pjw19_65

Send Message

Block

Add Friend

The downside of the mountain:  I spent Thanksgiving in Obs and lost my 26 year old cousin after child birth.  I guess I had too many good days because last week, day after my 2 week physician's visit, I woke nauseated with death in my family.  I dry heaved all day and couldn't keep any liquids or protein shakes down.  I went to the ER the first day, they gave me a drip and Reglan for nausea and sent me home.  Thanksgiving day was much the same except they decided to keep me for observation for two days.  After being in Obs for two days, they moved me to a permanent room on the surgery floor where the care partners seemed to disappear whenever I needed something, leaving me to take care of myself during my entire stay. Nevertheless, the surgeons and the nursing staff was excellent.  The surgeons did a EGD on me to rule out ulcer and ensure that the anastomosis was still intact.  The EGD showed that I had minor irritation that could turn into an ulcer so I was treated for an ulcer and put on several medicines to help with nausea and to help process my foods.  I gained a few pounds but it was worth it to catch this ulcer early and get the nausea under control.  Finally, today I am home and am looking forward to some much needed rest and laying my dear cousin to rest on Sunday.  Of course, the doctors have said I can not attend the funeral because of my recent release but I will be there in spirit.  

I go for my 2nd week post-op appointment this week.  I am excited at the prospects of eating foods again--even if it is pureed.  I already notice that one of my tastes have changed.  For instance, before surgery I had a passion for anything strawberry flavored, but since my surgery I can't stand the stuff...YUCK!!!!!  Now I have to force down about two strawberry shakes between now and Tuesday....YUCK!!!!!  On another note, I had my first bout of dumping my first night home when I had a low bloodsugar.  Since then I try to avoid low blood sugars like the plague.  I found that they usually occur around meal time and that they can be avoided if I stay on schedule (the protein raises my blood sugar level).   On a final note, the most exciting thing that has happened to me is that my job prospects are increasing.  I would have never considered a welder's job in the past because of my health problems but I have had an offer recently and though my bachelor's is not in welding, the company has offered me free training and a welder's payscale.  It's nice to know I have options and that in a few months those options will be wide open...I will no longer be limited by my illnesses.  I never complained when I was at my unhealthiest because I did not want to be a burden to anyone.  Family members did not even know how truly sick I was with 12 different chronic illnesses.  I heard all the whispers that I was just lazy and no one bothered to ask how I was feeling or questioned how a lazy person acquires a 4.0 GPA, graduate Magna Cum Lauda and does nothing with the degrees she has.  I will always remember this as I go on with my life.  I realize I have a lot of catching up to do and a lot of living to do and in a few months, I can say...it wasn't because I was lazy it was because I was sick now what's your excuse for not being successful

I weighed in today at 205 lbs. and losing.  Though some people say, "I can't really tell where you lost weight at you look the same," I can tell a difference in how I feel and that is truly all that matters.  Like some, initially I thought that WLS would be like a magic wand and change my entire appearance instantly, but it isn't like that.  The most important thing to me right now is that I'm starting to feel more alive and more like my old self before the health problems and weight gain--the rest will come in time.  

My beginning weight was 235.  Day of surgery 11/07/12, I was 217  and one week after surgery 11/14/12  I am 210.  I was disappointed I didn't come off more of my meds but I realize that will take time.  So far, I am down to six meds versus the 12 that I was taking.  My prescribing physician will not try any new regime, though an emergency room doctor has suggested to take me off one insulin and put me on Metformin because Metformin actually works better than the insulin at reducing my blood sugars.  I can't wait to discuss this face to face with him at my next visit.  It's no big loss to me but a little win that keeps me looking forward to the next little win. With that in mind, today I walked for 30 min.  Next week, I go for my 2 week post op exam and I will be on pureed. 

Hey everyone!!!Finished surgery yesterday.  Things happened fairly quick.  The nurse anesthetist said I'm giving you some medicine, it's gonna put you out quick,things are going black next thing I remember I was being transported up to my room.  It happened really quick.  Had no time to think about what was going to happen that's how fast it happened.  The staff was really nice which made things a lot easier.  I take my swallow test this morning before I'm allowed to drink and I will be released tomorrow.  Keep wishing me luck!!!!

So before I started Optifast last week I started a liquid diet of my own and lost 6lbs.  After starting Optifast, I lost another 4lbs, so I have lost 10lbs in two weeks.  I am now down to 224 and losing.  I have another week left on Optifast before my surgery and I can tell you, I'm starting to feel different, my clothes are starting to look better on me, and I have a little more energy--if this is what life is going to look like I'm kinda looking forward to it.  Everyone still keep me in your prayers and I will do the same for you.

Yesterday I started the Optifast Liquid diet.  My surgery is scheduled for November 7.  It's like one day I was hoping for it and realllllly wanted it, then I said it will never happen, then one day I got the call.  Since starting the diet two days ago, I've gotten a little scared because my blood sugars were low four times and fell in the 50's while I was sleeping.  Last nite, I did not know how to treat my low blood sugar so I did what I could until I reached my physicians office today.  Thankfully, he was nice enough to pencil me in to discuss what to expect and tell me how to adjust my medicine.  So far, it's worked today but who knows what tomorrow will hold because most of this seems like trail and error. At the same time,  I look at all the photos on Ob and say to myself, "I hope that one day, that can be me," but then again in the back of my mind, I don't know if I have what it takes to do this.  I guess what I'm saying is that I'm taking one day at a time.  I've started this scary journey and I don't know where it is taking me.  The not knowing part is what scares me most.