Maybe Window of Misery?

Hi everyone, I was having alot of pain in my left side all day Thursday, so I called Dr. Wheeler's office, and that is the day they do surgery all day, and they told me to go to the ER or if I could wait to come Friday to the office and they would page Allen, Dr.Wheeler's P.A. , so I called my cousin Teresa, in Ohio, she had surgery August 2005, and I told her my pains and aches, she said sounds like GAS! She said just try to go to the bathroom, and rub my left side where the pain was, just keep on rubbing as hard as I could stand, and I did, and I got the gas moving, if you know what I mean! lol But I also had terrible pain in my big incision and JP tube area, all of this was in the same area, and I only had 2 pain pills left. So I started thinking, Monday my daughter and grand daughter came down to help me finish taking Christmas things down, I sat in the same spot for close to 3 hours, bending this way and that way, as I wrapped up ornaments, it dawned on me, then and there, that was the problem, soreness. So the next day I had to go to Ashland to get my vitamins, so I went on in and Dr. Smith was there, he checked out every thing, made sure I didn't have any hernias, and he thought I was doing great. He said don't be embarrassed to come in, it might be some thing or it might not, be on the safe side and get checked out. I told him I was getting to where I can't stand any thing, and he thinks I am getting ready to go thru the Window of Misery! I hope not! I can't find any thing to drink, everything taste to sweet, even water! I have bought 4 different brands of water, every thing taste nasty! So he sent Angie, the dietitian in, and she gave me a few samples of things to try, but it is so hard. finally she said to try 1st stage of baby food, so now I have tried these, green beans and peaches, sweet potatoes (to sweet) so I am hanging in there, please if any one has something they know to drink, that doesn't taste sweet, please let me know, I need a salty, sour taste. Oh, the good news is, I got weighed that day, and I have lost 37 pounds in 22 days! Yeah for me! Thanks for the advice the other day Ginger and Sharee, sorry I didn't get back to you girls, have a great week every one! Leatha

Hey Leatha, r u still on the soft stuff stage of the diet??? I can tell u the first 3 weeks after my surgery I had soups, sugar free jellos, puddings, I'm not a big fan of water. The first 3 weeks I got so sick and tired of crystal lights and propel waters. I love propel waters but since surgery I rarely drink them cause I think I got burned out that first 3 weeks. I ate bean and bacon soup, cream of chicken, broccoli and cheese, umm, some sugar free jellos and puddings but like u I didn't and still don't like anything too sweet and can't stand anything greasy. I wish u the best! I had open so I didn't have that gas like they blow u up with the laproscopic surgery. Can u drink caffiene free tea with splenda? After I was 5-6 weeks post op I started drinking reg tea with splenda and soft drinks. My surgeons nurse told me that caffiene or diet sodas would not hurt me or really help, its liquids. I know some surgeons say never again. But I've drank them since my 5th or 6th week post op and have lost over 167 pounds. I lost it in a year. I've been maintaining since the end of March 06. Good luck and hope u find something to drink that u r ok with!

Leatha, OMG girl - 37 lbs??!!! Yahoo!!! I'm so proud of you!! I thought that the window of misery was like 10 weeks out. Maybe it is different for everybody. Be careful when you buy your baby food. My doctor won't let us eat baby food because of the high sugar content. If I were you, I would try something that I really wanted and pinch it up into tiny tiny pieces to eat. Remember to only eat about two tsps. of it and eat for only 20 minutes. I have done that when I think I am going to go crazy with the same old thing. Yes, I have gotten a little sick once or twice, but I at least satisfied my salty/sour craving and my nausea only lasted for less than an hour. The one thing that satisfies me everytime is 5 saltine crackers. I gum those things to death and 5 of them is one serving. It has never killed my day's carbs or calories. If you take your time and eat them very slowly, you are satisfied so much faster. I have never gotten sick from them either. (I average 5 every day.) One other thing - I have been having some pains in my left side too. I'm sure that everything that was sliced and diced in there is still healing. I just try to be more careful to not carry heavy things or do too many things the next day. My energy level is unbelievable and I am starting to get bored. I called my boss today to beg to start back to work earlier this semester. I only work part time, so I am even thinking about looking to go back full time. (If it is God's will. I put everything in His hands.) Keep up the great work, sweetie. Talk to ya soon! - Ginger

Thanks Ange, I have been drinking more 1% milk during the day, that has helped me, plus I never was a coffee drinker, but I got some de-cafe Flogers, and put alot of 1% milk in it, And it seems to sorta do the trick. You know I was hooked on diet pepsi for 27 years, I really truely don't think I could even look at one now, I would never dream, that your taste buds would change so much! Who ever says this is an easy way out, or any thing like it, surely don't know what they are talking about. This has been one of the hardest things I ever had done. I just wish I would get thru this time, cause I know there are happier days ahead. Thanks, Leatha

The window seems to return again about 5-6 months out. By then you can eat just about anything, but nothing seems to be what you want. I found that I could drink hot tea alot better than about anything else. The decaf herbals are great. Getting enough liquids is still a problem for me but I manage about 24 ounces of hot tea in a day. Sherryl

Ginger Girlfriend, Thanks on the ideal of the crackers, I think it saved my life! I really do! I was at my wits end, and I would have done any thing, the cracker**** the spot, and it was so comforting to know I wasn't going to get sick, thanks for the help. Today I tried scrambled eggs, couldn't get it down, tried bean and bacon soup, couldn't get it down, so I still have some potato soup and it has been staying down, so I guess I will have it later. Boy isn't this a crazy ride or what! lol Hugs to you, Leatha