Three weeks ago today I had hernia surgery with adhesion removal. The first week was normal recovery mode with lifting restrictions and skin care. One week later hives began to develop across my abdomen until last Saturday morning when I went to Urgent Care. The itching and subsequent pain got to be more than I could bear. The doctor gave me Prednisone which provided relief in 2 hours.
I had another Dr. appt this morning and even though the hives are definitely better they’re not gone so he prescribed a large dose of antihistamines. I have an entire basket of creams and ointments that have done nothing but now I have a prescription cream, too. Sigh.
I hope this doesn’t come across as bitching but I am really tired of this whole thing. If my doctor had believed me in November 2023, this could have been so simple. But she kept wanting me to take an antacid for the pain in my left lower pelvic area.
I have had several abdominal surgeries and IF my surgeon at Mayo had just removed the malignant tumor and not made a 12” incision to “look around”, I wouldn’t have developed the hernia.
If only……..
So no, I haven’t felt well for 3 weeks and I feel like I’ve just barely kept the blog afloat. Now I should be better and back to sewing as well. After a quick nap…….
Mary, thanks for sharing your health issues. Through the time I have been reading your blog, I have found informative and helpful info that you and others have shared. It gives me an idea of what to expect, what might happen and that many times one just needs to be patient. So, get all the rest you need. Don’t feel like you are slacking. Hope next week you can say you are feeling great!
I have been enjoying all of the “When I started to sew stories.” I hope to get my story written soon. It seems like it has been a busy time. I
Mary, I am so sorry to hear you’ve been dealing with hives. That is horrible. I’m hoping the new meds help and the hives will go away. Recovering from surgery is bad enough, having something else to deal with just isn’t fair.
We all love and appreciate the work you have to keep this blog going but if you need a little break just take it. We would all understand.
Mary, I’m so sorry to hear of your health . Hives are absolutely horrible especially combined with complications from your surgeries. Please force yourself to rest – read, do some hand quilting, snuggle with Hazel or one of your other furry family members, even one of the chickens if you have to! lol. Whatever you do, don’t feel bad about b—— “venting”. We’re here for you. It’s not good to bottle up frustration; you need to let off some steam- it’s what friends are for. If you need to take a break, we totally understand. You need to take care of yourself first and foremost. Sending prayers and hugs!
Hives, YUCK! At first I couldn’t pinpoint the cause, but it boiled down to an ingredient in some tea given to me packaged outside the US. You can bet I read labels of food/drinks. Feel better.
Jan
🙏you feel better soon!
Mary, like others I’m so sorry you’re dealing with hives now! This sounds like a reaction to a medication. Many years ago I was given a shot of penicillin for a throat infection. About 4-5 days later I broke out in hives the doctor didn’t think it was a reaction to the penicillin. 6 months later another throat infection & another shot of penicillin. Almost immediately I broke out in huge hives & had trouble breathing. Yep, I’m allergic to it! It’s in my medical records now along with codeine! Our systems change & things we could take 6 months ago could cause an allergic reaction now. I have seasonal allergies & now take meds for that & usually avoid the severe throat infections. You certainly aren’t bitchin’ about this! With your surgeries this year & doctor visits…it’s not been the best year! I really hope you’re on the road to recovery now! Just know we all care about you & wish you the best & love reading your daily blog!
Mary, I love the comment you are allergic to resting. You and I are so alike, can’t rest because we are so used to be on the move, caring for everything and everyone. My sister alwawys tells me I’ll be sorry if I don’t lay low, but who will do everything if I do? And when I do nothing I worry and feel so guilty I get up and do! And don’t think you are complaining, you are sharing your angst because it’s better to do that than keep it all bound up inside, we sympathize and know your pain! Our poor bodies are used to being whole, not cut up and pieced back together, that’s for fabric! So our bodies complain about being disturbed and we all understand, it’s never ever fun! So you keep letting us know how you are feeling, we want to know and as women, we can talk about our feelings and want to sympathize. And unfortunately, you needed to go through what you did to come out the other side whole again, just pieced!! Love and blessings
Mary, my thoughts and prayers continue to be with you. I would suggest checking the “side effects” of any/all medications you have been prescribed. It’s surprising what side effects some of the medications can have. I was on Predisone for over a year due Rheumatoid Arthritis inflammation and the side effects were not good, let alone I gained over 20 pounds – which the doctors said I would lose after stopping it. Wrong it was a battle to lose the weight. Take care and cuddle that new kitty – got a name yet?
Oh Mary, while reading the post today, I thought you would tell us it was shingles. I’m not sure the difference between hives and shingles. I had shingles almost 5 years ago and am still dealing with a spot on my back. I do hope the prescription helps. Shingles are awful, I’m guessing hives are too.
Take care, we do care so much for you.
Jo – I was afraid this might be shingles, too, although I’ve had both shots. I’m feeling so much better but still not quite normal. I really do hate resting but I’ll try again today – makes me feel so guilty.
Don’t feel guilty about resting! Your body needs time to recover. Except for feeding yourself, your husband and the animals everything else can wait!
Hang in there Mary. Hopefully you will be back to feeling like your self again soon. (Notice I didn’t say old.) I like Arnica Gel best for so many skin things. Arnica is a plant and the gel is soothing and helps so much with the itchies. You have probably had to buy too much already, though. If they don’t work, try the Arnica Gel.
Arnica Caution:
If allergic to ragweed, sunflowers, marigolds, chrysanthemums or daisies, there’s a good chance you’re allergic to arnica, too. Do not apply if already taking corticosteroids. Arnica could make high blood pressure medication less effective. Its use in food had been permanently banned in Canada. It can also thin the blood so do not use al least two weeks before surgery. Do not use on broken skin.
Mary I’m so happy to hear that you’re been having an awful time recovering hopefully soon you can be enjoying your beautiful yard and your sewing. Please take care of yourself because you mean a lot to us. Hugs and prayers Janet
Oh, Miss Mary, you have really been through it! It’s not bitching when it’s the truth, I say! You need some good,cold ice teas!🤭
We had a beautiful male cardinal hit our back door hard this afternoon. He kept breathing fast and after a few minutes was up on his feet. I was praying so hard for his healing. About 50 minutes after impact he flew off into our black walnut tree. I guess he is going to make it, thank you,Lord! I got a picture of Penny and Lucy staring at him through the door, will send. They send their kitty love 😻❤️❤️❤️❤️!
I’m so sorry to hear that you are suffering a new misery, hives. I’ve had them before, and it was awful. I’m hoping you are getting the right combination of things to make you feel better. This has been a miserable three weeks and we didn’t even know. Thinking of you and hoping for improvement.
Goodness, its time for you to get a break with all this medical stuff. I do hope the new meds help with the hives. I hear they can be quite miserable. I do like your corn wrapped railing, very fall festive.
Hugs and Prayers Mary, it’s not right they treat people like experiments, I
so sorry for all you have gone through, it just is not right.
Oh Mary, I had no idea you were struggling with your recovery. You have not missed a beat on your blog since your surgery. A person can only take so much for so long. I agree with Karen, please take break from the blog if you need to. The stress can’t be helping you. Just think how much news we’ll have after a break! Take care.
Bless your heart, Mary! I’m so sorry you’ve been feeling crappy for the last 3 weeks. You sounded so perky and back to normal in the blog posts that I was thinking you were making an amazingly quick and easy recovery from your surgery. I hope the new prescription will help – soon!
Mary, so sorry to hear about the hives as they are a very miserable affliction. I have a history of hives as well. It is not to be ignored for sure. I have scouted the shelves for anti-itch remedies recently as well. You know when you aren’t feeling quite right so keep in touch with your doc until you figure out what is causing this anomaly in your usual spunky peppy self.
Allergies are a foreign topic to most medical professionals, especially doctors. Surgical adhesive tape (yes even the hypoallergenic) can make skin turn red, blister, and peel. Be careful what you are eating as the culprits are cumulative. Meaning that you might be fine with toast one day and potatoes and tomatoes on another. BUT toast in the morning and within eight hours, tomatoes or potatoes, can trigger whatever is going on. Around here I eat sensitive things four days apart. That makes a world of difference. It has been diagnosed as a form of eczema.
Ugh!! That just stinks, Mary. I hope you are back to your old self soon. Hernia surgery is hard- I had mine at 40 and was down for a month. Give yourself time. And vent away. It’s ok!!!
Oh dear! You and my husband are to of the same sort! You are not bitchin! So sorry.
He had eye surgery today to remove and replace the vertious fluid which was all gunked up with white blood cells that got all jelly like and wouldnt drain out of the eye like ‘normal people’ so they did the surgical thing. His left eye has had so much stuff done to it that it just hears anything needle coming he has soooo much pain! We made a second trip to the clinic this afternoon because his pain was over the top! Everything was ok, but they had done a couple lazer things to fix a couple tears. Plus, they put in a gas bubble, Ugh! I like overloaded him with over-counter pain meds…Aleve and Tylenol and so I would be even let him walk by himself! Anyway. They ordered some prescription pain meds. Hopefully, he sleeps good.
Mary, I’m sorry to hear about the complications. Surgery is bad enough. I can’t imagine complications on top of trying to heal. Love and prayers for a speedy recovery.
Sending hugs and good wishes for a speedy recovery! We love you and can only help by closing blog ads. Seems like so little!
Mary, I’m sending lots of love and good thoughts your way. So sorry you have been suffering. Hope your furry friends are giving you love and comfort.💜
Oh my! I hope the new prescription medicine will help quickly. Sending some hugs, dear Mary.
Mary,
How horrible for you. Surgery is enough without the complications. And telling us what is happening is not bitching.
I had surgery on the 10th, so very glad they didn’t cut me open. Unfortunately, I ended up back in the hospital for 5 days. I have a fairly rare blot clotting disorder and the doctors didn’t know how to deal with it. I do as I have had it over 20 years, but they wouldn’t listen to me. Once I was released I called my doctor and together we are trying to reverse what the hospital doctors did.
Hopefully, I’m on my way to recovery now. I’m praying you are too.
Brenda – oh no! Honestly, some doctors are too arrogant to practice. I do hope you’re on your way to recovery, too! It’s not fun to feel like crap. And I did complain today but did not think I was whining when Betty told me to stop bitching 3 weeks ago.
So sorry to hear about your suffering. Hope it gets better soon.
Unfortunately, we cannot go backwards, and hindsight is 20/20.
Maybe you are allergic to resting. Ha-ha.
Sending prayers your way.
Lynn – I loved your comment more than all the rest – I’M ALLERGIC TO RESTING! Hahahahahaha!!!!!!!
Goodness Mary, it doesn’t sound like complaining, it sounds like justifiable frustration with what you’ve been going through. Why do doctors not believe us when we tell them what’s going on with us? I hope you are finally getting some relief with this new prescription. Take breaks as needed. I know you are very used to being busy and have animals who are depending on you. I wish I was closer and could come help you with some of the chores.
I absolutely LOVE the pictures you’ve taken of the lights on in your patio. I have pretty severe patio envy, I’ll admit!
Went to the cutest little local garden center this afternoon. I’d been there before, but wanted to take my neighbor and introduce her to the place and the owner. The owner had made several posts about the pumpkins she had and what her customers were doing with them and I wanted to get some for my front porch. Have you ever heard of “wolf pumpkins”? They look much like regular carving pumpkins but have these magnificent stems. We both chose several pumpkins to bring home. As we were chatting, I happened to look up and immediately said, “excuse me! I’ll be right back! Need to go say hello to some old friends!” And I ran across the street to catch up with my daughter’s kindergarten teacher and her husband–my daughter is 27 years old! I had served as her classroom volunteer all those years ago, during her first year of teaching at my kids’ school. So fun to catch up! Made my day!
Mary I’m so sorry. I’ve had hives and they are miserable. My husband had to be hospitalized once for hives. Neither of us had physical explanations for them and steroids were the only help. There’s a reason that doctors have ” practices”. My favorite is when they say things like “I’ve never seen that before” or “this has never happened before”.
Mary, I am sooooo sorry. What a terrible time you have had and we did not know. No it was not bitching, just the darn truth. Take good care!!
Mary, I sure hope you feel better soon. You have had quite the year! We all care deeply for you and want nothing less than the best for you! Are you allergic to one of the medications? Have they taken you off any to see why you are having such a time with hives? If I felt like you are feeling for 3 weeks, I would be sounding like or worse than a sailor, you have every right to bitch! Feel better soon and please let us know how you are doing!! Many hugs ! Laurie
Mary, so sorry you haven’t felt well for 3 weeks—that’s a long time! I hope your new treatment works and soon. Hug your pups for extra therapy. And like others have said, if you need a break from the blog, please do.
Mary, I am so sorry to hear of your continuing complications from your surgeries. I hope the doctors have accurately identified the source of this latest issue. Please take care of yourself and if that means taking a break from the blog , please do so. We all love hearing about your activities and the blog about nothing but its most important to us to know that you are doing what is necessary to regain your health and ability to enjoy all the activities that we have enjoyed hearing about for so long.
Rest and hug the fur babies and take a break for awhile. You deserve it !
Karen