Day 2 Post Op

Feb 01, 2017

Well, I'm still in the hospital because I was in so much pain that I almost passed out twice, once last night at around 4 AM when I was walking back from the chapel, and once this morning while I was brushing my teeth.

My pouch and I are learning how to get along, lol.  It likes water, cold or ice water is fine.  It is OK with milk mixed with protein powder, but only a few spoons.  It likes jello.  This afternoon they served cream soup and OMG, bad idea.  I dipped the spoon, licked it, and immediate pain.  They brought a different kind of cream soup for supper and I licked the spoon and had immediate pain again.  I also can't eat cottage cheese yet, which is too bad as I like cottage cheese.  I was too afraid to try the yogurt.  All together I only had a few spoons of food all day.  Yesterday I was able to drink all of my clear beef broth, so I don't think my pouch is ready for full fluids yet. Tea, decaf coffee, and diet lemonade are all out of the question. 

I'm hoping I'll be OK with premier protein as I have a lot of it. It feels very weird to not feel hungry at all, and yet, my stomach is growling.  I told the surgeon and he said it is likely my remnent stomach growling.  I feel so sorry for it. I don't like to think of it at all.

My roomie today is a lovely lady who will be 92 on April 1st.  She is absolutley beautiful with big blue eyes and white curls. She has the most amazing life stories.  I'm really enjoying chatting with her.

I was really shocked by how bad the pain is.  I knew there would be pain, and I expected it, but had no idea it would be this bad, between a 7-10 all the time on a pain scale.

Walking, moving from lying to standing, and coughing are agony, but I have been walking a lot.

St. Joe's is an old fashioned Catholic hospital, with a crucifix in every room, a huge statue of Jesus in the entrance, lots of stained glass windows, and a beautiful chapel just down the hall from me. I grew up Catholic and went to Catholic school (St. Joseph's elementary and Mount St. Joseph's College High School), so it's funny and nice to be at yet another St. Joe's.  I was sitting in the chapel, in pain, looking at poor Jesus on the cross, in greater pain, last night, and it was a very moving experience.  The Glory and Praise Hymnal was full of songs I used to sing back when I sang in the choir, as a child, teen, and later as an adult.

I've moved away from the church, and it was kind of nice to be back.  The chapel was comforting. 

I know every day will get easier, but I sure wish I was one of those people who wonder if they've even had surgery because they don't feel any different.  I'm getting discharged in the morning and have to stay in a room in Toronto until the 7th before I can fly home again.  My friend Leslie is staying with me.  Hopefully I'll feel more relaxed in our room.  It's hard to get any sleep here in the hospital.

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