Guest guest Posted September 27, 2000 Report Share Posted September 27, 2000 Laurie, Thanks so much for the info and I'm glad your on the other side. > Hi All, > > Thanks for the thoughts, prayers and good wishes. It feels so good > to be home. I actually enjoyed my vacation from the computer and > realize that I need to back away and spend more time doing other > things. I totally know the feeling of getting addicted to reading > all > of this and watching the sagas unfold while you feel sick about some > of it at the same time. > > Anyway, back to my journey to the other side.... I had my surgery > last Wednesday and was the first one in the morning. My surgery took > about 55 minutes. My fears were never realized, but I did have some > surprises. Strangely, I had two big fears the week before: one was > that I would get to clinic with husband, baby, and parents in tow all > the way from Oio and Dr. R. would turn me down for something I might > have left out of my packet - My packet was not even discussed. No > reason for me to worry there. Secondly, I was terrified about the IV > after a few horror stories in the group. I had never had one and > hadn't been in a hospital since I was 2 yo, but Ruth did my IV and it > was easier than most of the blood draws I have had for my diabetes. > She did a beautiful job and put the IV in about 5 inches above my > wrist on the inside of my arm. Not a bit of bruising!! > > What threw me was how sore I was. The first two and a half days > after surgery I was very sore! It felt like I had been kicked about 3 > times by an angry donkey and then it changed to the pain of maybe > doing 2000- 3000 sit ups. Changing position and using those stomach > muscles hurt! But when it got better, it healed quickly. I also used > my pain pump whenever I was awake enough to know more than 8 minutes > had gone by. I had no intentions of being a martyr. The sensation > when > moving or standing was that the considerable weight that I hold in my > belly (most all of it) was tugging and pulling and ripping at me with > gravity. I was convinced that my " very apple shape " contributed to > my discomfort and that the others who happened to be more " pear > shaped " last week were doing considerably better quicker. > > I discussed this with Dr. R. yesterday and he said that it was not > body shape, but the luck of the draw on whether or not any of your > porthole stabs actually cut or nicked nerves wrapped with your > stomach muscles. Several or my portholes must have hit nerves. He > said when people come and tell him they feel nothing and cannot > believe anything really happened, that they were lucky enough to have > their muscle nerves left intact. IT made sense to me. > > I also had bleeding from several ports the first 3-4 times I got up. > Oh, also - A hint ---- The first pre-op nurse told me early on to > make sure that I went to the bathroom before surgery and I had every > intention, but being first, when things started rolling they went > fast and it never happened. By 12 noon when I was rolled back to my > room and in and out of it, I knew that I had to go!! So first thing > after being in bed 5 minutes, I asked to get up to walk to the > bathroom. I was shaky, but did manage with a little suport. That's > when the ports bled the most. So make it a point to go first:) > > I have no problems eating the clear liquids and a few very soft > foods. I do have the need to sit straight or stand after eating. I > told Dr. R that it felt like I had a very full glass inside and if I > relaxed, slouched or laid down, that it would spill -- not come up. > I > haven't had any feelings like something would come back up at all. > Today, though, I have had cramps in my sides and lots of hiccups. I > cannot figure the waist cramps out. They are uncomfortable. Has > anyone else had this?? BY the way, I had no reflux symptoms at all > before. I could eat a whole pizza lying down (how embarrassing) so > all these gurgle and bubbles are very new to me. > > I am so glad that we went to the Beach (2 hours away) rather than > staying in Durham. I felt close by, but by Saturday felt well enough > to unpack again and carry my 18 mo old and walk a couple of blocks to > the beach. We had a wonderful time and great memories of 's > first real experience with the ocean. > > Two great outcomes so far. First, after Saturday, my fasting blood > sugars began to drop. The last 3 mornings they have been 183, 169 > and today 179. This is without meds and they have not been this low > with numerous meds for over 7 years!! Next, I have severe neuropathy > in my feet which among other things has meant nightly burning, > buzzing > pain that has kept me awake many nights for almost 2 years. I have > spent most of the last year pretty sleep deprived. I have had 4 > nights of 7-7.5 hours of sleep with little to no real pain and no > trips to the potty! I only awoke to shift position since it is still > somewhat of a chore with the soreness. I think this is mriaculous. > I > feel so rested! I never expected these results this quickly. I pray > that the trend will continue. > > The other thing that caught my attention was how much more > comfortable I was on the full day's (13 hours) drive home yesterday. > Most car trips make me crazy. My feet burn and pop, my knees ache, > my > feet swell and my hips hurt. I could never get totally comfortable. > Its torture. Yesterday, I had none of those problems. What is up with > that?? I actually still weigh at the high end for me since all my > " last suppers " ended up adding 20 lbs to my presurgery weight - UGH!! > So the difference has to be checmical/hormonal?? Any ideas. Dr. . > IT sure made the day more pleasant! > > So, overall, I am pleased and thrilled with these first improvements > in my health. Now, I need to stay busy and learn about my new body. > I have never felt so many sensations in my gut before. > > Its time to eat again - > This time I'll have some chicken broth:) > > I will not be posting quite as much. At least that is my goal, but I > am more than happy to share my experience and be a contact privately. > > Best wishes to all you waiting patiently and those of you who are new. > > Laurie in Ohio > surgery 9/20/00 > 5' 8.5 " tall > 319/310 > dmalony*columbus.rr.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 27, 2000 Report Share Posted September 27, 2000 Laurie~ Congratulations on your seeing some postives so soon after surgery! Glad to hear you are doing well. Please keep us updated on your progress, Tricia in IL dmalony@... wrote: > > Hi All, > > Thanks for the thoughts, prayers and good wishes. It feels so good > to be home. > > So, overall, I am pleased and thrilled with these first improvements > in my health. Now, I need to stay busy and learn about my new body. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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