Thursday, Oct. 24, 2 a.m.
Weight: (Wed.) 287
Breakfast: blueberry yogurt
lunch: leftover chunky soup, yogurt
dinner: wedge of laughing cow cheese
I didn't eat nearly enough Wednesday, went to see Capt. Phillips and surprised myself by not feeling so great. In the theater, my stomach felt weird enough to worry about, but never actually painful. I just didn't know how to interpret my symptoms. Guess I just tried to do too much too soon because I'd been recovering so quickly. I did drink a lot of crystal light (tea), so I know I'm not deydrated.
I had my first experience with dumping. I had one of mom's yogurts when I was over there looking after the dog. It was a yoplait, strawberry/banana that had too much sugar in it, but I ate it anyway. 30 minutes later back at my own house, I didn't get to the bathroom in my time to avoid a diarrhea incident.
I went grocery shopping and the three bags (soup, yogurt, laughing cow cheese, body wash and bird seed) probably was too heavy to carry. Hope I didn't hurt anything.
The Red Sox were a great painkiller again, winning 8-1 in Game 1 of the World Series. I went to bed and slept for an hour, but now I'm wide awake. Can't take an oxycodone because I need to drive downtown for my follow up visit with Dr. Pullatt at 10.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Tuesday, Oct. 22, 1:45
Weight: 289.5
Breakfast: yogurt, but not greek, need to get more of that
Lunch: refried beans, cheese and salsa
Don't know know how much I'll get written, just got a text from Lisa asking if she could visit. I cleaned up a bit, not as much as Mom would like, and opened up the door to the screen porch by first taping up the loose screen panel. Boomer hasn't discovered its vulnerability yet and likes being outside again.
It's a nice, cool day, good for fresh air in here. Went for a walk this morning with Mom, probably no more than 10 minutes or so, but it's become a good habit we do twice a day. Will ask Dr. Pullatt Wednesday when and by how much I can increase it.
Really feel good today, occasional tender stomach feelings, but not painful ones. Been reading and napping, two of my favorite things in the world. Scheduled an appointment Thursday at 1 to get my carpet cleaned. Yay, my house should be much improved by then.
Weight: 289.5
Breakfast: yogurt, but not greek, need to get more of that
Lunch: refried beans, cheese and salsa
Don't know know how much I'll get written, just got a text from Lisa asking if she could visit. I cleaned up a bit, not as much as Mom would like, and opened up the door to the screen porch by first taping up the loose screen panel. Boomer hasn't discovered its vulnerability yet and likes being outside again.
It's a nice, cool day, good for fresh air in here. Went for a walk this morning with Mom, probably no more than 10 minutes or so, but it's become a good habit we do twice a day. Will ask Dr. Pullatt Wednesday when and by how much I can increase it.
Really feel good today, occasional tender stomach feelings, but not painful ones. Been reading and napping, two of my favorite things in the world. Scheduled an appointment Thursday at 1 to get my carpet cleaned. Yay, my house should be much improved by then.
Monday, October 21, 2013
Monday, Oct. 20, 3 p.m.
Today's details:
Weight: 292
Breakfast: light and fit greek blueberry yogurt
lunch: Blended chunky soup (sirloin burger and veggies)
Best day so far, slept well. Got up at Boomer's insistence around 7:30, crashed in the recliner and slept until 9:30. Mom called me over to play cards and we did and went for a short walk.
Came back for lunch, reading and General Hospital. Got a call from MUSC nursing supervisor checking in on me. Assured her all is ahead of schedule.
My stomach still feels squirrely, not painful, not even uncomfortable really. Just different. I can take that as I wait for my innards to get accustomed to the new plumbing.
Today's details:
Weight: 292
Breakfast: light and fit greek blueberry yogurt
lunch: Blended chunky soup (sirloin burger and veggies)
Best day so far, slept well. Got up at Boomer's insistence around 7:30, crashed in the recliner and slept until 9:30. Mom called me over to play cards and we did and went for a short walk.
Came back for lunch, reading and General Hospital. Got a call from MUSC nursing supervisor checking in on me. Assured her all is ahead of schedule.
My stomach still feels squirrely, not painful, not even uncomfortable really. Just different. I can take that as I wait for my innards to get accustomed to the new plumbing.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Recovering with help from Oxycodone and Shane Victorino grand slam
Sunday, Oct. 20, 10 p.m.
It's my second night home, third night away from the first hospital room I've ever stayed in, at least since Mom and Dad brought me home as a baby.
Some details: Weighed 297.5 this morning (was 300 on the morning of the surgery)
Breakfast: Dad made oatmeal with a little cinnamon for flavor. I ate about half of it.
Morning snack: Cup of blueberry greek yogurt
Lunch: refried beans with melted cheese and salsa for flavor
Afternoon snack: Wedge of Smiling Cow cheese spread
Dinner: Leftover blended chunky chicken soup that dad made me yesterday
Liquids: Just water with Crystal light tea flavor squirted in. Had 3 big glasses, but probably not the 64 ounces I'm supposed to have.
Day's success: First bowel movement since before surgery. Later in the day had diarrhea twice, but I feel much better.
Oxycodone: Took one at 5:30 this morning and another around 4:30 this afternoon. Working my way off it.
Looking back on my surgery while it's still fresh in my mind.
Wednesday - got up at 4:05 a.m. to take yet another shower with that special body wash soap they gave me in the pre-op appointment. Mom and Dad picked me up at 4:55 to get me to hospital by 5:30. Dad dropped us off and Mom stayed with me through registration and in the pre-surgery room. Surgery was scheduled for 7:30, but Dr. Pullatt was delayed by helping Dr. Byrne on another case, so Mom and I visited until they wheeled me into the operating room.
That's the last thing I remember before waking up sluggishly in post-op or was it my room. It's pretty hazy now. But Mom was there in the room when I was awake enough to realize it and she told me Dr. Pullatt told her everything had gone well. She said she was calling dad to come pick her up and she'd be back the next day to visit and to get some rest. Ed, my cool nurse told me to take it easy too and that when I felt better I could get up and sit up in a chair. This was around 11:30 and by 1:30, I had to pee so asked for help getting up. But once I had my feet firmly on the floor, I felt a bunch better and realized I could go to the bathroom myself and once I realized I wasn't in much pain, I decided to sit up for awhile. It was so much more comfortable than the hospital bed that I must have dozed off again. Around 3, I tried to take a walk, remembering all the advice about how valuable that was. The nurses station looked up in amazement and Ed cheered me on. I took a little trip down the hall and back to my room where I returned to the chair and felt I'd accomplished something. Later when I reread the literature, I learned I wasn't supposed to walk until the day after surgery.
I didn't have anything to eat or drink that day, but could suck on a spongy stick resting in a styrofoam cup of ice water. I needed it because whenever I woke up from a nap, my mouth was so dry and icky feeling.
That night I stayed up (sort of) to watch the Red Sox lose 7-3 to the Tigers, I kept falling asleep and waking up. I saw the final out, turned off the TV and went to bed.
My night nurse was Lena and Maud was her assistant who checked my vitals every four hours.
On Thursday, I was out of bed by 5:45 a.m.. Marie, an intern (I think) from the surgery rotation came in to see how I was doing, asked if I'd belched, had stomach grumbling that kind of thing. She told me a group of doctors would be in later doing rounds. I went for more walks, including one in mid-morning where I saw Ed in the hall and he melodramatically groaned about how his mean boss took me away from him. "I finally get a female patient who loves the Red Sox and I don't get to keep her." It was fun to tease with him and I did miss him that day. His replacement, April, however was super nice and professional. She told me I'd be going down to X-ray soon so Dr. Pullatt could see if there were any leaks. That was not a terrific experience, had to drink this foul stuff, including barium to provide contrast medium for the radiologist. Took about an hour for the whole process, When I got back to the room, Mom and Dad were there and had been for most of that hour.
They didn't stay long, had to get back for Baxter. But Mom had brought a pretty rose colored vase with a few carnations in it. Said she bought it a Super Bi-Lo. They seemed proud of how I was doing and told me to call when I was ready to come home Friday.
That day I was brought a tray of assorted shot glass size drinks - unsweetened tea, lemonade and apple juice - 2 of each. And I had a second tray just like it at night. I drank it all and realized I was starting to think about food.
The Red Sox kept me occupied that night. A great 4-3 win started by Lester. We had a 4-0 lead and hung on carefully through three 1-run innings that could have been worse if not for luck, defense or clutch pitching. Unlike the night before, I was able to stay up for the whole game and when Maud came in at midnight to take my vitals, I hoped the game would be over when she came in at 4 a.m. Not to worry, Koji got the final five outs and we took a 3-2 lead in Detroit. Game 6 would be Saturday night.
I woke up early on Friday too. Again talked to Marie before 6 and met with the rotation of doctors (still not including Pullatt) around 7. One of them, (Will I think) asked what kind of night I'd had. With a big grin, I said: "Awesome. The Red Sox won. Turns out Will went to high school with Jake Peavy, so there was little discussion of my condition.
Saw Dr. Pullatt later in the morning and he assured me I could go home as soon as the paperwork was ready, so I called Mom and told her noon. That morning, my tray had a yogurt, a juice, Lactaid milk, a container of cottage cheese and coffee. I liked the yogurt and juice and reluctantly tried the cottage cheese. Surprisingly edible, but I never touched the coffee and the milk wasn't for me.
It's my second night home, third night away from the first hospital room I've ever stayed in, at least since Mom and Dad brought me home as a baby.
Some details: Weighed 297.5 this morning (was 300 on the morning of the surgery)
Breakfast: Dad made oatmeal with a little cinnamon for flavor. I ate about half of it.
Morning snack: Cup of blueberry greek yogurt
Lunch: refried beans with melted cheese and salsa for flavor
Afternoon snack: Wedge of Smiling Cow cheese spread
Dinner: Leftover blended chunky chicken soup that dad made me yesterday
Liquids: Just water with Crystal light tea flavor squirted in. Had 3 big glasses, but probably not the 64 ounces I'm supposed to have.
Day's success: First bowel movement since before surgery. Later in the day had diarrhea twice, but I feel much better.
Oxycodone: Took one at 5:30 this morning and another around 4:30 this afternoon. Working my way off it.
Looking back on my surgery while it's still fresh in my mind.
Wednesday - got up at 4:05 a.m. to take yet another shower with that special body wash soap they gave me in the pre-op appointment. Mom and Dad picked me up at 4:55 to get me to hospital by 5:30. Dad dropped us off and Mom stayed with me through registration and in the pre-surgery room. Surgery was scheduled for 7:30, but Dr. Pullatt was delayed by helping Dr. Byrne on another case, so Mom and I visited until they wheeled me into the operating room.
That's the last thing I remember before waking up sluggishly in post-op or was it my room. It's pretty hazy now. But Mom was there in the room when I was awake enough to realize it and she told me Dr. Pullatt told her everything had gone well. She said she was calling dad to come pick her up and she'd be back the next day to visit and to get some rest. Ed, my cool nurse told me to take it easy too and that when I felt better I could get up and sit up in a chair. This was around 11:30 and by 1:30, I had to pee so asked for help getting up. But once I had my feet firmly on the floor, I felt a bunch better and realized I could go to the bathroom myself and once I realized I wasn't in much pain, I decided to sit up for awhile. It was so much more comfortable than the hospital bed that I must have dozed off again. Around 3, I tried to take a walk, remembering all the advice about how valuable that was. The nurses station looked up in amazement and Ed cheered me on. I took a little trip down the hall and back to my room where I returned to the chair and felt I'd accomplished something. Later when I reread the literature, I learned I wasn't supposed to walk until the day after surgery.
I didn't have anything to eat or drink that day, but could suck on a spongy stick resting in a styrofoam cup of ice water. I needed it because whenever I woke up from a nap, my mouth was so dry and icky feeling.
That night I stayed up (sort of) to watch the Red Sox lose 7-3 to the Tigers, I kept falling asleep and waking up. I saw the final out, turned off the TV and went to bed.
My night nurse was Lena and Maud was her assistant who checked my vitals every four hours.
On Thursday, I was out of bed by 5:45 a.m.. Marie, an intern (I think) from the surgery rotation came in to see how I was doing, asked if I'd belched, had stomach grumbling that kind of thing. She told me a group of doctors would be in later doing rounds. I went for more walks, including one in mid-morning where I saw Ed in the hall and he melodramatically groaned about how his mean boss took me away from him. "I finally get a female patient who loves the Red Sox and I don't get to keep her." It was fun to tease with him and I did miss him that day. His replacement, April, however was super nice and professional. She told me I'd be going down to X-ray soon so Dr. Pullatt could see if there were any leaks. That was not a terrific experience, had to drink this foul stuff, including barium to provide contrast medium for the radiologist. Took about an hour for the whole process, When I got back to the room, Mom and Dad were there and had been for most of that hour.
They didn't stay long, had to get back for Baxter. But Mom had brought a pretty rose colored vase with a few carnations in it. Said she bought it a Super Bi-Lo. They seemed proud of how I was doing and told me to call when I was ready to come home Friday.
That day I was brought a tray of assorted shot glass size drinks - unsweetened tea, lemonade and apple juice - 2 of each. And I had a second tray just like it at night. I drank it all and realized I was starting to think about food.
The Red Sox kept me occupied that night. A great 4-3 win started by Lester. We had a 4-0 lead and hung on carefully through three 1-run innings that could have been worse if not for luck, defense or clutch pitching. Unlike the night before, I was able to stay up for the whole game and when Maud came in at midnight to take my vitals, I hoped the game would be over when she came in at 4 a.m. Not to worry, Koji got the final five outs and we took a 3-2 lead in Detroit. Game 6 would be Saturday night.
I woke up early on Friday too. Again talked to Marie before 6 and met with the rotation of doctors (still not including Pullatt) around 7. One of them, (Will I think) asked what kind of night I'd had. With a big grin, I said: "Awesome. The Red Sox won. Turns out Will went to high school with Jake Peavy, so there was little discussion of my condition.
Saw Dr. Pullatt later in the morning and he assured me I could go home as soon as the paperwork was ready, so I called Mom and told her noon. That morning, my tray had a yogurt, a juice, Lactaid milk, a container of cottage cheese and coffee. I liked the yogurt and juice and reluctantly tried the cottage cheese. Surprisingly edible, but I never touched the coffee and the milk wasn't for me.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Countdown to surgery
Wednesday, 10-9
One week from now I'll be heading into MUSC for a long-awaited gastric bypass surgery. I have so many questions and so few clues about what I'm facing. Everyone asks me if I'm excited. I was when I found out in September that my insurance was approving the procedure because initially I had been denied. But no, excited isn't the word I'd use.
I'm nervous, worried, overwhelmed, intimidated and maybe a little excited. Nervous because I don't know what to expect. How uncomfortable will I be. For how long. How will I handle the dramatic reduction in how much I eat and can eat? With every meal I enjoy now, I can't help thinking it's among the last like it I'll ever consume.
I'm worried about how I'll handle the lifestyle change. I'm worried about my willingness and ability to attend all the recommended post-operative support sessions. I'm worried about my ability to develop and stick to a new nutritional routine.
I'm overwhelmed and intimidated by all of it, but what better forum to put it all out there? I know we'll be encouraged to keep a food journal, but this will be where I intend to keep a progress report of everything else. I have the support of my friends and family and am in email contact with cousin Allison and friend Lisa Enright, both of whom are glowing examples of how to succeed at this.
Thursday, 10-10
Yet again, I'm inspired to write by the inconveniently agonizing pain in my feet. The moderately annoying pain during my waking hours changes dramatically once I crawl under the sheets. So even though I'm exhausted at 3 a.m., I can't sleep.
I'm hoping one of the effects of the surgery will be a lessening of my peripheral neuropathy. I've read that it can have an impact, but by no means is it guaranteed.
At work tonight I learned I'll be adding the pagination of the Post and Courier's newly acquired (not the right phrase) small town weeklies. I guess we've always owned them, but now we'll be responsible for their production. Anyway, the good news is I'll be working 4-day workweeks -- Friday through Monday. Sounds miserable, but I like the three-day off thing. This won't start until after I come back from the surgery.
I've identified some projects I need to complete before next Wednesday because I won't be able to do them for awhile afterwards. Today I trimmed the out-of-control little trees that have taken over around my house - near the garage, near the air conditioner, near the porch. And I pruned the Confederate Jasmine which is threatening take over the tree next to the driveway. I left the remains at the foot of the driveway for the town of Hanahan to pick up Monday.
I still need to mow one more time, do laundry Tuesday, generally pick up in my house so Dad can feed Boomer the few nights I'm not home.
Here's hoping my feet start quieting down or that my need for sleep finally overcomes the neuropathy.
Saturday 10-12
Five days until surgery. Five days until my craving for something to eat when I get home from work after midnight will have to be ignored. I hope the cravings dwindle with my waistline.
Two more days of work, then it's off until the 26th. I genuinely hope I'm feeling well enough to return that Saturday. Because if I'm not, that's a long time to go feeling miserable.
I think I'll ship off some letters to Lisa and Allison and ask for some advice.
One week from now I'll be heading into MUSC for a long-awaited gastric bypass surgery. I have so many questions and so few clues about what I'm facing. Everyone asks me if I'm excited. I was when I found out in September that my insurance was approving the procedure because initially I had been denied. But no, excited isn't the word I'd use.
I'm nervous, worried, overwhelmed, intimidated and maybe a little excited. Nervous because I don't know what to expect. How uncomfortable will I be. For how long. How will I handle the dramatic reduction in how much I eat and can eat? With every meal I enjoy now, I can't help thinking it's among the last like it I'll ever consume.
I'm worried about how I'll handle the lifestyle change. I'm worried about my willingness and ability to attend all the recommended post-operative support sessions. I'm worried about my ability to develop and stick to a new nutritional routine.
I'm overwhelmed and intimidated by all of it, but what better forum to put it all out there? I know we'll be encouraged to keep a food journal, but this will be where I intend to keep a progress report of everything else. I have the support of my friends and family and am in email contact with cousin Allison and friend Lisa Enright, both of whom are glowing examples of how to succeed at this.
Thursday, 10-10
Yet again, I'm inspired to write by the inconveniently agonizing pain in my feet. The moderately annoying pain during my waking hours changes dramatically once I crawl under the sheets. So even though I'm exhausted at 3 a.m., I can't sleep.
I'm hoping one of the effects of the surgery will be a lessening of my peripheral neuropathy. I've read that it can have an impact, but by no means is it guaranteed.
At work tonight I learned I'll be adding the pagination of the Post and Courier's newly acquired (not the right phrase) small town weeklies. I guess we've always owned them, but now we'll be responsible for their production. Anyway, the good news is I'll be working 4-day workweeks -- Friday through Monday. Sounds miserable, but I like the three-day off thing. This won't start until after I come back from the surgery.
I've identified some projects I need to complete before next Wednesday because I won't be able to do them for awhile afterwards. Today I trimmed the out-of-control little trees that have taken over around my house - near the garage, near the air conditioner, near the porch. And I pruned the Confederate Jasmine which is threatening take over the tree next to the driveway. I left the remains at the foot of the driveway for the town of Hanahan to pick up Monday.
I still need to mow one more time, do laundry Tuesday, generally pick up in my house so Dad can feed Boomer the few nights I'm not home.
Here's hoping my feet start quieting down or that my need for sleep finally overcomes the neuropathy.
Saturday 10-12
Five days until surgery. Five days until my craving for something to eat when I get home from work after midnight will have to be ignored. I hope the cravings dwindle with my waistline.
Two more days of work, then it's off until the 26th. I genuinely hope I'm feeling well enough to return that Saturday. Because if I'm not, that's a long time to go feeling miserable.
I think I'll ship off some letters to Lisa and Allison and ask for some advice.
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