leopardgirl
My Four Month Surgiversary
Jun 21, 2007
When I get up in the morning, I'm amazed that I no longer hurt from head to toe. My joints don't ache. My whole outlook has changed. For the first time in years, I look forward to the day ahead of me instead of dreading everything I want to accomplish and couldn't do before.
I went to my surgeon's support group meeting the other night, and I stood up in front of around 50 ppl, and thought, I can't possibly do this. I'm not someone to just do something like that, but losing the weight seems to have opened me up to new things. I was lucky that Chickster was out there, so I focused on the people I knew, and my jitters kinda went away, but hey....I'm sure I was rambling on.
I'm going to be an angel for a young lady that's having her surgery with my surgeon on July 18th. Chickster, Kathy and I hope to be able to get together to have dinner sometime within the next couple of weeks. I hope Kathy comes out of lurkdom and chimes in and introduces herself to all of you wonderful people. I truly believe this board is a lifesaver to me. I don't post often, but I read religiously every single day. The questions I have often are asked and answered by the time the day is out. The knowledge here is astounding and taken!
I'm happy to say I've been working out at least twice a week. I love going to the pool and walking for at least a half hour to 45 mins. I'm glad my sister has decided to join with me also.
This forum rocks, the DS rocks, and every day, I thank God for letting me come out of this surgery healthier, and happier!
Three Month Update
May 22, 2007
Well, I can hardly believe it’s been three months since I had my DS. Talk about changes that feel unreal! I’m happy to report that I’m down 67 lbs. so far, and I’ve lost over 47” from my initial measurements. I get up in the morning and I have no pain in my back, ankles or knees. I get around better than I have in years, and I love having energy that I didn’t have a few months ago. I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish half of what I can now with the extra weight on my bones.
I know I don’t post that often, but I read every post every day. This board has been a tremendous amount of help to me, and I’m learning to pay it forward to those at support group meetings or whoever else might ask me in my travels. I know I won’t state this correctly, but it’s nice to be asked how I’m doing this, and to be able to respond that my tool is working the way it was intended. I’m forever grateful to my surgeon, his staff and the hospital staff for taking good care of me.
I know I’ve had a few bumps in the road, but they’re all a distant, fading memory. My family’s the greatest, supported me in ways I can never repay them, and they delight in my progress as much as I do. It’s quite a trip to jump on the scale and see the number going down instead of UP UP UP!
Thanks again to everyone on this board who is willing to share their wealth of knowledge and experience. If it wasn’t for this board I would be lost.
My first blog entry!
Mar 05, 2007
After a long time away from the board, I figured it was time for an update.
First, I want to thank everyone who helped my sister post my updates on the board. She told me how supportive you all have been, and I can’t say I’m surprised at all. This board has helped me tremendously over the past 2 years during my research phase, and to know that you all were thinking about me was exactly what I needed.
I had my surgery on Wednesday, February 21st, and my parents and I arrived bright and early at 6 am. I didn’t realize I could wake up before 5 and still be fresh and ready! LOL
I got prepped and rolled into surgery on time at 8 am, and wasn’t nervous at all. All that screaming in my head made it really hard to be anything but calm! Dr. Bonanni and his staff were wonderful, and it made me feel at ease that Dr. Elariny was watching also. I drifted off, and woke up around 330 pm, and I knew something was wrong, since they told me it was be between 3-4 hrs total time.
As I came out of my morphine haze, Dr. Bonanni explained that he had a hard time with my duodenum and it was hard to reattach the intestine to it as it tore easily. He took his time and kept trying, and was successful. Unfortunately, chemo 7 yrs ago really took a toll on it. I thank God he was able to right the damage, perform a good leak test, and keep it laprascopic. He told me I would have to keep the NG tube in until Monday, and I couldn’t have anything at all to swallow. I thought there was no way I could do it, but I did. I spent the first night in ICU, and everyone there was incredible, caring, just all around wonderful. I was happy to move to the med-surg floor the next afternoon, again, with hospital staff that is just amazing and caring.
On Monday morning they performed another leak test on me (can’t they make that stuff taste like grape or strawberries or something?), and I passed. After dry heaving for 5 days, I thought it would never end, but when that NG tube came out, it was like I was a different person.
That afternoon I was up and around more than I had been the whole previous 5 days. My whole state of mind changed, and I was ready to get this thing into high gear. I was excited to actually do a few laps around the nurse’s station, and the whole staff was cheering me on. Felt good to get out of that bed and feeling like a human being again. My next mission was to get the JP drain out and get discharged, which occurred on Wednesday.
I went and stayed at my parents’ house. My family’s amazing and supportive, and to be honest, I think my dad loved the hospital food to boot! I’m ecstatic to finally be home, showered, walking around like a crazy woman, and trying to get all my fluids in, and harder yet, lots of protein. It’s getting better every day, and I’m amazed at how the DS is working for me.
As of this morning, I’m down 15 lbs. in 11 days. And I’m happy to be back to this family here as well. I’ve missed it, and the strength and support I always receive. Thanks again to you all.
