Brenda C.

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Whoopity-Do-Dah!  Great visit with both the Nutritionist & Surgeon, and of course, a nineteen pound loss since surgery on the 16th of November - 13 days ago.

Not that I am bragging, but since surgery, it has been pretty smooth sailing.  No vomiting, no temperature, getting all my fluids, and I am off the pain meds.  Okay, so I do have a seroma, but the doctor checked it, swabbed it, and just sent me home with more gauze.  I go back to check my "leak" on the 13th of December, and I get to move onto smooshies (my term, not theirs) - wooo!

On my exiting the doctors office, I got a text, asking how it all went, then one asking, "So what are you going to eat, first?!"  My response, "Dunno."  Here was what I had: oatmeal made with rolled oats and protein powder.  I know, it may not sound fabulous as a first meal, but I am satisfied.

Talking with the Nutritionist, she wants me to up my iron intake, keep doing what I am doing, and drop the amount of meal replacement shakes, and actually eat.  I asked if it would be all right to continue using shakes, "As long as it is NOT the majority of nutrition."  So, again, I am pretty satisfied.

I did get a "High Five" from the PA after telling him about my "twin," and we both chuckled that I must be the Evil Twin," as I survived ; )  So the tee shirt should read: The Evil Twin Wins, AGAIN!  I love it!  I did ask Dr Hunter how the "Ectopic Tumor" could have gone undetected so long, "It just happens."  Best news, the tumor was completely benign.  Darn, no more eating "for two," ha ha! 

All in all, for anyone worried about Weight Loss Surgery, it hasn't been all that bad. 
Brenda  : )~

Well, the waiting for my follow up is almost over.  First I see the Nutritionist, to make sure I am doing all I am supposed to be - I am ;)  Then, I see Dr Hunter at 2:45pm and find out what the hell is with all the dripping.  I feel like some of the caves I have been in - drip drip drip - UGH!  I have become very inventive in how I have been damming the drip, so hopefully I can get some better advice.  So, questions to the doctor will include:  Is this Seroma or a leak?  Should I have a drain tube put in?  What the heck was the deal with the "Ectopic Tumor," and where exactly was it.  You know, all the fun questions ;)

Things have been really easy, which almost makes me a little concerned.  I am easily getting my fluids & nutrients, i almost feel a little cheated that I am not struggling -- does that make any sense?!  Things are good at home, I am off the pain meds - whoooo hoooo!  And, I am getting around, upstairs & downstairs just fine.  I have slowed my roll a bit, as maybe that had a little something to do with the seroma/fluid build up.

Okay, day of reckoning!  I will post my findings, later today -- STAY POSITIVE!!!
Brenda  : )~

On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, I received a call from my Nutritionist asking how everything was going post-operatively, other than some redness around all my incisions - but no real fever - things were otherwise uneventful.  I have had no difficulties making my fluid, protein, and nutrition goals.  The call ended well with one word of advice: If anything comes of the redness, call Steve in my surgeons office on Friday.  I told her I hoped not to interrupt any ones holiday!

Bright & early Thanksgiving morning I woke and wandered to the bathroom to blow my nose.  That is when I felt the oddest thing - trickling.  I looked down to see a splattering of reddish fluid all over the floor - ewwww!  First, I wondered, "Menses?"  But then I saw the "trickle" as it exited my belly button in a stream.  Luckily for me, I spent a LOT of time studying about the surgery I choose, I remembered hearing the definition of "Seroma".  

Now, for those who do not know, Seroma is a clear fluid that often develops in the body after injury (surgical injury, included), and usually is colored by red blood cells, giving the appearance of an almost bloody substance.  Most folks who see seroma have drain tubes, but in my case, I had become so swollen with fluid, the path of least resistance - my hernia scar - was the exit point.

Not wanting to start my Thanksgiving in an ER, I called the hospital, spoke with the on call surgeon, he chuckled that I had done well diagnosing myself, and it sounds from how red my incisions are, I most likely had an infection and not to worry about the seroma.  I am now on another antibiotic, and yuck it tastes horrible, but I believe the problem is improving.

Interestingly enough, I notice the amount of fluid might be in correlation to how hydrated I am - I start leaking more in the afternoon, after having the lions share of my fluid requirements.  Just another question to ask on Monday!

The recovery has been very easy, considering I am only on day ten.  For all of you out there worrying about what could go wrong, maybe spend more time thinking of all the things that will go well.  The pain is all relative and depending on how well you do with pain - it really isn't that bad.  I have not had any negative thoughts, things have been going well.  Oh, and Thanksgiving was NOT a terrible thing to deal with (cravings and all).

B  : )~

Sunday brought the first snow to my area, which is always a lovely thing, looking down the hill & wondering how the hell the roads are.  To give a little insight, I live on a hill that is on a bigger hill, so I am pretty sure Mail & Garbage Service may not happen today & tomorrow. 

Waking early, I wondered if my daughter would have any issue getting to school.  We found out at 6:45am, she did indeed need a ride.  It is an odd feeling to want to "jump" out of bed, and into the shower, considering how crappy I felt the first few days.  Hey ladies, I actually shaved my legs!  If that doesn't give you a clue how "human" I am feeling, I may not be able to form words to purvey my feelings.

I got to check out the scars, which aren't too bad, considering what all the surgeon put me through!  Today, I am also testing a theory, maybe it is the milk that is making me bloated, so I am only "eating" soy and/or whey drinks today.  I've got to know, if my body needs time to adjust, or am I having an unpleasant reaction, because I don't even want to be in the company of me in the late afternoon!

While riding shotgun to pick my daughter up from school - school closed just before noon, today - I was asked, "So how are you feeling?  Like a pick up hit you, instead of a bus?"  My answer: More like a sub-compact!  So for all those who are worrying about the pain, it is quite manageable. 

Thoughts of Thanksgiving Meals are running through my mind, in a good way.  I am not dreading facing food at all.  I am glad that I was able to work through so many months of modified eating, it really is fuel for my body.  Spending time with friends and family do not need to be stressful.  To anyone considering any form of Weight Loss Surgery, do yourself a favor: Work through your food issues!

B  : )~

Having come home late Wednesday evening, November 17th, I was very surprised to have been "sprung" so quickly, I guess I just looked too happy "cruisin' the halls"!  No emotional moments so far, just ugh moments.  The headache that lasted three days wasn't much fun, but finally not a problem.  Hey!  I poo'd!  Yeah, sad a grown ass woman such as myself would get so excited over a bodily function.  The ones I am not happy about: Having to pee all the damn time and (ahem) the flatulence -- ewwwww!

Before surgery, I earned the nickname "The Camel," for my unbelievable bladder capacity - NEVER having to get up at night, my boyfriend envied me... Ummm, The Camel has left the building!  I am getting so much exercise using the restroom, I think I should add music to the routine... "Peeing with the Stars...."  Oh, sorry, too far?  Anyhow, I am unsure what the heck they did, but my capacity is like a thimble, now.  Who needs to do crunches?  Just do the Bypass Routine... Gotta go! Gotta Go! Gotta Go!

Having to "eat" six meals - liquid - and 48 ounces of water, geez!  I never spent this much time trying to eat in all my life!  I am also supposed to do three sets of vitamins a day, regular meds twice, it's a wonder I have time to pee!  Working on getting 60 grams of protein is still kind of rough, but I am able to do it on day four - so for anyone out there having difficulty - stay the course.  I find myself looking forward to "mushies," I hope that isn't wrong.  There is only so much enriched milk & protein shakes a person can sip down before dreaming of chili! 

Things at home are very upbeat, I have fabulous support & care - Thanks Jeff & Katie!  The pain is manageable - I hurt, but it isn't something to cry about.  Now, to search the Boards for the Cure for Flatulence!

B  : )~

Well, maybe I am being overly dramatic, but I do hurt.  My surgery was a little more involved than originally planned.  The surgeon knew I had an incisional hernia, but what he didn't know was that I also had an "Ectopic Tumor in my Stomach Consisting of Pancreatic Material," or as my discharge sheet says: Removal of Gastric Mass.

Upon getting to my room, I was met with a serious face, "Ummm, they found a benign tumor... Dr Hunter says not to worry, they are running tests..."  I pretty much passed out, but later thought to myself, "Did Jeff say something about a tumor?!"  I have since looked my "twin" up online, evidently it is fairly rare - about .4%, so I now have something to joke about!  "It's not a Tumor..." Arnold Schwarzenegger's voice.  "I had an evil twin..."  I AM THE evil twin..." "I knew there was a reason I was fat, I was eating for TWO!"  Anyhow, I am looking forward to asking questions of the surgeon on Monday the 29th of November.

For those wondering about the pain, yup, it hurts.  I am very surprised I was released a day after surgery, but it is nice to be back in my bed.  I have eight incisions, I am sore, my head hurts, and the hiccups are the WORST!  I am optimistic, feel pretty good, so for those wondering, I would do it all over again -- just to be able to name my lost "twin"!  How come I didn't get a "to-go" jar with my little friend in it?

Thank you to EVERYONE who has wished me well!  I am on the mend, on painkillers, and shuffling around like I am ancient!

B  : )~

Amazing.  Last night we had a windstorm in the Seattle, WA Area.  It was ugly last night, I was awake until sometime after Midnight, then of course, worrying if the power would go out, I had some tossing & turning.

Woke up, rolled around, rolled some more, then I gave up & took a shower at 7:30am.  I looked out back, "dang!" a section of our back fence toppled.  Packed my clothes, some stitching & cards, and of course the iPod.  I have two bags, one with change of clothes the other my damn CPAP machine, not bad if you ask me.

The sun is out, not the norm for late Fall in Seattle.  The widget on my laptop says it is 50 degrees outside, again, not the norm.  Well, I am heading to the hospital in less than an hour.  Thank you to EVERYONE who has read my blog, wished me well, and supported this difficult decission.  I hope to be able to post again soon, until then, "Stay the course!"

Brenda  : )~

Check in time is 11:15 am, so I am figuring surgery sometime around 1 pm.  With about three hours of surgery, another hour in case Dr Hunter needs to do an incisional hernia repair (nicknamed my Alien Baby) from my gall bladder surgery, I should be back in my room by 6pm -- now, who wants to laugh at me for thinking I can figure out my schedule?!

There is nothing like hearing, "Uh... Oh... Hmmm..." when you call "after 10 am" for your surgical time, and then a pause before hearing, "Could you call back later, I do not have your time listed?"  So, sometime around 2 pm I finally found out I do not have to check in until 11:15 in the morning, who would've thought I would get to sleep in?!  Not that I will be able to sleep in, but it is a nice thought! 

One of my biggest surprises is the lack of urgency.  No directives, other than "do not eat or drink after midnight," I feel like a Mogwai (if you've never seen Gremlins, you really need to)!  No Magnesium Citrate.  No Antibacterial Wash.  No Sharps Container (I asked, and was told if I didn't already have one, I probably wasn't going to be prescribed blood thinners).

So, for anyone wondering, my last meal was chicken soup.  I didn't go wacky worrying I won't be able to eat or drink anything special after surgery.  I had already been in the habit of having two protein meal replacement shakes and one meal, which I recommend to anyone wanting to have surgery - it is less stressful when your surgical time finally rolls around.

What will I pack?  Sweats to wear home, shorts for strolls through the halls, Carmex/lip balm, iPod, on the fence about stitching or a book, and my pillow.  Pretty easy, pretty simple.  Hopefully, I will be back in my own bed by Thursday night. 

Thank You to everyone who has sent words of encouragement!  Here goes nothing...
B  : )~

Good lord!  With all the other things to let me obsess about, I am bothered second most with the damn thought of waking up with a catheter in me.

Three years ago I ended up in the hospital quite unexpectedly.  Note to self:  When you are experiencing pain, do not try to self diagnose, it can end up making you in much worse shape!  My gall bladder had been giving me trouble for sometime, but I kept ignoring the pain, until I caused myself to became a bit jaundiced. When I say a bit, I mean, "Wow, your GUMS are yellow..."  Not a color that generally looks good on me.  Anyhow, I had to have two procedures, one endoscopic (through the mouth) the other laproscopic (through incision), and I only woke up with a catheter on the later procedure.

I have to tell you, there is nothing quite so surprising as to wake up with a "tether" coming out of your "Whoo Ha"!  The thought of asking, "Umm, I would like to use the restroom, BY MYSELF..." is a bit unpleasant for me, but this too shall pass.  My mind goes to places of bargaining, "If I promise not to wet the bed, could you stay away from my lady parts?!"  "I REALLY didn't drink for TWO DAYS..."  So, I guess I may not find out until they awaken me in recovery.

I find wanting "personal privacy" a positive motivator to get ones self out of the hospital a lot sooner!  Becoming adept at unhooking myself from my IV was accomplished the next day -- as soon as I figure dragging the damn device with me left a lot less room in the bathroom, I chatted with the nursing staff...  I am shooting for the minimum stay, but being prepared for more.

One more day until I learn the time of my "procedure," two days to prepare...
Brenda  : )~

Sorry, I hear a booming voice from Charlton Heston in my head, how about you?!?

Surgery is almost here, Tuesday isn't far, and I still have mental notes "My To Do List" making me a little scattered.  Write the list down you say?  NEVER!  I still haven't packed my meager bag for the hospital.  Shoot, I am more concerned about charging the iPod Shuffle at the moment!  Oh, and having one nail repaired before my big "debut"...

I know I was told not to do all liquids before surgery, but Sunday & Monday, no real meals -- if I can.  Monday is clear fluids, so that won't be a problem.  I have tonight to be considerate -- eating with a couple, so I will be doing salad for dinner. 

Monday, I will know surgical time, so I will have one last post for sure.  My house is in order, so I am not too worried about that.  I already have set aside my "leaving the hospital" attire, just need to pack the Carmex, Lip Balm, and maybe slippers.  The robe is in the maybe pile, but I am sure I will bring shorts for walking the halls.

Worrying over a weight gain right now is really bugging me - good thing I do not have a scale at home!  Anyhow, I am dealing with all the usual thoughts, so I guess I really am "Just Human," after all!  Thanks to all my supporters!  Glad I am not an athlete - insert bad joke here!  Here goes nothing...

Brenda  : )~