Linda_M

Send Message

Block

Add Friend

Okay, I was so miserable and alittle scared to think something was really wrong that I decided not to wait and go to the ER.  2 1/2 hours later we are registered in a very busy ER at ORH.  Two hours after that I called the office because the Nurse says they haven't heard from Jawad's office as to what to do with me and they paged Jawad and left a message at the office.  (Now I had emailed kevin and also talked to the office who told me to go to the ER twice that morning. _Now I am told Dr. J was seeing patients and that they know I'm there.  I said okay.  But then I started thinking, I'm a patient too and you sent me to the ER.  Now I have to wait until after hours to be seen?  I don't think so- I called right back and ofcourse talk to a different person, now I'm crying, she told me to hold and Kevin came on the line.  He said he'd call the nurse and tell them what to do.  Thank you!  About ten minutes later things started to move.  Register, take blood, go to have a barium swallow, yes that awful stuff from the leak test, and then into an ER room to wait.   About 2 hours later they say I am having esophegeal spasms and change my meds and send me home.  Well, it took another hour to write one Rx and the discharge sheet.  We got home after 10 last night.  I was alittle disappointed that J's office dropped the ball and I was left hangng at the hospital.  But Kevin came through, again.  I wonder how long I would have had to wait in the waiting room if I hadn't called the office? Oh, well it's over now.  And I feel better just knowing the pain isn't a leak.  That wouldn't have be good. 

I did meet three pre-ops on the way out of the xray department.  I didn't get their names but I wish them well on their journey.  They are in great hands.

Well I've hit my first complication and I hope it is my last.  For a week now I've noticed that my pouch hurts when I eat and I've also had some constipation so I linked the two together.  Well, the pain under my breast bone has gotten significantly worse and the other problem has resolved itself.  I couldn't think of anything but the pain today so I emailed Kevin and he called me back within a few minutes.  Said he thinks I have developed an ulcer. Yuck!  Called in two meds for me and I came home from work early.  I just want to lie back and not but any pressure on my upper stomach.  Says I might have to have an endoscope, we'll see.  I need some good vibes sent along right now. 

Wow!  I love it when the scale moves.  I have gone to eating small pure protein meals through out the day.  It's the only way I can get my protein in.  My pouch doesn't really like more than 4 ounces of anything at a time.  I'm having a very hard time getting my water in at school and in the evening I'm having trouble remembering.  Got to get better at that.  The scale didn't move for about 5 days so I tried the small meal thing and it seemed to like that.  Hope I'm right. :)   
Our eldest daughter has moved her wedding up from February to November so I'll have to go dress shopping in about three weeks.  Hope I can find something nice and not too expensive since it will only be worn once.  Isn't that great-once!  I'm so proud of myself for taking this journey.  Is that prideful?  I guess it's acceptable. 
Oh, and the other news is-  we are going to be grandparents for the first time.  So excited!  Not until April but isn't that great.  
Well, I feel like this is sort of a diary for me, hope I haven't bored anyone.  life is great when you feel good and you see a future where you were afraid you might not have one.  Have a great week everyone!

I can't believe that it's coming off as it is.  Thank the Lord!  I hit under 250 today.  249!!!!!!  I feel like flying.  You'd think I went  under 150.  I do find that the only thing I can eat well is Wendy's chilli, yogurt and cottage cheese.  Most other stuff isn't worth eating because I get full fast and sometimes it hurts.  So I'll stick to what works and try other things on and off.  I'm supposed to start regular food today so I know I can experiment but I'll keep my old reliables handy.
Our youngest moved in with some friends this weekend and I found that my energy isn't even half of what it used to be.  It was disappointing. I'm usually the one who gets things done and I couldn't help much.  And boy was I tired at school today.  I went to water therapy for my back this afternoon and was so glad to get in the pool.  It's always reviving!  I do think I'm going to get a referral to the pain clinic because something has to give when it comes to the pain in my back.  I don't care if they have to shot it full of ANYTHING, I need relief.  
I'm going to miss my daughter around here. But, life goes on and she needs to find  out for herself what it's like to live on her own.  Fortunately, she is renting a very nice 2000 sq. ft house with some friends and so I know she is safe and only ten minutes away.  Another chapter of our lives.

I woke up this morning to a great surprise--under 260!  Yes, it is sad to be excited to be in the 250's but I'll take it anyday.  Yeah-258!!!!  Just shy of 7 weeks out and 35 pounds lighter.  I know others have lost faster but I'm just glad to be going down steadily.  I can't exercise the way others do because of my RA so I think it's great to be down as far as I am.  Haven't seen 250's in decades.  
I went back to work offically last Monday and have been buzy getting my classroom in order.  I now have 6 disabled preschoolers and 7 VPKers.  Going to be a large class but they are all great kids.  They don't start until next week because of testing.  So, I guess I'd better get going so I won't be late.  I did want to say it is 'GREAT" being able to swim again.  I lived in the pool this weekend.  Hole from the g-beast is covered with a think scab that doesn't seem to care if it soaks in the pool or not.  Life is GREAT!

I was beginning to wonder if I was eating wrong.  I didn't think I was but the scale has been stuck so long that I was wondering.  I'm really going to try not to weigh so often now. It's so discouraging.  Maybe twice a week will do.  It is scary eating real food because I find myself thinking about food more.  I only have good things in the house to eat and when I do fix myself something I find I can't eat it all so I know I'm not eating too much.  But when the scale doesn't reward me I panic.  I know I need to exercise more but my RA has sprung it's ugly head and it makes it hard to do much.  Thursday I can start swimming again and I know that will help.  The pain in my back has gone away from the g-tube but I still have lower back pain and this terrible sciatic nerve pain down my left butt and leg.  Had an MRI last week and will find out if there is anything I can do for the sciatic. I know the weight coming off will help the back pain.  Tried on a new size of bra yesterday and it fit but didn't get it cause I know I'll need another in a few weeks. I was rewarding though.  Down from a 46 to a 44.  Going in the right direction. Yeah.  Posted some new pics of one month out in the same outfit and although I was down 27 pounds I think only I can tell.  My clothes are definately looser and that makes it worth it.

Hurrah, Kevin is my new best friend.   He took my g-tube out yesterday.  Didn't hurt a bit, just felt weird.  Now I'm counting down to going swimming in now 9 days.   I've been off my RA meds for three months and the water really help.  I met some really nice people at the Orlando office that just had their surgeries last week.  It was terrific not having to drive all the way to Ocala.  It still took and hour and ten minutes.  I AM SO HAPPY TO HAVE THE TUBE GONE!

Well I've made it one month to date and I couldn't be happier.  Well, maybe if my sciatic nerve running down my hindend and down my left leg would go away I'd be happier.  I'm down 28 pounds and the inches are flying off.  People are starting to notice now and that makes me so happy.  I go back to work in 8 days and I can't wait. I need something to do. I am a little concerned about getting my liquids in while teaching but I'll do my best.  I'm having an MRI next week to find out why this sciatic nerve is acting up.  Hope it's nothing!  I'm on soft foods and although I like eating them I'm a little scared I'm not eating enough or the opposite, eating too much.  The shakes are so many calories I'm afraid to have more than two a day.  But all in all, I'm please with how things are going. 

My head hunger has gone into hiding for a while and I'm enjoying feeling better emotionally.  I have never really felt bad physically except for the g-beast.  I don't think i'm getting enough water in becaue the weight isn't coming off as quickly as it was.  I'm down 25 in 26 days and I'm happy about that but would like to see more in this early stage.  Maybe I'm expecting too much.  There is no way I'm eating too much.  I've been very pleased that I have only had one case of upset tummy and that was after egg drop soup. Won't have that again for a while.  I pray that my tummy stays strong.  Soft foods next week, can't wait!!

Okay, I am starting to feel that 'what did I do to myself" feeling.  I don't know if it's because I'm so tired of the liquid diet or what.  I can't stand the Isopure any more but am drinking it because it has 40 grams of protein.  I'm choking it down.  I'm also noticing ads about food I don't think I ever paid attention to before.  And to top it off the Schwanns truck stopped here at our new house tonight with a new flyer. They found us!!! The rest of the family were thrilled because I'm afraid the fridge is not treating them well since mom doesn't want to go to the grocery store.  They are already making a shopping list for when they stop back by on Thursday.  Poor kids!! 
I found that I'm not taking enough iron. Silly me just took one from the Bariatric Advantage bottle thinking --oh, who was thinking.  I messed up- I should be taking 3 a day.  So I shall start tonight.
Okay, I'm finished whining.  Thanks for listening.