Hello all, back home but no fun really...

[Guest guest]

To begin with I think the effects of PTSS should be eliminated from

posts. You may not remember all the bad things about the process

but having a head injury and peculiar memory patterns I remember

every little detail. From the doctors telling that they had to

intubate while I was awake because of apnea. I remember the

breathing tube and the fun in the post op ICU and the NG or drainage

tube down my nose and into my throat and onto the surgical area.

That drain was hard to get around the choking every time I spoke or

swallowed. I kept asking for wet gauze to put in my mouth and that

eliminated the gagging (as much). I then began bleeding as it was

discovered in two separate bowel movements in the inetensive care

unit. My only relief came when the first tube came out and then I

went to get the pictures to see if the barium leaked from the

surgical are or not. It was picture perfect and the the barium was

delicious after not having anything to drink for 2 days. I was able

to bypass the 'scope' procedure because I fit into the table for the

xrays. After that tube came out I was able to have my first

liquids. Broth WAY too salty but the water felt good. Day 2 I was

moved to a private room and had an uncomfortable but better night.

Moved up to pureed foods where I will stay for a while. The diet

trays have to be watched particularly when one developes diabetes

after the surgery as I did. Blood tests every hour and two types of

insulin. Just before anybody asks I was NOT diabetic prior to the

operation. I am part of a study as to why this happens and my blood

sugar was under control by the time I checked out yesterday. The

third day I was able to get up and walk and went to bathroom. My

first experience was a bowl FULL of blood. Naturally I freaked out

and even the attending nurses said that was not normal. I slowly

subsided and I was feeling better the next morning. I have had hot

flashes and slight fevers steadily but still moving around and not

much trouble from the surgical area. I am feeling a bit better now

but not as pretty a picture as most post due to the fact that I

think time passes and memories fade. It would have been a LOT more

comforting to expect these little 'discomforts' such as when they

remove the drain tube. As of now I STILL do not regret my choice

but wish even with all the research and such people would have

shared more of nasty sides to this procedure. Of which there are,

obviously, many. Regardless of how it pays off in the end it is a

big step and one must make sure they are truly ready. I was being

tied down to the table when they told me they would give me

a 'twilight drug' before the intubation. However I remember every

second of it with gagging and pain and fear. I was ALMOST ready to

say, " okay lets forget it " and go home. Then I realized. If I had

gone home I would have CERTAINLY still had the heart problems, still

had the gurd and reflux, still ALWAYS had to use the Bipap machince,

still always had high blood pressure and would have almost for sure

develope diabetes. In short. lol I'm home and will only respond to

a few posts for the next week or so. I LIVE! and I'm home and

graduated to a Post Op... Thank you all