Lonye A.

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So, I've been to the depths of hell and back again. On June 12th I got really sick. I was vomiting like crazy. I went to the see my surgeon and was told to do clear liquids until i felt better. Well, as a couple days passed I was unable to keep down anything at all. As soon as something hit my stomach it would pop right back up. Went back to the surgeon and was sent to the hospital from his office. I was in the hospital for a week. Still vomiting like crazy even after they were pumping me full of all the meds they could think of to stop nausea.
 
I had CAT scans, ultra sounds, endoscopy, and blood test. The doctors couldn't find anything wrong. After more blood test they said that my liver enzymes were off. Told me it was a mild case of pancreatitis. I was sent home with a bunch of anti nausea meds that by the way I could not keep down! My insurance denied my continued stay in the hospital because the nurse failed to report that I was vomiting the morning I left the hospital. Oh yeah, while I was in the hospital they put me on antibiotics which I turned out to be allergic to. I broke out in hives from head to toe! I also turned out to be allergic to the laundry detergent  the hospital uses, which made the hives worse. I had to get bedding brought from home. After being in the hospital for seven days I was basically kick out because of the insurance thing. I came home for three days and guess what?... Back to the hospital!

I called the surgeon's office for an appointment and this nasty receptionist refused to make an appointment and told me that I may just have a virus and I need to see my family doctor. Okay,  my family doctor has been great through this whole mess. Everyday I was in the hospital in came to examine me. He was even there the day I had my surgery! I called my doctor's office made that appointment for about an hour later. He told me that he didn't know what to do for me, because I was already on all the meds that they had for vomiting. The problem was I can't keep anything down, not meds, not water, not broth, not anything! Both me and my family doc called the surgeon. Finally got an appointment, and guess what?...Back to the hospital!I was so weak at this point that I could only walk a few steps before I was about to fall. So, I was sent back to the hospital from the surgeon's office.

I got to the hospital barley able to keep my eyes open. I was so dehydrated that the put in 6 liters of fluid and my labs were showing signs of dehydration. I've never been so freaking miserable in my life. At times all could do is moan and groan. One night I was at my end. I couldn't take it anymore. I started to pray to Jesus to heal me. I nurse came in and saw me crying and praying and reported me for that! The next day a doctor that I had never met before came to my room and asked me if I needed to talk to a therapist! I was so angry! I felt like they crossed the line. I'm sure if anybody had gone through all that crap and had no answers about what is going on would pray to God, Jesus, or whatever they believed in to heal them and take away the pain and discomfort.

After three days of being in the hospital a couple of doctor's approached me and told me the I was going to have to get a PICC line in my arm so they can feed me through it. About five mins later one of my surgeons partners came in and explained that at this point there is nothing more they can do. And said that sometimes peoples bodies have a hard time adjusting to the surgery and it could take up to three months to adjust. The doctor told me that my only choice was to either get the PICC line or they were going to take me to the OR and put a feeding tube in my old stomach. I picked the PICC line. They told me that I would get the PICC line in a day or two. I call my mom and told her what was going on then took a little nap. Next thing I knew people were waking me up telling me that they were there to take me away. I said "take me where?" they said, "to get your PICC line." I was like "wow, this is happening too fast." I had so many questions to ask about this PICC line. It was going to go in my arm and go all the way to my heart!

When I got down to the PICC line room the nurses were so nice. They really took the time to explain everything to me and inform me of all the possible risks and teach me how to take care of it. It took 3 hours to get the line inserted properly. There was several failed attempts. But they finally got it placed in the right place. I was started on TPN (the bag of food) that night. I felt so much better after getting some nutrients. I've been on TPN for about two weeks. I feel pretty good. I can only eat a bite or two a day. Seafood seems to sit best on my stomach. I can eat two shrimp or a crab leg. It takes me a whole day to drink a bottle of water.  My doctor wants to get me off the TPN asap, but I have to be able to eat and drink enough. Oh yeah. A nurse comes to my house a couple times a week to check on me. The nurse says it sounds to her like its the pancreatisis that is making me sick, and the best thing to do is not to eat and let your body heal its self. 

I am so glad I'm feeling better, but I can't wait until I'm 100%.

Oh yeah, I've lost 35lbs in the last month.

So, the gas that I've heard so much about has kicked in. I have been really good with my walking. Today I did rest a little more than I had been doing. Also, I had a protein shake made with milk. I don't know what brought on the gas, but you can believe that I'll think twice before I have some milk. I took some gas x and walked around by house a couple of times. I feel better, but it's not all gone. I get so scared when the pain hits and wonder why I did this. I know it's normal to second guess yourself especially when you are in pain. Hopefully, the pain will end soon and be only a distant memory.

Until next time.

I got home yesterday afternoon. I really didn't feel too much like writing. I woke up today and said what the heck, I feel pretty good right now. The hospital stay was pretty uneventful as was the surgery. I did throw up the dye that they put in your stomach to test for leaks, but I was out of it and don't remember. All i know is that my face was green for two days. The pain is not so bad right now. I did have low point when they stopped my morphine with out any warning! I'm on the Tylenol with codine. My biggest issues right now is getting comfortable so I can rest and getting in enough liquids. I haven't moved on to pureed food yet. The doctor told me that I could what 24, 48, or 72 hours before I started to add pureed foods. And for me to what until I have tolerated the foods well for a couple of days before starting my vitamins. ( I have about two to three weeks for that).  

I hope each day gets better and better. I gonna go get some rest ttyl.

P.S thanks everyone for there words of encouragement!

It's the night before my surgery and I can't sleep! I knew this was going to be an issue. I meant to ask my doctor if there was something I could take to help me sleep tonight. It also, doesn't help that I am at my mother's house. It is really hard for me to sleep here. The bed is so, so hard! What I wouldn't give to be in my own snuggly bed with my fiance. And also, my mom's boyfriend went on this rave about my fiance not taking me to the hospital. I tried to explain that my mom asked me to stay here tonight and while I was recovering from my surgery. My fiance is suppose to met me at the hospital in the morning! That is fine with me as long as he shows up and stays the first night with me, I'm cool. I HATE that people feel like the have the right to get all up into your relationship. No one knows what goes on but the two people in the relationship. I feel like this, even if my man ain't shit you have no right to tell me that! It's not right to go around bashing peoples partners. I really don't need this stress. I have so much on my plate right now. I hate needing people, because it's always some shit. Either they show out or just don't come through like they are suppose to.

But back to my thoughts about my surgery in the morning. I'm getting a little scared. I don't know what to expect (pain wise). I hate being in pain. To be perfectly honest, I'm not a very good sick person. I tend to complain....I guess I just don't handle pain too well. We shall see how it goes. I can't believe it's really here. I can't believe it's really happening. This has been a long time in the making. I just hope that I'm doing the right thing! After all I am only 25 years old and with the Lord willing I will live another seventy years or so. I hope that my new little pouch functions well and is able to make it through with me for the next seventy years. I guess this is wear faith comes into play. I must trust in the Lord to get me through. I know this is not going to be an easy ride, but I sure hope it's well worth it.

I'm gonna go. Cuz, I feel like I am rambling.

The next time I write I will have started a new chapter in my life.

I called the doctor's office first thing this morning to see how long it will take before I should hear something from the insurance company. The coordinator of the gastric bypass patients was not there so I left a message. About and hour later I got the call! She said that I was approved Friday. WOW! That really was quick! Looks like I was worrying for no reason. Everything is set for June 1!

I had my clearance appointment today. Everything is officially complete . Now, I'm just waiting on my insurance approval. My doctor says that it should only take a couple of days for me to get approved. I'm just a little worried. I don't know why they would have scheduled my surgery before I had insurance approval. Everything is was scheduled like bam, bam, bam. 

I was told that the weight management program I went through was approved by BCBS and if you pass the classes it was almost a sure thing that you would be approved. I guess I'm just getting nervous because it's down to the wire and I do have the history of depression and everything. I really don't know how hard that is going to weigh against me. I've been doing pretty well (emotionally) over the past year. It would just really suck if I was denied, because of my past... My cousin is freakin' bipolar and she was approved. I just had a little depression and anxiety. I don't know why the psychologist made such a big deal out of it. I guess she is just doing her job. I'm just getting nervous...

I was going to go shopping for all my supplies and everything this weekend. I'm thinking maybe I should hold off on that, because I would just be even more disappointed if I was denied. I decided not to buy the unjury at my appointment today because they have a non-refundable policy.

On a lighter note I am doing very well on my pre-op diet. I've lost 9lbs! I can't believe the optifast works so well. I'm starting to notice a difference in my belly. lol. I wish I had a started this while I was taking my weight management classes. I am hungry though... My fiance was eating a sub the other day and I wanted a bit so bad. And today my mom had McDonald's breakfast...Let me tell you, I was about to yank it from her. lol. But seriously, it's really not as bad as I thought it was going to be. Yesterday I was a little weak, but I made it through. Today pretty darn good.

Thanks for listening.

I'm getting very very excited for my upcoming surgery. Really it's all I can think about. I have so much to do before June 1st. I have my final clearance appointment Friday morning, gotta clean my house, gotta shop for the things I'll need after surgery.

I'm getting nervous about my surgery, because I have a history of depression and the psychologist made that seem like an issue. However, I attend group therapy and have a private therapist. So, really I have a good support system, plus I've been off antidepressants for a year now and I feel great. Also, my therapist gave me a great review. Once I have my final clearance everything will be submitted to my insurance company for approval. My surgeon told me last week that BCBS usually approves within 1-2 business days. I really don't want the whole depression thing to hold up my surgery!

On a lighter note I decided to start my pre-op diet a little early. I started yesterday mostly because I had no food in the house and I refused to go shopping for anything else. I've lost 6lbs since last Thursday. I'm thrilled about that. The more weight I lose and the closer I get to my surgery date the more I want to get out of this fat body.

Until next time.

So, it's been a while since I've updated, but I'm still here and kickin'. I haven't had Internet for a couple months, but that's behind me now. So, what have I been up to? Well, my surgery is scheduled for June 1st! Wow! Six months flew by. I'm getting a little nervous. I had my pre-op appointment  on Thursday and I start my "special diet" in the 20th. Dr. Irgrau wants me to go on the optifast diet for 10 days and then I have two days of clear liquids.

To be honest. I'm getting a little nervous, but I guess that is to be expected. Another thing is my best friend has been "hating" on me about the whole wls thing. She even said that she didn't want to be the "fat friend." I felt like saying bi#@h please. But those are her issues not mine....I just gotta remember that. lol.

I am planning to go shopping on Friday for things that I may need after my surgery. If anyone has and suggestions they will be greatly appreciated.

Take care.

Today I completed my first weight management class. It was okay. I was one of the two people out of about 40 that is getting gastric bypass. Most of the other members are looking into gastric banding. I could not believe some of the negative comments when I said that I wanted the bypass surgery. I would think people that are going through a similar struggle would be more sensitive.

Okay, I  gonna make a statement that may get me some negative comments, but I have to say it. Since I been going through this whole WLS process I've met a lot of really great folks. However, and a big HOWEVER I've met a lot of complaining whining fat people. Come on you guys, lets not feed the stereotypes about fat people.

Today, I received a call from the hospital's weight management program. I scheduled appointments for the first three months of my program. Yay! I had to pay a non-refundable fee of a hundred dollars, that sucked, but oh well. My surgeon told me that the whole process should cost me five hundred dollars. Which includes all the specialist's copay, classes, and pre-opt diet. No worries! It's worth every penny and more!