Day 16 - still not good

Probably the worst day since the catheter was removed in fact. I felt a little light headed and feverish with no real appetite, although my temperature & blood pressure were both fine. My wounds didn't hurt much but my belly skin was very sensitive. And I was having to go to the loo every 30-45 minutes but only urinating a small amount each time. This left me in a bad tempered funk all day, I just lay on the day bed watching TV or sat outside reading horror short stories. This was the first time I've considered reaching out to the doctor since the catheter was removed.    

Looking back the urinary issues could be due to a number of different reasons - 

  • Ongoing constipation 
  • A dislodged stitch or scab partially blocking the urethra - this is the time when stitches start to dissolve and I think I saw one in the loo the other night.  
  • An overly active pelvic floor - it has been cramping a bit  
  • A tired / battered bladder not having the elasticity to squeeze correctly
  • Urinary tract infection
  • Something has gone wrong with the surgery

and the general funk could also be for a few different reasons - 

  • Touch of depression and even agrophobia from being inside so much  
  • A slight bug 
  • An infection
  • Twenty days of no drinking - I do go through  a 'can't be arsed' state of lassitude each dry Jan  

I was concerned but didn't panic and took it easy all day. I also went back on the paracetamol and also had some ibuprofen (after food) to help with the pelvic floor pain. I'm writing this the next day and it seemed to help - only two toilet trips overnight, I woke up hungry and feel much better and more myself.  

Healing is not a straight line improvement and different things will hurt at different times. It's hard to know when to panic and when to tough it out, but I hope I did the right things. Having the ability to take key measurements is very useful as it quantifies the feelings - if my BP was low or temperature high we would have taken further steps.  

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