clh333

Send Message

Block

Add Friend

Well, Im almost 2 months out.  Down about 43 pounds!!  Went to Costco this weekend, and picked up some capris.  I first got a 14, did the neck test...too big! then got a 12, neck test....TOO BIG!  Got a 10...neck test...still a bit big, but I bought them.   The next morning I put them on under my robe, just pulled them up didnt undo the button/zipper.  OMG!!!  Havent been in a size 10 since I was 10! 
Anyway, this marks the beginning of my 2nd week in Washington.  DH will be stationed here.  We arrived April 6th.
Im still unpacking.....very slowly!!!  BUT I love it here!  We live in a nice town (Port Orchard) and rented a lovely home.  Im quite happy!!!!
Just need to get the house in order, and maybe start looking for a job and maybe attend some classes.....we'll see!!

Alrighty, its been 2 weeks since surgery, so here goes whats been going on since then!  
I had surgery around 10 am Weds Feb 20 at Chapman Medical Center in Orange CA.  My husband took me in at 8 am, and we checked in, had some blood drawn.  A little while later, I was taken into the corral to get prepped.  My anestheologist came, got me all hooked up with happy juice....and then I kinda came around in recovery.  Recovery sucked, and I remember the nurse getting very pissed with me since I was thrashing and wanted water or ice or something for my throat.  She gave me swabs.  I never opened my eyes, and then it was time to move me to my room.  I pulled a sheet over my head and they rolled me out.  All of a sudden I could here my husbands voice asking someone if I was out of surgery, and in all my groggy glory, I ripped my sheet off my head, and said "here I am" Luckily he asked the people that had his wife on the gurney!!!  I got to my room, sometime after lunch, and didnt have a room mate yet.  My husband stayed and tried to get me to wake up.  I got up and started walking around before dinner time.  I ate ice all day and night.  My throat was pretty sore.  I had the morphine button for pain, and it was nice to not have to call a nurse for meds.  I walked a bit more, and then settled in for the night.  My husband went home.  During the first night, someone poked me or checked my temp and Bp every 10-15 minutes.  I slept for 15 minutes at a time sitting up...but at least I had morphine!  The next morning, they took my catheter out, and I walked every hour or so.  Had more ice, didnt have much for breakfast, maybe one bite of jello.  Same for lunch.  Physical therapist came by a few times a day.  She got me up and around, and did exercises with me.  The pulmonary gal came around often too, and I refused to breathe deep or cough....cuz it hurt!  My surgeons partner came and checked on me, and so did my anestheologist.  That was nice.  In the night, I had a different pulmonary lady..not so nice as my regular one.  The next morning, I got to take a shower...that was fun.  I pretty much stayed unhooked off my IV and morphine till I was discharged that afternoon.  I walked around some more, went and visited with the lady in admitting, and saw my nurse from pre-op.  I hadn't watched TV the whole time I was there, but finally turned it on.  Had a different PT lady...didnt like her at all, and then saw my usual PT lady and I told her that I didnt like her co worker.  The director of nursing came over and introduced herself to me, and said that I can ask my nurse to call my doc if he doesnt get here soon.  My doc has a rep of coming very late at night...and I didn't want to be there if I didn't have too.  Sooooo after lunch, I asked for my doc to be called.  The verdict was either wait for the doc (no timeframe given) or go home.  I opted to go home.  So the order was written up, and I waited.  I had received 2 doses of vicodine since being unhooked in the morning, and was just sore and tired.  Finally, my nurse came to discharge me and I walked downstairs to the car.  My nurse hugged me and waved good bye!  I have to say Im a damn good patient.  I learned how to reset all the machines when they beeped, I got up and around on my own, and didnt ask for anything.  I got home, and got settled into bed and took vicodine every few hours to keep any pain at bay.  I stopped after the first night home, and then took it at night for a few nights to sleep.  Vicodine makes me get hot and sweaty after taking it.  
So since I had lap RNY, I have 5 incisions around my belly.  They are covered with this clear second skin stuff.  I have no other "stuff" (drains etc)  After about 3 days, I was able to sleep better on my belly...Im a total belly sleeper.  Its still not totally comfortable, and it feels like Im stretching my belly wrong when I sleep.  
Well, after about a week, I didnt poop yet.  I called my Drs office to make a follow up post op check up.  I mentioned the lack of pooping to the office girl, she says get MOM.  I never felt like I had to poop...but my husband was concerned more than I.  Soooo I got the MOM.  Nothing happened.  Took another dose the next day...nothing happened.  Started having HELLACIOUS PAIN....literally like my ass was INSIDE OUT!  Major cramps, and other unexplained crappy feelings.  I would have pain bouts every 15-20 min.  I saw my Doc Feb 29, on Friday.  The not pooping thing was all I talked about.  He gave me mineral oil and Colayte (sp).  I told him that I had ventured into soft foods, and egg, tuna, beans, cheese.  Told him about no BM and the pain.  So I dropped my RX at Walgreens and went home and crawled into bed.....crying for my mom!  Took vicodine every 3 hours for the pain.  OH MY GOD, it was horrible!!!!  My mom came over Saturday, brought me a sitz bath and a donut for my butt.  I cried and cried and cried!!!!!!  I was having diarhea, but it felt like something was stuck!!!  My husband said lets go to the ER...I said no, and cried some more.  Then Sunday came, I called my mom, and started crying again.  She came over, and my older brother showed up at the same time too.  I got showered, and they took me to the ER.  We ended up going to Torrance Memorial ER (my bro works at that hosp) and waited.  I hadnt had any vicodine since like 9am, and I signed in at 12:30.  Another round of pain shot through my body and I started crying.  My brother went up, and pulled some strings of some sort, and I got into the ER.  They started and IV, no pain meds though.  After explaining to nurses and drs that it feels like my ass is turned inside out, and that it feels like there is something stuck in my butt.  I had a CAT scan, blood tests, and finally...the rectal exam.  No blockages!?!!?  So after 9 hours in the ER, we go home.  We have to pack our son for a week long camp he is going to the next day....we get home, pack and finally get to bed!!!  We are up early Monday morning to get Kyle off to school, for camp.  He is soooo excited!  We are soooo freaking out!  After that, my husband drops me off at home, and he goes to work.  IT HAPPENS!!!!  I pooped on my own!!!  It had been like 12 days since I did it.  I was so happy I called my husband, and then called my mom.  Who knew we'd get so excited over poop!!  Well, its been non stop since then.  NOW reflecting on all this...I was having MAJOR dumping.  Thats what caused all my pain over the weekend.  I ate sherbert...naughty...naughty...naughty.
I went out with my husband yesterday to run some errands, and bought a bottled starbucks caramel frappuchino...I was DUMPING again.  Im such a dumb ass, but thankfully I was near a bathroom!!  Well, on top of all this drama, my monthly bill arrived yesterday...so Im feeling extra shitty.
This too, shall pass.
On a happy note...Im down about 19 pounds since surgery!!

Its a drizzly So Cal morning.  Took my son to school, went to his Dr's to get some stuff signed for his meds.  I have to go back to school later to turn in all his paperwork for science camp.  He has baseball practice today too.  Im trying to stay busy I guess, so as not to think about TOMORROW!  
Thanks for leaving/sending me well wishes.  Im happy there is a place to go with 100's or 1000's of people JUST LIKE ME!!
2/19/08

WOW I cant believe it...my new beginning is 3 days away.  I have been concentrating on my sipping, and its alot harder than it sounds.  I have been burping after every sip.  Im probably over thinking it.  Thanks to all the great people here on OH.  I have learned alot and fretted alot from cruising around the site.  I have settled my brain, and realized that I did spend alot of time freaking out on some other people experiences/difficulties and that eveyone has differnet circumstances.  I am as prepared as Im going to be, and I cant wait!  Im sure on thing I will be doing is saying what the f*@* did I do to myself...but I'll get over it.  I will keep y'all posted!

My honey bunny got me slippers and beautiful red roses, and cards and some Ghiradellis...its weird I havent even eaten any, and I love those...I had grapes instead.  We went to the hospital Friday to do the pre admit paperwork.  Feeling better getting that out of the way.  Only 3 days and a wake up!

We ditched school/work/chores yesterday and went to Big Bear and went tubing.  We went to snow drift park.  Talk about cardio work out from HELL!!  They have only stairs no lift or escalator to get up to the top of the bank and then you fly down the hill!  We all had a really good time.  Our silly dog is part husky, I dont think she knew how to act in the snow!  But she is the best road dog ever.

Happy Valentines Day!  Im not wanting any chocolate, just slippers!

Its Sunday.  My hubby son and I spent last night counting and rolling a huge container of coins that we have been keeping for the last 2 years or so.  So far the count is $680.00!!!  Kind of a fun family activity.  Hubby says hes running off to Vegas!!  Its been a beautiful weekend, nice temp and SUNSHINE.  I spent the week cleaning and packing boxes.  We had a potential tenant over on Friday, they may take our place...so that means we need to move earlier than  anticipted...like by MARCH 1!!!  I didnt figure moving into my post surgery recovery period.  I'd rather get a good tenant and leave early, than get a not so good one and stay later.  My honey just went to Staples to get more rolls, so we can finish up our rolling party, so I guess I better go help.  HOLY CRAP nine days and a wake up...till a new me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Im at home, reading more and more about my upcoming surgery.  Im having doubts about my feelings...or lack there of (about surgery, new way of life etc).  Im getting a bit pissed off about my pending EDD claim...didnt want to blog about it, so I posted about it.  Im more of a lurker than a sharer.  Im still getting used to broadcasting my life out there.  The love of my life went to work on a ship today so he cant get back into the swing of being back to rate.  He was telling me that they have it pretty good on board...way better than when he was underway!!  (he's USCG).  Anyways my break is over...gotta get back to cleaning...like I said before, my time management skills SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, here i am, 2 weeks from the big day...Im not so sure how Im feeling about it all.  I just hope they give me some downers before going into the OR.  The last surgery I had, they didnt knock me out till I was in the OR, and I was HYSTERICAL.  Im no longer working, and I am trying to pack up (we're moving out of state) and clean a little bit at a time.  I suck at time management!!