I'm home! (Warning: long post)
Just wanted to update the board that this morning at 9:25 my flight arrived in Tampa and I walked off the plane in tears. After 64 days in Brazil, being in a coma, having setback after setback I was finally able to come home.
I want to make very clear, however, that I truly believe that Dr. Marchesini is a brilliant surgeon and has the best bedside manner of any medical professional I have ever dealth with. The problem was not with the surgeon or the hospital, unfortunately it was with my body. I developed a gastric fistula which was leaking the contents from my stomach into my body cavity, which caused me be have/become sepsis/septic - essentially poisoning my body and eventually my blood. Thankfully Dr. Marchesini diagnosed it quickly and at some point made the decision to put me into a medically induced coma to try to get my situation under control. Unfortunately, things started to spiral downward quickly, my kidneys had started to shut down, they were having a hard time keeping my blood pressure under control, and my fever spiked incredibly high - at that point basically medications and a ventilator were keeping me alive. They decided to call my family for someone to come down because they seriously didn't think I was going to make it. By the time my father arrived a week later (because of Visa issues) things miraculously started to turn around. The first day they tried to take my off the ventilator I would not breathe on my own, so they waited and tried again the next day and I started to breathe. I guess I spent 12 days in a coma and have only crazy wierd dreams from the anesethsia. I believe I spent a little over 3 weeks in the ICU.
Anyway, as you can imagine the overwhelming feeling I felt FINALLY leaving the hospital on Wednesday and FINALLY arriving home today. The changes and struggles over the past 2 months have taken a toll on me. I still have a hard time walking, still can't walk up stairs, feel like a 90 year old with arthritis and still have a gaping 4"x3" hole in my belly - but I am alive and I still know that I made the right decision to have the DS!
Linda
P.S. I am down to 218 (from 259.5)
I want to make very clear, however, that I truly believe that Dr. Marchesini is a brilliant surgeon and has the best bedside manner of any medical professional I have ever dealth with. The problem was not with the surgeon or the hospital, unfortunately it was with my body. I developed a gastric fistula which was leaking the contents from my stomach into my body cavity, which caused me be have/become sepsis/septic - essentially poisoning my body and eventually my blood. Thankfully Dr. Marchesini diagnosed it quickly and at some point made the decision to put me into a medically induced coma to try to get my situation under control. Unfortunately, things started to spiral downward quickly, my kidneys had started to shut down, they were having a hard time keeping my blood pressure under control, and my fever spiked incredibly high - at that point basically medications and a ventilator were keeping me alive. They decided to call my family for someone to come down because they seriously didn't think I was going to make it. By the time my father arrived a week later (because of Visa issues) things miraculously started to turn around. The first day they tried to take my off the ventilator I would not breathe on my own, so they waited and tried again the next day and I started to breathe. I guess I spent 12 days in a coma and have only crazy wierd dreams from the anesethsia. I believe I spent a little over 3 weeks in the ICU.
Anyway, as you can imagine the overwhelming feeling I felt FINALLY leaving the hospital on Wednesday and FINALLY arriving home today. The changes and struggles over the past 2 months have taken a toll on me. I still have a hard time walking, still can't walk up stairs, feel like a 90 year old with arthritis and still have a gaping 4"x3" hole in my belly - but I am alive and I still know that I made the right decision to have the DS!
Linda
P.S. I am down to 218 (from 259.5)
Welcome home, Linda! It's so good to see you post. What a fighter you are!--gina
5'1" -- HW 195/SW 187/GW 115 July 08/CW 121 Dec 2012
******GOAL*******
Starting BMI between 35 and 40ish?
Join us on the Lightweights Board!
DS on Aug 9, 2007 with Dr. Hazem Elariny
Wow, i had no idea you were to hell, but made it back to us. Welcome home, and i pray you continue to heal and nothing else eventful happens to you.
KAREN W.
I LOVE MY DS!!!!!
STRIVE TO BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE AND DO THE BEST THAT YOU CAN.
Check out www.dsfacts.com and www.duodenalswitch.com for all the accurate information on the great DS, and find surgeons in your area or around the country or out of the country.
I couldn't have done without all the great peeps on this board. 
SW: 234.5 CW: 157 GW: 140 - ish
is Betty (
Linda, I'm SOOO SOOO relieved that you are home! What a great feeling it must be to see your family, your home and your own bed again! I'm so sorry that you've been through all these problems, and I can't believe your great attitude. I'm so proud of you for hanging in there. I hope your stamina and strength return quickly. Take care of you!
Duodenal Switch 4/29/09
Loving my DS!!
Loving my DS!!
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