The people here have a special “in” with the power-that-be. For proof see this thread. They really helped me out. Sending more warm thoughts your way. 
Glad you’re on the road to recovery, cbawlmer. You’ll be eating solid food in no time!
Go cwbalmer! hugs and kisses Sending chocolate ice cream and warm soup your way…
Yesterday was a particularly hard day. Sure I was eating, but then I was throwing up and had a terribe headache (probably aftereffects from the anesthesia) , so bad I couldn’t take my pain pills or antibiotics fr most of the afternoon. On top of that, we had to figure out how to change my dressings and discovered we weren’t given such great instructions on that. We eventually figured it out after much comedy. I’m feeling better today; still headchey, but I can eat so I can take the Vicodin, and then I don’t know I have a headache anymore. I’m only taking the minimum dose of Vicodin, and it’s controlling the pain from the surgery too. There’s actually not much pain from that. Fortunately it was in a fatty area. The doctor told me yesterday that the tumor, which was cherry tomato-sized on the outside, was the size of a plum inside! There was nothing to indicate that prior to the surgery, so we were all surprised. Next time I won’t ignore the mystery growth for that long…
Last night my co-workers sent over dinner from Olive Garden for us, so I have lots of leftover Chicken Fettucini to help take pills with. Yay!
I’m surprised that you didn’t get at least one visit from a home health nurse to teach you wound care and how to manage the drain. That’s what I do for a living, and I think it really helps the patient and family adjust and feel confident. The least they should have done was pre-op teaching, but then again they didn’t know how large the tumor was going to be. That drain is a good thing, BTW - I’ve seen patients come home without one and then the void fills up with fluids and they have to have another procedure. Feel better soon!
Good to hear all is well.
Remember what I said about extended vicodan use and what it does to your lower parts (think the morter used to make brick walls).
Yeah, I’m having a little first-hand experience with that. What fun! I’m only taking the Vicodin when necessary now. Happily, I’m having very little pain now.
I just made my first call to the doctor’s answering service beause of a nasty-looking red streak that appeared at the bottom of the affected area. The doctor says it sounds like part of a bruise is showing through and that everything is probably fine since I don’t have any pain or abnormal swelling. I’m not normally squeamish, but every time I have to change the dressing or empty the drain I feel sort of dizzy and my stomach hurts. I’m trying to be a grown-up about it, but there’s a weird cavity where my familiar old tumor used to be and it’s freaking me out a little. I know that with time the swelling will go down and things will right themselves, but it’s hard to deal with right now.
My husband’s been great through this whole thing. I’m going to be extra nice to him when I’m back at full power again.
I happen to know from experience that husbands who don’t balk at things like changing nasty dressings are worth their weight in gold! 
I’m getting to this thread a bit late: glad everything went well and you’re on the road to recovery. I had surgery this summer and was almost glad that I had complications and stayed in a few extra days, because then I didn’t have to mess about with the drain thingy…the nurses took care of that.
But before the surgery, I updated my will, finally, and filled out a living will. And rather than make me nervous, it gave me a great sense of peace to know that everything was taken care of, and if something horrible happened at least I’d left one thing not a mess. My bedroom closet is an entirely different matter.
Didn’t see this til now it’s just something I do…if I ever get banned and try to come back then you will no it’s me when I slip up and do it but I’m not going to get banned.
No kidding. My wife has been a doll during my round this time - and last . She gets to clean the cut behind my ear (which isn’t pretty ← link to picture of ear)
Next weekend I should be much better so I want to take her out someplace nice and find a gift of some sort as a thank you.