The long and winding road pt 2

May 10, 2011

So now I'm out of the ICU, breathing on my own (thank Goodness) when in comes my doctor to tell me the real bad news.  Because of the size and placement of the hole in my tummy, I MUST not EAT ANYTHING.  No water, no food, no liquids of any kind.

Yippee!  I am now on the "ICE CHIP DIET".  That's right, 4 oz. of ice chips per day is all I'm allowed.  4 OZ!  Did I mention that I also have at this time the world's worst cotton mouth?  My mouth is so dry I cannot even speak!  I have to write everything down.

Ahh but the good news is that because of the pain I am in I get a larger dose of morphine every hour!  Did you know that morphine causes cotton mouth?  Not to mention all the other medications I am on do as well.  Jeez I can't catch a break!

I am also informed that there are several ways to "fix" this hole in my tummy BUT #1 because of it's closeness to my heart surgery is out of the question, and #2 the doctors believe they'll try to see if the hole closes on its own before trying ANYTHING else.


Cut to a week later and the hole is not even trying to close on its own.  So it is decided to try to close it through endoscopicly placing some staples accross the hole and hoping that scar tissue will form.  That procedure went well, I didn't have any problems with it and the staples were placed well.

BUT I am now on TPN therapy, THREE different kinds of antibiotics, and still at only 4 oz of ice chips.  Granted the morphine is helping but now comes to my room the Physical therapist.....wanting me to walk.

Great idea except that TPN therapy causes the runs, BIG TIME not to mention all the other IV's I'm receiving causing me to have to use the toilet every hour!!!

So i spend all night running to the toilet every hour or so which would be ok except that I have to drag a very heavy IV pole with me, and having an overactive bladder, I usually don't make it there every time.  My days and nights have just become a newer nightmare I would not wish on my worst enemy!  Well maybe I would.

stay tunned for part three of my long road to home

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