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Yesterday, I went to Hurley (Al-Midahni) for another scope.  The doctor dilated the stricture again.  The scare tissue had built up over the last two weeks, but it wasn't nearly as bad as the first time!  I will go back in a month for another scope and (possible) dilation.  I'm hoping that will be the last.

I'm eating safe foods today... cereal and yogurt so far.  I might try some chicken tonight if it is tender and juicy enough.  After suffering through a team (Jets) pizza luncheon, I'm ready to sink my teeth into something yummy!  I would have tried pizza, but there was too big of an audience (if it didn't work out) and my throat is sore.  Pizza sauce might irritate my throat.

Feeling pretty good today other than my throat. 

Today, I visited my pcp to discuss my BP, labwork and to update her on my stricture saga.  My BP was still riding a little high on top, but OK on the bottom.  Weight was down a few to 269.  

I also called the GI doc today.  They had me scheduled for a follow-up scope and dilation on the 26th, but with the way I've been throwing up over the last week, I did not want to wait another 3 weeks.  So... I'll be going in on Wednesday for another scope and (possible) dilation.  That was much quicker than I was thinking I would get in, but I'll take it... especially if it means that I can eat more than yogurt!  Now, I'm nervous that the doc will notice that I have NOT been taking the carafate he prescribed.  Maybe I'll step that up today and tomorrow for good measure.

All in all, not a bad day.

Since the deer meat incident the other night, I've been cautious about eating meat.  On Friday, I had some salmon along with a few green beans and a spoon of mashed potatoes.  Soon after I finished, it all came back up.  I'm nervous to continue trying meat at this point.  Even water sometimes feels like it is 'stuck in the drain'.  Hurley suggested going back to liquids, but I don't feel like I get in enough calories that way... and the weight loss stalls!  Yesterday, I got a letter from the GI doc that tells me they signed me up for another scope and dilation on March 25th.  I don't know if that is standard protocol or what... I don't even see him for a follow-up until March 18th.  I guess I'll find out then.  Given how closed off my stoma was, I bet it is standard procedure to do a follow-up scope.  

For now, I need to concentrate on getting enough fluids.  My urine is getting darker, so I know I'm not getting enough in.  A pretty common issue for post-ops...

I had a rough evening yesterday.  I tried some deer meat, and it didn't stay down.  I felt like I was going to die of a heart attack.  The pain in my chest was so bad!  After I got it out, I went to bed for a bit.  I tried some more food later, and that didn't stay down either.  I decided to wait a while, take my meds and go to bed.

Today, I'm really starting to get sick.  I think I caught my husband's cold... the coughing, sneezing, achy kind of cold.  I feel exhausted, but I have too much work to get done to go home and rest.  

I still feel like the stricture is coming back.  Am I paranoid?  I'll keep trying foods and see how they work out.  If I start having problems with my 'safe foods', I'll be calling the GI doc.

Since my hospital stay and stricture repair, I have been feeling pretty good.  I was supposed to be on clear liquids for a week, but I only did a few days.  I've mostly had yogurt, pudding, protein drinks and cereal.  Over the weekend, I had a (very small) turkey dinner with mashed potatoes, gravy and green beans.  My husband commented that it was the most I had eaten at one time since surgery.  I went back for more turkey a few hours later, and it didn't stay down.  (Bad choice!)  Since then, I haven't felt great... a little nauseous and almost motion sick.  When I drink my water, it feels like it is sloshing (sp?) around in the pit of my stomach.  I called the nurse at Hurley, and all she told me was to go back on clear liquids.  Personally, I think the stricture might be coming back.  

On another front, I went clothes shopping and bought a new pair of jeans for $12 at Fashion Bug.  I can guarantee they won't be my favorite jeans, but my favs had to go... hanging too much in the rear!  These new ones will do for the next month.  

Some people have a hard time seeing a difference in their bodies.  I've only lost 50 pounds, but I do see a difference.  I can't wait to see more!  And my husband tells me all the time now that he can tell I've lost a lot.

I am 10 weeks out today.

Weighed at FMA:  273 = 50 pounds lost

I went to Hurley ER on Sunday and was admitted late afternoon.  I got lots of fluid (via IV) for the next day.  I was still feeling very sick and had lots of stomach juices coming up.  YUCK!

I was thinking Hurley would take me from the ER to the GI Lab and get an endoscopy done right away... WRONG!  I didn't get scoped until 6:00 on Monday.  Turns out my stoma was almost closed off.  I couldn't believe it when I saw the pictures.  It was no wonder I couldn't even drink liquids!  (BTW, the numbing liquid they gave tasted like toilet bowl cleaner!)

I was discharged on Tuesday (today) around noon.  I'll be on a liquid diet for a week and have to add carafate (sp?) to my list of medications - at least for a month.  I'll follow up with the doc in a month.

What I have learned:
 - You cannot see a stricture in an xray.  If you suspect that you have a stricture, be persistent and ask for an upper GI or scope.
 - If you find that you can eat less and less and throw up on more foods, suspect a stricture and call your surgeon or go to the ER.  (Don't wait until you are so dehydrated!)
 - If you wait and are really dehydrated, you can expect a few days in the hospital.  (The scope and dilation is typically outpatient, if you catch it early enough.)

I totally went against my character and went to the ER.  I told my story to at least 5 people... gave blood twice... got some xrays... and got 1/2 a bag (1 liter) of fluid by IV.  I ended up staying there for 4 hours!  ...all to learn that my blood pressure was 179/89 (from not taking my bp med the last couple of days)... and the only suggestion they had for me was to slow down on the food progression.

Pro:  I know there is no obstruction of any sort, and I got some needed fluids.
Con:  I feel like I wasted a night and should have just went home to rest and drink.

Went to Hurley B.C. for my 6 week follow-up... I'm at 7 weeks... doing fairly well except for throwing up once a day.  I need to go back to liquids for 24 hours after throwing up in order to reduce the chance of developing an ulcer.  Got the OK to increase exercise and to do the painting I have planned for this upcoming weekend.

I've been throwing up for about an hour now, and I'm beginning to wonder if something is wrong.  I've got some chicken broth and hope it will help settle my tummy.  This isn't the foamies or something that didn't settle.  I feel very ill.  I started to feel sick yesterday... wondering if I caught a virus.

Weight at HBC 281.7

People have been asking how much I have lost, and I'm not sure how to answer.  Sounds easy, but do I use my highest weight (331), the consultation weight (323) or preadmissions (319).  Hurley will use the preadmissions weight as the official starting weight, but I had already started the liquid diet a few days prior to that weigh-in.  

As of 2/1/08:  284