Omaha, Part 2

When I got back home, I had to schedule my next surgery.  I had decided to take a sabbatical from work that next school year, but my insurance switched from mine to my husband’s at the end of August.  I called them and asked to get in as soon as possible.  Dr. Hilgers’ next opening was in September :(  However, we didn’t come this far to let a few thousand dollars in medical costs get in the way, so I booked it.  A few days later, however, we got a call saying that there was a cancellation and he could do the surgery in two days!  Although I wasn’t completely healed from my first surgery, we said that we would be more than happy to make it out there!  Once again, my husband, son, mom, and I packed up in the car and headed to Omaha.  I had to go right to the hospital for my pre-op check up and then we headed back to our beloved hotel.  Early the next morning, my husband and I headed to the hospital.  We spoke with the doctor again about the surgery and then to a few other people who would be involved in the surgery.  The surgery lasted about 3 hours but was a complete success.  Dr. Hilgers talked with my husband about what was done.  He removed all of the endometriosis by using a method that did not cause any future scarring.  This was very different than my last surgery, which eventually caused me more endometriosis than I already had.  Dr. Hilgers also had to basically reconstruct one of my ovaries.  This was a major process and was the majority of the surgery.  

Dr. Hilgers then said that I would need about 10 weeks in order to START to feel better.  I figured that it would take maybe 2 weeks and I would be fine.  However, after the surgery, I began to believe that it might take the full 10 weeks.  Holy smokes...I was on morphine and it barely took away any pain.  I was released from the hospital after 2 nights and could go back to the hotel.  This was a really difficult time.  I was in a tremendous amount of pain and could barely stand up without getting sick.  However, the doctor told me that this was completely normal.  

After a few more days of being monitored, I was allowed to go home.  My mom and I had bought plane tickets to fly home with Will.  Thank goodness.  The car ride to the airport was about as much pain as I could handle.  

Once we were home, I needed full time help with Will for about 2 weeks.  I couldn’t drive, change diapers, or pretty much do anything without help.  It ended up taking the full 10 weeks before I was back to everyday activities without pain.  Working out was a different story...that took me months to get back into.  

The pain was well worth it though.  Dr. Hilgers was right...there was a lot wrong, but he could fix all of it.