WandaB

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Well, well Aloha everyone! Wow it’s been a while since I’ve been on here hope everyone is doing well! Happy New Year to all! My surgery in September was a success! No problems no blood transfusions & stood in the hospital for only 2 days wooohooo! Healing went perfectly fine still a little tugging here & there but nothing I can’t handle… I’ve accomplish many out door activities since having the revision. I’ve gone on many hiking trails, trails I never dream possible…

Having the gbs has changed my life in so many ways! This was the 1^st family vacation that I was able to ride all the rides and still had room to move around in. Not once I felt tired where everyone had to stop for me. Feb. 1 next month I’ll finally have the surgery for my inner thighs, legs, hips… It’s gonna take at least 2 procedures for this to be done but for now as long as my PS can take a good portion of it off I’m satisfied. I’ll do the 2^nd phase maybe in another year….  Until then life is good, you all hang in there! Aloha!!!

Aloha my friends! 

Sorry it’s been a long time since I’ve visited OH. My GB revision back in Sept 08 has become a history since then life is good! I’m happy to say I can now eat & drink without throwing up, I don’t feel so dehydrated my energy level has been at it’s highest ever!  I’m still eating little at a time currently I’m a 165lbs whoo hooo! Never thought I’d ever see those numbers. Most of the weight comes off my hanging skin from my hips & legs. Seen a plastic surgeon who estimates that alone is roughly 20lbs, once that comes off I should be at least 145. This doesn’t include my stomach I suspect it’s another 7lbs. I’ll be having my 1^st reconstruction done on Sept. 29 that’s just a couple of weeks away immediately after we return from our family vacation. Yes… will be taking the family to Las Vegas, Sea World, Disneyland & Universal Studio. I intend to ride every ride there is that I could do before because I couldn’t fit in the seats. I also intend to return to Knocks Berry Farm to ride that water raft ride this was the one I had to get off because the belt wouldn’t reach! So yeah I’m so looking forward to this trip. I just recently came back from a mini vacation from Hilo and was so excited that I could fit comfortable on the airline seats, I was also amazed that I could cross my legs put them up to my chest & cover myself with a blanket all on one seat!!! I’ve posted some recent pictures hope you all enjoy… Until then my friends I could be found on facebook most of the time I find it amazing! Stay in good health and keep in touch! Aloha,
Wans

Wow! It's been a while since I've been on this site. Everything that I've gone through has just been so overwhelming. I thank my husband for being there for me every step of way and not once complained. Of course I have my family and friends.

The doctors and nurses at the QCWMP have just been so supportive, never once have I felt I was alone!
So to update you on the latest I ended up having the reconstructive gastric bypass surgery all over again. No remember now it has nothing to do with the original surgery. It just so happens that I'm one of those people who heals too well which caused several structures that I ended up having to go in to be dilated. The surgery was already discussed between my surgeons and I a while ago but I was too afraid of having to redo it again.

I just got so tired of throwing up all the time and after a lot of consideration and consultants with my surgeon we went ahead with the surgery. That was done on September 22, 2007. The attempted to go laproscopicly which went well at first, but ended up taking a turn therefore my surgeons had no choice to make a long incision through my stomach. I must say once I was in recovery I started filling my stomach once I felt the bandages in the middle I knew something went wrong and my worst nightmare came true. But when Dr. Bueno came in and explained what had happen and how long the surgery everything just seemed to be okay. I ended up staying in the hospital for 8 days finally was released thank god!!!
By the next week I ended up having an infection with one of the incisions and had to be taken to ER. Once again Dr. Bueno was there late in the evening to take care of me. Eventually things started getting better the good news is now I can eat! Well I make it seem like I can really eat ha but you all know what I mean. I'm not throwing up however Dr. Bueno is still a little optimistic about this just yet. She said if we can make it to 6 months then she'll be happy until then we're just gonna pray and enjoy my future day by day.
I'm so glad I have such a wonderful people who's supported me throughout this whole ordeal if it weren't for them I don't know what I'd do.

Here's some picture of me past and present enjoy and keep your eye on my favorite blue Hilo Hattie pants..

Aloha,

Aloha My Dear Friends,

Yes, yes it's been a while since I last visited this site, and no it's not that I have no interest. It's just a simple four letter word BUSY...

Really since my last dilation I had I ended up having two more, most recent one was last Wednesday. My surgeons used the steroids this time and before last week's dilation I was doing fine for little over five weeks that was an accomplishment in my eyes. So they open me to an inch spooky and yes both surgeons knew how terrified I felt about having to be dilated to an inch in fear I may start to eat too much!!!
Although I know how to eat and portion my servings I'm still worried about picking up the weight I guess that's a fear I'll have to eventually overcome. I didn't do this to pack on the pounds again.
I did this so I could become a healthier person and enjoy the rest of my life with my family which by the way I'm doing. So one way or the other I will surpass this phase as for the dilations well at this point will just have to hope this would be the last.

I was sadden to hear that my surgeon Dr. Murayama was leaving Honolulu. He had decided to move on to much bigger task and take on the responsibilities of being Chief of Surgery for Penn Presbyterian Medical Center but not before he reassured me that I was left in the best of hands.
Sure enough yes I am Dr. Bueno she's a doll!! Wonderful lady also very concern about my well being, caring, compassion and down to earth not just a surgeon but a friend too!
It just made everything seem so smooth and comfortable especially while I'm going through these phases. She came to assist on my last dilation really got involved.
Prior to my dilation she just hung out with me till it was time. We were just talking she reassured me everything was gonna be just fine cause she was there if anything were to go wrong.
I never thought it made much difference but it really did this time around. I was so much more relaxed even though they had to stick me with the IV twice that always happens.

All you people over in Pennsylvania our lost is your gain, and believe me when I say you've gotten the best surgeon on your side he truly is. One thing for sure Dr. Murayama will always be our local boy here!!!

Well nuff of that stuff here's the most recent picture of me. You'll find me using my once famous pants, because I couldn't buy any that fit would me!!! I had to make my own pants and several of them had Hawaiian prints. My husband always called it my Hilo Hattie Pants.
Here's a before and after because I know if you seen just my after picture you would never believed that I use to wear this pants before. Lucky for me I found a picture of me wearing it just last year May... This was my favorite pants of all I don't know how many times it rip but I would sew it up and it's good to go!

Finally after having the 4th dilation everything seems to be doing well in fact well enough for me to finally take my trip to of course Vegas! I would have enjoyed staying at the Excalibur or New York, New York or the MGM hotel where we’d normally stay in but… It was a free trip I won here from one of the radio stations so I was stuck at the California hotel although I spent most of my time on the main strip lucky for me there’s cars whoohoo!!!
My husband and I had a wonderful time especially when it came to SHOPPNG!!! There was NO’S when it came to spending as long as it was for me… I was the most amazing feeling to walk into any outlet store and come out with bags of clothing that fit! They actually fit and well done on that to my surprise I had to buy blouses that was size Medium some of them were a size small can you believe that? OMG I was stoke for the first time in a loooong time this trip was all about ME.
Well eventually all good things had to end and with that said and done it sure did, not in a way I anticipated but it did. I started having difficulty eating towards the ending of our trip. Saturday evening couldn’t hold anything down. Sunday all day couldn’t eat, drink threw-up all day into the evening so we pretty much stood in the hotel room and tried to make the best out of this trip. Thank God Monday we were going back home on the plane just threw-up all the way back. I was just so exhausted by the time we landed I thought I was gonna drop.
I contacted the nurses at Queens did some lab and urine work sure enough I was dehydrated and needed to be hydrated first thing Tuesday morning. In talking with Dr. Falzarano the 4th dilation was suppose to be the last and reconstructive surgery was the last option. But because the last procedure Dr. Falzarano had done lasted little over 3 weeks which is the longest ever both doctors Murayama and Falzarano and I wanted to at least give it one more shot. So Wednesday morning I went in for the 5th dilation. Dr. Falzarano came out smiling which was joy to my eyes, for some reason it just felt like this would be the final procedure I would have to go through. I know I know I said this about the last 4 but this one was a lot different besides I have to say optimistic!!!
“Oh, by the way I took my children to the Farm Fair here and rode the newest ride called The Fire Ball!” I don’t know what I was thinking but because my daughter and son were afraid to ride the Fire Ball with my brother I rode with him instead and guess what? I fitted in the seat!!! I was so excited I could fit the last time I rode a ride like this was back in the early 80’s…
Well enjoy the pictures… Aloha

Monday the 21st was my 4th dilation, I'm trying to stay optimistic but at the same time can't help not to wonder of the negative results. It's only been 2 days since having this procedure done and for sure I'm not going to put my life on hold while going through these phases. I'm not going to say that I'm feeling mighty fine because I just don't know. Looking at me no one would know the problems I've been through and I intend to keep it that way.

There are so many inputs from everyone who loves you and then you start to think how everyone just became doctors and that they all know what's best! It just amazes me all together but what are you going to do? There only showing their concerns and you can't blame them for worrying. I guess my emotional feelings is hidden so well that people are still trying to figure me out! I guess I'll leave it that way..

One thing for sure I'm just glad I have such wonderful doctors and surgeons they are remarkable words aren't enough to described the compassion that I have for them. They've always been up front with me, never lied, and always, always made sure I understood all the possibilities of what could happen.

Dr. Falzarano done the Monday's procedure again he too is a very caring man always concerned and always checking up on me. But this time he did something a little different while in the operating room he told me he'd invited my Bariatric Surgeon Dr. Murayama and Dr. Ramsdell to join in on the procedure I thought that was odd, especially given the last minute notice. Well I remembered looking at the clock and it said 11:24 and started feeling very drowsy when I asked if I've been given anything the answer was yes and that more was to come shortly I'd feel the pain sure enough I was out!!! When the procedure was over I was told Dr. Murayama was in the room the whole time... Wow!!! You really appreciate your doctors especially times like this, he watched the whole thing and between him and Dr. Falzarano they both decided that if this doesn't work there will be no more dilations done. I'm going to have a reconstructive surgery . Sounds very spooky but boy after going through dilations after dilations being stuck with an IV I more times then having the dilations I relieve to know my problems would end sooner then thought...
But like all the others I can only hope and pray that this time it works will just have to wait and see... Watch out for the next update....

Until next time AlOHA!!!!

Just one day before my 4th dilation

You would never know!!!! my daugher and I just hanging out together

April 11, 2008 

I can't belive it's been 6 months already maybe that's because I really haven't been able to go through the phases as I should be ha... 
My actual 6 month check up is next week on the 16th.  However because the situation I've been in seeing my doctor's and surgeon's more often then I should. 

Sine I last updated my blog and after having the second dilation stricture things did not last very long, not at all...   Within that same week things just went down hill.  I couldn't eat and threw up just about everything including my liquids by the time last week Tuesday came around I knew I was in trouble I could not drink anything lucky if I got 48oz of liquids, by Wednesday only 38oz.  Nurse Valerie wanted me to see them first thing Thursday morning and warned me that I may be admitted for dehydration.  Great that was the one thing I've been trying to avoid since having this GBS and how I love to be stuck with an IV.  Well sure enough I was not only dehydrated by my blood count and blood pressure was extremely low, and because I couldn't eat they had an emergency stricture done as well.  
This time they went through my stomach, through my intestines to be sure the hole was wide enough.  Boy was my stomach in pain, normally I'd get up talking and walking with the doctors not this time.  I kept on throwing up. 

At 5pm Dr. Bueno already knew she was gonna admit me into the hospital it wasn't until 9pm when they thought it was safe enough to move me to my room.  If that wasn't bad enough my blood count drop drastically so I couldn't go home on Friday instead had to have blood transfusion one unit, way to go Wanda I thought!!! 
No fun it's very cold and sore going in and had to stay like that until it was done.  On top of that the vampires kept on coming and coming to draw blood I have so much scars on my inner arms you'd think I was some drug person :)

Finally got to go home on Saturday what a wonderful feeling! Came home took a long shower and went straight to bed pretty much for the rest of the weekend.  This has been the 3rd time hopefully this time I don't heal completely.  Yesterday made one week since having this intense procedure done I just hope I heal well but not to where it will close again.  Everyday that went by I was happy to get in my liquids in.  As long as I could get in 68oz of liquids I was on the safe side. 

Today I did a follow up with Dr. Murayama and all went well.  Did I say how much I love this man, he is incredible!!! I along with many others are one lucky person to have him.  Anyway's he gave me the green light to start eating soft foods again boy was that excitement to my ears!!! But then got just a little disappointed when he said I may need one more dilation darn it I thought.  But over all all went well and I got me some pinto's n beans for lunch yum, yum!!

Wow this month surly went fast, too fast!  It seems like only yesterday I had another stricture done come to think of it, it’s been one week now.  I’m still sore around the stomach area and still having problems holding down my foods.  The good news is I know why I’m having these problems.  

Today I was a bit surprise to receive a call from Dr. Falzarano’s nurse I wasn’t suppose to call him until tomorrow but apparently I’ve been on his mind during the weekend.  So I explained my problems I’m still having she relayed the message to the doctor.   What I did not expect was to receive a call from Dr. Falzarano himself.  He called because he was very concerned about me not being able to eat and not having the appropriate nutrition.  The fact that I’m experiencing the pains in my stomach brings more concerns.  So just as I though he confirmed will have to do another dilation to widen my stricture again, but before he does he had me come in to run some testes to make sure I don’t have an infection in or around my stomach area.  If all comes out negative will be looking at next Tuesday to have my third dilation.  Hey listen I’m willing to have as many of these procedures done to avoid a huge surgery that will leave me hospitalize for a week or so. 

I just wish this would all end soon, I’ll be going on vacation next month the last thing I need is to be ill on a trip.  

Stay tune for the next update I know eventually it will get better.  I did this whole wls for a reason and that was to be healthier, to have fun with my children and explore the life I never had.  It will get better I suspect soon…