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Karen at Dr Inman's office pulled out the drain today, and pulled off the strips from the stitches. She told me to wash it all with water and soap. Looks like it is really about healed! Just some blood scabs on the surface. The drain hole has already sunk in and changed to a normal color. She said let it all air dry.. So no more big bandages.
I had not eaten since Sunday night so we went out to Eat at Le Peeps for lunch over by the doctors. David ordered a seafood omelet and potatoes and I took my 2-3 oz food from his plate and about 3 tiny pieces of potatoes. Yummy and easy on the tummy. We went to Wal-Mart and got some items, yogurt, cottage cheese, soup, and cheese, so I am set for the rest of the week.
Eating only 2-3 oz per meal it has been nearly impossible for me to keep track of the protein intake. I try to do a protein shake each day which I KNOW is 12 grams for the 2 oz. I am struggling to get the water intake over 3 bottles a day... and to get all the vit in. I found I can do the calcium ground up in applesauce and cinnimon.
My weight is now 243.5 at 19 days out from surgery. It is still hard to bend over or lift things.
I had a good BM today without pain but I am taking 3 stool softners a day plus benifiber. For the first time the BM was a good size –floated- still yellow and white color. All things considered I feel I am doing Very well only 19 days out since surgery. I can honestly say I feel I have only had 4 bad days and only one of those did I ask myself why I had done this. Each day is better and I am seeing the end in sight.

The sore throat is gone- I really think it was due to cutting the pills in half to try to swallow they hurt and got stuck going down in the same place that hurt yesterday. I had my first "normal" size / shape BM still heavy, yellow but no liquid. Still no real gas just a dainty tiny pooft prior to BM with no smell. I hit the 30 pounds lost mark today so excited!! YES!! Happy happy..
I am thirsty in the night need to drink a lot. Got 3 /12 waters in last night so slowly getting there. Getting up about 3 times in the night to go. Doing very well! Still can't bend over or sleep any other way other than on my back ..sigh...but soon I KNOW that will change I am willing to wait!
I am hungry but can only eat max 2 ½ oz at a time. I find I eat almost on the hour in the evening 6, 7, and 8 to feel satisfied- during the day is not so bad. I MUST work on that now! I am having cravings. Yesterday I ate pureed kidney beans and black olives.. not great but seemed to satisfy some need.
I have dropped my Blood pressure med back to half a dose 1x a day. Upped my walking again doing almost more than ½ mile a day. Trying to get Vitamins in is very hard. I can't stand anything chewable right now...nasty. So I am crushing the horse pill calcium 2 at a time into applesauce but it is still hard to figure out when to get everything else in 2 hours away from the calcium. We found the RX prenatal multi vitamin I have been taking for over a year is not as GOOD overall as Centrum silver! So will be switching my multivitamin to Centrum silver.
I can honestly say I only had one day when I asked myself WHY did I do this to myself. I feel very blessed indeed that things have gone so smoothly and well. GOD is good all the time and it is by HIS Grace and goodness that I am doing so well appreciate the prayers that have been lifted up for me prayer works.

It is 2 weeks today that I had open DS surgery. I feel very blessed to have only had the one minor setback last week in the ER. I was very worried when I had NOT had any BMs since Monday the 21st , that perhaps something was wrong. I sure felt awful and so full. I have only experienced real gas one time in 2 weeks. I was afraid that maybe there was a blockage with nothing coming out...I really prayed and low and behold today I have had 3 ROCK hard BMs. I guess I need more fat in the food I am eating...hard when I can only take in 2 oz of pureed in a meal. ... Still haven't been able to drink more than 3 bottles of water in a day but I am trying to get to 4. I am walking alot sure enjoy the perfect weather lately so beautiful here, with great temp, humidity, breeze, enjoying the sounds of the birds, waterfalls, insects, and wind chimes. Makes one KNOW they are blessed to be alive and be able to enjoy a day like today. My drain is putting out less, I slept a bit longer last night, and have lost 28 pounds and 14 1/2 inches in the past 2 weeks. GOD and life is GOOD!

I was thinking maybe I was "broke"! Before DS surgery 11 Days ago I have NEVER felt hungry nor have I ever felt full-- hense over weight because once I DID start eating I didn't stop. However since 5 days after surgery I have had a feeling of hunger...I also can feel full! Including the fluid I gained in the hospital (7 pounds) I have lost a total of 26 pounds in 11 days. Natural expected when you are not eating but a few ounces of food now..I am concerned about feeling hunger so early others talk about not being hungry at all..I guess I am the odd duck...I have been eating regular pureed food for 3 days now...since my trip to the ER...I have had scrambled eggs a couple of times, some beef, even BBQ, soup, 3 grapes, cottage cheese Now headed for some cheese. Good news is I am now up to 8oz of food a day, and 3 bottles of water so far. Now getting my Vits and RXs in again. SO I guess I am doing well.

Physical OUCH: Must have been somthing else in that IV fluid...I was too active and restless last night...I decided to wash down the walls in the bathroom with a long handeld sponge mop, did some broom sweeping with a long handle dust pan down stairs…and tried to bend over to pick some stuff up...all in all had energy and then suddenly crashed.. My stomach feels pulled today…I have been able to eat 1 oz 2x today of pureed tuna seems to be setting ok, and drank 2 bottles of water so far...I KNOW I need the nutrition. My arms feel like pin cushions and are so bruised 2 veins blown…the rest of both arms looks like a serious drug addict with needle tracks and bruises all up and down both! I told my husband if the police saw me I would be arrested for sure! He smiled and said just flash that big incision and the drain they will let you go ASAP…
EMOTIONAL OUCH: TODAY I was told by 2 people -one was my sister the other a friend...that they had to be honest with me and tell me they would no longer be comfortable with me if I lost a great deal of weight and was smaller than them..My sister said it would be very hard for her to see or be with me. I have always given her my cloths that were too small for me or not things I wore often, I had noticed she has not been calling or talking to me and I now I know why…She is 10 years older than me…and in very poor health due to weight..really we were the same size for a long time…I just got a bit bigger for a short period. It was hurtful to have both be so honest. The other gal a "friend" said "you will get all skinny and smaller than me but you took the easy way out and I chose to be proud and lose weight naturally." OUCH!     

Inman’s office did call and I was sent to the ER for 5 hours of IV fluids due to dehydration. My veins were so bad it took 2 people 6 STICKS before they could get an IV in a working vain…Actually BENT a needle in my wrist vain! The nurse was horrified and showed it to everyone she said she gave up and turned me over to another person she was to have been their best but the other guy an EMT took 40 minutes and another 4 sticks to get it in he was ready to give up also until he got it on the last stick. They said when the body gets dehydrated it causes the veins to be tougher and harder to draw blood. I feel like a sore pin cushion right now... Also gave me anti nausea meds in the IV and an RX for them I am feeling much better and currently sipping some chicken broth. I KNOW healing will take time and will have its ups and downs...happy to be feeling better.

 Afternoon of July 17 the headache has passed, Still shaky and chilling and some nausea…I have managed to get in 1 oz chicken broth, 1 oz jello and 1 oz custard and ½ a bottle of water. I have had 6 BIG diarrheas in 24 hours. I get rumble and shaky when it begins..SO off to the bathroom, right now clear liquid yellow coffee ground/strings. Drainage has slowed so far at home since Monday evening I have removed 18 oz of liquid fat! Incision looks wonderful. Better day today than yesterday as it has worn on.. I am walking at least 4-6 times a day for about 20 minutes slow walk but feels good to be outside in the fresh warm air…I can’t regulate my house too cold or too hot for me…outside just feels better to me…smells are really bothering me. Nausea to fix my husband anything to eat..He is working from home--but too busy to stop and eat. I still feel a lump in my throat. Sneezed 2x today not too bad…Both my husband and I tried sleeping in our bed last night I did it mostly because HE needed to be able to rest-- he is so tired helping me get up every 2 hours at night to go to the bathroom…SO I did it on my own last night NOT easy but I figured out a way to get myself in and out of bed without bothering him…It is not easy at all to find a comfortable sleeping position which may also attribute to why I am only able to sleep 2 hours at a time. All in all today is much better…will continue to be better. I still can’t stomach any vitamins or pills but did manage to get down in addition to the above 1 oz banana scream frozen in a pop..so 6 grams protein there..also did 1 oz custard and 1 oz chicken broth..without gagging and heaving…so this is progress today over yesterday,, still no return call from Inman but I guess this is working its way out..I think maybe I have lost 11 pounds in the past week.  I guess it is only to be expected to have good and bad days...I am encouraged that today is better! I KNOW I need to get the vits in and more food but guess I have enough fat to keep me going for a while longer till my tummy says ok to the pills and vit...AND NO I can't do the chewable they are the worst!!!!!!! Also the liquid protein seemed to bring on the dry heaves yesterday so better to take it slow for now...      

Weds July 16, 2008 1 week out from surgery but a Very BAD day worst I have had.
I began dry heaves a few times today when I felt something tickle my throat…That of course has led to pain…and tears…I can’t stand the thought of food, drink etc right now…ALL smells make me feel sick…I am walking up a storm but still feel awful..I tried to milk the drain as the hospital showed me but it collapsed! I then tired to clean it out David used TAP water which caused a foam I worried about bacteria so we sterilized some water and cleaned it out several times…It currently seems to be working somewhat -another large clot is stuck in it. I think I will go back to clear liquids as I just can’t bear the thought of meds or food right now… I am just so nauseous. I am asking myself why I did this today…I KNOW it will end but no end in sight today. I am too cold or too hot, can’t get comfortable. I stopped the pain narcotics against David’s wishes…I would like something but the thought of anything in my mouth or tummy makes me sick… Sipping broth now…hard also! I had diarrhea in the afternoon but no gas.I am so shaky my BP seems to be all over..I have a headache and just can’t do food or meds right now…I am trying to get the water in… Maybe I over did it today. I didn’t want to be alone so went with my husband in the car on some errands. Took an hour I sat in the car but still hit some bumps which caused great pain. Went out with him a second time but only for 20 minutes in the late evening. He tried so hard to avoid bumps driving very slow…I had a restless night sleep wake up every 2 hours but I go to the bathroom and then drink.  Thursday July 17….Still feeling very shaky, too hot too cold I feel I have a lump in my throat that won’t go down.. .The thought of food or meds makes me ill…nauseous. I am still having bad vivid dreams but didn’t take any more of the oxycodone or any pain meds. I don’t feel pain just shaky nauseous, nervous and have a headache. I am trying to drink…up during the night every 2 hours. I can smell awful Smells in my nose from the BMs. Drainage etc..I try to go outside as much as possible. I called Inman’s office to see if they can help me with a nausea med still waiting for a call back. I feel this has gone well except this little set back. I know this too will pass. It is just lasting so long right now.    

Ok here are my memories hope they help others… I know each person is different but this is how it was for me. There was no waiting the day of surgery I checked in and was taken right back at 6:30 vitals taken, health history, and given the gown anti clot socks and footies. to change into. EVERYONE in that area getting ready for surgery looked like Deer’s caught in the headlights of Mac trucks...I did too I am sure..BUT I honestly didn't expect it to happen even then...BY 7:30 my husband was back with me and by 7:45 the Surgery nurse came to met us then the respiratory guy...Dr Inman came and escorted me back to the OR..There were about 5 in there it was SOO cold...I was only awake a little while then the next thing I remember was wakening in recovery..STILL didn't believe it had happened!! Surgery was July 9 8:30 am lasted 1 hour 55 minutes. My gallbladder was awfully full of stones Dr Inman was shocked I had not complained or had problems with it...I had but not bad. The rest of Weds was a complete blur I remember trying to focus on people’s faces when they got me up to walk but couldn't and didn't remember them the next day. I was in there a bit longer than expected due to my potassium was low and calcium so they had me on IVs . Not released until Monday July 14. Maybe I really was expecting it to be horrendous and awful pain but it was not as bad as I had feared in fact most of the time I would say it was zero pain! The Real pain was when I tried to get up or down out of bed. SOME of the nurses are NOT very helpful on that end…Some are great. I was SOOO thankful I had David there to PULL me up out of bed and put my leg up in bed so I could swing around…Once I couldn’t get him awake and I tried to get out by myself but was “stuck” I couldn’t reach the call button couldn’t get the bed where I needed it and I was so flustered and upset I prayed God would help me and in walked a gal (nurse Kelly odd little duck) I said God sent you to help me…she said how is that? I told her I was stuck she was a bit weird saying well the button is here all you had to do was push it…I couldn’t’ find it…but she did help me and she grew on me over the 12 hours…THEY ALL will treat you as a RNY!! LOUSLY because WE have open stitches and NEED help getting in and out of bed!! Some I PRAY YOU WILL NOT GET and others you will be happy to have helped you. The weekend and evenings ones are the best!! Make sure someone stands UP for you…I had to constantly reminded them I was DS not RNY…The nurses etc said my pain was low and my progress better because I walked so much-- each time they came for vitals I got up and walked..MADE myself-slow and steady!! ..Funny to see so many walking at all hours of the day and night…2AM 4AM I still get up at 3AM at home. ALSO the MORE you walk the MORE you drain the gunk out of the drain and ALL that gunk is FAT that is gone forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YES…HAPPY HAPPY I LOVE dumping it out and seeing the chunks (named them alien babies) thinking bye bye NEVER see YOU again in my tummy!!!!!!!!! I didn’t really start draining big time until Sunday and they were planning on removing it Monday so make sure you walk walk walk so it will drain drain drain! I GAINED 7 pounds!!!!! Fluid Weight gain and had weird lumps in my neck and shoulders due to air that had traveled up my body but it left fast…The weight is slow to come off. IF you have any reaction to the adhesive make SURE you let them know ahead of time…They used paper tape on me it was WONDERFUL…OH and buy your bottom buddy it is a LIFE saver at hospital and home!!  And charmin flushable are super duper!! I itched BIG time with the binder make sure you have tank top type tee shirts YOU will leak on them!! The first few nights before I could have the IVs disconnected for a shower--- you can’t get a t shirt on so they used PILLOW cases under the binder SWEET!!! I must admit I needed to cough wanted to cough but couldn’t cough THAT HURT! SO I didn’t…I did the breathing religiously each time I walked and didn’t have problems. BUT my H2O was low and down 84 at one point so I was on oxygen in bed when I forgot to put it on the stats would be low never went about 94…I had a treatment by Respiratory  therapy on Friday and As I was doing a 3AM walk I felt I had to blow my nose…it was hard but I did it and OH MY GOSH I GOT A BLOOD CLOT the size of a quarter or 50 cent piece out of the right side…It was amazing…after that my H2O went up and I felt so much better…It was caused by the tube they had put in my nose during surgery …I had been getting some blood out of both sides for a while and still a tad left over…YOU WILL BE SOOOOO dry and throat parched. I asked Dr Inman if I could have halls throat drops she said she would have to write an Order for me to have them…I never took them but just sucked on Ice chips continuously…If I go too long without drinking now my throat gets dry still. You will SLEEP a lot there and at home…I am up maybe an hour or 2 then sleep 2 hours up and walk drink etc then sleep again…same in the hospital same at home. Just takes time. Your body will have to LEARN how to go to the bathroom again! I would fall asleep on the toilet at the hospital and NOT be able to go…Had VERY little burps NO GAS!! Didn’t have gas until the afternoon I got home I began to have rumbling and gurgling awful uncomfortable walking helps…drinking helps but still uncomfortable…I had my first gas scary….small explosion in the toilet -thank goodness- followed by coffee grinds type bm several of those on Monday I felt much better….only one Tuesday AM and no more!! Does stink so get JUST A DROP to put in the toilet ahead of time…helps with the smell.  YOU WILL NOT want to wear underwear…your tank top under the binder…and a dress or something loose to just pull up to go to the bathroom…I just stayed in the gown…you can’t wear a robe can’t get it on with all the IVS. I had thought of cutting up a top or robe one side shoulder and side seam and adding Velcro but it was just as easy to have the hospital gown.  They keep you with the clot socks you get prior to surgery when you change. Those and the footies so you don’t need shoes either. Body has to learn how to eat, drink and function again…I feel I am adjusting today for the first time…It is hard to get fluids, food, meds vit sleep etc all in so focus on the fluid and do the rest as you can. They have a yummy custard, jello and cambells cream of chicken and chicken broth drink mixes those have been my staples here at home too…well I am tired so off to bed    

My DS day is here...after over 18 months praying, planning and waiting it is now less than 10 hours away..I can hardly believe it...In fact I don't think I WILL believe it until I wake up afterwards! A new me a new life a new start-feels like being born again for the 3rd time!!  I feel so blessed. I have had a wonderful supernatural peace about this...still feeling like it is unreal. A BIG thank you to everyone who has- is and -will be -praying for me...I KNOW that will get me though it...THANKS! See you on the loser’s side!! HUGS TO ALL MY NEW FRIENDS, switch sister and brothers and sis and bro in Christ! Glad to be a part of something so special!! Paula