Day 3...

I'll Pray you get back to feeling better soon. I wish the docs would always give us the worst case scenario so when its not as bad we can feel like we're an exception.

Prayers for feeling better soon.  Do what the doctor tells you...

I say this NOT to be a "topper" or "one-upper," but so that you know I truly, honestly DO empathize with you...
I've had 5 hernia surgeries from March 2000 through January 2007. The first 4 were all done at once, mesh patches, spinal block and I watched the whole terrible process. Fifth one I said "Knock me out, doc!" That one was in the navel, the result of a Jeep-deer collision and my belt buckle was pushed into my navel by the seat belt popped me like the Pillsbury Dough Boy; laproscopic, right in the navel, you know the drill.
Average time to being able to walk like a human and without pain -- two weeks. After that? Wonderful. JUST DO WHAT THE DOCTORS SAY. It's easy to become discouraged especially when the smallest, most menial tasks are too big to handle. I remember after the first four, almost brought to tears wondering if I'd ever walk normal again, without feeling like I was hit by a train, killed, and my ghost ripping my guts open to try and get back in lol!
As for the weird dreams, I'd say that is 100% the pain killers. They prescribed oxycontin and something else for pain, I refused. But you're right, it's bad. I DID use the bed, but only because I had no other choice except a chair; you know what I mean when I say neither was good for me. Without 2 people to help me (and I was recuperating at home alone back then, wife working and daughter in school lol) I could NOT get out of any chair, and bed wasn't much better because of the torsion/twisting at the waist in any direction.
So, yeah, I really really DO "feel your pain," and I'm writing this to encourage you and give you hope that it is VERY TEMPORARY. Again - DO WHAT THEY TELL YOU TO, AND YOU'LL RECOVER faster and better. Complications from these surgeries are NOT something you want to deal with!!! Most important, DO NOT RUSH to become active again. YOU WILL be fine in time, but GIVE IT TIME and REST. Nothing else works as well. Actually, I'd have to say, NOTHING ELSE WORKS, PERIOD.
In the end, you'll come out of this MUCH BETTER than you went into it. Think of it like having a priceless old car (OK, Allis-Chalmers tractor) professionally restored: For most of the process, it is a MESS, pieces scattered everywhere, you can't even bring yourself to look at it sometimes. But in the end, it is terrific, and you don't even remember the process to get it there. Same as the nine months a woman goes through to give birth. Bottom line, BE ENCOURAGED!!!

Edited by TimCNY - 30 Jan 2020 at 8:42am

Takin' a dump is a whole new experience ain't it?!  Definitely praying for ya' JC, and you will see some improvement in a few days I'd think.

Prayer for the pain to get better and full recovery JC

Sneezing is another thing that hurts like heck. I've had 2 hernia surgeries way down low in the nutsack area so I feel your pain as well. My twig and berries were swelled up plum purple for a week afterward both times. Too much info??

Get you a box of Dulcolax and take them NORCO as needed.  Abouts all you can do.  Make sure you wean yourself off that dope slowly.  My stomach surgery took one month to stop hurtin.  My cancer surgery, I was never in pain, go figure!  Take care of yourself, do what the Doc says, and get up and move around as much as possible. 

Just got done talking to JC on the phone.  He's doin OK and sounds pretty good.  A little groggy and VERY tired.  Talked almost an hour and I told him to get some sleep and he's drinking so much water he can't.  He's gotta go too often to get any sleep.  He says thanks for the prayers and thoughts.  keep him in your prayers guys and gals.

Ted J wrote: Well buddy you better be REAL careful and follow the docs orders!!  I'm betting that Cheryl is about ready to throw you out in the snow!!  I wouldn't blame her a bit.  Hopin you're feeling a lot more chipper today.  All these things take time and its a good thing it's winter now, but there's still a lot of chores to be done.  DON'T YOU BE DOING any of em though!! You just sit on the back side of your lap (when you're able) and talk smart and watch Gunsmoke.  If you REALLY need something, you just give me a holler and I'll come up and help out.  YOU'RE buying the beer though... Good luck buddy and I'm prayin for you!

Oh, hey, I don't care if you had one or fifty, IT AIN'T WHINING lol!!! IT HURTS, like we were never meant to hurt.

One other thing, the nurse during the first 4 was with me in the recovery room, I said I felt great, she said, "I'm sorry to tell you this, but when the doctor comes in he's going to give it to you straight. He's been telling you for months that you'll be back on your feet and good as new in a day or two, but the truth is, you're looking at two weeks of hell coming up fast, as soon as that epidural wears off."
She was right, that is exactly what the good ol' doc said. I asked him why he lied, he said it was because he knows me (I went to school with his son from K-12), and he knew I would never otherwise agree to getting them repaired and they were really bad. And she was right about what I felt like after the epidural wore off... She said she has 4 kids, 3 natural childbirth and one C-section, and ONE hernia surgery. She said never NEVER believe that old wives tale about men never being able to know the pain of childbirth, she said she'd GLADLY have 1,000 kids natural without drugs before she'd have another hernia surgery. NOT GOOD, lol!

So, YOU ARE NOT WHINING. You are, however, in very good company!
Give it time and heal well! And, frankly, I'd honestly say that 20 pounds is 10 or 15 pounds too heavy until after you're able to move better. Get well soon!!!

gosh JC...I knows what you are going thru too...had mine back in the mid 70's, it scared my boss so bad that he thought he was gonna hafta pay for the surgery...he fired me while I was still in the hospital! I learned to sleep (if/when I could) on my back and sides, always slept on my tummy before, that ended real fast! I guess since you can't gits up and out, it would be a good time to aim the machine your way? then you could enjoy and notice how pretty it really is! take care my friend, be thinking and praying for you...

Tbone95 wrote: Ted, I can pick you up on the way by if'n' he needs help.  I'm kinda far away if the cows get out........Hmmm....maybe if I make it to your place you could drive the rest of the way?  I know you like MGD, so we're good!

Craig, that sounds good.  I sure can drive the rest of the way.  you'll be plenty tired by the time you get here!  And I've USUALLY got 3 case of MGD around here on ice, so that's no problem!

JC, I have to agree with somebody else........ 8 lbs is PLENTY for now.  Otherwise you'll start doin more and then more....I know you!!

Shameless, take pity on the poor guy, and the rest of us.  NO MORE PRETTY till the end of March.  If'n you want to help, mix up some of them good meals you're putting together and either BRING em or ship em up to JC.  BUT, nothing that will give him gas,,,,,,,at least for a month anyway.