Sunday
- Change dressing session where stitches n gauze around penis removed. NOW THIS WAS THE MOST PAIN EVER IN MY LIFE!!!!! I died and my soul went to out of space as I shut eyes so tight ... but I made it through (I didn't die was a metaphor of pain)
- really depressed cried.
PAIN RATING - 100/10 (stitches)
DISCOMFORT RATING - 4/10
Day 8 Monday
- Dr didn't come to change dressing but that's ok. Today I feel so good like back to normal - not quite but walking well and great mood. I guess body is healing and over time you get stronger.
- I have been eating well too oats, broccoli, carrots, spinach, rice, various beans, multigrain breads.
- I had diarrhoea from the time I mentioned about going number two and went like 6 times a day but was more one splurge each time per say. Then Barko on the day he took me to apartment bought me probiotic tablets . that's helping me as stoole is now better.
PAIN RATING - 3/10 (sore down there)
DISCOMFORT RATING - 2/10
Day 8 Tuesday
- Dr came to change me at 9pm-they are busy but I really appreciate they time and efforts, their after care is world class!
- I didn't change my cause yesterday so got stuck where stitch was and had to rip it - ouchy. He did a through clean today and was sore.
- I think I'm gna buy Panadol or something light.
PAIN RATING - 6/10 (sore down there)
DISCOMFORT RATING - 2/10
Hope this helps - let me know any questions thus far. will update further thanks :)
Overall I wrote the above so you are all mentally prepared .he pain parts are mostly during change sessions otherwise its not paining. I do not want to discourage anyone just to guide and inform and educate to be best prepared mentally. I do not regret :)
