Re: more surgical complications-Update

December 23, 2004

OPeach,

Get this..I talked at length with the Dietician on the phone after

leaving the gastroenterologist office Tuesday. Because she can't see

me until January 4th, we went over the problems, history etc on the

phone. I talked to her about how horribly I dump and told her I

supplement with Carb Countdown by Hood because of the low carb

count. I was put on a liquids only diet with 1400 kcal count until

they can get me into surgery.

My diet:

12 cups of Carb Countdown (I drink fat free cuz the others gross!)

3tbsp of oil added for the fat and calories.

THATS IT!

Of course I can't gag that much milk down in a day so Im adding

instant coffe, and sf syrups to them to help me " enjoy " the

experience and get me to drink it. Hey if you take that and add

vanilla and blend it you have the best vanilla milkshake! Found that

out today. So Im drinking a half gallon a day of it. Or at least Im

trying! so far no luck...9 glasses yesturday (didn't put in the oil

cuz the idea made me nauseous!)..for a total of 630 calories. NOT

ENOUGH..so far 7 today and Im out of it again. I did add the oil

this morning..it wasn't horrible like I thought but definately

changed the flavor. Im about to head in for more. I HATE protein

drinks and Im sick of trying to find one I like. So this is it for

now.

Im so tired. I think that is the hardest part. Each day I feel

myself getting more tired. Ive been falling asleep very early.

Now..I went down to get my results back of my labs that they took

last night. So far right now my labs are normal..in fact, my H/H are

elevated (Im dehydrated but ya can't tell from my labs other than

the eleveated H/H-and pale as hell). Im sure if I had enough water

in me, my levels out be screwed up..but hey...at least they don't

look bad like I expected. I noticed how pale I looked in my

Christmas photos and thought that was strange. My H/H was low when I

went in right after that..as I already said..if I wasnt low on

fluids, Im sure my H/H would be low now not high.

Im trying my hardest to get myself to mid/late January. Two of my

coworkers found out today what is going on..and that Im going to be

having surgery again in the near future. Both of them gave me hell

about not taking care of myself and thinking about work first. But

its just not that easy. Im waiting to find out if my insurance is

going to cover the extra procedures. When I go in this time..they do

everything OR NOTHING! Im sick of being cut on. Plus as a single

mom, the last thing my kids need is to lose their mother over

Christmas and New Years. Im not sure I will make it to mid january,

but my engagement party is scheduled for then and my fiance will be

here. I guess it is all going to depend on how my stomach feels, and

how good I am at drinking a half gallon of Carb Countdown a day. I

will tell you..Im in pain tonight and not happy about it. UGH.

As for my weight, its dropping again. So much for maintaining my

weight! So..Im signing off now and heading in for my meds.

Do you know that dietician told me I didn't need to take any

supplements? HUH? Sorry I told her..I feel better when I take them.

They are my insurance!

Kat

> >

> > Thank you Peach so much (and to the others that responded). Just

> the

> > thought that you care helps. Its been a long day. Im glad to be

> > home. Spent 2 hours at the hospital today after work while they

> > tried to draw blood from a turnip!(ME).

> > After many sticks and an hour in ER waiting on someone else to

> poke

> > me, they finally took 9 tubes of blood. The carb countdown diet

Im

> > on sucks already LOL Ive managed to drink 9 glasses but I have

yet

> > to put in the oil she told me to..and Im thinking there is no

way

> I

> > can get in 3 more glasses before bed. Oh well! Im going to have

to

> > find a protein supplement I can stand or Im going to go down

hill

> > quick. Im already pale as hell because my blood count has been

> > slowly dropping. Ive spent much of my day between patients,

> thinking

> > and praying that I can at least hold this surgery off until mid

> > January. That is when everyone is off vacation, my fiance goes

> home

> > (I would love him here with me during surgery, but rather enjoy

> his

> > visit NOT in the hospital).

> >

> > I finally talked to my boss about everything thats been going

on.

> > She said that they will support me, and told me I had to take

care

> > of myself. She also thanked me for thinking about the vacations

> and

> > office staff that are gone but reminded me that my health above

> all

> > was most important. I will do anything for this office because

> they

> > do everything for me!

> >

> > On a happy side of my day...my wedding dress showed up today and

> > this time ITS PERFECT!! After two more months waiting...and

> > concerned it would look horrible like the one that already came,

I

> > got it and it fit so beautifully. Im so excited. It was about an

> > inch too big in the waist but so what? LOL At least my rolls of

> skin

> > don't hang over the top of the corset because its so small the

> only

> > way to tie it is to cinch up my loose skin!

> >

> > Anyway, that made my night. Just stopped by to do some reading

> > before I crash. Thanks again for responding and sharing your

> > thoughts.

> >

> > Kat

December 23, 2004

Kat

You poor thing, what is the surgery for this time? I know you must

have said, but I did a major dump on emails I was soooo behind. I

was hoping that after all I missed, I'd find that you were better.

Darcy

p.s. I think yahoo ate my post too.

December 24, 2004

Exploratory Laparotomy (this will be the 3rd time since my original

surgery they will cut right now my middle!)

Hernia repair

Abdominoplasty

They believe I have adhesions which is causing food to back up in my

bypassed stomach. My bypassed stomach is dilated in size and the

walls of it have thickened and there really isn't much of a way to

look at it. I am having a Hydascan next Wednesday to see if they can

catch it filling. Apparently the food traveling down my roux limb is

backing up into my stomach..how it gets through my pyloric valve

BACKWARDS I have no idea! but something in there is definately off.

So they want to go in and peek. Of course, I will be cut all the

down my middle, through my exhisting belly button and from side to

side with this surgery. Im guessing my recovery time will be 6-8wks

minimum. My hernia is in my belly button, and I told them if they

are going to be doing all this work I want them to fix it and remove

the excess skin. Surgeon says to me...ya you could use a new belly

button desperatly! lol (Ive had 5 other surgeons cut through my

belly button in the past..its a mess).

So Ive been in contact with the office and they are working on

getting my hernia repair and abdominoplasty approved prior to me

going on. We shall see! I have a followup January 12th with my

surgeon..am sure if I dont end up in before then, we will decide

then when I will.

Kat

...you know..Im not happy about it, but I will get through it. Ive

gone through worse in life. It just sucks big weenies! lol

>

> Kat

>

> You poor thing, what is the surgery for this time? I know you

must

> have said, but I did a major dump on emails I was soooo behind. I

> was hoping that after all I missed, I'd find that you were better.

>

> Darcy

> p.s. I think yahoo ate my post too.

December 25, 2004

HI Kat,

Merry Christmas!

I'm sorry to her about what you have to go through but I'm glad that

positive steps are being made towards getting you repaired. BTW I've

been meaning to say kudos to you for your positive attitude and your

enormous sense of responsibility. You are a fighter bringing up 2 kids

without a Dad and without financial support. You realize the importance

of keeping a good employer happy and that is why they are reciprocating

in supporting you through this. I see so many people in similar

situations who just give up - I don't think you ever would, and I admire

your fortitude.

I hope you have a lovely Christmas with your family, you deserve it!

Carol