Regrets/Unsure - Scared

Cedars-Sinai Hospital, the program where I had my surgery, recommends Tropical Oasis liquid. They say it's the perfect blend of calcium citrate, magnesium and Vit-D. It tastes like lemon yogurt! I use the multivitamin liquid, too. I hate the chalky chewables and have not found the Citrical Chews. The Tropical Oasis is great.

Dear Donna, I wish you the best. I had my surgery in Win-Sal 01-13 and I am fine. I hope you have a speedy recovery. Drink a lot, get in protein and move around. I left the hospital on the 3rd day with no soreness! Post as soon as you can. Love, Diane

You'll do just fine. When the nurses say..."It's time to get up..." You'll hate 'em, but it's so important. Force yourself to stand just as straight as you possibly can...then one foot in front of the other. Each time you get up after that will be better. Push that button just as often as you need to. You might even ask for toridol...they can give it to you every 6 hrs in your IV line I think and it really helped in addition to the Morphine drip. Take care and we'll be praying for a speedy recovery. (((Hugs))) Jeanie

Best wishes Donna! This may sound silly, but please be sure and take you some tampons as you are almost guaranteed to start while in the hospital! Please post when you feel like it, and I second all the other post to you, move around, sip tha****er, and get in as much protein as possible!! Good luck! Barbara

thank you very much

i totally understand bout patience not being one of ur virtues-- mine either!!!! lol dang it i want to lose the weight and i want it yesterday!!! hehehe. o well, it will come off in time... ive lost 5 lbs since i wrote this topic so that is good news!!! good luck bout not having another stricture-- they can b a pain. let me know lisa

Hi Ingrid! I was excited and scared about returning to work as well. I've found, however, that I actually do much better with food, water and vitamins during the week than I do on the weekends. I try to drink 3 bottles of water before I leave for the day and my meals are pretty structured as well. Sometimes, on the weekends, it is suddenly noon and I haven't started my vitamins yet! I guess I just get too busy. You'll do great! I know I felt much better after the first week was over. Once you get that under your belt, you'll know you can do it! As for the OT, it's been very interesting for me. I've found that I'm much more protective of myself since surgery. I work hard but I also take care of myself. Pre-surgery, that probably wasn't true. Enjoy your first day back! - Stephanie

Have fun back at work Ingrid! Stephanie is right about it being easier to stay structured when at work. Especially if you have a desk job...I set my vitamins out on my desk...and I never forget to take them. I take a bottle of water with me on my drive into Boston each day...we have a "bubbler" at work and I make it my goal to fill up the bottle 3 other times and usually the 3rd time is for my return trip home. You do have to be prepared to have your food items ready, but hey - think of the money you are saving in not getting that McDonald's egg McMuffin (or 2) and not eating out at lunch....greasy, nasty, heavy food!!! Well at least that is some of what I would do before my new March birthday! Your only problem with signing on the computer is remembering your passwords!!!! Let us know tomorrow how it goes! Enjoy your day! Barbara

I was fine when I went back. I was just tired, but I went back in a week.

Good luck Ingrid. You'll do well. I went back to work and was ready for it at 2 1/2 weeks with my G-tube still in (I know some of you didn't have to have one of those). But I kept bumping it against my desk. Was sure glad when it came out. Like some of the other folks, I do better with a routine, like during the week rather than on the weekends. I get everything ready the night before. Save some energy for your excerise because that's the hardest thing, at least for me. Take care, Kristin