Angelmom

Managed to get a shower, and walk the stairs with relative ease on the way up. Later in the day, I drove my daughter to dance class at the YMCA, and I sat in the park on my chair, reading the paper and trying to enjoy being outside for the first time since I went in the hospital. My son played with a friend at the park, too. Time passed slowly...but it was chilly, uncomfortable, and way past an hour when my son came over to me and I asked him to try and find his sister. I sat there feeling very vulnerable. There were way too many mutts there, and I'm deathly allergic to animals, and have some hefty asthma...so I didn't appreciate the way people were treating the public park like a private dog park. Some of the dogs were pretty large, strong and unruly, and near me...though I picked a semi-private spot to sit and try to relax. Then the hoodlums showed up, as did smokers and other characters. I was looking through one of the newspapers that have piled up and I saw an article about the person who got hired for a position I thought I would have a good chance at...and the article said that the guy they hired was groomed for the position, ect. I was told that when I was subbing in that district...and the article denied it...but there was one vote down by one of the board members for that cited reason...you know it's true...and I'm jobless and worried about that too!...then this political who-you-know crap takes over....so anyway....My daughter was not coming back, though her lesson is only 30 minutes long. I was in pain...belly hurting and feeling squished on itslef from sitting up and from my arms being close to the sides of my belly. I started to worry that my daughter might be in trouble....and that I am in such a vulnerable position that I wouldn't even be able to look for her. She wasn't coming back out...and I just sat there getting upset--because a red car tried to kidnap some children in a town not too far from here, and ready to cry...worrying about being forced to move out of our place, or being attacked-in my post surgical state...or having my child go missing...or get a chest cold from my irresponsible son--which would land me back in the hospital...and whatever else came into my head...because of how weak and dependent I am right now...plus I was cold and hungry. I am all we have...and I feel like it's taking forever to get better. ....I had felt ok this morning enough to even put some of my smaller clothes on to see how they fit...just a couple blouses that I got too fat to wear...I was a bit worn down from the shower and being up moving around, so I took a rest--that my son woke me up from. My girl wanted to go to dance...so I felt things out and thought I could sit there for half an hour and make the drive over to the Y...but it just made me hurt. I have had to take my pain meds, tonight. I feel guilty that my daughter is looking after me....she shouldn't have to. I feel teary-eyed, today, after being stuck in the park. My daughter said she was sorry for not coming out right after the lesson. She was learning some new steps after class. Once we got home and I sat in my recliner...she made me tomato soup, and she prayed for me, and told me I was safe and not to worry and that she likes doing these little things for me....and then she gave me her stuffed horse that I gave to her when she went in the hospital the last time. I sure hope this was worth it...that I lose the weight and am much better off than I am now, or have been in a long time. I think what I have to do is lean on Jesus. I didn't go into this lightly, or without the guidance of the Lord...and as I feel so vulnerable...now is the time to lean on Christ...so that's what I'm trying to do.

The workouts don't need to be so intesnse, from what I've experienced. TRaining really hard can actually do damage to your joints...as it has done to mine. Getting 3-20minute walks in has the same effect on the body as walking for 60 minutes. Some people may be able to do the hardcore stuff...but some cannot, and the walks split up like I do, works as well. I also would not risk having solid food in my sleeve...because it CAN spring a leak and cause problems...why take that risk. Be happy with the weight you are losing and just be careful...you'll get there. That's what seems to work for me.

I gave up other tougher, more meaningful things...like ice cream and food...and I drank quite a bit of green tea, which has minimal caffeine in it, but which satisfied. I started making Lipton special teas, and crystal lite...experimented with generic mixes...and had diet soda sometimes. I had a small craving for some diet soda a bit yesterday, but honestly the Crystal lite does the trick. Maybe I'll have some diet soda down the road, but nothing off the menu is worth the risk while my stomach and wounds are still healing.

Yesterday I drove to Geisinger, Danville for my post-op appointment...I thought 11 days was too soon for that, but could not get the appointment changed...so I drove there and took my daughter with me to help. The appointments went well. My surgeon is the best!..best at her job, and best at treating patients like human beings...etc. She is up on all the latest research, as well. It was good to see her, and we gave her a small jar of our home-made jam...which she was so happy to get. I had put 2x2's on each of my 6 slices, for extra protection, and when the surgeon went to look at the incision sites, the tape had causes an inflamed, red, itchy reaction everywhere there was tape. As it turns out, the backs of my calves had been painful, especially the left one, for a couple days after I got home from the hospital. I thought they were sore from my junky recliner foot rest, but turns out they might have been clots forming. I did walk, several times per day and had the pressure boots on in the hospital. There was swelling in the ankles and lower legs, and my daughter put the stockings on and we elevated the legs with pillows when I was sleeping or trying to rest a bit, and that took care of it...but the doctor sure was concerned. Thank goodness I was able to give myself the blood-thinner shots, because I think they helped. Apparently, the amount of pain I have felt is "normal," though I was illprepared for it! I am right on track for healing, and should get my energy back in 6 weeks. Still not allowed to lift or bend or squalt for anything...which I am fine with. My bowels had not moved, so I now have Miralax to take...fun, fun, fun! I also mentioned to the surgeon that the nursing care I received caused me setbacks, and I wondered if anything was going to change, and she told me that the doctors have been trying to change the nursing care--lack of--but that the hospital considers doctors to be "employees" and the hospital will not listen to doctors. Go figure! The nutritionist said I can have eggs, cottage cheese, and ricotta cheese...and all I like of those is eggs, but Honestly, I am satisfied with my few protein shakes and crystal lite. The problem wiht that nutritionist is he wanted to touch my incisions, and he did NOT wash his hands! I had to tell him "don't touch me, you didn't wash your hands." He then told me that he washed before he came in the room. I said, "but you touched the doorknob, the computer keyboard, the mouse, and other things, and I don't do germs, and don't want an infection." Then he got up and sanitized--instead of washing...but he still didn't get to touch me much. The nurse put the bp cuff on me the wrong way, AGAIN, and did not clean the cuff. I asked her if it was cleaned when she was about to put it on me, and she said, "we don't clean those between patients." I said, please clean it, because I don't want other people's germs on me." She reluctantly cleaned it. Then she put the thing on my arm with a big gap at the elbow point, and tight at the top...I told her it was not on right, and that I'm sick and tired of getting black and blue marks on my arms. She kept adjusting it wrongly, and so I had to show her to criss cross the velcro a little so that the tops and bottoms had even space betwee the cuff and arm. After that, she put her thumb on the stethoscope...also wrong procedure--since the thumb has a pulse that can be mistaken for a person's heart beat. The other nurse at the other apointment did the same thing....and I told them both that I've been through nursing school, and know how to take a bp, and this isn't it. I'm going to write the hospital administrators a letter to try and change some of these problems. I still have black and blue marks at the top of my arms from when i was in the hospital. I had a couple other things to write, but can't remember what they were...the brain is still half in a fog. I have lost 3 more pounds, and have not been this "light" since about 6 years agoo when I was putting myself through undergrad school...and on the rise as far as weight goes. It's sweet to be losing weight. I have visions of myself going upstairs to my massive amount of clothes in all sizes, and trying on some pretty things!....nice jeans, here we come! I am worried that I will gain weight back at the 6 month mark...the doctor said that's a critical time for a lot of bariatric patients...I'm worried, but have no plans to gain weight... I want it off, and then to work at keeping it off. What a waste to have the surgery, go through living hell, and then gain the weight back! I guess it's something to beware of, and work on not having it happen. Went for a drive to the store to stock up on food for the children...made me tired and drained...at least I am up and around, getting exercise. My belly does not like pants, or sitting in a car. I'm looking forward to being all better...and having lost the weight, and being able to eat normally.

Pain was excrutiating, worse than child birth because it is constant...only being completely still helped....and they won't allow you to be still...so be prepared for that! Some people don't have that kind of pain, I read. As for the nausea, mine wasn't bad, and was easily treated by using the tongue dissolving tabled and patch behind the ear. I'm 10 days out and if I had a job, would not be able to go back. I don't know about feeling normal....I do know I am out of the massive amounts of pain, and able to walk around...hunched, guarded, and slowly, but that's a significant improvement from the torture I felt. No anxiety for me...though I spent countless hours talking with God about it and countless months exercising and preparing for it...but NOT for the bypass at all! Make sure your nurses take care of you and do not let you lay in a stretcher in the hall, laid back...because they did that to me and my lungs were partway collapsed and I have asthma and my lungs got worse. My quality of care was quite lacking. And...get the druvgs! Make sure those nurses don't lapse on your meds, and that they help you get a boost up in your bed, or whatever you need.

Slept well, first time since getting home. Got brave and made the twins egg sandwiches....but got tired out fast. Son not listening well...I ended up crying because there isn't one thing he does that doesn't have some grand problem attached to it. He's been sick with a cold since I was in the hospital. Now he has to wear a mask, not touch banisters, clean up more often-particularly in the common areas. What he does is touch everything, not clean his hands, and not listen when I ask for something...like when I called him downstairs to get him out of his room for a change...and I asked him to clean his hands and get the SpongeBob mugs for the hot chocolate....he took so long to do whatever it was he was doing--not what I asked him to do, clearly...that I had to do it myself. It's one thing after another...he's the only one upstairs, and has the whole bathroom to himself...I just wanted him to clean the doorknobs, sinke, toilet, and make sure the tub wasn't trashed so I don't come away from the shower sick or with some kind of infection...did he clean it up? Nope! I was crying because there I was sitting on the hard cedar chest, holding myself up with the metal walking stick that goes to the exercise trampoline--which I never use, anyway. I told him a piece of my mind...because we have been preparing for this for months, and he should know better than to trash the place! He's 14, and I took care of him all these years, through all his surgeries...and last year, he was out of school for 3 months, at which time, I nursed him and did homeschooling so he wouldn't get behind. You'd think that would motivate him to help me by cleaning up afte himself. It's so frustrating. Even with his special needs, there is no excuse for not doing basic things to help me. Needless to say, I was exhausted after waiting around a nd standing there, and yelling at him, and getting emotionally upset and everything...and I took an afternoon nap. My friend came over to rehearse for the Halloween skits we do for Eckley Miner's Village...and she still has it in her head that I am going to be involved, though I told her over and over that I'm not. I don't even know if I can do the sewing of a few costume pieces...the belly does not like being rubbed...not even by soft nightgown cloth. I might just have to tell her "no" and give her the stuff back altogether. She may get her feelings hurt, but honestly, that's not my problem...I have to take care of me. Tomorrow I have to drive myself to the hospital for the post-op check up and visit with the nutritionist. It's an hour and a half drive...and I don't want to go. In an effort to prepare for that, I have cut way back on pain meds. I wish I had help, or family that gave a care about me...that would help me get a ride there and back. At least I have my 14 year old daughter who will go with me and help me get to the office. She can make up her cyberschool classes in the evening or next day. I'll have to try and help her. I have also lost 2 more pounds, today...if 2lbs a day loss keeps happening...gee, I'll be in my smaller and prettier clothing in no time at all....at least I see that side of things now. The pain is a lot less but not gone. I still have to lift myself up into the back of the recliner after I manage to sit down, and now the one side/arm is loose. I hope it does not break before I'm better enough to climb the stairs every night for bed. The chair has been really comfortable to sleep in, actually, better than my bed. My back hurts now but nothing like it does when I get out of my bed....maybe I'll make the recliner my bed. I cannot get all that protein in. I try and get close, but it's just too much. I do think about eating real food...but then I don't really want any real food either. I've gone back to adding water to my sugar free carnation protein packets...helps it taste better and go down better. I can't wait to ge some bariatric soups or other foods that fit the diet...I'm so sick of these 2-3 things. On the other hand, I am very fortunate not to have some of the problems others seem to have. I hope my restricted stomach does it's job. Gas is an issue, though. Every time I put something in my stomach, I feel the gas pains...still wondering if the "food" is pushing the gas down, stimulating peristalsis, thereby pushing the gas toward the exit sign. I hope so, and that I'm not drinking too fast. I can hardly believe it's been 10 days since the procedure...seemed like it would never get here and now it's passed. I itch like crazy, so I imagine that soon, this day will seem like years ago, in the not-too-distant future.

Ty! I'm trying.

I know it's not an appeal...just sounds like a lot of the rigamoro of appeals others of us have gone through...just as frustrating and annoying. I meant in the future you could try and combat the weight gain by keeping food logs...always helps me. Got to try somehow.

For my nausea, I have a patch that I wear behind my ear, and that I change every 3 days. The doctor also gave me a dissolves-in-you-mouth anti-nausea pill that I take every 6 hours...which works like a charm. Maybe that can work for you.

That sounds pretty good. I'd love to do the P90x, and would like to get some kind of decent ab workout for my middle, for after I lose weight. I have one of those bellies that sticks out no matter what weight I am...people ask me if I'm pregnant a lot...which I hate, but which I've become used to. Usually they are far more embarrassed for opening up their big mouths....but I really would like to get rid of the belly. I like your work out. I think we are going to do more with the exercise ball...leaning backward off it and tightening the abs...see if that helps me.

Sounds like you are kind of doing the appeal battle that a lot of us have to do....basically the same thing...feeling run around...no hurry, etc. I sure hope you are ok. The big reason I did not want the lapband was because of what's happened to you...that and I didn't want a foreign object in me, or to have to have needles to get fills....not for me. I can't believe you'll gain the weight back. I think you should hunker cown and get your food logs going and restrict yourself to Protein shakes and 1500 calories...I highly doubt you'll gain all that weight if you try and fight it...at least until you get your revision. I dont have PCOS...but who knows...isn't there a way we all can battle the buldge?

I have been using it for years, ever since I lost a large amount of weight years ago and my hair fell out. What I do is use the shampoo...only a little needed, and i put it right on top of my scalp where the thinning is worse, and spread it from there. I put the conditioner...just a little right on the most sparse part and massage it out from there, while getting some on the hair line/forehead, as well. It really does help.

I don't have to be a doctor to state my own experiences and have a conversation with someone. Get a life, and leave me alone, or I'm going to report you.

To those of you whom are so offended...I told the truth as it was told to me. My children were 1lb14 oz and 2lb 21/4 oz and were basically born dead...had heart surgery, chf, bpd, pneumothoraxes, ricketts--and all that goes with that, nec, hydronephrosis, massive infections and transfusions, and i could go on and on. I know first hand what 2lb and 4lb and now 120lb babies go through ...and you cannot compare children to adults...your argument is moot....not at all relevant. If the lady does not like what my experience has been...she doesn't have to take my advice. it's that simple...if someone is "offended," that's not really my problem. I have more medical and life experience than most people will ever get regarding children. It's not relevant. And, I don't appreciate being baggered about what my experience was.

I tried to puree some hamburger from a pan of Hambuger Helper that I made while preparing for surgery, before I left for the hospital, in an effort to be prepared. It wouldn't break down in my small shake mixer. How does one puree things? Is there a special machine? I would like real food too...but just try to get protein in, and drink enough fluids.

Like I said...some kind of allergic response, or fitness.

Actually, unless you are allergic to anesthesia, having smooth sailing during the procedure has everything to do with fitness on the inside...everything., and I thin k you should work on that asap. The surgeon's team told me this...it's not me making it up. Good luck to you.

...until you're ready for your 16's! haha! woohoo!

Mine have been driving me crazy also...8 days out, here. Itching and hurting...and little droplets of blood here and there. I would think putting anything on them would be bad. I have this white salve that is supposed to take pain away on booboo's. I thought about using a teeny bit of that.

Popcorn and pretzel nuggets with jalapeno cheese sauce! I figure I'll be able to eat two of those, and be stuffed..which is ok, as long as I'm satisfied.

Wow...that's quite a story. I'm amazed you didn't have pain right off...I had it, massively, and it stuck around like that for days and days. I was in the hospital for 4 days, and really should have stayed longer. I wonder if you exercised beforehand? I did, and they said I was, "in shape" on the inside, and a "star patient." I thought that was odd because of my size and pain. I wonder if you exercised....flatlining is no joke! I was fortunate that my exercise prevented anything like that for me. I hope you are ok, and that you get an ekg just to be sure you are ok.

I'm down 2.6 lbs again, this morning. I'm tired from trying to do some things yesterday and from the increase in pain from moving around. The belly binder works nicely to stop the jiggling, but it itches and kind of rubs the one incision line, and is making it bleed a little, so I took it off instead of loosening it, to allow the slice lines to get air. Pain is higher without the binder on, though. Monday is my post-op appointment, and I have no one to drive me, so I'm going to have to do it myself. They office wont' change the appointment, either....so, I'll take it easy this weekend, and just try to get that healing protein in...and dream a little of meatballs at the Bloomsburg fair. I have not been this "light" since the beginning semesters of my internships a few years ago. I cannot wait to get down a lot more. Seeing some pounds fall off me is ecouraging...helps me be strong and motivated, and feel a little more positivity, and helps me to look to the future more. My son is still ill, and he is wearing a face mask. He must shower as soon as he gets in the door, and sanitize his hands every 15-60 minutes. I missed my little buddy, since he has to stay in his room to protect me...so I had him come down here with me and keep real clean and away from me so he can watch some tv. My intercostal muscles still hurt. I had felt like I had the body aches from flu after the surgery, and that stiffness and soreness is still here. I'm still black and blue from being dug with needles in the hospital, but at least those sites don't hurt, anymore. I want to stop taking pain meds....maybe Sunday will be a good day for that....since I have to be on the road at 7am on Monday to drive an hour and a half to the hospital.

Wow...my surgery was Sept 6th, and I can barely lean to one side, let alone roll onto a side. The only thing i'm managing to do is open the binder off when sitting. I have it completely off right now for the first time, to get air to the wounds, and try and stop the skin irritiation on the stretch marks. Other than that, it's sit on desk chair, or recliner padded with pillows.

I took three sets of clothing, five undies and socks. I needed only the clothese on my back from presurgery, and a pair of sneakers that I loosened the ties on so that i could slip them on and off and walk. Chapstick is good to bring, and that's about it. Lighten your load. You won't be wearing clothing in there, just a gown, and you won't want anything else either...just rest...which you won't get much of because you'll be getting pain meds, i.v's and walking, trying to bear the pain and go to the bathroom. The clothes you wear in pre-surgery go right into a bag and stay there until you leave, and you can put them right back on. I would suggest shower shoes so that if you felt up to it, you could keep your feet clean from the floor...but I was unable to shower, and could barely wash my face.

Percocet may take some time to exit the body...if you were having a side effect from that, maybe you still are. You might still have partially collapsed lungs. The treatment for both is deep breathing, coughing, and walking around. You may coincidentally be developing asthma. Even for that...deep breathing and trying to elongate your chest when you are sitting and walking, helps. Definitely tell the doctor. I'd call daily. Maybe you need a temporary albuterol inhaler....it's a rescue inhaler that we, asthmatics use, and it works well. Drink plenty of Water, too. I am so sorry that you had to have another surgery. That truly stinks, and I cannot imagine what that must be like, and I pray that I don't need another one...because I could barely get by from the pain of the other one...torture is what it is. God bless you and keep you safe! cindi