Status Update - 26 days Post Op

Sep 05, 2010

Surgery Day - went well, no issues and recovery rm time was a "snooze" LOL which then led me to a semi-private room first which was okay because I was primarily out of it and advised to get as much rest as possible before the entourage of nurses, techs, and aides began circling like fairy godmothers checking on their newest charges.   Day 1 nite went well also, I had brought in my CPAP as instructed by my Dr and the hospital staff at the pre-surgical info mtg, so that also helped. 

Day 2 - I was moved to a private room which was very nice because my family could stay with me (even though my daughter stayed the 1st nite anyway bcz she didn't want to leave my side). i was given a liquid diet and advised to sip what i could even though i didnt feel hungry or thirsty. Was up and out of the bed and encouraged to walk as often as i wanted, just take it slow.

Day 3 - was given my 1st pureed meal (cottage cheese/pureed peaches) and even though i've never been a fan of cottage cheese, I tolerated it well, increased my walking doing laps on the Bariatric surgical floor and I even took my own 1st shower since being hospitalized. They said I was a superstar and said I could go home.

Day 4 - 7 were normal and I was progressing quite well, still walking and trying to eat my pureed food, get in my vitamin and protein supplements as much as I could, but that was slow bcz i just didn't feel like eating. The ON Q pump was out, no need for pain meds...Then came...

Day 8 - was taking my first real drive since surg, got a little nauseous, pulled over to puke and began throwing up bright red blood.  My trusty side-kick daughter was there, called my Dr ofc who advised me to get to ER stat! Over the next couple days, I was very nauseous and throwing up unable to keep even liquids down (feeling very miserable and questioning why i did this to myself). After another EGD, CT scan and blood tests, it was determined I had developed pancreatitis; it had nothing to do with the surgery other than the moving around of my internal organs irritated an already attitudenal pancreas making him a bit angry.

Day 9 - 15 were spent in hosp, on nausea and pain meds, being constantly bruised for blood samples on IV solutions for nutrition. But i got out and once they got my nausea meds right, I was back on the road to recovery.  Since I was in hosp already, my surgeon's PA removed my staples and thank God that was looking good and healing quite nicely.

So here it is Day 26 and all I really want is frozen stuff; crushed ice, slushy ice cold water and i've had several SF popsicles as well.  Don't know what the deal is with the cold, but I plan to try and progress to more of a pureed hot menu next week and see how that goes.... Will keep y'all posted.

2 Comments