Duibheasa

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Sorry I'm so late on this. The past month has been pretty good. I've lost a total of 42 lbs, as of Friday (nearly a 3 lb loss for Thanksgiving week!) Food is still more important to me than I like and I'm still eating to fast and not chewing enough. Also not getting enough water. That's a  HARD one. But I don't seem to be having trouble with dehydration.

I AM continuing to have occaisional problems with what I've been calling "Foamies", although I'm not really sure that's what they are - I'll have what I call "Wet Dry Heaves"  - lots of spasms, as if I were throwing up, but nothing ever comes up. Just copious amounts of saliva. VERY uncomfortable for 15 to 20 minutes, then it's over. ICK!

Well Monday I'll be 3 weeks post surgery. Everything is going (almost) too good. I discovered that what I though was constipation was that dadburn gas in my abdomen - be advised that seriously HURTS! But I got past it. As of last Monday, I'd lost a total of 31 lbs, on my Dr's scale. On Thursday, I went to a Weight Watcher's meeting - weighed the same. That's okay. That doesn't mean I haven't lost, just that the scales are different. I'm going to stay with WW, because I need the support AND because that's a good way to track my weight on a weekly basis.

Now, the FUN thing - my bestest friend, Robin, who had the Ruen-Y about 4 years ago, is visiting, with her wonderful husband, Bryan, from South Carolina. We go WAY back. Today we went to a "plus size" Consignment shop. I bought a really funky blouse, size 1X, for "incentive." NOT knit. Got home and tried it on. It fits!!! YES! How fun. I'll post a picture, a little while later.

Gotta go - company coming.

 

Somewhere, in the dark recesses of my innermost being, a tiny voice is screaming, "You did WHAT?!?!?!?" - Donna Harvey, 2 days post-op (RNY)

I had the surgery on Monday, Oct 17. All went well with the surgery; but the following 24   hours were not comfortable ones. I was still NPO and my mouth got SO dry my tongue stuck to the top of my mouth. And, I was ICU (standard procedure, since I wear a C-PAP) and wired for sound (almost literally). I also was on a morphine pump and used it a little too much for my own good, in the dark hours of the night... So I was VERY groggy and lethargic, most of Tuesday morning. And JUST awake enough to be aware that the feeling "wasn't right."

Home now, and feeling better. Except I am SO constipated. No BM, since last Saturday, I believe. I've tried suppositories, MOM, and a Fleets enema. No luck. I know it is a combination of the anesthetic/pain medication, BIG change in diet, AND not drinking enough liquids. Total fluid intake, yesterday, was around 30 oz.

Knowing all that is, however, of no great comfort, at 3:00 AM, when I am nearly doubled over. (Not TOTALLY doubled over, or I'd have called my surgeon, by now....) Does anyone have any suggestions of anything ELSE  I can do for this issue? I'm sure it's come up before. And will come up again. ANY help would be greatly appreciated.

Enough for now. I'll probably post several times, today. Unless I end up back in the hospital, today....

Pre-surgery COUNTDOWN and Update - I had the chemical stress test, today. The cardiologist read the results and said there is nothing wrong with my heart. I will have the surgery, Monday, at 7:00 AM. Must  be there at 5:30 AM. My mom and Pat will be in the waiting room, at DePeres Hospital, all morning, if anyone wants to keep them company.... :-)

All thoughts and prayers welcome. On Monday, I will TRULY be able to say, "Today is the first day of the rest of my life."

The stress test was bad; but NOT as bad as the last time, several years ago. More like purgatory, rather than hell. But it's over. Next step - surgery!!!

I have had so many people who have been happy to talk about their surgeries. And so many others come to me with well wishes. I thank you all. Can't wait to see you, after the surgery/

I had some (slightly) bad news, today. Got a call from Chris, the nurse at MyNewSelf. My EKG came back with some "irregularities." Sometime in the past few years, I, apparantly, have had a mild heart attack. Whay my friend, Jay, called, "a rowboat", compared to "the QE!!" of a regular heart attack. So, the surgery is temporarily on hold (but NOT cancelled, or, even, rescheduled). I have an appointment with a cardiologist, tomorrow at 10:15. If he is satisfied that it was a rowboat, and is no longer a concern, the surgery will continue, as planned, on Monday morning.

On the good side, I have lost 16 lbs, since I last saw my primary care physician!

Folks, this has NEVER happened to me! I'm on a liquid diet, with protein shakes. My goal is 600 to 800 calories a day and 60 to 80 grams of protein. I was typing my Food Diary up (I keep a hand written one, first), and I found that I have not yet reached 600 calores OR even 60 grams of protein. AND I'M NOT HUNGRY!!!

I AM getting bored with the presentations, so I keep experimenting.  Cream of Ham soup is one of my favorites - 1 scoop of Protein Powder, 3/4 TBSP of Pensey's Ham Broth Mix (not sure the actual name) and 8 oz skim milk. YUMMM. My friend, Robin, who had the surgery around 3 years ago TOLD me I'd come to crave savory things. Oh yeah....

Anybody who has any ideas of how I can get more variety, please send them my way....

Love to you all,

Duibheasa

Hi. This is my first post. I will have my surgery, Monday, Oct 17. I'm excited and also have SOME trepidation. This is how I view this adventure: I have stepped of a cliff, onto a cloud, which is slowly sinking to the ground. I feel safe and confident.  But, I know that when i stepped oft that cloud and made the decission to actually have the Ruen-Y procedure,  I began a new life. Nothing is the same. When I reach the bottom of the cliff, EVEYTHING will be different.

My plan is to keep a very detailed journal of my journey. You are welcome to read along with me. All messages of support are very welcome.