cjntx50

I must say I'm so glad it's behind me! Thought I'd give an update about my surgery. Here is a little info on me. I'm a 50 year old female that had a 7 cm hemangioma on right lobe (back side) of my liver. The tumor was pressing against my lung preventing me from using my lung to it's full compacity. The tumor had to come out. I was in surgery for three hours. From there, I went straight to ICU. After being in ICU for about four hours my breathing was four breaths a minute. My lungs filled with Co2 and I had to be put on ventalator (sorry for the poor spelling). I was on the ventalator for 12 hours. After taking me off, my breathing was stablized. Stayed two full days in ICU and the beginning of the 3rd day I was moved to my room. My drainning tube that was placed about five inches right of my navel did not work. All my drainaged drained into my abdomen. I swelled so huge it made it difficult to breathe. Hurt so bad. Very painful. They removed my drainnage tube and some of the drainage came out from the drainage hole. But not enough to relieve the pain. I had to walk and walk with hopes my body would absorb the fluid that was floating inside of me. I wasn't able to have a BM at all. No matter what they tried on me. A BM just didn't happen. I was so misserable and in so much pain! I stayed on a liquid diet which as some of you know....broth, jello, and popcycle. I got to the point I could not even open the tray lid. The smell made me sick. I took vitimin K shots in the fatty part of my arms daily. Another vitamin shot in the stomach daily. Blood thinner in the stomach daily. Potassium in a different IV daily and electrolytes daily...different IV, too. Oh, and a muliti vitamin by mouth, daily. The bloatingness from the fluid was the worse. Breathing with my full lung was the second hardess. Haven't breathed with my right lung fully in five years and it was very sore to breath with it again. I spent 2 days in ICU and 8 Days in the hospital unit. Now home, I am eating soft foods and having to use laxatives, but hey, I'm going and the fluid is almost gone. My breathing is doing better, but not up to par. The surgery was extremely hard and painful. How much of my liver was removed? My surgeon said as much as a softball. That's not too much, is it???. He did not put it in to a percentage range. Only said a softball size. I'm slowly getting stronger. Still trying to stand up straight. Oh, 25 staples and 11 inch incession. Guess that's it for my update. For those coming up for surgery. Don't worry. We all are individuals and I'm sure you will come through just fine. Think positive. I'll be happy to answer any questions that I can. Hugs to you all. cjntx50