Tigger3153
1 week Post Op
Apr 25, 2008
Hi folks...well yesterday was my 1 week aniversary from the surgery. I must say that I am doing wonderfully. I only used pain meds for a couple of days well except for the fact that I use it as a sleep aid at night sometimes 
. I try to walk a lot, eat my mini meals and rest. The thing with resting is this...I am a high school math teacher in the lateral entry program and I have a huge test tomorrow the 26th called the Praxis II to take and pass so that I may keep my job. It's been somewhat difficult trying to study and rest at the same time. Please pray that I pass that test.
OK back to the recovery! It's been 9 days since I have had a BM and it's starting to bother me. I'm thinking that may be the reason my stomach feels blah 
at times. Plenty of gas (LOL) but just no BM. Since the low carb thing before surgery, I have lost a whopping 17 pounds-7 be4 and 10 after....is that good? I am having minimal to no pain and have not experienced dumpimg yet. (knock on wood) I haven't strayed at all from protein shakes and chicken broth for meals and sugar free popsickles for snack. There is one thing that I don't get though. They expect you to get 64 ounces of water in your little pouch everyday yet you have to eat six meals a day and not drink 30 minutes before or after the meals. Let's see...that's six meals no liquid 30 minutes before or after the meal, that 6 hours of the day that you can't be getting in any liquid...too funny! 
Yesterday wasn't a great day. We had mega errands to run and although I felt like it at the time, my body objected last night. I was soo tired and week. Last night was my first night sleeping in a bed and my first time home--without my mom 
. The recliner at my parents house saved me during my first week. Laying flat really bothered my stomach and the recliner was just right.
Well that's about it for today, I feel great! The walking and staying on the meal schedule are very important!. Keeps the little pouch happy.
Well I'm either gonna rest or study now but any type of response or feed back is greatly appreciated. People ask me to keep them posted but I wonder if anyone reads them. Reply and pray for success on my test 
Kim
I'm Home
Apr 19, 2008
You can't give yourself too much! The drawback is that stuff puts you in another world. 
Most of the night Thursday I just layed in bed resting and napping when I wasn't walking. I'm definately going to beat a dead horse 
now but trust me please...you have to WALK, WALK, WALK, and then walk some more. My more serious pain came from the bottled up gas in my stomach. Walking allows that gas to escape your body which relieves some of the pain. But when the gas comes from the basement as opposed to the attic, hope no one is around you because they really could bottle up that stuff and use it as chemical warfare 
Probably the worse time for me was when I had to go down and drink that sweet mess and have the x-ray to determine whether or not I had any leakages. After I finished the test and got back out in the hall, everything turned black and I almost lost my guts. 
When I got back upstairs, I received an injection of phenagren for nausea and I got my first real sleep. I walked a lot yesterday and today...oh yea...one more thing. After having a cathereter in me for 24 hours, I had a helluva time using the bathroom on my own. It was there but just wouldn't come out. Hours later, it finally happened...peeee 
I was ecstatic because I wanted to come home today. All in all I guess everything went ok. I'm somewhat sore but I am trying to walk all that I can and drink all the water I can. Meals are quite amusing...2 little medicine cups of boost or ensure! It's not so bad, I'm really not hungry, just thirsty. My mouth was so dry in the hospital that my lips were sticking to each other causing me to look as if I had a stroke. That my friends was the absolute worse.!! 
Well I'm a little tired now so I will go rest. A special thanks to Susan from OH who had me in her prayers and to my mom who is taking care of me. I love all of you and thanks!
Kim
Surgery in 9 hours
Apr 16, 2008
I just finished the very last of my wonderful glass of water! 
I'm going to try to get a few hours sleep so I won't be so grumpy in the morning. 
I have a dry mouth so I usually get irritable when I can't have water. Thanks to Jamie Lyn for being my Angel 
and to all of you for your prayers. I will try my best to post Saturday night when I get to my mom's house, she's my life support and will take care of me. 
I love you all! 
Kim
2 more days
Apr 14, 2008
I must say that I am a little nervous as well as very excited. I have done so much research and talked to so many people, I think I know everything there is to know about what is in store for me. I have even watched video of 2 procedures performed. With that said, fear of the unknown is still getting to me a little. I think that "seeing" the other side of this is what keeps me going. Well, I need to try and get some sleep. I sat up and watched the clock all night last nigh--sleep just wouldn't come! I will post more tomorrow! Pray for me!
Pre Op today
Apr 09, 2008
.Geez am I glad that's over. The only thing that lies ahead of me now is surgery next week. I'm excited about it! The only pre-stuff I've had to do is a low carb diet for 2 weeks and nothing to eat or drink after midnight the day of my surgery!. I'm excited....
