It frightens me that I may forget the way I was.
Here I am 4 months and 10 days post-op. Everything is bright and new. SWMBO has had her surgery and is healing wonderfully. She is tolerating all her soft mushy foods. I have had very few issues in my healing process. I am working out, getting smaller in physical size, but stronger everyday. Shopping for clothing that fits is a blast. Goodwill is my friend. Getting rid of the Big Guy clothing is even more rewarding.
But, I am frightened that I may loose touch with these feelings.
It is already difficult for me to remember that way I was just four months ago. I am glad that I have blogged and kept a photo record of the journey. I don't see that man in the mirror any longer. The round face, the squinky eyes. Yes, I said squinky. No grief please, I know its not a word....yet. But, I don't see that guy any more. Just like I don't remember Jim Ranes revision 1992. I bring that up, because today I am just 10 pounds away from being that man again. I will be the same weight I was in very early 1992. I was 31 years old then and was about to cross into 300 pound territory, and did not even realize it. It was the beginning of, as a close friend of mine has called it, "The Downward Spiral".
Please Lord, don't let me forget this.
That spiral for me wasn't one of pain and suffering, at least until recently, but more one of apathy and excess. Apathy in the way I took care of myself and excess in the foods that I consumed. How can we, as educated, adult people, not see what we are doing to ourselves with food. As a Businessman, with many clients, it has become very painfully obvious lately about the size of portions that we, as Americans, eat on an all to often routine basis. It is crazy, just crazy. A wise man has said that God's only mistake, (I believe He has made none) is making our stomachs the size that He did. We could easily survive with stomachs 1/2 or 1/3 the normal size. I know I survive with a pouch the size of a walnut. We as a nation are killing ourselves with food.
I will not forget this!
Very well, off the pulpit. I just want to thank all of you, the readers of this blog for your support and prayers. It is still an amazing and crazy ride. Intoxicating to say the least. I am 8 pounds away from 1992. Oh, I am so glad to be 32 again!
Current Stats
Current Weight - 308 pounds (130 pounds gone) Goal 200 Pounds
Waist 46 inches ( 16 inches gone forever) Goal 38 inches
Shirt Size - Comfortable Regular Store 2X (Big Mans 5X just 4 months ago) Goal L/XL
Yep - I love this life and I won't forget! (Thanks Shrinkydink)
Friday, March 28, 2008
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Mar 19, 2008 - I am Living Again.
Today is a Big Day for me.
I don't normally chart my weight loss until Monday morning. However, I did chart it today. I have lost 125 pounds as of this morning. Four months ago this morning, I was being wheeled into an operating room for the very first time in my life. I did not expect exhileration, I did not expect to be intoxicated by life, I did not expect to make, what I consider to be really, really great new friends.
I just wanted to have a chance at living again.
I am pretty sure, no, I know for a fact, I received all of the above. I am routinely exhilerated at the results that GBS has brought me. Watching, actually seeing my fat melt away. I continue to live in an intoxicated state, intoxicated by the comments, compliments, support, results - you name it. Can life really continue to get better than it is right now still weighing 313 pounds? That is difficult to comprehend. Friends. Let me say, that I have made a group of new friends, that have shared similar experiences - that have become real friends. People that I know I could go to with GBS issues, or personal issues. People that look out for me and lovingly warn me when I say something stupid, which can be often.
And I know that I am living again.
This week I was lucky and happened to see the first Robin fly into the neighborhood. Several hours later there were 20 or so in my yard. The sights and sounds of spring are commencing in my neighborhood. I always look forward to that. The first Robin. The rebirth of the new year. The new progression of seasons. This year, the sights and sound of spring have commenced in my life. The rebirth of a vibrant, healthy man. A new progression in life.
Yep, I am living again.
I don't normally chart my weight loss until Monday morning. However, I did chart it today. I have lost 125 pounds as of this morning. Four months ago this morning, I was being wheeled into an operating room for the very first time in my life. I did not expect exhileration, I did not expect to be intoxicated by life, I did not expect to make, what I consider to be really, really great new friends.
I just wanted to have a chance at living again.
I am pretty sure, no, I know for a fact, I received all of the above. I am routinely exhilerated at the results that GBS has brought me. Watching, actually seeing my fat melt away. I continue to live in an intoxicated state, intoxicated by the comments, compliments, support, results - you name it. Can life really continue to get better than it is right now still weighing 313 pounds? That is difficult to comprehend. Friends. Let me say, that I have made a group of new friends, that have shared similar experiences - that have become real friends. People that I know I could go to with GBS issues, or personal issues. People that look out for me and lovingly warn me when I say something stupid, which can be often.
And I know that I am living again.
This week I was lucky and happened to see the first Robin fly into the neighborhood. Several hours later there were 20 or so in my yard. The sights and sounds of spring are commencing in my neighborhood. I always look forward to that. The first Robin. The rebirth of the new year. The new progression of seasons. This year, the sights and sound of spring have commenced in my life. The rebirth of a vibrant, healthy man. A new progression in life.
Yep, I am living again.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
March 12, 2008 - Plugging Along
As I myself have experienced this, I am sure this is easier for me that it is for Sandy. The pain at the incision site has remained pretty constant. The blasts of Loritab cut it, make a minor dent, but don't really dull the consistency. Whenever she moves, I can see the pain in her face. However, she is a trooper, and is working through it all.
From a treatment point of view, she is still receiving Loritab Elixir for pain ever 4 hours, with Morphine supplements as necessary. She has taken no morphine since last evening. Bladder evacuations are great. Liquids still at 1 ounce per hour. They have had to introduce Potassium and her Potassium is slightly low. Heparin and Pepcid twice per day. Sandy is walking great and really cannot wait to get home and Dr White thinks it could be Thursday but probably Friday.
I will keep blogging as we go through this again. Thanks for following.
From a treatment point of view, she is still receiving Loritab Elixir for pain ever 4 hours, with Morphine supplements as necessary. She has taken no morphine since last evening. Bladder evacuations are great. Liquids still at 1 ounce per hour. They have had to introduce Potassium and her Potassium is slightly low. Heparin and Pepcid twice per day. Sandy is walking great and really cannot wait to get home and Dr White thinks it could be Thursday but probably Friday.
I will keep blogging as we go through this again. Thanks for following.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Mar 11, 2008 - Apprehension to Joy
I cannot say that yesterday was easy. I believe it was harder for me then when I had my surgery. Especially with the amount of research that I now have done pertaining to GBS, I believe for Sandy's surgery, I would have liked to remain ignorantly blissful!. She left the pre-op prep room about 2:00 pm. Knowing that a skilled GBS surgeon can do the Lap RNY in about 45 min to an hour, when the clock passed 3:30 pm, I knew there were issues. I was in a good IM with my buddy Gwennie the Pooh when I looked at my watch again and it said 4:00 pm. What was left of my fingernails quickly was removed, when I saw our Surgeon, Dr. Thomas White walking toward me with a smile. 
Sandy was out of surgery and she did great. He was very happy with the outcome, but, and there it is, the big but, he had to go in and do the surgery open. The adhesions were too bad from the previous surgeries in the abdominal region. But, other than that, all was well. Relief immediately ensued.
At abot 5:45 PM she was wheeled up to her room in 5E. Again, I need to say, these are some great nurses here. They got her checked in, hooked her up to the morphine PCA, oooohhh! Morphine - her BP monitor, her oxygen monitor and her IV. Sandy slept on and off for a few hours and was resting well. She has the fabulous OnQ Painbuster Installed, and pain management is well in order. About midnight, we got her up to walk and she took a lap around the 5E wing. All in all, she did really well.
Tomorrow, we expect the leak test, removal from the PCA, drinking 1 beautiful cool ounce of water per hour and introduction of the Loritab for pain control.
Thanks for following the blog and for your prayers for SWMBO and myself. We appreciate all of you.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Mar 9, 2008 - Excited and Apprehensive
I know I should not be apprehensive, as I have gone through this myself. SWMBO is having her surgery in 24 hours. She was approved in 6 days, had her Surgeons appointment last Tuesday and is having Surgery just six short days later. I am not fearful, nothing like that. I have complete faith in my God, complete faith in our Surgeon, but as any loving husband should be, I still think I am a bit worried about the anesthesia and all that goes along with any surgery.
I am however, very excited. SWMBO and I get to really share this journey together. So, again it begins. Four hospital days, healing, and a new life. Buckle up, it is a wild one. I will blog throughout the week. Be Well.
I am however, very excited. SWMBO and I get to really share this journey together. So, again it begins. Four hospital days, healing, and a new life. Buckle up, it is a wild one. I will blog throughout the week. Be Well.
Feb 24, 2008 Plateaus - Oh, the Beauty and Granduer!
I looked up plateau in Wikipedia today. Wiki said Plateau has several meanings:
John Wesley Powell wrote about the Markagunt Plateau in his Exploration of the Colorado River and its Canyons.
I have been on a plateau for the past 5 days. Have not lost a pound. Not an ounce. At least I have not gained an ounce. I have not increased my eating. Not increased drinking of any sugar drinks. Doing nothing different, but I am in a stall. Going nowhere real fast. As we used to say in the Navy - "Standing Fast". How really does one stand fast anyway? I never really understood that one. I am on a plateau and I hate it.
www.gastricbypassfamily.com talks about 2 different kinds of plateaus.
- In geology or earth science, a plateau is an area of relative low relief (i.e., relatively flat) at an important altitude, usually attributed to tectonic uplift or by sediment accumulation. If the uplift was recent, the area may be very flat. If it is highly eroded - a dissected plateau - it may have sharp relief. Also used for submarine areas higher that the normal sea floor depth (oceanic plateau).
- In physiology and human sexuality, plateau refers to the second stage (of four) of sexual arousal in the currently accepted Masters and Johnson model.
- As a proper name, Plateau usually refers to the Belgian mathematician Joseph Plateau (1801-1883). *A Thousand Plateaus is a 1980 book by Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari, the second part of Capitalism and Schizophrenia
- Plateau (song) is a Meat Puppets song popularized by Nirvana.
John Wesley Powell wrote about the Markagunt Plateau in his Exploration of the Colorado River and its Canyons.
"On the north there is a pair of plateaus, twins in age, but very distinct in development, the Paunsagunt and Markagunt... The stupendous cliffs by which these plateaus are bounded are of indescribable grandeur and beauty... Some of the plateaus carry dead volcanoes on their backs that are towering mountains, and all of them are dissected by canyons that are gorges of profound depth. But every one of these plateaus has characteristics peculiar to itself and is worthy of its own chapter."
Lofty, beautiful and serene. Sounds so nice and wonderful. Let me give you a different definition of plateaus.A plateau refers to an extended period of time during our weight loss efforts where there is no weight loss according to the scale AND no loss of inches according to the tape measure.Let me say now and out loud. I hate plateaus. Plateaus Suck.
I have been on a plateau for the past 5 days. Have not lost a pound. Not an ounce. At least I have not gained an ounce. I have not increased my eating. Not increased drinking of any sugar drinks. Doing nothing different, but I am in a stall. Going nowhere real fast. As we used to say in the Navy - "Standing Fast". How really does one stand fast anyway? I never really understood that one. I am on a plateau and I hate it.
www.gastricbypassfamily.com talks about 2 different kinds of plateaus.
There are two types of plateaus that occur. The first plateau is the short plateau, lasting 2 weeks to 4 weeks. The short plateau is the kind that all active "dieters" run into throughout their weight loss efforts. It is not necessary to make adjustments for this type of plateau, because your body is simply re-adjusting to your new weight. Over time (2-4 weeks) you will naturally start losing weight again, as long as you continue your healthy diet and exercise program. Patience is all you need to get past a short plateau.
The second type of plateau is the long-term plateau, which lasts for longer than 4 weeks. If you go for more than 4 weeks without losing weight, AND you are continually following a nutritious diet and exercise program (in short, you are doing everything perfectly), then you need to make some changes. A plateau lasting for longer than 4 weeks is because you are no longer asking your body to go beyond its point of comfort. Let me explain this further: When you first start a new way of eating and a new exercise program, everything is a total shock to your body. All of a sudden you are filling the body with good healthy food full of nutrients, and you are pushing your body so that it responds to physical activity. You burn a high number of calories because it requires a ton of effort just to do simple exercise. Over time, you adjust and become more efficient at exercise, and it no longer requires the same amount of calories that it once did. If you do not change your activity, and continue to eat the same amount of food, you will eventually stop losing weight. The same principle applies to food. If you cut your calories down to 1500 per day, and lost 15 pounds this way, your new weight may use that 1500 calories for maintenance now, rather than weight loss. It's as simple as calories in = calories out.
I spoke with my program coordinator and believe I may even have a different issue going on. SWMBO has been on me lately to eat MORE. (She is real smart by the way) (oh, cute too) More you say. Yes, I said more. I am working out three to four times per week. Burning 300-400 calories per workout. I believe my body thinks I am starving and going into some type of protection. Slowing down my metabolism and protecting me. Roxi (GBS Program Coordinator) wants me to increase my calories to 1100-1200 per day. This is going to be hard and I am struggling to get 800 in me every day right now. But increase I will. 1100-1200 calories per day, here we come(still not cookies, shame on you). Good, healthy lean protein, low carb calories. So I will continue to keep you informed as the pounds continue to shed, post plateau, of course.
By the way, did I mention that although beautiful, plateaus blow chunks!
Current Status - 97 days post-op. 108 pounds lost forever. Down 3 Shirt Sizes. Down 14 inches in my pants, ummm, errr waist. Thanks Toony!.
Feb 19, 2008 - I can live with that.
Face Progression - What a difference 4 months makes.As I ponder the last year and all the exciting changes that I have experienced, I cannot help but wonder what would have happened to me in the future, if I had not taken the drastic step of Gastric Bypass Surgery. Think about it. This is freaking drastic. I have a pouch, the size of a walnut, that will forever be the receiver of the food that gets delivered to my maw. Let me repeat, the size of a walnut. If I had not had this plumbing change, I would still be eating a 16 ounce steak, a large baked potato, don't forget the salad with cheese, maybe add 2 or 3 glasses of red wine, holy crap, where is my dessert - hmmmm - I'll have the Creme Brulee, and please bring an extra spoon.
It was no wonder I needed a tentmaker to make my clothes and I really don't think I could live with that.
That meal would have cost somewhere around $45.00. Now I eat about 1/4 cup of food per sitting. Yesterday my wife and I went to L&L Hawaiian Barbecue. We ordered the small Teriyaki Chicken Meal. It had the chicken, a scoop of rice and a scoop of macaroni salad. $4.81 and we took home leftover chicken and we were both stuffed. Assuming three nights out per week, this life change will save me $120.00 per week, $3,840.00 per year and assuming I am blessed to live another 40 or so years, $152,160.00 over that 40 years.
I can live with that!
Four months ago, I could not walk 1/4 of a mile without extreme pain. It hurt to sit in my chair at work. It hurt to get out of bed. Hell, it hurt to get in bed. I would walk one flight of stairs, and could not talk for 10 minutes, trying to recover my breathing to normal. I had high blood pressure, I had been talking blood pressure medications for 15 years. I had trouble tying my shoes, putting on my socks. I was tired all the time. had not been to the gym in years. I couldn't golf anymore. I couldn't play softball. I really couldn't even play house! Basically, my life physically, pretty much sucked.
I am sure that I couldn't have lived like that,well, not much longer anyways.
Today the only thing that hurts is my coxxix. I just like saying that word. Coxxix. Seems as I lose my ASS, I have less padding, and that oh so precious butt padding put less pressure on my tail bone. It is getting better, but that is all thats is really bothering me. I am working out 4-5 times per week. This week Monday, 45 minutes on the treadmill averaging 3 mph. Worked upper body on resistance weights, then I went to the batting cages and hit softballs for 30 minutes. No pain after workout or the next day, except for the coxxix. Then today (Tuesday) another 35 minutes on the treadmill averaging 3 mph and 30 minutes on the resistance weights working the lower body. Lucky me, my coxxix does not hurt today. Oh, and I have not taken any Blood Pressure medications since the day before the surgery and my BP is normal. How cool is that?
I know I can live with this!
Even though I have never thought myself a depressed personality type, I wonder now if I wasn't really depressed and just did not acknowledge it. I think back 4 months ago, and I really did not like visiting my customers. People who did not know me, automatically thought I was lazy and did not work hard. How could I get that fat, and be a good worker. I had to work extra hard to prove that I was not lazy, yet I was too tired and hurting so much, there is no way I could do my job with the utmost excellence. I hated getting out of bed in the morning. I was exhausted by 3:00 PM and of course needed a candy bar to get me through the afternoon.
I could have lived with that, but not for very long!
I love going to work now. I love going and seeing my customers. I have lots of energy. I know they are not judging me because of my size. I am shrinking right before them in width and depth, but growing in stature as I better serve them and meet their needs. Many have not even recognized me with the changes, but all are very happy for me. I am even closing more deals now, more confidence, better looking, stronger presence.
I can definitely live with this!
So where am I you ask. I will tell you. I am in a very good place. I am healthy, eating right, happy and content in my skin. I am in the gym. I am in the batting cage. I like myself, I am ready for whatever comes at me. I love getting up in the morning. I am loving playing house again and everything is really, really good!
I am in a really good place, except for my coxxix, but, I know, I can live with that!
Feb 8, 2008 - The Century Club
Everything is still happening so fast. First I cannot believe that I am 10 days away from being exactly 3 months post op. Secondly, and more importantly, I cannot believe that I have lost 100 pounds. That is correct, as of this morning, I am down 100 pounds from my 10 day pre-op weight. 100 pounds in 89 days. Over 1 pound per day.
When I tell people that, the first question that I am asked is "Is that healthy?"
The answer is yes, as long as I continue to follow my Surgeons directions. First, we WLS patients need to take our vitamins. Who would have thought that life would come full circle for us. When I was a child, I remember my Mom nagging me daily, "did you take your vitamins?" Try, they were the yummy Flintstone vitamins, but here I am, 40 years later, Mom has been replaced by SWMBO (She who must be obeyed), but the question is still the same. "Did you take your vitamins?" Now the vitamin type and ingredients is also very important. We as GBS patients, obviously have a restrictive component to our "Pouch" but as important, we have a malabsorbative component, which prevents us from absorbing calcium and many B complex vitamins. The vitamins that I take has a very high concentration of Vitamin B12, helping to prevent the B-Complex deficiency and I also take extra supplements of calcium. All my blood work is normal and I am currently having it checked monthly.
The last month has been rather emotional. It started with an old pair of Levi's. How can a pair of levi's cause an emotional event? It is easy, they fit. That's it, they just fit. I had not been able to wear those, oh so perfect, soft denim jeans for over 5 years. The ones that are frayed on the bottom at the back of the leg, from wearing them with my flip flops. You know, those jeans. They were 10 inches smaller that the pants that I had been wearing pre-op. I put them on about a 2 or 3 weeks ago, and they fit. Those of you that don't have weight problems, are just not going to understand this, but many of you are reading this blog, because you have had GBS or are contemplating it. We call these wow moments. There will be many wow moments for those of us that are Morbidly Obese or Super Morbidly Obese. Here are some Wow's I have already accomplished and some I am still waiting for.
Easily tying my shoes
Shopping someplace else but the fat guy store ( politically correctly called "The Big and Tall Store")
Not asking for an extension belt from the flight attendant ( I now have a collection for sale.)
Fitting in the Airplane Lavatory
Walking a mile without pain
There are many many more that I am looking forward to.
One thing I have noticed, is the negative perception that many seem to have about the procedure. Particularly Oprah Winfrey and others in positions like her. Many think that this surgery is the "Easy way out" for an obese person. This surgery is by no means "The Easy Way out!" She seems to have a much greater respect for those that lose weight, by working out, or dieting (what she calls, normally) and much less respect for those of us that have had the GBS. Just like 'The Dieters", we still count calories, exercise 4-5 times per week, limit portions, eat healthy, we as GBS patients not have a 50% success level at losing and keeping the weight off. Where those who do not have GBS only have a 5% success rate. I will never be able to sit down and eat a 16 ounce steak again, I can't, it is impossible. I can no longer do things, food wise that I have enjoyed for over 40 years. This is hard, and no one, not even you Oprah, have a clue about how difficult it is, unless you have had the procedure.
It is not the easy way out and it is not meant to be!
So here I am. 100 pounds less than I was 3 months ago. Learning to shop at the Goodwill, learning to eat good and Loving this life. That is a quote from my new friend Shereeks and brought to life by my buddy Gwen in the UK. This will not change.
I really love this life!
When I tell people that, the first question that I am asked is "Is that healthy?"
The answer is yes, as long as I continue to follow my Surgeons directions. First, we WLS patients need to take our vitamins. Who would have thought that life would come full circle for us. When I was a child, I remember my Mom nagging me daily, "did you take your vitamins?" Try, they were the yummy Flintstone vitamins, but here I am, 40 years later, Mom has been replaced by SWMBO (She who must be obeyed), but the question is still the same. "Did you take your vitamins?" Now the vitamin type and ingredients is also very important. We as GBS patients, obviously have a restrictive component to our "Pouch" but as important, we have a malabsorbative component, which prevents us from absorbing calcium and many B complex vitamins. The vitamins that I take has a very high concentration of Vitamin B12, helping to prevent the B-Complex deficiency and I also take extra supplements of calcium. All my blood work is normal and I am currently having it checked monthly.
The last month has been rather emotional. It started with an old pair of Levi's. How can a pair of levi's cause an emotional event? It is easy, they fit. That's it, they just fit. I had not been able to wear those, oh so perfect, soft denim jeans for over 5 years. The ones that are frayed on the bottom at the back of the leg, from wearing them with my flip flops. You know, those jeans. They were 10 inches smaller that the pants that I had been wearing pre-op. I put them on about a 2 or 3 weeks ago, and they fit. Those of you that don't have weight problems, are just not going to understand this, but many of you are reading this blog, because you have had GBS or are contemplating it. We call these wow moments. There will be many wow moments for those of us that are Morbidly Obese or Super Morbidly Obese. Here are some Wow's I have already accomplished and some I am still waiting for.
Easily tying my shoes
Shopping someplace else but the fat guy store ( politically correctly called "The Big and Tall Store")
Not asking for an extension belt from the flight attendant ( I now have a collection for sale.)
Fitting in the Airplane Lavatory
Walking a mile without pain
There are many many more that I am looking forward to.
One thing I have noticed, is the negative perception that many seem to have about the procedure. Particularly Oprah Winfrey and others in positions like her. Many think that this surgery is the "Easy way out" for an obese person. This surgery is by no means "The Easy Way out!" She seems to have a much greater respect for those that lose weight, by working out, or dieting (what she calls, normally) and much less respect for those of us that have had the GBS. Just like 'The Dieters", we still count calories, exercise 4-5 times per week, limit portions, eat healthy, we as GBS patients not have a 50% success level at losing and keeping the weight off. Where those who do not have GBS only have a 5% success rate. I will never be able to sit down and eat a 16 ounce steak again, I can't, it is impossible. I can no longer do things, food wise that I have enjoyed for over 40 years. This is hard, and no one, not even you Oprah, have a clue about how difficult it is, unless you have had the procedure.
It is not the easy way out and it is not meant to be!
So here I am. 100 pounds less than I was 3 months ago. Learning to shop at the Goodwill, learning to eat good and Loving this life. That is a quote from my new friend Shereeks and brought to life by my buddy Gwen in the UK. This will not change.
I really love this life!
Jan 6, 2008 - Consternation
What a wild ride. Amazing wild ride. Starting with the most asked question - I had my one month post op appointment with my Surgeon today (really 7 weeks) and I am down 66 pounds. Who would have thunk it. 66 pounds. I am feeling great, exercising at least 3 times per week. Lost 2 shirt sizes and 8 inches in my waist. It is just the beginning of the journey, yet it feels as if it is happening so fast. And it is.
Now for all the positives of the Gastric Bypass there are some real and difficult potential side effects. So kids, gather around, today we are going to learn about the side effects of Gastric Bypass Surgery and the one that seems to be affecting me the most.
According to http://www.bariatricsurgerypittsburgh.com/surgery/side_effects.html Gastric Bypass Surgery can have the following side effects.
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Dehydration
- Food Intolerance
- Dumping Syndrome
- Changed Bowel Habits
- Pregnancy
- Cold Intolerance
- Transient Hair Thinning
- Caution with Upper Endoscopy
Nausea and Vomiting
I have experience the nausea and vomiting twice, so far. Both times at business lunches, of which, I am sure my business associates very much appreciated. The first was with this beautiful fresh, raw Ahi tuna. 5 pieces, $13.50. I got one piece in me, one piece and was waiting as I usually do to see if my tool would agree with my taste buds as to how great this fine piece of fish tasted. It didn't. I had pain, and I knew, rather instinctively, that this was not going to be a great experience. So I excused myself, wandered off to the mens room and prepared for the worst. I was however, mildly surprised. As I leaned over the loo, ensuring my tie was out of range, I felt the beginnings, opened m mouth, and had a very minor spew. Not the gut wrenching, body contorting, pulling my two guys down there up into my body type of vomit, but just a spew. Oops, there was one more. Spew. All done. Not what I had expected. The act was not horrible. But it makes sense. I now have a 60 cc pouch, not a 1500 cc stomach. When something goes wrong in the 1500 cc version, muscles twist, guts churn, balls flee in terror, innards regret and it is horrible. Now just spew. Not so bad.
Second nausea, grilled cheese sandwich. 2 bites. Not good feeling. Spew. That was it. Spew.
Dehydration
Drink your freaking water. I have not been dehydrated yet. My doctor says 64 ounces of fluid per day. For those of my readers in the UK and Norway (and I know you are out there) - that is also 64 fluid ounces. See how good my metric conversions are. I have been having trouble getting all 64 in me. As we have to sip, sip, sip, 64 ounces is a lot of water. I have been getting between 40 and 64 and have not had any dehydration problems.
Food Intolerance
I have had no manifestation yet, of food intolerances. But, (theres the big but) I have followed very closely my Doctors recommendations for food. I have not really stepped out of the box. I have read that approximately 1% of us will develop lactose intolerance. Foods that are dry (roast beef, turkey, other meats), sticky (peanut butter), gummy (fresh bread), or stringy (chicken, celery, fibrous fruit, and vegetables) seem to present the biggest problems for most GBS patients. Please God - don't make me intolerant to peanut butter!
Dumping Syndrome
This has yet to happen to me and this one is really scary, yet I have this really strange desire to eat something that may cause me to dump, in a controlled environment so I know what to expect out of a controlled environment. AM I STUPID, OR WHAT! For those of you that don't know, this is what dumping is:
A condition known as “dumping syndrome” can occur as the result of rapid emptying (“dumping”) of stomach contents into the small intestine. This is triggered when too much sugar or very greasy (fried) foods are consumed.
Although it is not considered a serious risk to health, the symptoms of dumping syndrome can be extremely unpleasant. They include nausea, weakness, sweating, faintness, tiredness, diarrhea, rapid heart rate, and stomach cramping after eating. GBS patients usually say the symptoms make them feel “like I want to lie down and die for a half hour.”
Why would I want to experience this?
Crap! This one really bites. Let me tell you, pre-op I was one regular guy. If you know what I mean. This side effect has really been the one that kicks my butt, literally. Constipation, that little secret that keeps us BOUND together. In my best text language, OMG! So for the past few weeks I have been working on the formula that works for me. My Doctor offered me the laxative, nooooooo, not the L word. I politely declined and have proceeded to work this one out. I started with an over the counter stool softener. Added a couple of tablespoons of ground flax seed to my protein shakes and every other day and drinking a pro-biotic drink. It is better, much better now, but still not perfect. There is also psyllium husks, but be careful, if you don't drink enough with those, they will just bind you more. On a good/bad scale, that would be very bad.
Pregnancy
As quoted from Kindergarten Cop - "Boys have penis's and girls have vagina's". I am a boy. Enough said.
Cold Intolerance
Less fat = less insulation. Less insulation = I am freezing my butt off. Living in Nebraska now, in the winter, My guys routinely are hibernating, looking for warmers locations. So I do not know if its Nebraska, or GBS, but I am freezing my butt off.
Transient Hair Thinning
About half of women who have undergone GBS notice the thinning of their hair. Sorry girls. It seems to occur between 2 and 10 months after surgery. Make sure you are taking your vitamins and ensure you are getting your protein. I have also read that zinc and biotin supplements help - but check with your Doctor as I am not one, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night.
I am going to quote directly from the website for this.
"After gastric bypass surgery, the anatomy of the GI tract changes permanently. Access to the disconnected stomach (gastric remnant) and duodenum may be required in the future for tests like EGD or ERCP to diagnose rare problems such as ulcers, bleeding, cancer, or bile duct problems.
Because access to the disconnected portion of the GI tract is very difficult with the current technology, laparoscopic surgery may be needed to assess this part of the GI tract."
Along with this comes the subject of Strictures. Before my surgery, I did not see al lot written about strictures, but it seems as if many of my GBS brothers and sisters have had strictures. This, as I understand it is a closing of the anastomoses (the hole). It can be easily treated but needs to be watched for. Treatment requires and endoscope and the expansion of the stricture, and it seems that those that have one, often end up having several.
Dec 19, 2007 - The Lesser Man
What an amazing four weeks. It has gone so fast. Every day I am becoming a lesser man. I know that doesn't sound right. Lesser in size, and mass. Not in mind and spirit. I made SWMBO (She who must be obeyed) laugh a couple of days ago when I put a pair of shorts on and took 3 steps and they fell off. Puddled around my ankles. I am down 2 shirt sizes and 4 inches in my trousers. Segway - Wicked witch of the west, I'm melting, I'm melting. Segway - back to topic. Fifty pounds gone, forever. Never to return. Ahhhhh - deep sigh of relief.
I did have my first vomiting experience yesterday. One thing I have found out, is when my tool doesn't like something, I get immediate feedback. For those of you that are continuing on to have this procedure, remember this. Every time you try a food that you have not had since the surgery, go slow, it is a brand new experience for your tool, for that new pouch of yours. The feedback for me is immediate and swift. I was out for a business lunch. I am very open about my surgery, so my lunch mate knew about it. I had ordered a sushi grade ahi tuna sashimi style with a remoulade - yes its raw, get over yourselves. The sauce was sweet - bad juju. I took three very small bites, chewed very completely and waited for the results. Within a minute or so, I knew this was not going to be pleasant. The tuna was fresh and excellent, pre-op I would have loved the sauce. I excused myself and proceeded to the loo. (That was for my friend five-wises). Felt the internal bubbling and proceeded to spew.
Now this was not as bad as I expected. There was no gut wrenching twisting and turning of a large sick stomach. I just kind of opened my mouth and out it came. Ok. Not horrible. One spew later and I was done. I felt better, tool feedback controlled and done. $13.50 wasted, there were 4 pieces on the plate still and one chewed piece in the jon. Expensive lesson. I should have ordered the soup. Now I am however, kind of bummed. Pre-op I adored sushi and sashimi. I hope this is not my future for the raw fish. In a couple of months I will try again, but for now, I will be passing on the raw.
Another thing that I noticed in the past week, is how uncomfortable everyone, except SWMBO, is around me at meal time. Everyone wants to apologize for consuming huge mounds of food in front of me. I have to ensure them that it is ok, eat away. It does not bother me. Until recently, I never really noticed how much we as an American society eat. I was speaking with a loved one about the size of portions in Europe. She had stated that her sister or someone had gone and the portions were very slight. I explained to her, that it was the norm in Europe. Only in our American excess, do we pile enough food on one plate to feed three people. I really see that now and it bothers me that I could not control myself in the past to consume a proper portion.
Life continues to be a new amazing adventure. 4 weeks out and I am doing great. I feel great, am exercising 2-3 times per week. Pain in my back is gone, I am sleeping well and truly look forward to my future as the lesser man.
I did have my first vomiting experience yesterday. One thing I have found out, is when my tool doesn't like something, I get immediate feedback. For those of you that are continuing on to have this procedure, remember this. Every time you try a food that you have not had since the surgery, go slow, it is a brand new experience for your tool, for that new pouch of yours. The feedback for me is immediate and swift. I was out for a business lunch. I am very open about my surgery, so my lunch mate knew about it. I had ordered a sushi grade ahi tuna sashimi style with a remoulade - yes its raw, get over yourselves. The sauce was sweet - bad juju. I took three very small bites, chewed very completely and waited for the results. Within a minute or so, I knew this was not going to be pleasant. The tuna was fresh and excellent, pre-op I would have loved the sauce. I excused myself and proceeded to the loo. (That was for my friend five-wises). Felt the internal bubbling and proceeded to spew.
Now this was not as bad as I expected. There was no gut wrenching twisting and turning of a large sick stomach. I just kind of opened my mouth and out it came. Ok. Not horrible. One spew later and I was done. I felt better, tool feedback controlled and done. $13.50 wasted, there were 4 pieces on the plate still and one chewed piece in the jon. Expensive lesson. I should have ordered the soup. Now I am however, kind of bummed. Pre-op I adored sushi and sashimi. I hope this is not my future for the raw fish. In a couple of months I will try again, but for now, I will be passing on the raw.
Another thing that I noticed in the past week, is how uncomfortable everyone, except SWMBO, is around me at meal time. Everyone wants to apologize for consuming huge mounds of food in front of me. I have to ensure them that it is ok, eat away. It does not bother me. Until recently, I never really noticed how much we as an American society eat. I was speaking with a loved one about the size of portions in Europe. She had stated that her sister or someone had gone and the portions were very slight. I explained to her, that it was the norm in Europe. Only in our American excess, do we pile enough food on one plate to feed three people. I really see that now and it bothers me that I could not control myself in the past to consume a proper portion.
Life continues to be a new amazing adventure. 4 weeks out and I am doing great. I feel great, am exercising 2-3 times per week. Pain in my back is gone, I am sleeping well and truly look forward to my future as the lesser man.
Dec 11, 2007 - Pump Me Up
When I was in high school, college and the Navy, I spent a lot of time in the gym. Exercising, running and lifting weights. Football required strength, conditioning, endurance and more strength. I spent hours in the weight room with Paul, Rich and the rest of my O-Line buds. We would yell at each other, grunt, sweat and pound out hours and thousands of pounds of reps on the bench press, the power driver, curls, squats and more leg work. Obviously, looking at myself, I have spent very little time in the gym over the last 10-15 years.
"I'm Hans and I'm Franz"
I have returned to the sweaty environs of the local health club as of last Wednesday. It has been a very emotional week for me. You see, I love the gym. I loved working out, the feeling in my muscles as they grow due to the weight being lifted over and over. I don't quite understand why I stopped doing this in the past, but I did and the results are what they are. Now as I just had major Gastric Bypass Surgery, I have to be very careful as to what I do in the beginning, but it is a beginning and bring on the endorphins.
"and we are here"
My first day in the gym was spent on the treadmill. Roxy (Dr Whites Plan Administrator) said I should be doing the 100 meter mosey. So that is what I did. 30 minutes on the tread mill set at 2.6 mph. I elevated my heart rate to 143 and maintained it there for 30 minutes. I had trouble figuring out how to stop this machine and figure I was doomed for life to be attached to this moving tread, but figure it out and stepped off. Dizzy. Light headed, I stumbled to the towels and returned to my senses. I am completely overwhelmed. 25 days ago I could not walk 1/4 of a mile without having to sit down, without having extreme pain in my back. The mall was a painful experience. I am actually emotional. I just walked 1.2 miles in 30 minutes. I didn't have to stop, I am not in pain. What in the name of God is happening to me. So much has changed in the last 25 days.
"to pump you up."
Two days later I went back to the wellness center and had my fitness assessment. Can a 392 pound man really have an assessment of his fitness. Let's be real here. Now if we were to call it a lack of fitness assessment, that would probably be more correct. So I got weighed, bmi'd blood pressured (still no more bp meds) and Ross ran me through all the machines in the center. Let me tell you about this wellness center. It is really quite nice. It is ran by the Hospital Parent group that did my surgery. It is not a meat market. I see no steroid monsters, in fact the average age here is probably the mid to late forties - just like me. People that want to better themselves and their health. It is perfect. They have great equipment and if I keel over due to the exercise, I am about 200 meters from the ER. I really like it here.
"Bring on the endorphins"
I again went to the gym last night, exactly 21 days post-op. Did my 32 minutes on the treadmill. This time I did 10 minutes at 2.6 mph, 10 minutes at 3.0 mph and returned to 2.6 mph for the last 10 minutes. Kept my heart rate from 143 to 156 for the complete 30 minutes. I then did a round on the arm and chest machines. Light, light weights, 2 sets of 15 and 12 reps. Holy crap, I remember this feeling. My biceps and triceps pumped right up. My chest muscles tightened. I love this stuff. No exercise performed to failure. Maintained my form. High reps with low weight, toning exercises. Nothing yet for the midsection of my torso. Those exercises are still a few months away. This is going to be great. I will have "guns" again. I finished my workout again with no real pain and a wonderful endorphin rush. I have lost 48 pounds and feel great.
"I'm Hans and I'm Franz"
I have returned to the sweaty environs of the local health club as of last Wednesday. It has been a very emotional week for me. You see, I love the gym. I loved working out, the feeling in my muscles as they grow due to the weight being lifted over and over. I don't quite understand why I stopped doing this in the past, but I did and the results are what they are. Now as I just had major Gastric Bypass Surgery, I have to be very careful as to what I do in the beginning, but it is a beginning and bring on the endorphins.
"and we are here"
My first day in the gym was spent on the treadmill. Roxy (Dr Whites Plan Administrator) said I should be doing the 100 meter mosey. So that is what I did. 30 minutes on the tread mill set at 2.6 mph. I elevated my heart rate to 143 and maintained it there for 30 minutes. I had trouble figuring out how to stop this machine and figure I was doomed for life to be attached to this moving tread, but figure it out and stepped off. Dizzy. Light headed, I stumbled to the towels and returned to my senses. I am completely overwhelmed. 25 days ago I could not walk 1/4 of a mile without having to sit down, without having extreme pain in my back. The mall was a painful experience. I am actually emotional. I just walked 1.2 miles in 30 minutes. I didn't have to stop, I am not in pain. What in the name of God is happening to me. So much has changed in the last 25 days.
"to pump you up."
Two days later I went back to the wellness center and had my fitness assessment. Can a 392 pound man really have an assessment of his fitness. Let's be real here. Now if we were to call it a lack of fitness assessment, that would probably be more correct. So I got weighed, bmi'd blood pressured (still no more bp meds) and Ross ran me through all the machines in the center. Let me tell you about this wellness center. It is really quite nice. It is ran by the Hospital Parent group that did my surgery. It is not a meat market. I see no steroid monsters, in fact the average age here is probably the mid to late forties - just like me. People that want to better themselves and their health. It is perfect. They have great equipment and if I keel over due to the exercise, I am about 200 meters from the ER. I really like it here.
"Bring on the endorphins"
I again went to the gym last night, exactly 21 days post-op. Did my 32 minutes on the treadmill. This time I did 10 minutes at 2.6 mph, 10 minutes at 3.0 mph and returned to 2.6 mph for the last 10 minutes. Kept my heart rate from 143 to 156 for the complete 30 minutes. I then did a round on the arm and chest machines. Light, light weights, 2 sets of 15 and 12 reps. Holy crap, I remember this feeling. My biceps and triceps pumped right up. My chest muscles tightened. I love this stuff. No exercise performed to failure. Maintained my form. High reps with low weight, toning exercises. Nothing yet for the midsection of my torso. Those exercises are still a few months away. This is going to be great. I will have "guns" again. I finished my workout again with no real pain and a wonderful endorphin rush. I have lost 48 pounds and feel great.
Dec 4, 2007 - Melting
Today I am 15 days post op. I don't want to make it sound easier than it is, for some folks it is very difficult. Difficult to make the transition to less food, pain from the surgery, difficulty moving around. It just has not been that way for me. I don't know if I have a high pain tolerance, or I am a quick healer, or what ever - I don't know, but it just hasn't been that difficult so far. Maybe I am just too stupid to realize that it is difficult, but it hasn't been. Now for the big announcement.
42 pounds.
Thats right, from 10 days prior to the surgery till day 15 post op, I have shed 42 pounds. 2 large bags of dog food. One large turkey + 3 chickens. Three 14 pound bowling balls. Gone, disappeared. This is just strange. I am a bowler and I have lost my balls. I eat 4 to 5 times per day, I am full, not starving, and loosing almost 2 pounds per day. Clothes that did not fit, now fit. Many are getting too big. My watch is spinning on my wrist and my wedding ring is spinning on my finger. I have lost 10 percent of my starting weight in the first 25 days. I am waiting for the crashing stop, the inevitable stall and I am sure the intoxication will subside when the stall occurs, but right now I am living not so large in it.
Lets now talk about the difficulties of the first two weeks. I wrote earlier about Days 1-4. After that, my big issue was the gas pains. Not gas from the what I was consuming, but what had been pumped into me for the surgery. That large gas bubble provided some intense pain through day 10 or so after the surgery. If I laid down, it hurt, if I sat too long it hurt. My left shoulder hurt. I could feel the bubbles moving around in my chest cavity. One day I thought I was having a heart attack but it was just the gas. Pain wise, there has not been a whole lot of it. The lap sites were pain free by day 5. The pain from the surgery was only evident when I tried to sleep.
I normally sleep on my side or stomach and when I tried that in the first 10 days, I felt pain in my insides. After day 10 I was able to sleep on my side or my stomach with very little or no pain whatsoever. In fact, I have not taken any pain meds since about Day 7 post op. Sleeping the first seven days home was hard. I just had trouble falling asleep at night. I do not know why, I just did. I took some Ambien for a couple of nights after I stopped the pain meds, but since about day 10, I have fallen asleep much like I did prior to the surgery. Now sleeping on the other hand has been a bit strange. I have been have just downright strange dreams. Not that most dreams are not usually strange, but these have been most unusually strange. I have heard others have experienced this and it will go away.
Did I mention I have lost 42 pounds.
If you have been following this blog, you will remember I made quite a to-do about taking a crap. Bowel movements. In the first week, when I still had alot of gas, the bowel movements continued to be an experience. They are basically, sorry mom, crap explosions with lots of crap shrapnel. Wifey is definitely not happy and after 7 days of this, I could not longer get out of cleaning up by telling Sandy I hurt to bend over a clean the toilet. Thank God that by day ten, the bowel were back to normal, except for the frequency. Taking in much less food has decreased the frequency of the venerable BM.
By the way, I have lost 42 pounds.
One thing that has been very difficult has been watching television. Not the sitting, or the inane crap that most network television shows consist of, but the food commercial. One half hour show had 9 or 10 restaurant commercials, and I found that just mentally difficult. The marketers make all that food look so good. I have just taken to looking away when those temptations are there.
All in all, it has been an amazing two weeks. I am back at work, I feel great and feel incredible positive about the future. I plan on sharing it all with you so come back as I add to this saga. Be well, and if I didn't mention it already, I have lost 42 pounds. Absolutely Awesome.
42 pounds.
Thats right, from 10 days prior to the surgery till day 15 post op, I have shed 42 pounds. 2 large bags of dog food. One large turkey + 3 chickens. Three 14 pound bowling balls. Gone, disappeared. This is just strange. I am a bowler and I have lost my balls. I eat 4 to 5 times per day, I am full, not starving, and loosing almost 2 pounds per day. Clothes that did not fit, now fit. Many are getting too big. My watch is spinning on my wrist and my wedding ring is spinning on my finger. I have lost 10 percent of my starting weight in the first 25 days. I am waiting for the crashing stop, the inevitable stall and I am sure the intoxication will subside when the stall occurs, but right now I am living not so large in it.
Lets now talk about the difficulties of the first two weeks. I wrote earlier about Days 1-4. After that, my big issue was the gas pains. Not gas from the what I was consuming, but what had been pumped into me for the surgery. That large gas bubble provided some intense pain through day 10 or so after the surgery. If I laid down, it hurt, if I sat too long it hurt. My left shoulder hurt. I could feel the bubbles moving around in my chest cavity. One day I thought I was having a heart attack but it was just the gas. Pain wise, there has not been a whole lot of it. The lap sites were pain free by day 5. The pain from the surgery was only evident when I tried to sleep.
I normally sleep on my side or stomach and when I tried that in the first 10 days, I felt pain in my insides. After day 10 I was able to sleep on my side or my stomach with very little or no pain whatsoever. In fact, I have not taken any pain meds since about Day 7 post op. Sleeping the first seven days home was hard. I just had trouble falling asleep at night. I do not know why, I just did. I took some Ambien for a couple of nights after I stopped the pain meds, but since about day 10, I have fallen asleep much like I did prior to the surgery. Now sleeping on the other hand has been a bit strange. I have been have just downright strange dreams. Not that most dreams are not usually strange, but these have been most unusually strange. I have heard others have experienced this and it will go away.
Did I mention I have lost 42 pounds.
If you have been following this blog, you will remember I made quite a to-do about taking a crap. Bowel movements. In the first week, when I still had alot of gas, the bowel movements continued to be an experience. They are basically, sorry mom, crap explosions with lots of crap shrapnel. Wifey is definitely not happy and after 7 days of this, I could not longer get out of cleaning up by telling Sandy I hurt to bend over a clean the toilet. Thank God that by day ten, the bowel were back to normal, except for the frequency. Taking in much less food has decreased the frequency of the venerable BM.
By the way, I have lost 42 pounds.
One thing that has been very difficult has been watching television. Not the sitting, or the inane crap that most network television shows consist of, but the food commercial. One half hour show had 9 or 10 restaurant commercials, and I found that just mentally difficult. The marketers make all that food look so good. I have just taken to looking away when those temptations are there.
All in all, it has been an amazing two weeks. I am back at work, I feel great and feel incredible positive about the future. I plan on sharing it all with you so come back as I add to this saga. Be well, and if I didn't mention it already, I have lost 42 pounds. Absolutely Awesome.
Nov 28, 2007 - I Get to Chew!
I was going to put off writing today, but after this morning experience, I have decided to post. As a morbidly obese person, I have never really much thought about chewing. Hell, as a 210 pound football playing stud I never much thought about chewing. Open mouth, bend elbow, insert food using food delivery vehicle, grind, mash, and swallow.
Wikipedia defines chewing as:
Wikipedia defines chewing as:
Mastication or chewing is the process by which food is mashed and crushed by teeth. It is the first step of digestion and it increases the surface area of foods to allow more efficient break down by enzymes. During the mastication process, the food is positioned between the teeth for grinding by the cheek and tongue. As chewing continues, the food is made softer and warmer, and the enzymes in saliva begin to break down carbohydrates in the food. After chewing, the food (now called a bolus) is swallowed. It enters the esophagus and continues on to the stomach, where the next step of digestion occurs.
Cattle and some other animals, called ruminants, chew food more than once to extract more nutrients. After the first round of chewing, this food is called cud.
Now first and foremost, I think chewing sounds much more pleasing that mastication. So for you science types, when I say chewing, you can substitute mastication. Last night I paid attention to chewing, thought about chewing. Downright enjoyed chewing. I have been on a high protein, liquid diet for 18 days, and yesterday I was released to chew. Notice I did not say, "Get real food". Did not mention purees. I GET TO CHEW! I love to chew.
My first meal was a soft scrambled egg and a piece of string cheese. A true masterpiece in the culinary world. Huevos con queso. One egg and one minuscule piece of cheese, and I asked SWMBO (She who must be obeyed) for a doggy bag. One egg and I had leftovers. That is really funny. But I was satisfied, satiated, not overfull, but very pleasantly comfortable. From this day forward, I am gonna be one cheap date. Excuse me waiter, I would like a cup of soup, a 4 oz steak and a doggy bag please. For dessert? How about one curd of cottage cheese? That did it, I am stuffed.
I had huevos con queso again for breakfast today. 2 more meals and 2 high protein snacks left today. But whatever the outcome, I get to chew.
Nov. 27, 2007 - 1st Post-Op Doctor's Appointment
Today has been a good day. A very good day. I took no pain meds last night, it has been 36 hours and I am pain free. I have been having trouble sleeping, or maybe it is better said, falling asleep. Then when I fall asleep, I am dreaming like crazy, weird dreams. Not violent, just weird and fragmented. I have been told the sleeping will return to normal and my droopy eyes say yeah, right!
Eating, or rather should I say drinking has also been pretty uneventful. I have been sticking to my protein drinks, thinned creamed soups, protein waters and vitamin waters, having no problems keeping them down. I even had some thinned cream of wheat which stayed down fine and was quite tasty. For my protein drinks I have been using a 1/2 & 1/2 mixture of Slimfast and whey protein power, skim milk, Shaklee LiqiLea multivitamin and crushed ice in the magic bullet. Tasty and healthy. I will have blood work on Thursday, so we will probably make some adjustments then.
Now for todays news. I went to see Dr White and Roxy. 11:15 AM and I step on the scale. 3 weeks ago I would have fought to avoid scales, now I cannot wait to get to it. I look down and read 410.8 I had to blink several times - 410.8. Holy Crap - 28.6 pounds lost in the last 18 days, never to return. I am amazed. 28.6 pounds. I cannot believe it and my feelings are all over the place. I feel kind of guilty. This procedure, according to many is painful and so difficult, and it has not been very painful for me. Difficult yes. I am not starving, not craving food, don't desire sweets and I can see the results so positively. I feel great and am only looking forward to the future.
28.6 pounds, I cannot believe it. I am amazed!
Eating, or rather should I say drinking has also been pretty uneventful. I have been sticking to my protein drinks, thinned creamed soups, protein waters and vitamin waters, having no problems keeping them down. I even had some thinned cream of wheat which stayed down fine and was quite tasty. For my protein drinks I have been using a 1/2 & 1/2 mixture of Slimfast and whey protein power, skim milk, Shaklee LiqiLea multivitamin and crushed ice in the magic bullet. Tasty and healthy. I will have blood work on Thursday, so we will probably make some adjustments then.
Now for todays news. I went to see Dr White and Roxy. 11:15 AM and I step on the scale. 3 weeks ago I would have fought to avoid scales, now I cannot wait to get to it. I look down and read 410.8 I had to blink several times - 410.8. Holy Crap - 28.6 pounds lost in the last 18 days, never to return. I am amazed. 28.6 pounds. I cannot believe it and my feelings are all over the place. I feel kind of guilty. This procedure, according to many is painful and so difficult, and it has not been very painful for me. Difficult yes. I am not starving, not craving food, don't desire sweets and I can see the results so positively. I feel great and am only looking forward to the future.
28.6 pounds, I cannot believe it. I am amazed!
Thanksgiving Day 2007 - Freedom
I slept till about 6 AM today. Have not had any pain meds since about 11 PM last night and still feel pretty good. Shannon relieved the Evil Tami, who really is not so evil, but I just like calling her that, at about 7 AM. Last shot of Heparin and Pepcid. It's Thanksgiving Day 2007 and I need my Doctor to come do the final inspection and release me from the assembly line.
Waiting.
About 10:30 Dr Dervall, the Internal Medicine man, came to check me out. My blood pressure is 113/69. I have not taken blood pressure meds since Sunday. Dr Dervall wants me to wait to see my PCP until next Thursday and determine what we are doing about the BP meds. Until then, I don't take them. We will see how the BP is next Thursday. Another set of vitals and need to see my surgeon. Shannon is keeping an eye on me, doing a great job, be HE is not as nearly easy on the eyes as Karen, Jennie, the Angelic Crystal, Polly Pureheart and the Evil Tami. Sorry Shannon. I am such a guy!
Waiting.
Speaking of Nurses - I need to say this. They work way to hard for not near enough money. These folks are amazing. They have so much responsibility. They were always comforting, supportive, loving, and caring. I could not have been better cared for. They laughed with me, helped me when I need help, pushed me when I needed pushing. Everyone should hug a nurse, right this second, if you are in the vicinity. I am pretty sure I love Nurses. Even you Shannon, but but not in an creepy way. If those of you contemplating this surgery are reading this, don't be a jerk to your Nurse. They will get to you and want to help you. I loved all of mine - even the Evil Tami.
Waiting.
Dr. White's partner showed up around 1 PM or so and I am free. Well not completely. Shannon gets my paperwork, disconnects me from the IV and now is prepping to pull my drain. Now I have to say, this freaked me out. He pulls the dressing off, which shows signs of drainage, cuts a couple of small stitches and tells me to take a deep breath and blow out slowly. Now the last time I heard these words, there was an attractive blond nurse pulling about 12 inches of poly tubing out of my hoo-hoo. Definitely not a positive memory and hearing these words again just caused a minor flutter in my chest and an uncontrollable shrinking of my manhood. Maybe its the gas. I take the deep breath and start to blow, when I feel what might be the strangest feeling I have ever felt. I am sure it only lasted a second or two, but I will remember this forever. This rubber tube is being pulled out of my body and I can feel it on the inside, rubbing on organs and my innards. It was just weird.
Shannon cleans and tapes me up, I sign my release and Shannon calls me in a pain prescription and the Lovely Sandy went down to the car to meet me outside. I wish all the Nurses my Best, and Karen gingerly walks me to the front door, and I get to smell fresh air for the first time in 4 days. What an experience, simply amazing.
Thus ends the saga of my Laproscopic Roux-en-y Gastric Bypass Surgery. Now the real work begins. Watching what I eat, how I eat, the quantity of what I eat. I will continue to chronicle this journey. I will provide weekly updates for a while and updates whenever I have a Doctors visit. I hope my graphic explanation of what occurred this week, being tempered with humor, will draw you back to read. I am planning to share my complete journey with you, as I present my Life, Exhibited.
Waiting.
About 10:30 Dr Dervall, the Internal Medicine man, came to check me out. My blood pressure is 113/69. I have not taken blood pressure meds since Sunday. Dr Dervall wants me to wait to see my PCP until next Thursday and determine what we are doing about the BP meds. Until then, I don't take them. We will see how the BP is next Thursday. Another set of vitals and need to see my surgeon. Shannon is keeping an eye on me, doing a great job, be HE is not as nearly easy on the eyes as Karen, Jennie, the Angelic Crystal, Polly Pureheart and the Evil Tami. Sorry Shannon. I am such a guy!
Waiting.
Speaking of Nurses - I need to say this. They work way to hard for not near enough money. These folks are amazing. They have so much responsibility. They were always comforting, supportive, loving, and caring. I could not have been better cared for. They laughed with me, helped me when I need help, pushed me when I needed pushing. Everyone should hug a nurse, right this second, if you are in the vicinity. I am pretty sure I love Nurses. Even you Shannon, but but not in an creepy way. If those of you contemplating this surgery are reading this, don't be a jerk to your Nurse. They will get to you and want to help you. I loved all of mine - even the Evil Tami.
Waiting.
Dr. White's partner showed up around 1 PM or so and I am free. Well not completely. Shannon gets my paperwork, disconnects me from the IV and now is prepping to pull my drain. Now I have to say, this freaked me out. He pulls the dressing off, which shows signs of drainage, cuts a couple of small stitches and tells me to take a deep breath and blow out slowly. Now the last time I heard these words, there was an attractive blond nurse pulling about 12 inches of poly tubing out of my hoo-hoo. Definitely not a positive memory and hearing these words again just caused a minor flutter in my chest and an uncontrollable shrinking of my manhood. Maybe its the gas. I take the deep breath and start to blow, when I feel what might be the strangest feeling I have ever felt. I am sure it only lasted a second or two, but I will remember this forever. This rubber tube is being pulled out of my body and I can feel it on the inside, rubbing on organs and my innards. It was just weird.
Shannon cleans and tapes me up, I sign my release and Shannon calls me in a pain prescription and the Lovely Sandy went down to the car to meet me outside. I wish all the Nurses my Best, and Karen gingerly walks me to the front door, and I get to smell fresh air for the first time in 4 days. What an experience, simply amazing.
Thus ends the saga of my Laproscopic Roux-en-y Gastric Bypass Surgery. Now the real work begins. Watching what I eat, how I eat, the quantity of what I eat. I will continue to chronicle this journey. I will provide weekly updates for a while and updates whenever I have a Doctors visit. I hope my graphic explanation of what occurred this week, being tempered with humor, will draw you back to read. I am planning to share my complete journey with you, as I present my Life, Exhibited.
Nov 21, 2007 - Noon to Midnight - The Wind
The angelic Crystal still has care for me. I have seen several Doctors today. Dr. White, my surgeon this AM, he says I am doing great and I should be out of the hospital tomorrow. An Internist that works with Dr. White on cases where a patients PCP does not work at a specific hospital. I cannot remember his name, but he also says I am doing great and should be out of jail by tomorrow.
Roxy and Beth came to visit the afternoon. Roxy is Dr. Whites Program Administrator Nurse and Beth is the program nutritionist. Roxy seemed especially ecstatic about how well I was doing and was especially humored by the fact that I was fussing around putting some styling gel in my hair. She made my appointment to see Dr. White on next Tuesday which will include my first post hospital check out and weigh in. Beth again wanted to talk about my post-op diet. Liquids only at 4 ounces per hour until my first visit with Dr. White. Then I will move to, hold on to your hats, Puree's. Puree's for the next 2 months. I am glad I bought that Vitamix several years ago. I could puree a 57 Chevy if I needed to.
I am walking alot now, sitting in the uncomfortable chair now and increasing the time between needed pain medications. Sandy said my eyes were real bright and beautiful today (blue and quite nice), and except for the real gas pain, I feel great. The gas pain here seems to be my real nemesis today. My lower torso region is soft and kinda squishy, but my mid torso is hard as a rock and still obviously filled with Gas from the surgery. My left shoulder hurts still right under the collarbone. The gas bubbles move and cause varying degrees of pain depending upon where they are.
Sandy has been a trooper, supporting me in this quest. She herself is not sleeping well, not eating well, just worried about me. She is taking off a little early today so she and my visiting family can go out tonight for Thanksgiving Dinner. She has decided not to cook tomorrow for Thanksgiving for the first time since we have been married (29 years) so I don't have to deal with all of the aroma's of her incredible cooking. I have an incredible wife and love her completely and will continue to need her support as this holiday season will be difficult for me, I am sure. I will be on pureed foods throughout the entire season and historically the Holiday season and been the time of the year when I do my "best work" in eating copious amounts of food. I think for Christmas, I will take a half cup of turkey, mashed potatoes, peas and cranberry sauce, add some chicken stock, bend and see what happens.
It's about 4 PM now, the gas pains are horrible, and all of a sudden I feel that oh so pleasant pressure that signals impending passing of gas. This is going to be much easier than peeing.
So I waddle off to the bathroom, take a seat, get comfortable and whoooossscchhhh! The rushing wind. Those of you that have trouble with farting may want to turn the page here. But, I am going to detail this fart.
As a farting connoisseur, I have never experience a wind quite like this. It wasn't a rumble, but much more of a pop, followed by a gas release. Not odorific, well, I didn't think so. Think about a small balloon with its opening flopping open and the trapped air rushing out for a couple of seconds. It was a good start, a very good start. Another milestone met.
Again the angelic Crystal seemed truly happy at the news of the wind and continued to cheer me on. Pardon me, I farted again. The rest of the day just cruised and several imposing farts later I knew it was time for my first Bowel Movement. I will not go into detail about the milestone event. I will not gross you out with accurate explanations about the dark liquefied, gooey, nasty gas accelerated crap bomb, with what I have started to call crap shrapnel. But when it happens to you, don't be alarmed, and I hope your Crystal reacts to it a positively as my Crystal did.
The Angelic Crystal was relieved by the evil Tami around 7 PM. Had another round of vitals, Pepcid and Heparin. Pain Meds around 11 PM and I would have slept all night had it not been for the Techs taking vitals every 4 hours.
Roxy and Beth came to visit the afternoon. Roxy is Dr. Whites Program Administrator Nurse and Beth is the program nutritionist. Roxy seemed especially ecstatic about how well I was doing and was especially humored by the fact that I was fussing around putting some styling gel in my hair. She made my appointment to see Dr. White on next Tuesday which will include my first post hospital check out and weigh in. Beth again wanted to talk about my post-op diet. Liquids only at 4 ounces per hour until my first visit with Dr. White. Then I will move to, hold on to your hats, Puree's. Puree's for the next 2 months. I am glad I bought that Vitamix several years ago. I could puree a 57 Chevy if I needed to.
I am walking alot now, sitting in the uncomfortable chair now and increasing the time between needed pain medications. Sandy said my eyes were real bright and beautiful today (blue and quite nice), and except for the real gas pain, I feel great. The gas pain here seems to be my real nemesis today. My lower torso region is soft and kinda squishy, but my mid torso is hard as a rock and still obviously filled with Gas from the surgery. My left shoulder hurts still right under the collarbone. The gas bubbles move and cause varying degrees of pain depending upon where they are.
Sandy has been a trooper, supporting me in this quest. She herself is not sleeping well, not eating well, just worried about me. She is taking off a little early today so she and my visiting family can go out tonight for Thanksgiving Dinner. She has decided not to cook tomorrow for Thanksgiving for the first time since we have been married (29 years) so I don't have to deal with all of the aroma's of her incredible cooking. I have an incredible wife and love her completely and will continue to need her support as this holiday season will be difficult for me, I am sure. I will be on pureed foods throughout the entire season and historically the Holiday season and been the time of the year when I do my "best work" in eating copious amounts of food. I think for Christmas, I will take a half cup of turkey, mashed potatoes, peas and cranberry sauce, add some chicken stock, bend and see what happens.
It's about 4 PM now, the gas pains are horrible, and all of a sudden I feel that oh so pleasant pressure that signals impending passing of gas. This is going to be much easier than peeing.
So I waddle off to the bathroom, take a seat, get comfortable and whoooossscchhhh! The rushing wind. Those of you that have trouble with farting may want to turn the page here. But, I am going to detail this fart.
As a farting connoisseur, I have never experience a wind quite like this. It wasn't a rumble, but much more of a pop, followed by a gas release. Not odorific, well, I didn't think so. Think about a small balloon with its opening flopping open and the trapped air rushing out for a couple of seconds. It was a good start, a very good start. Another milestone met.
Again the angelic Crystal seemed truly happy at the news of the wind and continued to cheer me on. Pardon me, I farted again. The rest of the day just cruised and several imposing farts later I knew it was time for my first Bowel Movement. I will not go into detail about the milestone event. I will not gross you out with accurate explanations about the dark liquefied, gooey, nasty gas accelerated crap bomb, with what I have started to call crap shrapnel. But when it happens to you, don't be alarmed, and I hope your Crystal reacts to it a positively as my Crystal did.
The Angelic Crystal was relieved by the evil Tami around 7 PM. Had another round of vitals, Pepcid and Heparin. Pain Meds around 11 PM and I would have slept all night had it not been for the Techs taking vitals every 4 hours.
Nov. 21, 2007 Midnight to Noon - The Flow
I have determined that I am beginning to not like Tami the nurse who came on at 7. Its just after midnight and I dread the words that are about to come out of her mouth with that cute southern drawl. They have come out of her mouth several times in the last few hours. "Any Luck?" she says. Those two words would have been fine if I was fishing, or at the Blackjack table. But at this moment in time, they were dreaded. Tonight, I definitely do not like Tami.
I cannot pee.
I have stood, laid down, sat "chick" style. I have walked. Sipped. Walked some more. I have pushed, squeezed, prayed, stood, sit, and prayed again. "God, I know you are there, and it's not like I am asking you to save my life or anything. I just wanna pee." Can one say "pee" to God. Is that one of the "words" you cannot say in church, with out the wrath of the All- Seeing, Non-Peeing God coming down upon you?
Stand, shake, sit. I cannot pee.
It's now after midnight and those two words come grating across my brain receptacles, "Any Luck"? I hate Tami. My mind screams " leave me alone you southern blankity-blank, can't you see I am trying to. I am sitting, standing, squeezing, pushing, dancing, walking, LEAVE ME ALONE", but I open my mouth and all that comes out is an embarrassed whisper of a "No". She has to let my Doctor know and we may have to put the catheter back in. I instinctively curl into a fetal position. Even I, in my Loritab induced haze know that this cannot be pleasant. It was performed under general anesthesia the first time and the only reason I know that is because there it was, in all its hanging glory after I woke up. I cannot even comprehend the horror of that occurring awake. Twelve to eighteen inches of poly-tubing being shoved up my hoo-hoo. I think "My Guy" just instinctively shrunk in horror.
Stand, shake, sit. I cannot pee. This is beginning to kinda suck.
I was starting to sweat, hey does that count as peeing, when the young female tech came in the darkened room with a rolling cart. She politely states she is here for a bladder scan to see how much fluid is in my bladder. So again I have to expose my now shrunken in fear nether regions (hey does that come in adult sizes?) to this 20 something blond tech. I definitely was not in my glory, and she scanned my non-producing bladder. 259 ml's. 259 ml's, she said again. Was that good? Bad? Do I have to worry? The tech said that the bladder is not very full. Even though they have been pumping 150 ML of fluids into me every 6 hours, since Monday, maybe I really had been dehydrated as my mouth and throat had attested to.
Stand, shake, sit, dance, squeeze, walk. I cannot pee. Oh where is that golden flow? This is really beginning to suck.
It is somewhere around 2 AM when the evil Tami returns carrying the Oh My Gosh, Mount Everest, Holy Mother of God largest IV bag I have ever seen, and I watch ER alot. Doc wants me to have a "bolus" what ever that is. I come to find out it is a large (600 ml) amount of fluid through my IV injected in a short period of time. So Tami and her three large WWE assistants carrying the 600 ML IV bag hoist the bag onto the IV pole. I think I hear the pole groaning under the massive weight of the bag. Ok, so I am exaggerating a little. The evil Tami connects the IV Bolus and starts flowing away. My hand felt a little colder, that was strange, but Here comes the Bolus. I get a new blast of Loritab, and it's off to LaLa land.
5 AM comes around, Stand, shake, pray, sit, dance, squeeze, walk, pray again. I cannot pee. I am getting desperate and truly sub-consciously fearful.
This is really beginning to suck and I decide to walk again. 6 AM is rapidly approaching when the tech come in with my twice daily dose of Pepcid and Heparin. The Pepcid is to prevent any reflux and the Heparin is a blood thinner. I am going to walk again when I feel, whats that, but the slightest bit of pressure in my bladder that sends those signals to my neural receptors, telling my brain - I GOTTA GO PEE. I shuffled off to the bathroom, bending IV pole in hand and stand there urine receptacle inn hand. I stand, I dance, Praying again now, and I hear a dribble against plastic.
Dribble, dribble............and before you know it I am into continuous partial flow. Eureka. This could be the best day ever. I can pee. Its not full force, it is a darker more concentrated color, but who cares, I can pee - which means no Foley for me. What a site, a beautiful, yellow liquid 100 ml gift for the evil Tami. Maybe she is not so evil after all.
7 AM and the evil Tami is relieved by Crystal. I have never seen anyone so happy over urine as Crystal was. She kept congratulating me, telling me how great I was doing. After that nite with the evil Tami, I am sure I see the slightest forming of an angelic halo over Crystals head. Maybe its the Loritab.
Pain is lessening from all of the lap sites except the drain site and the gas pain is really starting to intensify. Gas pain in shoulder, back and chest. Starting to get hard to stay comfortable in my bed. Walking and breathing in the breathing thingy seem to help the most.
I can pee (again). I am a big boy now.
Next Milestone will be farting, something, that my wife knows, I am an expert at.
I cannot pee.
I have stood, laid down, sat "chick" style. I have walked. Sipped. Walked some more. I have pushed, squeezed, prayed, stood, sit, and prayed again. "God, I know you are there, and it's not like I am asking you to save my life or anything. I just wanna pee." Can one say "pee" to God. Is that one of the "words" you cannot say in church, with out the wrath of the All- Seeing, Non-Peeing God coming down upon you?
Stand, shake, sit. I cannot pee.
It's now after midnight and those two words come grating across my brain receptacles, "Any Luck"? I hate Tami. My mind screams " leave me alone you southern blankity-blank, can't you see I am trying to. I am sitting, standing, squeezing, pushing, dancing, walking, LEAVE ME ALONE", but I open my mouth and all that comes out is an embarrassed whisper of a "No". She has to let my Doctor know and we may have to put the catheter back in. I instinctively curl into a fetal position. Even I, in my Loritab induced haze know that this cannot be pleasant. It was performed under general anesthesia the first time and the only reason I know that is because there it was, in all its hanging glory after I woke up. I cannot even comprehend the horror of that occurring awake. Twelve to eighteen inches of poly-tubing being shoved up my hoo-hoo. I think "My Guy" just instinctively shrunk in horror.
Stand, shake, sit. I cannot pee. This is beginning to kinda suck.
I was starting to sweat, hey does that count as peeing, when the young female tech came in the darkened room with a rolling cart. She politely states she is here for a bladder scan to see how much fluid is in my bladder. So again I have to expose my now shrunken in fear nether regions (hey does that come in adult sizes?) to this 20 something blond tech. I definitely was not in my glory, and she scanned my non-producing bladder. 259 ml's. 259 ml's, she said again. Was that good? Bad? Do I have to worry? The tech said that the bladder is not very full. Even though they have been pumping 150 ML of fluids into me every 6 hours, since Monday, maybe I really had been dehydrated as my mouth and throat had attested to.
Stand, shake, sit, dance, squeeze, walk. I cannot pee. Oh where is that golden flow? This is really beginning to suck.
It is somewhere around 2 AM when the evil Tami returns carrying the Oh My Gosh, Mount Everest, Holy Mother of God largest IV bag I have ever seen, and I watch ER alot. Doc wants me to have a "bolus" what ever that is. I come to find out it is a large (600 ml) amount of fluid through my IV injected in a short period of time. So Tami and her three large WWE assistants carrying the 600 ML IV bag hoist the bag onto the IV pole. I think I hear the pole groaning under the massive weight of the bag. Ok, so I am exaggerating a little. The evil Tami connects the IV Bolus and starts flowing away. My hand felt a little colder, that was strange, but Here comes the Bolus. I get a new blast of Loritab, and it's off to LaLa land.
5 AM comes around, Stand, shake, pray, sit, dance, squeeze, walk, pray again. I cannot pee. I am getting desperate and truly sub-consciously fearful.
This is really beginning to suck and I decide to walk again. 6 AM is rapidly approaching when the tech come in with my twice daily dose of Pepcid and Heparin. The Pepcid is to prevent any reflux and the Heparin is a blood thinner. I am going to walk again when I feel, whats that, but the slightest bit of pressure in my bladder that sends those signals to my neural receptors, telling my brain - I GOTTA GO PEE. I shuffled off to the bathroom, bending IV pole in hand and stand there urine receptacle inn hand. I stand, I dance, Praying again now, and I hear a dribble against plastic.
Dribble, dribble............and before you know it I am into continuous partial flow. Eureka. This could be the best day ever. I can pee. Its not full force, it is a darker more concentrated color, but who cares, I can pee - which means no Foley for me. What a site, a beautiful, yellow liquid 100 ml gift for the evil Tami. Maybe she is not so evil after all.
7 AM and the evil Tami is relieved by Crystal. I have never seen anyone so happy over urine as Crystal was. She kept congratulating me, telling me how great I was doing. After that nite with the evil Tami, I am sure I see the slightest forming of an angelic halo over Crystals head. Maybe its the Loritab.
Pain is lessening from all of the lap sites except the drain site and the gas pain is really starting to intensify. Gas pain in shoulder, back and chest. Starting to get hard to stay comfortable in my bed. Walking and breathing in the breathing thingy seem to help the most.
I can pee (again). I am a big boy now.
Next Milestone will be farting, something, that my wife knows, I am an expert at.
Nov. 20, 2007 - Noon to Midnight - Anticipating the Flow.
I awoke to the wonderful sight of Wheelchair Pusher Girl. I am sure they have an official title, but all I know, at that point in time, is that she will be called Wheelchair Pusher Girl and that Wheelchair Pusher Girl = the test and passing the test = water therefore, Wheelchair Pusher Girl = water in my current 4 mg of morphine one hour ago hazed mind. My high school algebra teacher would be happy. Let us review, if A=B and B=C, then A=C. On to the test.
So as best as we could, we gathered up the IV pole and machine attached to my left hand, the catheter bag attached to my, well you know where that is attached and my oxygen tank attached to my nose, and off we went to XRay. 5 floors down, to the left, or was it right, left turn again through the automatic doors, I got to push the button, and parked in the hall outside of the Swallow Test room. Oh yeah, I had my file (one large binder) in my lap also.
The swallow test, is a test infront of a GE digitized XRay machine, where I am bestowed the awesome task of drinking this Barium Sulfate concoction. Barium sulfate is radioopaque (x-ray absorbent), used in X-ray diagnostic work for obtaining images of the digestive system ("barium meals" and "barium enemas"). Thank you Mr. Wiki. Now Crystal (God love her) in her obvious brilliant wisdom has prepped me for this with another shot, that will prevent nausea, because this Barium crap is supposed to be so foul tasting, horrible, awful, save the women and children, and just downright bad. At this point I am so thirsty, I might even consider a liquefied cat crap cocktail, so I am not too fearful of this XRay drink. I have to stand infront of an XRay machine while I drink the stuff so the Dr. can watch it pass though my system. If it flows correctly to where it should, I pass. If I pass, I get water, if I don't, well, I won't even think of that right now. I was always good in high school at tests. I have always been great at drinking, and this is a drinking test. Should be a piece of cake.
Let the test begin, I am in the machine and take a normal sized swallow of this golden elixir. The muscles in my face contorted into positions that I am sure they have never been in before. How can something that looks like Golschlager taste like???? I don't even know what this tastes like. There is nothing that can explain it, and now " Dr. This Stuff tastes like reconstituted second-hand hell" wants me to drink again. All I am thinking, is water, water, cool, clear Omaha Metropolitan Utility District City tap water. So I take my second drink, again the similar facial reaction, and I hear those magic words, you passed!!!
Thunder and lightning, fireworks, I get water!!! Now where the heck is WheelChair Pusher Girl, I gets me some agua!
Back to the room and there she is, in her radiance, My Crystal, with that beautiful plastic graduated 1 ounce cup filled to the brim with cool, clear Omaha Metropolitan Utility District City tap water. Imagine my disappointment when I realized how small a portion one ounce of water was, and how quickly my disappointment returned to joy as that first tiny sip slipped past my parched throat. I was going to enjoy this slowly. Crystal brought me another prize also. Now that I could ingest orally, the pain would now be crushed by my new friend, Loritab Elixir. Basically Liquid Vicodin and Tylenol. That stuff made me Mr. Pain No More and worked awesome.
As soon as I was starting to feel the effects of the Loritab, Crystal and Polly were back, much to my chagrin, to remove my Foley Catheter. No, please do this in my sleep, I promise, I won't be mad. Nope, gonna do it now and Polly (the trainee) gets to do it. Great. After some fumbling with "My Guy" I am told to take a deep breath, and blow out slowly and away Polly pulls. I swear I just peed myself. That is what it felt like. When I realized that I hadn't I just smiled shyly, thanked them and hoped deep in my heart that I would never have to do that again. Crystal reminded me that the next milestone was passing water. Peeing. Urinating. And that would turn out to be the scariest of all.
Tami relieved Crystal and Polly. Lord, all I want to do is pee now - please?
So as best as we could, we gathered up the IV pole and machine attached to my left hand, the catheter bag attached to my, well you know where that is attached and my oxygen tank attached to my nose, and off we went to XRay. 5 floors down, to the left, or was it right, left turn again through the automatic doors, I got to push the button, and parked in the hall outside of the Swallow Test room. Oh yeah, I had my file (one large binder) in my lap also.
The swallow test, is a test infront of a GE digitized XRay machine, where I am bestowed the awesome task of drinking this Barium Sulfate concoction. Barium sulfate is radioopaque (x-ray absorbent), used in X-ray diagnostic work for obtaining images of the digestive system ("barium meals" and "barium enemas"). Thank you Mr. Wiki. Now Crystal (God love her) in her obvious brilliant wisdom has prepped me for this with another shot, that will prevent nausea, because this Barium crap is supposed to be so foul tasting, horrible, awful, save the women and children, and just downright bad. At this point I am so thirsty, I might even consider a liquefied cat crap cocktail, so I am not too fearful of this XRay drink. I have to stand infront of an XRay machine while I drink the stuff so the Dr. can watch it pass though my system. If it flows correctly to where it should, I pass. If I pass, I get water, if I don't, well, I won't even think of that right now. I was always good in high school at tests. I have always been great at drinking, and this is a drinking test. Should be a piece of cake.
Let the test begin, I am in the machine and take a normal sized swallow of this golden elixir. The muscles in my face contorted into positions that I am sure they have never been in before. How can something that looks like Golschlager taste like???? I don't even know what this tastes like. There is nothing that can explain it, and now " Dr. This Stuff tastes like reconstituted second-hand hell" wants me to drink again. All I am thinking, is water, water, cool, clear Omaha Metropolitan Utility District City tap water. So I take my second drink, again the similar facial reaction, and I hear those magic words, you passed!!!
Thunder and lightning, fireworks, I get water!!! Now where the heck is WheelChair Pusher Girl, I gets me some agua!
Back to the room and there she is, in her radiance, My Crystal, with that beautiful plastic graduated 1 ounce cup filled to the brim with cool, clear Omaha Metropolitan Utility District City tap water. Imagine my disappointment when I realized how small a portion one ounce of water was, and how quickly my disappointment returned to joy as that first tiny sip slipped past my parched throat. I was going to enjoy this slowly. Crystal brought me another prize also. Now that I could ingest orally, the pain would now be crushed by my new friend, Loritab Elixir. Basically Liquid Vicodin and Tylenol. That stuff made me Mr. Pain No More and worked awesome.
As soon as I was starting to feel the effects of the Loritab, Crystal and Polly were back, much to my chagrin, to remove my Foley Catheter. No, please do this in my sleep, I promise, I won't be mad. Nope, gonna do it now and Polly (the trainee) gets to do it. Great. After some fumbling with "My Guy" I am told to take a deep breath, and blow out slowly and away Polly pulls. I swear I just peed myself. That is what it felt like. When I realized that I hadn't I just smiled shyly, thanked them and hoped deep in my heart that I would never have to do that again. Crystal reminded me that the next milestone was passing water. Peeing. Urinating. And that would turn out to be the scariest of all.
Tami relieved Crystal and Polly. Lord, all I want to do is pee now - please?
Nov. 20, 2007 - Midnight to Noon - I am Thirsty
I am thirsty.
I could end this blog right here and that would sum this morning up. I will repeat, I am thirsty. I have had nothing to drink since 10:30 on Sunday night and it is now 0630 on Tuesday Nov 20th and my throat and mouth is so dry. Sure, I have been on an IV, I have the Foley Catheter properly installed (a story which I will elaborate upon) and I am involuntarily moving bodily fluids. But my mouth is dry and my throat hurts and I have just been told that I can have nothing to drink until my "Swallow Test" (get your minds out of the gutter right now), Which is at least 5 or 6 hours away.
The pain is still pretty severe after 2 or so hours of Karen's and now the wonderful Jennie's visits. They have been keeping on top of the pain. Today I also realized I have the On-Q Pain Buster around my neck which is providing pain meds subcutaneously to the areas of the most internal work. This morning I really started feeling the gas bubble in my torso (used to "Pump me up" so the Surgeon has room to work inside me. I am starting to have trouble differentiating the pain - is it from the cuts and mods or is it from the gas? I have a sharp pain in my left collarbone area, which I am sure is from the gas. That keeps coming back with the mid-torso pain. It will be around for a few days I am sure.
Crystal came on around 7 AM as my new nurse, she is also training Polly. Polly Pureheart! There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! Crystal and Polly will be with me for the next 12 hours or so. These nurses are amazing. They work so hard and have to take so much crap from people. I hear the nurses outside tell each other I am a great patient, so I don't want to ruin that. They really have taken care of me so well.
I am thirsty.
We were informed that my swallow test "may" occur around 10:30 AM. That is a milestone. Many things occur when you pass that test. First on my list is I get to DRINK WATER. Did I mention that I was thirsty? One ounce of water by mouth for 16 hours after I pass the swallow test. Bring on the test! At that time they will remove my catheter. Oh joy! Two attractive women, getting to see me in all my post-operative glory, removing approximately 18 inches of poly tubing strategically placed inside my lower nether regions. I am not looking forward to that part, but Bring on the test!
I have walked already a couple of times today, walking feels good and I am so "upright". I decide to sit in the uncomfortable chair in preparation for the wheelchair pusher girl to come and get me. It is 10:25 AM.
10:30 AM I am thirsty and no test. Bring on the test!
11:00 AM and no test. I am still thirsty and my back is starting to hurt. Bring on the test!
11:30 AM and no test. I am still thirsty, my back hurts, my shoulder hurts, my stomach hurts and I am getting cranky and I can no longer focus on the television. For the love of all that is good, would somebody please bring on the test!
11:45 AM and no test. I am still thirsty, my throat hurts, my lower back hurts, my left shoulder hurts, my stomach hurts freaking everywhere and I am really cranky, the TV is a blur and for the sake of all the poor little starving children in the world, Crystal - Bring on the Morphine - screw the test.
The swallow test will happen when it happens. Time for Jim to nap. The pain is gone, Crystal is my best friend, and I am still thirsty.
I could end this blog right here and that would sum this morning up. I will repeat, I am thirsty. I have had nothing to drink since 10:30 on Sunday night and it is now 0630 on Tuesday Nov 20th and my throat and mouth is so dry. Sure, I have been on an IV, I have the Foley Catheter properly installed (a story which I will elaborate upon) and I am involuntarily moving bodily fluids. But my mouth is dry and my throat hurts and I have just been told that I can have nothing to drink until my "Swallow Test" (get your minds out of the gutter right now), Which is at least 5 or 6 hours away.
The pain is still pretty severe after 2 or so hours of Karen's and now the wonderful Jennie's visits. They have been keeping on top of the pain. Today I also realized I have the On-Q Pain Buster around my neck which is providing pain meds subcutaneously to the areas of the most internal work. This morning I really started feeling the gas bubble in my torso (used to "Pump me up" so the Surgeon has room to work inside me. I am starting to have trouble differentiating the pain - is it from the cuts and mods or is it from the gas? I have a sharp pain in my left collarbone area, which I am sure is from the gas. That keeps coming back with the mid-torso pain. It will be around for a few days I am sure.
Crystal came on around 7 AM as my new nurse, she is also training Polly. Polly Pureheart! There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! Crystal and Polly will be with me for the next 12 hours or so. These nurses are amazing. They work so hard and have to take so much crap from people. I hear the nurses outside tell each other I am a great patient, so I don't want to ruin that. They really have taken care of me so well.
I am thirsty.
We were informed that my swallow test "may" occur around 10:30 AM. That is a milestone. Many things occur when you pass that test. First on my list is I get to DRINK WATER. Did I mention that I was thirsty? One ounce of water by mouth for 16 hours after I pass the swallow test. Bring on the test! At that time they will remove my catheter. Oh joy! Two attractive women, getting to see me in all my post-operative glory, removing approximately 18 inches of poly tubing strategically placed inside my lower nether regions. I am not looking forward to that part, but Bring on the test!
I have walked already a couple of times today, walking feels good and I am so "upright". I decide to sit in the uncomfortable chair in preparation for the wheelchair pusher girl to come and get me. It is 10:25 AM.
10:30 AM I am thirsty and no test. Bring on the test!
11:00 AM and no test. I am still thirsty and my back is starting to hurt. Bring on the test!
11:30 AM and no test. I am still thirsty, my back hurts, my shoulder hurts, my stomach hurts and I am getting cranky and I can no longer focus on the television. For the love of all that is good, would somebody please bring on the test!
11:45 AM and no test. I am still thirsty, my throat hurts, my lower back hurts, my left shoulder hurts, my stomach hurts freaking everywhere and I am really cranky, the TV is a blur and for the sake of all the poor little starving children in the world, Crystal - Bring on the Morphine - screw the test.
The swallow test will happen when it happens. Time for Jim to nap. The pain is gone, Crystal is my best friend, and I am still thirsty.
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