My Hidden Treasure

Monday, November 10, 2008

Almost 4 weeks

Tomorrow will be 4 weeks since my surgery and I can't believe how incredible I feel. I am so lucky to have had a good surgeon, as well as a willing body that seems to heal rapidly. Inside I still know I had something done, it's not painful, just a wee bit sore..not even enough to notice unless I think about it. Not sure I'm in the norm though because I hear from others that are still tired, hurting and not doing so well with food.
A lot of people were praying for me so I guess I have all of you to thank for my continued success. I'm not sure it would have been all this pleasant without all the support I've had.
My friend Marilynn has been an absolute rock, calling me with positive thought, driving me to meetings and just being an all round great friend. Ceil calls often, unfortunately she has been sick since my surgery, but she is very supportive...all my friends as well as my family have been just great. I am sure that has everything to do with my fast recovery.
Now I have to start thinking about holiday eating. I find that pre planning what I eat helps a great deal to stay on track and get all my protein in. Can't eat very much, so what I do eat has to be very good for me....Protein first!!! Then if I can fit anymore in (which at this point I can't), I go to the veggies. I'm learning to slow up...the hardest part of the whole thing...Rich is a big help there. He just gives me that look LOL
I go see my other Dr. today...see if I can't get off some of these *&^% pills. It was nice to dump the diabetic stuff but I still have 6 more I have to get rid of...officially LOL Read between THOSE lines.
Wishing everyone all the happiness you have brought into my life right back at you.........

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Almost four weeks

My, My, how quickly time goes bye. I'm not sure how many people are trying to follow this Blog, I will try and write more often. It's been a crazy few weeks.

I did get weighed on Monday and was very excited. There was a reason I didn't post that loss here. I realized that there are people in my WLS group that are watching me closely and I fear judging their success according to mine. This isn't about numbers, it's about a total life style change. This isn't a diet, it's a new beginning. Old habits die hard and the journey is a difficult one.
You can only eat so much, and what you chose to eat is what it's all about...not numbers.
I'm finding it hard to to slow down. I never realized how fast I must have eaten, shoveling was more like it. I do not believe I ever truly tasted food. I find that I can't seem to put a small amount on my spoon (no wonder they recommend a baby spoon) If I ever find an infant spoon on sale I'm buying 20 of them LOL Fitting in 64 oz of water is also a chore, I feel like I should have the water bottle strapped to me like a feed bag LOL And then we have exercise, by the time I finish cleaning and doing chores and getting into my sewing room (where I want to be) who has time for exercise? It is something that I have actually had to schedule into my day...Yup! This is a new way of life, no doubt about it. But I've lost weight and I've already dropped a size in clothes, so I'm very happy.
Will I ever post my loss...You bet I will...I'll scream it from the roof tops. I see Bob on Dec 4th and I will post my weight after that visit and will probably do so monthly after that...I just want all the Newbies to be able to focus on their own success...We all seem to become very competitive at this stage.
All I know is that I have more energy then I've had in many years, I feel wonderful and I'm beyond Happy.....Thanks for checking on me.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Disappointment

I would really like to post each day, but I'm doing so well, there really isn't much to say.
I was supposed to see Dr. Strauss this past Wed. but God decided to send a snow storm instead. We got 9" of snow and the plow wasn't hooked up yet so we were sort of stuck here (the story of my life) for those of you who don't know, I live on a mountain with one of the steepest driveways around..Winters are an adventure and I've learned not to make long term plans. Like goes pretty much according to the weather. Not that I mind, when I'm trapped here, I seem to get a great deal done.
I started puree foods yesterday, a few days early, just for dinners. I felt much better after eating 2 oz. of that. Not sure if the thicker REAL food was the key, or if it was in fact the food itself.
Life to me is all based on logic. This is a new tummy so I understand that you don't want to flood it with food it would have to digest. The stomach is about the size of a Walnut, not very big huh?
Baby's stay on baby food while their new stomachs learn what to do and that's pretty much why full liquids are required for 3 weeks, then pureed for 3 weeks more, giving the stomach a chance to heal and learn what to do. Most of the digestion right now takes place in the intestines.
I know how my body feels and felt a need to start pureed foods, I feel better having done so.

I've also observed something strange that I plan to discuss with the Doctor. My blood sugar levels respond to dumping. Dumping Syndrome happens to by-pass patients usually when they over do Carbs or fat...I have done neither, but I do react to the crushed pills. My numbers went up to 175 the other day, but I didn't panic and take insulin. Dumping feels like a flu, cold sweats, sick stomach...just crumby for about 5 minutes then it passes. Within a two hour time frame my numbers returned to normal without diabetic medication. The same thing happened this morning...So I'm seeing obvious evidence that I am no longer a diabetic (the doctor has already said that, but this is just more proof) I still check numbers 3X a day just to keep track.
I also have a hard lump under one incision, not sure if it's just scar tissue but it hurts if I bend and squish it. I'll cover that with Dr. Stauss as well. My energy level continues to increase and every new day is like a new adventure in living. It even amazes me that such a small amount of food satisfies my hunger. I do believe it is harder on people around me to wrap their brains around the small amount of food I eat....but like anything else, you get use to it. I've even gone out to eat several times... Most places are very willing to blend up soup or re whip potatoes with more milk..it's all amazing.
Monday morning I will find out how much weight I have lost so far so come back and check.....
TTFN

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Still Shedding the cocoon

It is Saturday almost 2 week post -op and I feel better then I have in a very long time. My sugar numbers still remain normal, I've got tons of energy and I have no pain of discomfort. The incisions are still sore within, guess that will take a while...might get better sooner if I'd stop running around but it just feels so darn good not to be exhausted all the time.
I have noticed that taste has change, I seem to crave strong tasting things..Hummus, stuff with garlic etc...olives, pickles...weird huh? Of course I can't eat any of that right now but its on my mind. I did go out to lunch with Rich yesterday, I asked to have the New England Clam Chower (one of my favorites at this place) blended, they were very accomodating and the soup was out of this world.
I had it for dinner also, but I added unflavored Unjury to it for extra protein. I will be looking forward to real food, but I'm not rushing it. This Full LIquid isn't all that bad and I try not to pay attention. I'm never hungry so that helps...getting down 64 oz of water a day is rough also but I do my best. I have no idea how much weight I've lost. Rich says the puffiness in my face is gone. I have to see my surgeon on Wed. I figure I'll let her share my surprise...so check back and be surprised also....

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

A Week and a Day past surgery

Oct 22- I do hope that all who follow me have the same surgical experience I have had.
While any surgery that requires cutting, stapling, re-routing intestines etc...is going to leave you sore and a bit gassy. I have used no pain medication and trust me, I would if I needed it. My incisions are all healed, my black and blues have faded. Even the memory of the Hospital ordeal has become bearable because I feel so good.
I'm not as tired as I thought I would be , but I do get fatigued and have to remember what my body has been through and that it is still healing. That's hard to do when you feel as good as I do.
I made it to the post op meeting and everyone was very surprised to see me. That meeting for those who don't know is once a month, FREE, you don't have to go but they are informative and as pre-op patients you learn a great deal that can help you after surgery.After the meeting we usually go out to eat and this week was no exception (no I am not able to drive yet but Marilynn is a great driver) We also picked up Sue. I had potato soup and loved every drop. probably not a lot of protein, but I did enjoy being out with everyone. I now look forward to the mentors meeting and group that follows but that's in NOV and I'll be fine by then.
I'm still on full liquids and probably will be until at least next week. I'm eating baby food to which I add protein powder. In case anyone every needs more protein then you can get from your food, check out Unjury.com the best tasting stuff I ever had. Jello, pudding stuff like that. It's not forever, whats 3 weeks out of the rest of my life?
I have a lot of catching up to do so it will be a while before I am back in full swing on my Groups, I do miss everyone and my daily routine. Right now when I have energy I have to focus on healing and getting back into the swing of exercise as well as some projects that got set aside.
There is a long road ahead of me and if you have taken the Journey with me thus far...Welcome to the melting side and I hope you will continue to check in as I begin my metamorphosis.
My legs are doing great and the Symvisc is still holding...Life can be beautiful....

October 17-A day to remember

I was able to speak to Dr. Straus right away and she told me to get to the emergency room. I had no desire to return to that hospital as a patient, although I seem to be an exception to every rule.
Dr. Straus wasn't taking no for an answer and the urgency in her voice kind of scared me into giving in. She told me they would be expecting me at the ER.
We got there around 11:30 and it seemed like a big surprise to everyone, no one had gotten a call to "expect me". Rich was parking the car and a kind soul who was admitting her son ran and got me a wheel chair (she is a nurse at the hospital also, she explains) I'm so glad she got me a BIG comfortable one. I had to once again be a shrew in order to get into the ER, otherwise I'd probably still be waiting in the waiting room. Lots of staff walking around, but not doing too much. The nurse who asked me questions had a computer in front of her with all the answers. Why not just ask me if anything has changed in the past 12 hours. If this was a true Emergency why not start with some CARE.
Once in the ER a nurse came and started an IV (brutal) told me I had DEEP veins...now there's a new one. We waited, and we waited and time slowly moved on. The nurse came into tell me she ordered a chest xray, which a doctor later cancelled but that's how the day went. Rich said it was a good thing it wasn't life threatening. Finally a woman walks in carrying a huge container of liquid and proceeds to tell me how I'm going to "drink all this in two hours"....I don't think so, so I explain to her that I just had surgery and can only drink 30cc every 15 min at best. She didn't get it. She told me that just wouldn't do and went and got me a straw to make it easier. Bariatric patients can't use straws. Rich went to get Chris when he realized no one seemed to have a clue about taking care of me. Chris, like the guardian angel she is, came to the rescue and saved the day. I had to finally threaten to sign myself out in order to get my CAT scan. Dr Straus was there quickly after to explain I had a blockage and that I may need more surgery.
She told me what it could be or what it may be. We needed to talk because I just wasn't ready to re admitted to that hospital. It was with great reservation that she let me go home, with the promise that I would return if the retching started again...You bet I would have, but all I really wanted was to go home and get a good nights sleep. It was now past 6pm, I hadn't eaten all day and I was exhausted from the ordeal. Poor Rich, I can't even imagine how he felt.

Shedding the Cocoon

Oct-14....
Everything went as planned, we stayed at a motel the night before so we were atthe hospital by 6 am and I was in surgery by 7:30. Dr. Straus found Richard to tell him the surgery had gone well and they would be out to get him shortly.4 hours later Dr. Straus saw him and asked why he was still there. It appears that I just didn't want to recover on schedule, I was enjoying my sleep too much. They simply could not keep me awake. I remember seeing him and him saying he was leaving me and would see me "tomorrow".... I feel nothing...I just want to sleep.

Oct15... It feels like someone woke me every hour to check vitals or sugar #'s...Feeling very tired but no pain. The nurse shows me how to hit the morphine pump but I'm pretty comfortable, very dry, I just need water which I'm told I can't have. They do offer me chipped ice (guess it's better to choke on that) not sure what thats about but that sure does feel good in my mouth. I savor the cool and swallow the melt carefully.Later on someone gives me a cup of water with a sponge on a stick...I'm loving it. Each time someone comes in the room to check my vitals or check blood they hit that pump. I guess they don't believe I have no pain. I am swollen and my belly is sore, it hurts to move around or use stomach muscles, but otherwise no pain. I have compression boots on , they said I would to prevent blood clots. They stressed walking and a nurse has already told me someone will be in to remove the catheter and get me out of bed.
I keep having to ask for more water/sponge, they must be very busy. Someone did come in to remove the catheter but I can't get out of bed, can't really lean forward with the oxygen on.
Student nurses are on the floor and I have a little one called Mavis...what a cutie. She took me down for the swallow test, I've gotten an extended oxygen tube so I can sit up comfortably, my breakfast (jello and tea) was put so far away I couldn't reach it, but I really wasn't all that hungry. I keep asking to get up and walk but no one comes to undo my boots or disconnect the pump thing from the wall, the bottom half of my bed deflated, but Karen and Marietta made sure they found enough pillows to put my legs up and make it more comfortable. I must say, I am a bit disappointed in the care here. Seems to be quite a lot of staff so you'd think someone would have the bed fixed, toilets acting up too so the brought me a potty. Probably better off because I can't even imagine having to go and having to wait for someone to release me from my machine as well as the boots. I asked Rich to take me home, I know I'd get better care there. I feel so frustrated. On the bright side I did get to see Chris and Tiffany, Karen, Marietta and Sue..
What a nice surprise, not to mention a comfort having some help.

Oct 16- Got a surprise visit from Jules on her way to work. She sort of splashed her way in, seems the toilet overflowed. I heard one of the poor nurses say she called maintenence 3 times. That must be the guy who is also fixing my bed. Jules can't believe whats happening but she claims I look good. Must be that shower a kind person let me take last night. Dr Eckel came into my room while Jules was there to inform me that I no longer have diabetes. Needless to say there was a joyful noise. he also said I was on the "discharge list"...Thank you God!!!
Sure enough Dr. Straus signed me out and came into to chat. What a wonderful surgeon she is. She said I was doing exceptionally well and she was delighted to hear about the diabetes.
I don't think Rich was all that crazy about the early release call, I think he expected it in the afternoon. Poor guy it ended up being afternoon anyway before the slow wheels of progress finally turned.
It sure was nice to get home and into my own bed.
About 10 at night I didn't feel very well, by 11 pm I was in the bathroom retching. Once it settled down I took a sip of water and prayed it wouldn't happen again. It did, about every hour. Rich keeps asking if it's normal. How do I know? I wouldn't think it's normal but then again I never had my stomach made the size of a walnut before...so whats normal? All I do know is that it hurts when it happens, like a sledgehammer. I will call as soon as people begin to wake up...it finally stopped at 4 am, now I just feel sick.