rhersheybar
I keep thinking I'm going to post my story and then never get around to it! I guess it's time. For one thing, I didn't want to be discouraging to anyone else--but here goes!
I started 2006 at 294 pounds (I never dreamed I'd put that in print!) with type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, asthma, high cholesterol, arthritis, borderline high blood pressure, and other weight-related problems. My 2 children were getting to the age that they were going to be marrying and starting families and I desparately wanted to be able to enjoy my grandchildren. When I talked to my family doctor about the surgery, she shocked me by saying it would probably cure what would kill me in the next 5 to 10 years! I had just turned 51 and didn't want to think about dying that young! So I started my journey to a new life on January 16th.
My surgery went fine, my post-op was normal, and after 5 weeks I had lost 50 pounds, was back at work and leading a normal life. Then something happened that changed my life forever. On Saturday, February 25th I started feeling bad and as the day progressed, it got worse. I was throwing up and getting weaker as the day went by. My husband came home as I was throwing up again and he noticed that it was blood! He called the bariatric doctor on call, who met us at the emergency room. That's the last thing I remember for about 5 weeks.
I was immediately admitted to the hospital to be monitored. Unfortunately, the week-end staff didn't realize how serious I was. When Dr. Symmonds saw me Monday morning I was in critical condition--I had a small bowel obstruction that went undiagnosed; the intestine started leaking and I went into septic shock. That is how he found me.
I spent the next 5 weeks in ICU in a drug-induced coma. Dr. Symmonds did 7 surgeries on me in the next 2 weeks, leaving my abdomen open and covered with Saran Wrap. No one expected me to pull through--they even brought my kids in to tell me good-bye. My new motto is: The doctors don't have any control when God has His hand on you. Luckily I don't remember any of it.
When they finally brought me out of it, I was unable to speak because of my trach tube, I couldn't walk, sit up, or use my hands, etc. Basically I was a vegetable who was confused and didn't know what was going on. After 2 months at Scott & White, I was moved to Santa Fe for rehab. I spent a total of 3 months in the hospital and got out just in time to attend my daughter's high school graduation.
Today is the anniversary of my new life--I no longer have diabetes, my blood pressure is normal, sleep apnea is gone, haven't used asthma inhalers for a year, pretty much all my weight related problems are gone. I do still take medicine for cholesterol, but my skinny mom does, too! I've lost 150 pounds--more than I weigh--and am smaller than I ever have been.
As far as my health, I'm still recovering. My upper lip is numb and probably always will be (the ventilator rested on it and caused a huge sore according to my husband). I suffered nerve damage in both arms and hands and one leg. The foot has numbness and sensitivity but I walk okay. I have numbness in both arms and hands and have trouble using them. Hopefully I'll get more back, but I do fairly well. I still have to have help with some things, but considering where I was just 6 months ago, I'm doing great! I know exercising will help me get my strength back, and I need to keep working at it.
I'll end up this lengthy saga with the questions I'm always asked. Am I glad I did it? Definitely! I look better and feel better than ever. Would I do it again knowing what I know? I honestly don't know. God has used this experience in so many ways and I'll never know how many lives I've touched. But I missed about 6 months of my life, missed my daughter's senior year in high school, and so many other things.
I would like to end with some advice to anyone considering surgery or early post-op. Don't even consider this unless you have a strong advocate (spouse, family member, friend) with you. If it weren't for my husband, family and friends, I'm confident I wouldn't be here today. My husband actually saved my life on one occassion. Second, be watchful of any problems and DEMAND something be done. My husband kept requesting help the week-end I was admitted; now he knows to demand it. No one knows your body better than you, and when something is seriously wrong, you know it!
If anyone would like to correspond or ask me questions, that's fine with me. I'm obviously willing to talk about my experience and I'd love to be able to help anyone I can.
