It took awhile to get here by im on my way

Jul 05, 2011

Today is 4 weeks post op. I am down 28 pounds from my initial visit to start this journey. It all started back in October of 2010. I went just for information on the surgery, from there it was a struggle to decide if I really wanted this.
In June 2008 I was 12 weeks pregnant and was rear ended at 55 miles per hour. I was blessed that the baby was okay, but I in return now have knee problems and 4 discs herniated in my back.  I went threw a pregnancy, now on 3 yrs of chiropractic and massage therapy, acupuncture, and disc decompression therapies. I am tired of the pain and pain meds, doctors appts, and inability to lift and carry on in my normal fashion.

That brings me back to October of 2010. I have decided to to go ahead with the surgery to relieve me of the pain I walk around with, along with the benefit of being healthy.  I had ever appt. finished by Feb. Then started the long grueling weight loss of 13 # before surgery. I was stubborn, and I think deep down I wasn't ready, but come May and June 2011, I kicked it into high gear lost 14# the day of surgery.

The day of surgery I was still 2nd guessing myself if I was really doing the right thing. I was crying and the laughing and joking then panicking. What was wrong with me???????

I woke up in a blur and finally came around in my room 3001 of unity hospital, nice view. Thank goodness this was my home for 4 days.

I was scared to drink, move, anything. Then they wheeled me down stairs to the xray room, I drank a small sip of what tasted like stomach acid, and got the okay to start my 3 week trip of liq. diet. oh how well water tasted after such a long time without, a whole day and a half..... lol, well then I got a tray of FOOD.....WAIT LIQUIDS........aghhhh it was apple juice watered down and sugar free jello < i couldn't eat> and beef broth. Let me tell you the broth was like having a steak cooked to perfection at this leg of the race. I have migraine reactions to aspertain a fake sugar in sugar free foods......aghhhh so I have had a struggle with this too. But I'll get back to that.

So day 3 I started having really loose stools and feeling sick and running a temp. A stool sample was ordered, ( I have history of cdiff. and it was looking like this might be it AGAIN) They give you Antibiotics as a preventative in surgery and after. WELL.....That was just enough to set my intestines into overdrive. Day 4 came and I was ready to go home, little did i know that this wasn't the end of 3 W at unity Hospital.   I was released 4 days post op, doing well, still a slight temp but looking good. Friday and Saturday went well, then about 2 in the morning on Sunday I was up every 20 mins having 30-40 stools a day, Running a fever, and feeling like I could just die!

I called my doctor and found out they had lost my stool sample from the prior stay. She told me to come in and get checked out. It was June 19th 2011 Father's day. I told my family to go on with there plans for the day and I headed to the hospital again. After several tests, I was admitted again. I went to room 3031 this time. It was nearly 9pm at this time and my husband came to visit me and bring some items and clothes up. After he left I lost it, I had a full blown panic attack. and felt like death would be better then how I felt at that moment. I had an IV with fluids and antibiotic flagyl running, I was on that button and begging for meds after 45mins I finally calmed down with the great humor of Ginger RN, and a repairman fixing the thermometer in the 100 degree room I was placed in. I turned on the food network channel and tried to sleep. 

Day 2-3 Were about the same but in the middle of day 3 it was decided that I would now have a PICC line placed in my right arm. this is an IV that is place in the central vein going right to the tip of your heart. 48inch long tubing was placed and I was started on TPN, basically nutrition in a bag. By day 5 I was begging to go home, They set up home care therapy and I was able to continue my IV treatments at home. Flagyl at 6am,2pm,10pm and oral Vancomyicin at 6am,12noon,6pm,and 12 midnight, along with TPN starting at 8pm and being switched over to IV flagyl a few times until 11-12pm the next day. It was a struggle, but I made it work. I was feeling much better by July1 2011 and the doctor told me I could stop the TPN (YES) and cont with only the flagyl until finished on the 3rd of July. On July 3rd, the IV nurse came to my house and pulled my annoying tube hanging from the inner right arm near the pit. I cried a little, but was tears of happiness, because I knew now that I was starting my journey towards my goal.

It is July5th today and I am feeling fantastic. No IV's able to eat and drink and have been enjoying the weather. I am still having pain in my back but no longer have loose stools or abdominal pain. I have started eating pureed foods and I am enjoying my new Smoothy concoctions with protein powder.

I don't regret my decision for surgery, it wasn't a problem with the surgery but just a set back from other issues. I would highly recommend the surgery if you are truly committed to the program and to your health.







 

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Jul 05, 2011
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