Yikes! A Third Surgery! Seriously!?!

Both my liver surgery (2/3/22) and colon surgery (3/30/22) were completed thru a long midline incision from my xiphoid process to my pubis (think sternum to several inches below my belly button). After the second surgery, I noticed a lump smaller than a golf ball just to the left of the incision in my abdomen. All docs thought it best to wait and see as it could simply be scar tissue and swelling.

Fast forward to Christmas. I caught the cold/laryngitis that was going around and was coughing severely. Suddenly the golf ball was the size of a grapefruit and growing! Honestly, I told everyone it was like Alien right before it burst out! Ridiculous! I could not walk around with an Alien popping out! I consulted with local general surgeon, Dr Bassam Sayegh who immediately determined I would need a hernia repair with mesh.

An incisional hernia is a hernia that develops along a prior surgical incision in the abdomen. A surgical incision compromises the integrity of the abdominal muscles, causing them to become weakened and allowing abdominal tissues and/or organs to push through the abdominal wall more easily.

Surgery was performed Tuesday, 01/31/23. I stayed in the hospital one night. I could have stayed two but opted for my own bed! You never really get good sleep in the hospital. If you have ever stayed overnight in a hospital, you know!

Everyone at Jupiter Medical Center was great from start to finish! Andy and Mom stayed the whole time. Nerve wracking for sure. Surgery was almost 5 hours plus 2.5 hours in recovery. We were finally reunited in room 532! I was blessed to have Amanda (an ICU nurse who was floating) all to myself! We were fast friends and I’m grateful for such excellent care. Also favorites, Diane in pacu, Nicole from Dr Sayegh’s and Katy PA rounding for primary.

Thank you everyone for your prayers, support, love, and well wishes. It certainly carries me thru! Now some rest!

PS: have you gotten your colonoscopy yet?? Don’t be me! No excuses!