-The people here were so good to me. From the initial walk in to the outpatient service, getting…read morebloodwork, through, to my follow up call after the surgery. * I did ask for and get a list of all the people at HHC who supported me during my surgery, however, in my groggy departure, I must have misplaced it and I apologize, All of the approx 12 people it took to get me fixed up and moving are true superheroes. Truly, you all are amazing.*
-What brought me here.
For about 4 months or so when I showered, I would feel this little "ball" above my belly button. My brain didn't want to deal with it, so whenever I showered, I kept pushing it out of my head. Not long ago, on an evening doing my normal mom routine my brain decided it was time to "TAKE CARE OF THIS RIGHT NOW". A million terrible thoughts overcame me and I just sat crying my eyes out thinking that if I felt this "ball" in my breast, I would think it was cancer. I was so stupid to ignore it. Once I got myself together, I did what probably most of us would... I googled that I had a little ball over my belly button. Google said it was an Umbilical Hernia. It described everything I felt and I knew right then, that's what it was. I googled Hernia Specialists in Northern Virginia/Warrenton and Dr. Dougherty's name caught my eye first thing. She had an office in Warrenton! So happy! I called and made an appointment for an Unbilical Hernia at her office. (More on Dr. Dougherty's visit on another "Yelp" page). - Turn around was quick. Surgery is done...
I'm on the front end of recovery now...Today was the first day I got to sit up without any help! I've had two C-Sections and it was nothing....nothing like having a hernia. My hernia was in my core muscle. Every and any daily movement I do affects and uses my core. Just like everyone else.
Apparently, when I was pregnant with my kids over 12 years ago, it caused strain on my abs and core. They stretched badly. Living alone, and also being a stubborn buthead, I tend to do everything myself. 70 LB aquarium to clean? a 60 LB 1982 game TV to move? I never asked anyone for help. How stupid. So my already strained muscles, which I didn't know about got even worse... and I sitll didn't know..... I quit smoking and started working out...YAY... BUT.... unbnownst to me, I was all ripped up inside. All of my working out and getting fit made my muscles say " I can't do it anymore" ooops. There goes my intestine! slipped right through my muscles! Yep. Gross.
Don't be a stubborn buthead like me. ASK FOR HELP!!!!
Also, when you feel somehting is wrong...GO CHECK IT OUT!!!
Seriously, there were between 10 - 15 names on that paper, of people who worked like a well oiled machine to put me back together. I remember Dr. Daugherty, Allie, and the really nice anesthesiologist. After that, I was silly putty. Muah, thanks guys!
Second Floor Ste 210/240 - A whole office of superheroes.