My first day home...caution, lots of self-pity ahead
(Note to pre-ops, do not let this scare you from having surgery. Stuff happens. This is minor.)
Well, I was hoping to spend the day watching bad daytime t.v., toddling around the house and reading WLS blogs, but...
last night about 2 am I started getting diarrhea. And it kept happening each half an hour or more often. Was feeling fine so wasn't too concerned but called my surgeon's triage line about 8:30 am to just see if I could take some immodium.
I was told to go to the e.r., university's e.r. specifically (where I had my surgery), because I was at such high risk of dehyrdration. So I go. I had no one to drive me and thankfully I had not taken any pain medicine so I drove myself.
The triage nurse at the e.r. treated me like I was a worrywort. She said that I should know this does happen post-op. I said yes, I know but my surgeon's clinic said I need to be here. Her tone with me made me more and more mad. My blood pressure was up to 176 over 116, which she blamed on not taking my blood pressure meds before I came in. When I couldn't name the drugs I'm allergic to, she got pissy. When I then got more upset and then couldn't name the drugs I'm on, it got worse. She was not patient, she was not kind.
Once I got into the e.r., I had to listen to the same things over and over from the nurse and doctor. Yes, I know this can happen, yes, i've been drinking liquids, no I haven't eaten anything. I just kept asking them to get the bariatric resident like the clinic nurse told me to do. 2 hours later I see the bariatric resident. She is very understanding. I dealt with her while I was in the hospital for my surgery. She understands why I would become upset and that I've faced mistreatment at the hands of medical staff before due to my weight and thus I might be more sensitive. She says it was good I came in. She leaves.
So I had an i.v. They did blood tests and find I'm low on potassium. They then bring me 8 ounces, yes 8 ounces of juice with potassium mixed in (think oj with 1/2 cup of salt mixed in) and expected me to drink it down. I explain several times to the e.r. staff that my new anatomy does not allow me to drink something down quickly and I can only drink it in small sips. And given that it is disgusting, no, I can't fini**** And then I explain that again and yet again. They think about giving it to me in i.v. form. Then they bring me a tablespoon of orange jello and mix in the potassium which i must take down in one gulp. I did it, i nearly through it up but I did it.
Finally I get to go home. The bariatric resident stops by and says they need to do a stool sample because what is likely that happened is that my good intestinal bacteria get wiped out by the antibiotics at the hospital and now my bad bacteria are taking over. It will take a few days to get the tests back. But of course I can't go to the bathroom. I finally go a little bit and they have a sample.
I get in the car and head to walgreens for immodium and g2 that new sf gatorade. And of course then I have enough water in my body again to resume going to the bathroom and no bathroom is nearby. So I'll let you imagine what happened.
I'm home now and of course going to the bathroom again every 15 mintues. I'm drinking g2 and taking immodium...they don't mix well, let me tell you. I'm hoping that i.v. will help me stay on top of the diarrhea. If all else fails, I'll head back to the e.r.
But I'm so disappointed in how little the e.r. staff knew about bariatric surgery, even once the bariatric resident was there. The bariatric resident was telling me all this stuff and i wanted to say, I know this stuff, would you please go enlighten the staff? And perhaps they would have treated a heart patient who got home the same way but come on...dehydration is the number one reason post-ops go back into the hospital. Can't someone be understanding about why I'm there besides the bariatric staff? The U of MN is a center of excellence, one would think their e.r. staff would have a bit of extra knowledge on the issue,even if just to consut when someone comes in.
i'm just way tired now and very upset. I was so upset at the e.r. that i actually started doing the oo-ee oo-ee oo-ee cry where you can't talk at all and start hyperventilating. I haven't cried like that since my mom died. I'm just so tired of being treated like I don't know my own body, like I don't have knowledge of a major medical procedure I just had done.
I think I'm also just feeling bad because this just made me feel so alone. None of my friends could take me to the hospital, my dad is 90 miles away. And it would just be so nice to have someone to take care of me and give me a hug. I can't rely on food. Believe me, my pre-op self would love a slice of pizza right now, a whole freakin' pizza. And I know I'm not hungry. So I'm struggling with what to get comfort from. I've been working for months to work away from getting comfort from food. I've been pretty darn successful,not turning to food for support helped me lose 30 lbs preop. But now I sit here on the couch and I can't find a thing that comforts me. I want my mom so badly. Or my grandma. I try to think of them and get comfort from that. It's times like this that its just so hard to be single. I don't have a boyfriend or husband to curl up with and stroke my hair. Physically, I feel so needy right now. I just want someone to hold me and love me. Food kind of used to do that. But it also got me to where I am now.
Thanks for reading/listening. I'm not sure this even makes sense. I just needed to vent.
Anna
Anna
Well, I was hoping to spend the day watching bad daytime t.v., toddling around the house and reading WLS blogs, but...
last night about 2 am I started getting diarrhea. And it kept happening each half an hour or more often. Was feeling fine so wasn't too concerned but called my surgeon's triage line about 8:30 am to just see if I could take some immodium.
I was told to go to the e.r., university's e.r. specifically (where I had my surgery), because I was at such high risk of dehyrdration. So I go. I had no one to drive me and thankfully I had not taken any pain medicine so I drove myself.
The triage nurse at the e.r. treated me like I was a worrywort. She said that I should know this does happen post-op. I said yes, I know but my surgeon's clinic said I need to be here. Her tone with me made me more and more mad. My blood pressure was up to 176 over 116, which she blamed on not taking my blood pressure meds before I came in. When I couldn't name the drugs I'm allergic to, she got pissy. When I then got more upset and then couldn't name the drugs I'm on, it got worse. She was not patient, she was not kind.
Once I got into the e.r., I had to listen to the same things over and over from the nurse and doctor. Yes, I know this can happen, yes, i've been drinking liquids, no I haven't eaten anything. I just kept asking them to get the bariatric resident like the clinic nurse told me to do. 2 hours later I see the bariatric resident. She is very understanding. I dealt with her while I was in the hospital for my surgery. She understands why I would become upset and that I've faced mistreatment at the hands of medical staff before due to my weight and thus I might be more sensitive. She says it was good I came in. She leaves.
So I had an i.v. They did blood tests and find I'm low on potassium. They then bring me 8 ounces, yes 8 ounces of juice with potassium mixed in (think oj with 1/2 cup of salt mixed in) and expected me to drink it down. I explain several times to the e.r. staff that my new anatomy does not allow me to drink something down quickly and I can only drink it in small sips. And given that it is disgusting, no, I can't fini**** And then I explain that again and yet again. They think about giving it to me in i.v. form. Then they bring me a tablespoon of orange jello and mix in the potassium which i must take down in one gulp. I did it, i nearly through it up but I did it.
Finally I get to go home. The bariatric resident stops by and says they need to do a stool sample because what is likely that happened is that my good intestinal bacteria get wiped out by the antibiotics at the hospital and now my bad bacteria are taking over. It will take a few days to get the tests back. But of course I can't go to the bathroom. I finally go a little bit and they have a sample.
I get in the car and head to walgreens for immodium and g2 that new sf gatorade. And of course then I have enough water in my body again to resume going to the bathroom and no bathroom is nearby. So I'll let you imagine what happened.
I'm home now and of course going to the bathroom again every 15 mintues. I'm drinking g2 and taking immodium...they don't mix well, let me tell you. I'm hoping that i.v. will help me stay on top of the diarrhea. If all else fails, I'll head back to the e.r.
But I'm so disappointed in how little the e.r. staff knew about bariatric surgery, even once the bariatric resident was there. The bariatric resident was telling me all this stuff and i wanted to say, I know this stuff, would you please go enlighten the staff? And perhaps they would have treated a heart patient who got home the same way but come on...dehydration is the number one reason post-ops go back into the hospital. Can't someone be understanding about why I'm there besides the bariatric staff? The U of MN is a center of excellence, one would think their e.r. staff would have a bit of extra knowledge on the issue,even if just to consut when someone comes in.
i'm just way tired now and very upset. I was so upset at the e.r. that i actually started doing the oo-ee oo-ee oo-ee cry where you can't talk at all and start hyperventilating. I haven't cried like that since my mom died. I'm just so tired of being treated like I don't know my own body, like I don't have knowledge of a major medical procedure I just had done.
I think I'm also just feeling bad because this just made me feel so alone. None of my friends could take me to the hospital, my dad is 90 miles away. And it would just be so nice to have someone to take care of me and give me a hug. I can't rely on food. Believe me, my pre-op self would love a slice of pizza right now, a whole freakin' pizza. And I know I'm not hungry. So I'm struggling with what to get comfort from. I've been working for months to work away from getting comfort from food. I've been pretty darn successful,not turning to food for support helped me lose 30 lbs preop. But now I sit here on the couch and I can't find a thing that comforts me. I want my mom so badly. Or my grandma. I try to think of them and get comfort from that. It's times like this that its just so hard to be single. I don't have a boyfriend or husband to curl up with and stroke my hair. Physically, I feel so needy right now. I just want someone to hold me and love me. Food kind of used to do that. But it also got me to where I am now.
Thanks for reading/listening. I'm not sure this even makes sense. I just needed to vent.
Anna
Anna
Anna, I am so sorry. That is TOTALLY unacceptable. I would be calling and telling them you want your surgeon to call you that way you can tell him about your experience. I am sure they can find out who treated you. The ER staff need to be educated better. And I can only imagine how full of sugar that juice was ...
Keep an eye on things and no matter how bad it was at the ER, you might have to go back in there if you don't start feeling better.
Best wishes. Brighter days are ahead.
2003 RNY, 2007 Revision Distal RNY
April 17, 2009 ~ fleur de lis TT w/Muscle Repair, Medial Thigh Lift, Ventral Hernia Repair
Anna,
Park Nicollet sends out surveys on how your experience was every time you go in for something. If you get something like that from the U, DEFINITELY let them know EVERYTHING you posted! And if you don't get something like that? Put it in writing and send it to your bariatric surgeon's office anyway. They need to know when hospital staff is being utterly insensitive and impatient. For cryin' out loud, I'd have been chewing someone a new one in that ER - people who go to the ER DO NOT feel up to BS!!!
As for the need for comfort, I wish I knew what to say. My dad is gone, and there are times I still wish like mad I could be with him, ask him things, get advice... And no, you can't turn to food for that anymore.
But just a wee bit of perspective on the being single thing? Maybe it's my age, the age of my marriage, maybe it's just my hubby, but even WITH him in the house, I've never had someone to curl up with or stroke my hair. I envy women who DO get that kind of compassion from their SO, but dang... Even when my dad died, my hubby had no clue what to do to comfort me, and when I told him what I thought I wanted him to do, it was PAINFULLY awkward.
The moral of my story? You need to figure out some new comfort/coping mechanism... Call friends. Call on us. Let me know if you'd like my number, or I'm sure most anyone you've met at coffee would be helpful. You'll be especially emotional as your weight loss kicks in, we've all been there. Let us help you through it!
Park Nicollet sends out surveys on how your experience was every time you go in for something. If you get something like that from the U, DEFINITELY let them know EVERYTHING you posted! And if you don't get something like that? Put it in writing and send it to your bariatric surgeon's office anyway. They need to know when hospital staff is being utterly insensitive and impatient. For cryin' out loud, I'd have been chewing someone a new one in that ER - people who go to the ER DO NOT feel up to BS!!!
As for the need for comfort, I wish I knew what to say. My dad is gone, and there are times I still wish like mad I could be with him, ask him things, get advice... And no, you can't turn to food for that anymore.
But just a wee bit of perspective on the being single thing? Maybe it's my age, the age of my marriage, maybe it's just my hubby, but even WITH him in the house, I've never had someone to curl up with or stroke my hair. I envy women who DO get that kind of compassion from their SO, but dang... Even when my dad died, my hubby had no clue what to do to comfort me, and when I told him what I thought I wanted him to do, it was PAINFULLY awkward.
The moral of my story? You need to figure out some new comfort/coping mechanism... Call friends. Call on us. Let me know if you'd like my number, or I'm sure most anyone you've met at coffee would be helpful. You'll be especially emotional as your weight loss kicks in, we've all been there. Let us help you through it!
Imperfect does not = unsuccessful
Someone is always on the board it seems, day or night, so when you feel so alone, get online! There is also a chat room, so if you want a group cyber-hug, just post.
I sent you a PM with my phone number. DO NOT drive yourself to the hospital this close to being out of surgery!! I don't care if it is the middle of the night, call. I won't hear the phone, but Edi will, LOL
And, if you just need to chat, call. If you need anything, call. Eagan is just down the road!
Linda
Anna,
I'm so sorry you had to go through all that crap in the ER. There are definitely people out there who are missing their sensitivity chip! I think it was Darla who said you should bring this up to your surgeon....that is a fabulous idea! If it can save another person from going through the same thing you did - great.
I'm sorry that you are feeling so alone right now and hope that you can find some comfort knowing that your OH buddies are here to support you. Unfortunately, whether you're married or not people can feel just as needy/alone - physically or emotionally. Like you said, you have done great in losing 30 lbs pre-op without finding comfort in food. Even more reason to come to Edi's on Sunday and learn a new craft! I have knit so many scarfs, I could open a shop. It's the only thing I know how to knit, but it relaxes me and keeps my hands & mind occupied.
I hope to see you on Saturday or Sunday to give you a BIG HUG! 
Stephanie
(I will PM my number to you!)
Anna, Sorry to hear about your mistreatment while in the ER. That's horrid!
You mentioned the ER staff didn't know much about bariatric surgery. I'm wondering if there is a list out there of things a patient needs know to tell the staff, things like I can't have Advil, etc. Does the surgeon tell you all the new what not/what can't/what shouldn't be taken or done to a post op RNY ? I should get this all on paper in my wallet asap, along with a list of my medications, vitamins, etc.
About wanting that physical comfort, I'm with Darla. Even though married, my DH doesn't have a clue what he should/could do to make me feel better when I need him. Even if I tell him it doesn't end up being what I want most times anyway. Warm yourself a nice blanket or towel in the dryer for a bit and wrap yourself up in it. I know that's no substitue for snuggling or hugging a person, but sure feels good to me when I need it.
You've had a rought little patch, but things will get better from here. Post those types of messages any time you want. You'll be the precursor to my rants which should start appearing on the board in about a week, I'm sure. BIG CYBER HUG!!!
You mentioned the ER staff didn't know much about bariatric surgery. I'm wondering if there is a list out there of things a patient needs know to tell the staff, things like I can't have Advil, etc. Does the surgeon tell you all the new what not/what can't/what shouldn't be taken or done to a post op RNY ? I should get this all on paper in my wallet asap, along with a list of my medications, vitamins, etc.
About wanting that physical comfort, I'm with Darla. Even though married, my DH doesn't have a clue what he should/could do to make me feel better when I need him. Even if I tell him it doesn't end up being what I want most times anyway. Warm yourself a nice blanket or towel in the dryer for a bit and wrap yourself up in it. I know that's no substitue for snuggling or hugging a person, but sure feels good to me when I need it.
You've had a rought little patch, but things will get better from here. Post those types of messages any time you want. You'll be the precursor to my rants which should start appearing on the board in about a week, I'm sure. BIG CYBER HUG!!!
Kristy (weight loss below does not include 16lbs lost during pre WLS diet)
START: 325 Day of Surgery :309 GOAL: 180
Aww hun, I am so sorry you had this experience. But, be forewarned, this is not just this hospital that is unaware of the special needs of bariatric surgeons. Each of us needs to be a very aware, educated patient who knows what our surgery does and how it affects our care. Had my husband not been aware of my needs and possible complications, I would not be chatting right now. I had a leak at 8 days out. The ONLY course of care is to do immediate surgery to repair the leak and remove the infected fluid. Because my local hospital was not aware of the things RNY does to your body, the thought they should simply give me antibiotics and "wait and see". I was in septic shock! My husband got ahold of my surgeon by some miracle, and I was eventually flown to the hospital my surgeon works at. Had it not been for that, and had my husband not known what gastric does to a body, I would not have survived. We all need to be our biggest advocates. If we know something is not right, we need to stick up for ourselves, and fight until we get the correct treatment, and sometimes, lifesaving treatment. I am so glad you fought for getting the right treatment, and I hope that you feel better soon. I promise it will get better, and soon, you will be saying you would "do it all over again". Welcome to the losers bench.
Anna,
Yep, you hit a tough spot. You were pro-active and called, got yourself to er. Excellent work.
Suggestion for you, type up a list of all your meds, surgery date, doctor name etc and put it in your purse. Like a printed answer to all the darn questions that the er nurse asked you. Carry it always. Since your surgery was done at the U, tell the staff to access your medical record and print out your discharge papers for the er doc.
There are computer terminals in the er rooms, I have been there many, many times with my daughter Laurie that has Cystic Fibrosis.
Hang in there and I hope you feel better soon,
Karen
Yep, you hit a tough spot. You were pro-active and called, got yourself to er. Excellent work.
Suggestion for you, type up a list of all your meds, surgery date, doctor name etc and put it in your purse. Like a printed answer to all the darn questions that the er nurse asked you. Carry it always. Since your surgery was done at the U, tell the staff to access your medical record and print out your discharge papers for the er doc.
There are computer terminals in the er rooms, I have been there many, many times with my daughter Laurie that has Cystic Fibrosis.
Hang in there and I hope you feel better soon,
Karen
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