Re: Back Home on Christmas Eve

[Guest guest]

GRACIE!!!!!!!

Merry Merry Christmas loved one! I'm so glad that you're officially on

the losing side! Sounds like your hospital stay went quite well!

You'll feel good/bad/indifferent some days. That's all a part of it

and just keep up the good work!!!!

I'm glad you're home!!

> I'm back!

>

> I wish I could effuse about how good I feel but I would be lying. I

> don't feel bad though. Well, not too bad. The doc gave me

Hydrocodone elixer, 1 tbs every six hours and that has really helped

when it was needed. He also gave me Protonix 40 mg tablets. Has anyone

else had these? I understood I was not supposed to take any pills

larger than a birth control pill but these are. I checked with the

pharmacist and this med doesn't come in a liquid so I guess this is

what he wanted me to have.

>

> While in the hospital, Memphis had a big ice storm which effectively

> kept many people from visiting me. That was okay. I was just glad not

> to be out in it and didn't want anyone to get hurt coming to visit me.

> Yesterday, I was released but we found we couldn't get home because we

> couldn't get a taxi to come and my mother was afraid to drive her car.

> There were crashes everywhere. Finally a friend called and her father

> had a 4-wheel drive vehicle. So, finally I know what those big things

> are good for. Anyhow, they rescued us but it took an hour to get home

> with my meds. Then I was exhausted and tried to get aclimated to

> everything.

>

> I had a hard time getting comfortable but did sleep some. My children

> are with their dad and I didn't want them to come home in unsafe

> conditions so I was prepared to just wait for their arrival. My

> daughter just called to say they are on the way. My incisions are

> horrible looking. The nurses kept saying they looked great. I guess we

> have different standards of great.

>

> I find myself having weird dreams. I think this has to do with the

> meds. Most of them feature feeling thirsty and sure enough when I do

> drag myself awake I am parched. I hope I'm getting enough water. I

> wonder if I'm getting enough good stuff to eat. Doesn't seem like that

> much. The chicken broth I had tasted awful. I ate some sf jello and

> that was okay but how could it be good for my bod? It is nearly time

> for my 11 o'clock hydrocodone. I can hardly wait.

>

> The surgery: I guess I should say that it went great from my point of

> view and my doc seemed happy with it too. Firstly, I went out and

> bought some bathroom scales after saying I wouldn't. I was curious to

> know home much weight I had lost after 5 days of no food. I weighed on

> Tuesday before at the lab: 247 and that day, Tues the 21st I weighed

> 233. I was shocked so naturally I figured the scales were wrong. But

> when I got to the hospital, I asked to be weighed and came in the

> same. Later, on the floor, they weighed me at 236 (after several days

> of intravenous liquids).

>

> I remember a lot about the day before surgery. The waiting around,

> reading this list, writing several people, talking with my kids on the

> phone, buying the scales. Afterward, at the hospital I was so

> impressed by how kind all the nurses were at the hospital. Germantown

> Methodist. Each of them in same day surgery really seemed to take a

> lot of time and care with me and they all enjoyed my mother who was

> with me through the whole thing. The anesthesioligist came and

> inserted the iv so it didn't hurt and he was funny. I felt so relaxed

> going in. When they finally took me over to the holding area, I talked

> with my doctor (who has a rep as being a real tough guy), two

> anesthesiologist and more nurses. One nurse was with me through this

> whole thing and wheeled me into the operating room. The room was very

> lively with music and all the staff seemed to be in good humor and

> comfortable with each other. This made me feel very good going in.

> They didn't waste much time, first putting the little hood thing over

> my nose and then stretching my arms out. They told me I'd feel a

> little burning when the anesthesia went in and then not anything until

> later. At that very last minute I had a wave of emotionalism and

> grabbed the nurse on my right's hand and just asked her to hold my

> hand there at the end. I recall saying I was sorry for being emotional

> and she told me it was okay. I can't tell you how good this made me

> feel. Then I felt the burning sensation.

>

> I'm sure you can imagine everything after that for a good long while

> was confused. My mother tells me I talked to my son on the phone and

> kept saying I loved him over and over. I don't recall that call but I

> do recall being finally in my room on the fourth floor, a nice nurse

> (again), and being able to go to the john by myself. Yah, no catheter.

> That first night went good and the following days seemed good too.

> Every test was clear, my blood sugar was good, my pressure was good.

> In fact, I haven't taken any of my meds for those two things yet. I

> figure if I keep testing them and they are okay, then so am I. I would

> dearly love to never take another glucophage again. Therefore, I am

> taking my blood pressure, my blood sugar and my temperature several

> times a day. All clear so far.

>

> I went home on Christmas Eve. I was released early right after my

> doctor found out I had a BM and that the night had gone well. The

> trouble was that the streets were slick with ice and I was stuck at

> the hospital. It didn't occur to us that we wouldn't be able to get a

> cab. A very nice orderly sat with us for a while waiting, then took me

> back upstairs and got me a room to wait in. I collapsed all over the

> bed and finally a friend called who had a father with four-wheel drive

> and that is how we came to come home on Christmas Eve. Very slowly and

> with much thanks to Mr. Raney, the amazing super wonderful big truck

> guy. The streets are littered with wrecks. The sun is out shining and

> melting the ice so when it refreezes it's extra hard and glassy.

>

> My daughter is on her way home today. I hope like heck her father is a

> better driver than I remember him being but either way she is coming

> home and hopefully in one piece.

>

> I had this box that was rather a mystery package waiting when I got

> here. It was a bunch of nice stuff from Robyn! I nearly passed out. It

> really made my morning because I've been waiting for my daughter to

> get here for Christmas to arrive so I wasn't expecting all that sweet

> stuff! Robyn, when you asked me for my address, I figured you'd send

> me a card or something. I had no idea! It was all so neat and, heck, I

> just don't know what to say. I hung your picture on our tree and will

> always remember your package. This has been such a monumental year

> for me. Thanks for being a part of my Christmas morning and to this

> whole group as well for all your notes and good wishes. It really has

> meant a lot to me to be able to speak freely about the stuff in my

> life with you in this period leading up to surgery. I hope I can be as

> good a friend to some of you in times to come and to new folks coming

> along.

>

> Merry Christmas Everyone,

> Grace, Memphis/247/236/135(ish)

[Guest guest]

Gracie,

I have taken those since after my first emergency surgery and they

woke wonders for keeping nausea away!

> horrible looking. The nurses kept saying they looked great. I

guess we have different standards of great.>

Yep I tell people all the time their incisions look great. But most

people look at me oddly and say they look BAD to me! Thats because

to them its a horrible disfigurement..to me, it means its well

approximated (healing together very well) and without signs of

infection..the two reasons we nurses think they look bad. In the

end, when they look good to the nurses, usually there is very little

scarring and eventually they are gone. The horrible ones usually

have more scarring after they heal and stay discolored longer. :-)

So...thats WONDERFUL NEWS!!

> I find myself having weird dreams. I think this has to do with the

> meds. Most of them feature feeling thirsty and sure enough when I

do drag myself awake I am parched>

I had horrible dreams post op. Vicodin does that..which is what your

taking ..hydrocodone elixer is liquid Vicodin/lortab depending on

the dose mixture. Very common side effect when post op and you've

just come out of anesthesia. They will stop when you are off the

meds. Hugs.

>I hope I'm getting enough water. Best thing anyone ever did was sit

in the hospital and everytime I glanced down at the water bottle,

she made me take a sip. SIP SIP SIP! If you don't, you will get

dehydrated and be back in! I know it sucks but it is so short term

and will help you stay feeling well!

> lively with music and all the staff seemed to be in good humor and

> comfortable with each other. This made me feel very good going in.

> They didn't waste much time, first putting the little hood thing

over

> my nose and then stretching my arms out. They told me I'd feel a

> little burning when the anesthesia went in and then not anything

Ok I have to leave you here as my stomach is turning and I feel

nauseous now. Im so in a panic state over knowing Im going back in.

I know that feeling of losing control of myself all too well. I have

nightmares of laying on the table and watching everyone mull around.

Im truly scared this time! The last time left a very bad taste in my

mouth after spending 11 days in the hospital.

Im glad you had a wonderful experience and are doing so well Gracie.

It is a wonderful surgery and gives people a new chance at life.

Keep up the good work and don't forget..the more you move around and

walk during your time home, the faster you heal and the less likely

you are to get clots and infections!!

Merry Christmas and again Congratulations!

Kat

[Guest guest]

Gracie

So glad to have you join us on the losing side of surgery! Welcome home!

[Guest guest]

isnt protinex coated and time release??? he may need to change you

to nexium or zantac... something that can be opened or crushed...

might be worth asking about...

glad you arer home gracie... we missed you!

love n hugs

~peach~

> I'm back!

>

> I wish I could effuse about how good I feel but I would be lying. I

> don't feel bad though. Well, not too bad. The doc gave me

Hydrocodone

> elixer, 1 tbs every six hours and that has really helped when it

was

> needed. He also gave me Protonix 40 mg tablets. Has anyone else had

> these? I understood I was not supposed to take any pills larger

than a

> birth control pill but these are. I checked with the pharmacist and

> this med doesn't come in a liquid so I guess this is what he

wanted me

> to have.

>

> While in the hospital, Memphis had a big ice storm which

effectively

> kept many people from visiting me. That was okay. I was just glad

not

> to be out in it and didn't want anyone to get hurt coming to visit

me.

> Yesterday, I was released but we found we couldn't get home

because we

> couldn't get a taxi to come and my mother was afraid to drive her

car.

> There were crashes everywhere. Finally a friend called and her

father

> had a 4-wheel drive vehicle. So, finally I know what those big

things

> are good for. Anyhow, they rescued us but it took an hour to get

home

> with my meds. Then I was exhausted and tried to get aclimated to

> everything.

>

> I had a hard time getting comfortable but did sleep some. My

children

> are with their dad and I didn't want them to come home in unsafe

> conditions so I was prepared to just wait for their arrival. My

> daughter just called to say they are on the way. My incisions are

> horrible looking. The nurses kept saying they looked great. I

guess we

> have different standards of great.

>

> I find myself having weird dreams. I think this has to do with the

> meds. Most of them feature feeling thirsty and sure enough when I

do

> drag myself awake I am parched. I hope I'm getting enough water. I

> wonder if I'm getting enough good stuff to eat. Doesn't seem like

that

> much. The chicken broth I had tasted awful. I ate some sf jello and

> that was okay but how could it be good for my bod? It is nearly

time

> for my 11 o'clock hydrocodone. I can hardly wait.

>

> The surgery: I guess I should say that it went great from my point

of

> view and my doc seemed happy with it too. Firstly, I went out and

> bought some bathroom scales after saying I wouldn't. I was curious

to

> know home much weight I had lost after 5 days of no food. I

weighed on

> Tuesday before at the lab: 247 and that day, Tues the 21st I

weighed

> 233. I was shocked so naturally I figured the scales were wrong.

But

> when I got to the hospital, I asked to be weighed and came in the

> same. Later, on the floor, they weighed me at 236 (after several

days

> of intravenous liquids).

>

> I remember a lot about the day before surgery. The waiting around,

> reading this list, writing several people, talking with my kids on

the

> phone, buying the scales. Afterward, at the hospital I was so

> impressed by how kind all the nurses were at the hospital.

Germantown

> Methodist. Each of them in same day surgery really seemed to take a

> lot of time and care with me and they all enjoyed my mother who was

> with me through the whole thing. The anesthesioligist came and

> inserted the iv so it didn't hurt and he was funny. I felt so

relaxed

> going in. When they finally took me over to the holding area, I

talked

> with my doctor (who has a rep as being a real tough guy), two

> anesthesiologist and more nurses. One nurse was with me through

this

> whole thing and wheeled me into the operating room. The room was

very

> lively with music and all the staff seemed to be in good humor and

> comfortable with each other. This made me feel very good going in.

> They didn't waste much time, first putting the little hood thing

over

> my nose and then stretching my arms out. They told me I'd feel a

> little burning when the anesthesia went in and then not anything

until

> later. At that very last minute I had a wave of emotionalism and

> grabbed the nurse on my right's hand and just asked her to hold my

> hand there at the end. I recall saying I was sorry for being

emotional

> and she told me it was okay. I can't tell you how good this made me

> feel. Then I felt the burning sensation.

>

> I'm sure you can imagine everything after that for a good long

while

> was confused. My mother tells me I talked to my son on the phone

and

> kept saying I loved him over and over. I don't recall that call

but I

> do recall being finally in my room on the fourth floor, a nice

nurse

> (again), and being able to go to the john by myself. Yah, no

catheter.

> That first night went good and the following days seemed good too.

> Every test was clear, my blood sugar was good, my pressure was

good.

> In fact, I haven't taken any of my meds for those two things yet. I

> figure if I keep testing them and they are okay, then so am I. I

would

> dearly love to never take another glucophage again. Therefore, I am

> taking my blood pressure, my blood sugar and my temperature several

> times a day. All clear so far.

>

> I went home on Christmas Eve. I was released early right after my

> doctor found out I had a BM and that the night had gone well. The

> trouble was that the streets were slick with ice and I was stuck at

> the hospital. It didn't occur to us that we wouldn't be able to

get a

> cab. A very nice orderly sat with us for a while waiting, then

took me

> back upstairs and got me a room to wait in. I collapsed all over

the

> bed and finally a friend called who had a father with four-wheel

drive

> and that is how we came to come home on Christmas Eve. Very slowly

and

> with much thanks to Mr. Raney, the amazing super wonderful big

truck

> guy. The streets are littered with wrecks. The sun is out shining

and

> melting the ice so when it refreezes it's extra hard and glassy.

>

> My daughter is on her way home today. I hope like heck her father

is a

> better driver than I remember him being but either way she is

coming

> home and hopefully in one piece.

>

> I had this box that was rather a mystery package waiting when I got

> here. It was a bunch of nice stuff from Robyn! I nearly passed

out. It

> really made my morning because I've been waiting for my daughter to

> get here for Christmas to arrive so I wasn't expecting all that

sweet

> stuff! Robyn, when you asked me for my address, I figured you'd

send

> me a card or something. I had no idea! It was all so neat and,

heck, I

> just don't know what to say. I hung your picture on our tree and

will

> always remember your package. This has been such a monumental year

> for me. Thanks for being a part of my Christmas morning and to this

> whole group as well for all your notes and good wishes. It really

has

> meant a lot to me to be able to speak freely about the stuff in my

> life with you in this period leading up to surgery. I hope I can

be as

> good a friend to some of you in times to come and to new folks

coming

> along.

>

> Merry Christmas Everyone,

> Grace, Memphis/247/236/135(ish)

[Guest guest]

Merry Christmas to you Gracie! I'm so thankful things went so well for you

and you made it home through the storm. Get some rest, walk walk walk and sip

sip sip.

Chelle

[Guest guest]

Glad you are home and starting to feel better!

Welcome to the family on the 'other side'!!!

jb-bb

" Gracie T. " wrote:

I'm back!

I wish I could effuse about how good I feel but I would be lying. I

don't feel bad though. Well, not too bad. The doc gave me Hydrocodone

elixer, 1 tbs every six hours and that has really helped when it was

needed. He also gave me Protonix 40 mg tablets. Has anyone else had

these? I understood I was not supposed to take any pills larger than a

birth control pill but these are. I checked with the pharmacist and

this med doesn't come in a liquid so I guess this is what he wanted me

to have.

While in the hospital, Memphis had a big ice storm which effectively

kept many people from visiting me. That was okay. I was just glad not

to be out in it and didn't want anyone to get hurt coming to visit me.

Yesterday, I was released but we found we couldn't get home because we

couldn't get a taxi to come and my mother was afraid to drive her car.

There were crashes everywhere. Finally a friend called and her father

had a 4-wheel drive vehicle. So, finally I know what those big things

are good for. Anyhow, they rescued us but it took an hour to get home

with my meds. Then I was exhausted and tried to get aclimated to

everything.

I had a hard time getting comfortable but did sleep some. My children

are with their dad and I didn't want them to come home in unsafe

conditions so I was prepared to just wait for their arrival. My

daughter just called to say they are on the way. My incisions are

horrible looking. The nurses kept saying they looked great. I guess we

have different standards of great.

I find myself having weird dreams. I think this has to do with the

meds. Most of them feature feeling thirsty and sure enough when I do

drag myself awake I am parched. I hope I'm getting enough water. I

wonder if I'm getting enough good stuff to eat. Doesn't seem like that

much. The chicken broth I had tasted awful. I ate some sf jello and

that was okay but how could it be good for my bod? It is nearly time

for my 11 o'clock hydrocodone. I can hardly wait.

The surgery: I guess I should say that it went great from my point of

view and my doc seemed happy with it too. Firstly, I went out and

bought some bathroom scales after saying I wouldn't. I was curious to

know home much weight I had lost after 5 days of no food. I weighed on

Tuesday before at the lab: 247 and that day, Tues the 21st I weighed

233. I was shocked so naturally I figured the scales were wrong. But

when I got to the hospital, I asked to be weighed and came in the

same. Later, on the floor, they weighed me at 236 (after several days

of intravenous liquids).

I remember a lot about the day before surgery. The waiting around,

reading this list, writing several people, talking with my kids on the

phone, buying the scales. Afterward, at the hospital I was so

impressed by how kind all the nurses were at the hospital. Germantown

Methodist. Each of them in same day surgery really seemed to take a

lot of time and care with me and they all enjoyed my mother who was

with me through the whole thing. The anesthesioligist came and

inserted the iv so it didn't hurt and he was funny. I felt so relaxed

going in. When they finally took me over to the holding area, I talked

with my doctor (who has a rep as being a real tough guy), two

anesthesiologist and more nurses. One nurse was with me through this

whole thing and wheeled me into the operating room. The room was very

lively with music and all the staff seemed to be in good humor and

comfortable with each other. This made me feel very good going in.

They didn't waste much time, first putting the little hood thing over

my nose and then stretching my arms out. They told me I'd feel a

little burning when the anesthesia went in and then not anything until

later. At that very last minute I had a wave of emotionalism and

grabbed the nurse on my right's hand and just asked her to hold my

hand there at the end. I recall saying I was sorry for being emotional

and she told me it was okay. I can't tell you how good this made me

feel. Then I felt the burning sensation.

I'm sure you can imagine everything after that for a good long while

was confused. My mother tells me I talked to my son on the phone and

kept saying I loved him over and over. I don't recall that call but I

do recall being finally in my room on the fourth floor, a nice nurse

(again), and being able to go to the john by myself. Yah, no catheter.

That first night went good and the following days seemed good too.

Every test was clear, my blood sugar was good, my pressure was good.

In fact, I haven't taken any of my meds for those two things yet. I

figure if I keep testing them and they are okay, then so am I. I would

dearly love to never take another glucophage again. Therefore, I am

taking my blood pressure, my blood sugar and my temperature several

times a day. All clear so far.

I went home on Christmas Eve. I was released early right after my

doctor found out I had a BM and that the night had gone well. The

trouble was that the streets were slick with ice and I was stuck at

the hospital. It didn't occur to us that we wouldn't be able to get a

cab. A very nice orderly sat with us for a while waiting, then took me

back upstairs and got me a room to wait in. I collapsed all over the

bed and finally a friend called who had a father with four-wheel drive

and that is how we came to come home on Christmas Eve. Very slowly and

with much thanks to Mr. Raney, the amazing super wonderful big truck

guy. The streets are littered with wrecks. The sun is out shining and

melting the ice so when it refreezes it's extra hard and glassy.

My daughter is on her way home today. I hope like heck her father is a

better driver than I remember him being but either way she is coming

home and hopefully in one piece.

I had this box that was rather a mystery package waiting when I got

here. It was a bunch of nice stuff from Robyn! I nearly passed out. It

really made my morning because I've been waiting for my daughter to

get here for Christmas to arrive so I wasn't expecting all that sweet

stuff! Robyn, when you asked me for my address, I figured you'd send

me a card or something. I had no idea! It was all so neat and, heck, I

just don't know what to say. I hung your picture on our tree and will

always remember your package. This has been such a monumental year

for me. Thanks for being a part of my Christmas morning and to this

whole group as well for all your notes and good wishes. It really has

meant a lot to me to be able to speak freely about the stuff in my

life with you in this period leading up to surgery. I hope I can be as

good a friend to some of you in times to come and to new folks coming

along.

Merry Christmas Everyone,

Grace, Memphis/247/236/135(ish)

To visit your group on the web, go to:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GastricBypass-LOSERS/