Today was much better than yesterday. Got 2 units of blood yesterday, fever, elevated glucose, uncontrolled pain. PT was out of the question. I was puny and miserable. I still have bowel and bladder retention. Got a KUB (belly xray) and that was horrifically painful. The xray techs roughly rolled me and shoved the metal xray case under me. Then turned the case while I was on top of it. Excruciating pain from all of that.

I was downgraded from ICU to PCU during the night. The day nurse today was excellent. She advocated for me and got the surgeon to come and listen to me, nurse, daughter, boyfriend to brain storm pain control. The surgeon was completely on board with changing pain regimen. That has already been beneficial today.

I had a Foley put in last night and that will stay in until my bladder decides to wake up. Bowel…my belly is rock hard. I’m not eating other than Ensure Hight protein, Ensure Clear and fruit. I have Colace and Miralax daily. Today I had those plus soap suds enema and suppository. Not much success. I have Lactulose for tomorrow morning if needed.

Overall, I’m moving more each day. Bed movements is good. Out of bed is always with assist. Have not walked yet. It’s going to be a long road. Already I can tell that my pre-hab physical preparation is coming into play.