2011.... Good Riddance!!

So, I've been out of the hospital for 9 days now.  I'm doing pretty well on pureed foods and protein shakes.  It's still difficult to get in 80 grams of protein a day, but I'm determined to make my minimum of 60 grams.  I still can't eat much, only about 1/4 cup at a time.  I have trouble remembering to eat.  Since I don't feel "hunger" anymore, I almost need a timer to remind me just to eat... Reminders to chew, chew, chew fly through my brain constantly.  I'm terrified of getting sick.  If I catch a cold or someone's little bug, then I might start to vomit again... Can't happen.  Won't happen.  Scares the bajeebies out of me.

On a positive note, I'm going into 2012 more than 100 lbs lighter and MUCH, much wiser.  I know more medical terms than most people my age.  I have experienced things that would have made a lesser person crumble.  I have taken medications that some of my friends would have LOVED to have...  heh.

Anyways, my plans for tonight are simple... I'm going to be on the couch, watching TV with the kids, and probably falling asleep before midnight.  I'm a party animal, I know.  I'm almost looking forward to the new year.  I'm hoping that it will bring health with it.  I miss my health.  Dammit.

Here's wishing you, my humble readers, health and happiness in the new year.  Happy 2012.

Fourth time's the charm.... Right?!?!

On December 20th I went into the hospital for my 4th surgery, a Gastro-Jejunostomy Revision.  Basically, I lost a bit more strictured stomach tissue (my real true "stomach tissue" is now a less than 1 1/2 x 3 centimeters band) and the surgeon rebuilt a small pouch for a "stomach" out of the small intestines.  I have 5 more laproscope incisions and another drain scar.  I have started back at square one.  My surgeon said to treat this operation like a brand new bypass.  For the next 2 days, I was given clear liquids and switched from IV pain meds to liquid pain meds. 

My followup gastrograffin test was cleared.  This was the first gastrograffin test that did not get stuck.  Went right through.  I am amazed.  I went home 2 days later, so far free of complications.

The liquids-only phase was a little rough, getting used to drinking again was a bit weird after being on IV nutrition for a while. 

Thankfully, I've moved on to purees without a problem.  My new tummy holds approximately 2oz and hasn't given me much of a problem yet.  My pain is still pretty bad now and then.  My surgeon tells me I'm "too stoic" and "hard to read"... he has become accustomed to me saying I'm fine and not meaning it.  I've gotten better about taking my pain meds when I'm supposed to.  I think part of my brain thinks I deserve to be in pain.  I did this to myself.  That's hard to get around sometimes...

I have been out of work since May.  Hopefully, I can go back by February.  I feel useless still.  I'm recovering from some major abdominal trauma, so i have to take it easy, but taking it easy is hard for me to accept still...

I've been out of commission on here alot since my desk chair hurts me.... dang abdominal pain...  But I made it.  I'm still here.  And 2012 HAS to be a better year...

Hey you! Pssssst!!

Just a quick update...  I'm finally starting to feel better so I figured I should post while I can..

I had a stricture that was relieved by a balloon EGD procedure on November 10th.  I was able to eat and drink pretty well for a few days... then the stricture started up again.  By the 18th, i was admitted back into the hospital, unable to eat or drink anything.  Two sips of water would bounce right back up.

I was given a barium swallow test to confirm that my stomach had completely shut.  Yep.

On November 22nd, another PICC IV line was installed into my left arm.  I was started on IV nutrition and monitored for a few days before the doc was confident enough to send me home in IV nutrition.  His plan was to schedule a surgery with an esophageal specialist as back-up since i had very little actual stomach tissue remaining.

Sooo.. I went home with the glorious task of setting up a 12 hour a day IV feeding schedule... I was discharged from the hospital on November 25th.  The day after Thanksgiving.  Yep.  I missed Thanksgiving with my family =(  I was in the hospital with a picture of a turkey taped to my TPN IV nutrition bag.
At home, I had an infusion specialist nurse visit me once a week to change my PICC line bandage, take bloodwork, and make sure my levels were all at a basic minimum.  My nurse was awesome.  My PICC line sucked.  IV nutrition for 12 hours a day sucked.  My surgery was scheduled for 10am on December 20th.  Oh great, I might miss Christmas, too...

So, for weeks I bummed around the house, toting a little black "discreet backpack" filled with a gallon bag of nutrition and a pump that made the cat freak out ( "pssssst...psssssst....pssssst"), with an IV line stuck to my left bicep.  I think I'll have a miniflashback everytime someone goes to get my attention...  Pssssst!