Sorry for the delay in an update. I'm back home now, and finding that post op care without an army of nurses has proven to be a challenge.
I dilate 4 times a day, have 1 shower, 2 baths, 2 douches. I have to air dry (read: lay around naked) for 30 minutes after each wet event. I also have to wash the tub before and after each wet event. I also go through tips of towels. Suddenly bathroom cleaning and laundry are something I do, whereas before the nursing staff handled it.
All in all, things are going well. It doesn't hurt to walk now, though it is easy to over do it. I plan to give all this info, including dilation explanation and dilator demo via YouTube, but concentrating enough to do and edit a video hasn't been possible for me yet.
Another girl who was in recovery with me recommended I get in touch with the local CCAC office. Basically, they send nurses to bring supplies and check on my wound. Since I've been bleeding a lot suddenly and today I noticed an odor change, I'm going to get right on that.
Some costs that have been more than expected, either in cost of time/effort or money are:
Medical pads for anywhere you sleep or sit
Towels and face cloths
Dove soap
Saline for douches
I haven't needed much in pain meds lately, beyond acetaminophen and ibuprofen, but if it turns out I do have an infection you can be sure I'll need stronger pain meds. I was previously prescribed hydromorphone for the pain.
More to come, thanks for being patient while I recover.
