I woke up in my hospital room. I don’t remember being in much pain. I don’t know what I pictured an ileostomy bag looking like, but what I saw was not what I expected. I really did not give it much thought or researched it, because it was supposed to be temporary and I had more permanent things to focus my mind on. As I was talking to Rick, I lifted my gown and I had a drainage bag attached to my stomach, with a hole going through my stomach on my right side; stitches about 6 inches down from my belly button and about 6 inches above my belly button; I had my ostomy bag on my left side; I had a catheter; I was hooked up to an IV; I had a tube for oxygen and I was given a morphine pump. I think I could pump morphine every eight minutes, needless to say, I don’t remember much on the first day. My mouth was dry and I wanted some water, but I could not have water yet, only a wet sponge to put in my mouth. I remember asking each nurse on the shift change for some water. But they would read my chart and say, “Not yet”. I brought my journal to the hospital, but I did not write any scriptures on the first day. I was just waiting to hear from the doctor. The situation going on under my gown still had not sunk in yet. Rick took pictures and we had several visitors that day, I only remembered because Rick told me. I guess the morphine was working. I don’t remember seeing my doctor after surgery until the next day. Psalm 121:1-3, I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. It’s good to rest in the comfort of the LORD.
