Diana M.

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Becca K. 23 years, 8 months ago

Happy ONE Year Anniversary to You! I hope that this post finds you healthy and happy. Please remember to drop by and update your profile from time to time. It's important for others to be able to see how we post-ops do on our journeys. You never know who you might inspire. Have a great day.

Diana M. 24 years, 7 months ago

Hello out there in WLS land! I am BACK.....and looking quite a bit like the Chucky Doll too at times! Hair standing straight up...pale face, shadows under eyeballs..you get the pic. Actually I am getting better and better each day. I will post a "tell it all" in a few days, but wanted to let everyone know today that all is going well! My sister Crystal (aka..Nurse Ratchett named thusly by her devious husband who remembered that name from One Flew Over the Cukoo's Nest" :0) ) has been taking wonderful care of me! Even her hubby has been waiting on me hand and foot. Dont' tell them but I may just let this linger on a bit, insert cheshire cat grin on my face here.. Pain is mild most of the day today..definitely can tell I've been roto-rotered inside. I have 5 tiny incisions of which only 2 of which are pretty painful still (plus of course the jp drain in my side). My surgery ended up taking 6 hours vs. the 1 1/2 to 4 hour that is considered "normal" due to (according to the surgeon) a "tremendous amount of scar tissue" they had to work through and around which they believe was caused by some pretty significant prior bouts of pancreatis (now that's news to me!). However they were able to continue and finish with a lap procedure. Food issues are going very well since there is NONE allowed! I am drinking about 8 cups of fluid daily. The only things I have had since August 25 (my last day to eat "real" food prior to surgery..imagine 50 "last" meals and you will get the picture of that entire day!) is crystal light sugarfree lemondade (drinking alot of this), cranberry juice w/no added sugar, chicken broth, vegetable broth (strained) sugarfree jello, and popsicles. I am thankful..please don't let me jinx myself by saying this, but the only bouts of nausua I have experienced was the night following my surgery and the next day and a half. I am having no problems getting my fluids in and make sure I do in order that I not dehydrate which I hear often happens to folks. I also started my vitamin regimine and am faithfully taking everything the surgeon and nutritionist advised. If a complication comes up, it WILL NOT be due to my not following instructions! The LAST place I want to end up is back in that hospital bed! Well I am getting a bit stiff sitting in this hard chair so am going to go now. Take Care and God Bless and thanks to all of you who have been inquiring as to my well being or sharing with me your own. P.S. I do not have access to my email at home, so if anybody wants to send me something before I get there just send it to Crystal's email catkeeper7@forcomm.net we check in periodically to see what's in there. Diana

Crystal L. 24 years, 7 months ago

9-3-01 Happy Labor Day. Diana is improving every day, even my hubby said he noticed she had more color in her face this morning. I would say she is at about 65% of herself. She had a little bit of a scare yesterday when she realized that the gauze and tape around the opening her drain tube comes out of was covered in the drainage fluid, somehow it looks like the drain was pulled out a little bit, she called her visiting nurse and also Dr. Schauer's office and her fears were put to rest (somewhat) after she talked to them. She is just being very careful to do everything by the book, she wants no complications. Both Dr. Schauer and the visiting nurse called back very quickly. Diana said she was going to try to update her profile herself either tonight or tomorrow, it is still hard for her to sit for a long period of time. Anyway, just wanted to do a quick check in and many thanks to Dana and Sue for answering her question about the shakes, she has not experienced them in quite awhile, so hopefully that stage has passed. Thanks everyone, Crystal

Crystal L. 24 years, 8 months ago

8-31-01 Hello everyone, I am sorry that I haven't updated on Diana but with working and going to the hospital I fell behind in my Angel duties. Diana is home (my home) recuperating for the next week or so and she is in some pain, a lot at times but she is handling it fairly well, (hasn't got on my nerves yet that is, :) just kidding. She is constantly moving which is good walked in the hospital twice around the floor every hour and even went up a flight of stairs with the physical therapist's assistance. I say she is at about 55% her normal self, and each day she is getting better. Remember this is MAJOR surgery and even she admitted that she didn't fully realize how much pain she was going to be in. But as I tell her this is temporary pain and to keep focusing on the longterm outcome. I hope she does the same for me(if I am lucky enough to get approval for the surgery). They were able to do the surgery lap and she does have the drainage tube with her. A funny thing a nurse's aid told us to do with the drainage material: Collect it in the fridge and when you are made enough at your husband, say "Honey, there is some cherry KoolAide in the fridge for you" Yuck, but we both got a laugh out of that, actually speaking of laughs, her laugh is hysterical, it sounds like a very weak Woody Woodpecker.....sorry but again, our sense of humor is one of our best qualities. Diana is curious if anyone that has had surgery has experienced episodes of shaking, starting with her legs and when she tried to control her legs, her middle section started shaking then when she tries to control that, her teeth start chattering, she said it is as if she is having seizures but she is coherant during this. Anyone out there experience this? Well, again I apologize for not updating like I should, hopefully, Diana will be feeling better soon so she can get to her profile and update it herself with her witty sense of humor. Take care, Crystal

blank first name B. 24 years, 8 months ago

Diana... Hope all went well with your surgery I am also a paitent of Dr. Schauer. I found out this week I am approved and I am awaiting a surgery date. I really got a lot of info from your posts Thanks! Well good luck and a speedy recovery and best wishes to your sister as well.

MrsGus 24 years, 8 months ago

Dana S. 24 years, 8 months ago

Diana, How's it going? I have been thinking about you and look forward to Crystal's updates. I wish you all the best and a speedy recovery.

Mary H. 24 years, 8 months ago

glad to hear that you came through just fine .will keep up the prayers so hurry home mary

Crystal L. 24 years, 8 months ago

Hi everyone, Diana had her surgery today and although it took a couple of hours longer than they expected she did well. There was some scar tissue that they had to deal with. I just came back from the hospital and she looks pale (to be expected) and holding on to this lollipop looking sponge thing as if her life depended on it (think desert sand throat and you will know what this sponge this is for, to wet her mouth). They said she came through well, I met two of her nurses for tonight Joan and I'm sorry I don't remember the other nurse's name, and from first impressions I know Diana is in great hands, so polite, caring and gentle those two were. Again, thanks to everyone for their prayers and good wishes, I know for a fact that my sister appreciates all of them. I will be going again tomorrow night after work, so I will be updating with any new news. p.s. didn't stay at the hospital long, she kept dozing on and off and hitting that morphine pump (don't worry, it doesn't release a dosage if it is not time) and trying to stay awake. When I told her I was going to leave and let her rest, she very vehemently nodded her head, yes. We are so alike, we curl up and rest and then voila' we are better in no time, hopefully it is the same this time for her. Well goodnight, I'm off to bed, a 3:45am (yes am) alarm will be going off soon. Goodnight and again thanks!

Jaynismile 24 years, 8 months ago

OOOPs!! sorry about that first post...I was a lil over anxious and hit enter before writing to you. Whooops!!! Anyway, Diana, I just wanted to leave you one more message before you cross over to the "better" side. I will be thinking about you tomorrow and my thoughts and prayers will be with you!!! Crystal...UPDATE!! UPDATE!!! UPDATE!!! I'm so glad that I got to meet you on this journey...and I can't wait to see the outcome!!! If you need anything...call or write!!! Jaynie