Badly needed update

Nov 24, 2009

After all failed trying to go through insurance, I thought for sure the DS would never happen. When one door closes, a window usually opens. My open window came with very unfortunate circumstances, but a window nonetheless. My father-in-law passed away this past spring. With his passing, we became the beneficiaries of money we didn't plan on having. My husband handed me a check and said go book your surgery. With that, I immediately made plans to fly to Brazil to have my surgery with Dr. Marchesini.

I arrived in Curitiba by myself on June 29th, had my appointment with Dr M that evening, and surgery was scheduled for the following afternoon.  I woke from anesthesia and immediately began throwing up. It took three shots of three different medications to make it stop. Once it did, I haven't thrown up since. Surgery went perfectly and aside from having difficulty sleeping, I had no complaints. I was NPO for 5 days, not that I wanted anything, but water woulda been nice.

I left the hospital for the hotel where I met my mom who flew in to be with me for a week. My first night was very restless. The recliner they put in my room was extremely uncomfortable and it was impossible to lay down in the bed and be comfortable. The following day, later in the evening, I realized I had a fever. I called Dr M, who immediately left his office and came to the hotel. He thought it would benefit me more being back in the hospital. He personally drove my mom and I there. They did a leak test, which I passed with no problem and then they took some chest x-rays. It showed I had a partially collapsed lung.

I was readmitted to the hospital for 24 hours of IV antibiotics and more therapy. Went back to the hotel the next day and had to have therapy once a day for the next couple of days, as well as shots once a day of whatever antibiotic I was on.

Aside from this little drama, I have had a relatively easy recovery. I don't remember having any pain, very little discomfort, and tolerated everything I put in my mouth. I hit the Brazilian BBQ with some other Americans at about 2 weeks out, where I sampled chicken, beef, a little of this, and a little of that. No issues, no problems.

My last 5 days or so, after my mom left, was the worst time. I was starting to get homesick, I was lonely, and it was winter there so I was cold all the time, the tv sucked, and I had to sit at the little table to use the computer. I was just ready to come home. The flight home was miserably long, but I was really happy to be back.

I am now almost 5 months out. I have had 0 complications or problems. I have no food intolerances. I hit 50% EWL on my 4 month surgiversary, and as of today have lost 76 pounds.

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About Me
New Castle, PA
Location
43.1
BMI
DS
Surgery
06/30/2009
Surgery Date
Mar 03, 2008
Member Since

Friends 53

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