DEBI P.

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So my allergic reaction to the steri strips developed into a major deal and got a lot worse before better.  On Friday, the 23rd, I finally could not handle the dermatologist and the surgeon's advice and went to see my own doctor.   She was horrified at how bad it was and immediately put me on antibiotics and a heavy duty antihistamine.  I have to take the antihistamine 4 times a day for the rash and crazy, crazy itching. Well every time I took it I was knocked out.  Good Lord!!!  So I have been a Zombie Queen for the last 4 days.  However it was worth it as the rash is just about gone, as is the itching.  Thank you, thank you Dr. Lester!!!  I decided not to take the "zombie" pills during the day today and actually got a few things done.  Went and got weighed in and lost 5 lbs, so I am at a total of 16 lbs lost!!!  Yippee!!!  Now just need to get completely done with this so I can start walking (without falling asleep) and get back into the swing of things.  Up to about 40-48 ounces of liquid, protein intake is good, as is digesting anything. Hopefully will be cleared to go back to work Monday.   Shout out to all my Jan 12th friends.  Let me know how you are doing.  Bye for now... this Zombie Queen is going back to sleep...

Saw the dermatologist today and found out I had a severe allergic reaction to the steri strips. Have dermatitis (not sure if that is how you spell it), and given some topical creams to relive the itch and to cure the skin.  Feeling relief already. 
Water intake is still around 40 oz, but I'm trying. Hope all is well with everyone.

Went for my first weigh in and check up today. I knew I had definitely lost some weight but was not expecting it to be 11 pounds ... yes my friends...  11 pounds.  My BMI actually went down 2 points Wow!!! 

Was a little disappointed when my doctor checked out my skin irritation and told me to just ride it out as he wasn't sure what it was. Especially after he first saw it and said WOW!  Ride it out???  I am about to scratch my skin raw and it has spread to other areas of my stomach over two days and he wants me to ride it out??? 

I told him I respected him as a doctor but I needed to know what was going on and needed some quick relief.  So we agreed I should see a dermatologist to find out exactly what it is.  Have an appointment tomorrow at 11:00am and have the okay to take some liquid Benadryl till then.  

Overall I am super pschyed and glad to be able to share it wih others who can relate, as well as family and friends.  

So the itching and redness has intensified around my incisions and I can tell something is up.  I called my surgeon Saturday morning and he called me in some liquid meds, but so far they have had not effect. Called my friend/neighbor up and she came and took a look at it.  She's an RN and said it looks like I either have had a bad allergic reaction to the strips place over my incisions to help heal (which I removed myself on Friday), or the antibiotics I took prior to the surgery. Either way it looks bad ,and she gave me some Diflucan to take orally and cream to apply topically.  
No improvement today (Sunday), so I am a little down cause I just don't want any infections to set in the incisions.  Thankfully I have an appointment for my first check up with the surgeon tomorrow at 2:30pm, so I should know more then.  Trying to stay positive.  Otherwise I feel good, walking, getting as much liquid in as possible and doing my protein.  Hope everyone else is great.  Talk soon!  Debi 

Things are going well.  Getting my walks in, drinking as much liquids as I can (up to about 40 ounces), eating & drinking my proteins, and resting.  My incisions have been itching like crazy and are really red around each cut.  No fever or discharge, so I don't think there is infection in the incision.  I may have a yeast infection from the antibiotics I had to take post op.  I get it a lot when I have to take antibiotics.  I go in for my first post op check Monday, so I can deal with this. Getting stronger daily and overall feeling good. Can't wait for my first weigh in. 

This may be a little long and detailed, but I want to be able to go back and read it from time to time to remind myself of the experience and motivate myself to stay strong.
 
Had a surprisingly good night sleep the night before surgery.  On 1.12.09, I was up at 5:30am and at the hospital at 7:00am.  Passed all the pre op tests required the morning of surgery, and met the medical team working on me as well as talking to Dr. Wizman, my surgeon.  Kissed my hubby goodbye at 9:30am and last remember talking to the nurse in the operating room at about 9:45am.  Next thing I remember is waking up and being told all went well.  I was place in the ICU unit, as there was more availability of a private room, and very thankful for the decision as I received excellent attention.  I was up and taking my first walk with my hubby and nurse at around 4:30pm, and felt way better than I thought I would.  I was given pain meds (oral) whenever I asked and my blood was monitored every 6 hours as I am a diabetic. I only required a small dose of insulin twice during my stay and both where said to be from pain/stress and completely normal. Yeehaw!!! Seeing as I take 80 units a day, what a difference. Yes there was pain, mostly in getting up and down, but it was tolerable and way less than recovering from a C-Section.  I had some discomfort with the IV (cause I'm a whimp) and the removal of the drainage tube prior to being discharged was a little intense, but again everything was tolerable and way less pain than I expected.

My second day, I went to Radiology first thing in the morning to drink some SUPER DISGUSTING liquid to make sure I did not have a leak.  It tasted like household cleaning products. Yuk!!  No leaks (thank God) and back up to the room to rest, walk and drink broth and crystal light for the rest of the day.  Because I was in ICU I could not shower as they do not have showers in the rooms.  I was already so ready to go home. I could not have asked for a better medical staff to attend to me and was pleasantly surprised when my neighbor (and now friend) walked in Tuesday morning and informed me she was my nurse for the day.

Wednesday morning I got clearance to leave at around 10:30am by the on call doctor and was discharged and home by noon.  First thing I did was eat half a sugar free jello cup and then take a long hot shower (how wonderful was that!).  I felt a little tired but so psyched to be home and so blessed to have made it through without complications.  Since coming home I have been learning to drink and eat with my new stomach and doing well.  I can definitely tell when a gulp of liquid is a little to big and am amazed at feeling full after eating 1/2 a tablespoon of protein.  I have been walking, resting and getting stronger each day and am starting to get back on OH and read the experiences my other friends went through who were also on January 12th.  Feel blessed that my prayers were answered thus far and for the wonderful family and friends I have in my life.   

Less than 24 hours to go and I am ready.  Good luck to all my friends who are having the surgery as well tommorow.  My prayers go out to all of you.  Thanks so everyone for the well wishes and encouragement.

Love -
Debi

Doing the happy dance. Got full clearance and ready to go.  So excited for the friends I met who are also starting the journey on Monday.  Yeee Heeee!!!

Found out through pre op tests I have an infection as my white count was up, which could be a problem for surgery.  Started antibiotics yesterday and the meds seem to be kicking in.  Did get the pre op clearance today,  Yahoo!!! 

Will have a blood test done prior to surgery on Monday to make sure count is back to normal.  All else is good and I am staying positive.  As always, thanks to all my friends at OH for there support! 

Did good today with the liguids.  Had my pre op admission appointment and set to go Monday at 7:00am.  My hubby came along and I think he even feels better about things.  He's been supportive, but worried.