Needing some support....

I have been so sick for about 3 weeks now.  All of the problems I am having now stem from severe diarrhea that started 3 weeks ago.  I kept having to go in to get fluids because I would get dehyrdated, so my surgeon decided to put a PICC in so that I could give myself fluids at home until I can get the diarrhea under control.  Well that was all fine and dandy until 2 days after the PICC was placed, I through a clot from it.  So they pulled that picc and put another one in my other arm.  So far so good but now I'm on lovenox until my INR gets up.

Im just feeling really down about the surgery because I know that if I had not had it, I would be fine right now.  I'm avoiding saying that I regret having the surgery,but it springs up in my mind every once in awhile.   I just need this diarrhea to be put to rest so I can go back to the rest of my life.  I want this PICC pulled and I want to exercise and get all my protein and water in so I can really start seeing the benefits of the surgery.  I feel like I should have lost more then just 40 pounds.  It's just really frustrating that food goes down well and that I don't have any problems other then the diarrhea.   

I hope I can get better soon...

It makes sense to me that you wouldn't be real happy about the surgery right now.  You're sick and it's probably related to the surgery and it's too early to see all the benefits of it.  Although 40 pounds sounds very good to me.  But all this will pass and it will look differently then.

I'm not sure why you're frustrated that food goes down well and you don't have any other problems besides the diarrhea, though.  Maybe I'm not reading that right, but isn't it a good thing you don't have other problems to deal with too?  Why would you want other problems?

Have you been tested for C. difficile?  That is a horrible intestinal virus which can be obtained
through a hospitalization.  It's very hard to clear up, so please get some help.

Best wishes,

Yeah, I see what you are saying Kelly, that I should be grateful it's all I have to deal with, I'm just frustrated I have to deal with it at all lol, know what I mean?  My doctor told me before the surgery that I was going to be the model patient, and I'm definitely not living up to that expectation.  I'm just tired of dealing with it all.

And yes, I have been tested for c-diff twice now, both came back negative.  Blah

Jen,
I'm sure it's really tough right now to feel like there is a light at the end of the tunnel, but there is. If you have a timeline from your surgeon or even a guesstimate as to what you're looking for to remove the PICC that might help. 40 lbs is AWESOME!! Seriously.. think about it like this - a bag of potatoes is 5 lbs and you've lost 8 of them!!

Trust me, at some point, we all have the same thoughts you are. For me, laying on the tile in the bathroom heaving and having it uncontrollable thinking about how horrible it would be to aspirate - those are the moments for me. But they pass and this too will pass for you. Right now, focus on getting well.. when the blood clotting time is back within normal limits it should start leading you in the direction you're ready to go. Until then though, this is just another step you have to go through to get to your goal. Soon enough, you'll be ready to go and up and around. I know it's frustrating, but hang in there. It will be worth it in the end..

 I had my surgery on August 9.  I seemed to be doing alright and then about 1 week ago I couldn't keep anything down and I became very frustrated.  I was in a lot of pain and everytime I tried to move from liquids I could not.  My gastro doctor came in this Saturday over a long week and did a endoscopy and I was actually stapled pretty close to shut.  Unbelievable!!  I am still working on my attitude, it really set me back.  I am still losing weight and just now getting some energy back.  So don't give up!! It is going to be worth it in the end!! So even though I am still on liquids four weeks later and more medicine there is going to be a rainbow at the end!!! I know it and you will have one too!! 

No, you would not be alright. You are not over weight. You are not obese. You are not morbidly obese. You are super morbidly obese.

You would be 40 pounds heavier than today and your pancreas would be on its last legs. Your heart would be working up to having a heart attack. Don't even ask how your knees feel about the excess wear and tear.

Right now you are in the valley of regret. You should be enjoying your weight loss but you can't. You can't see looking up right now to the top of that mountain you shold be on. It will get better.

Has anyone recommended probiotics? You may have simply killed off your intestinal flora. Or you picked up a bug. Your physician would have checked for that by now. It may be time to see a specialist.