First Blog with an Altered Stomach

First and foremost, my surgery went very well and my recovery has been great too.   I didn't get much sleep on the night of November 21 but it wasn't because of nerves.  I was excited.    We had to report to registration at 5:30am which wasn't a problem.   I was the first one on the agenda for the day.    My surgery was delayed for a bit because someone had an emergency appendectomy and my anesthesiologist was used for the procedure.   A lot of the pre-surgery prep was the same that I went through with my scope on November 10.   I was happy the nurse was able to get my IV set on the first try.    I also got a sticker-like patch put behind one of my ears as it was to help with post-surgery nausea.   I can't remember what time they took me back, I think it was around 8:30am.   All I remember is laying back on the table and talking with the anesthesiologist.   He told me he put a little something into my IV and that it would burn and BAM I was out.    I woke up in a recovery area thankfully not in pain but feeling pretty sick to my stomach.    They treated me for a bit for that issue and I was eventually moved to my room on the fourth floor.  

The first day wasn't very eventful.   They had me up and walking pretty quickly which wasn't bad at all.   It was tiring but not painful.    I found out that having a catheter gives you the sensation that you constantly have to pee really bad.   When I was first making sense of things, I kept worrying I was going to pee the bed because of the sensation.    They had my on a lot of IV fluids so the pee collection process was consistent.   I wasn't sad to have the catheter removed on Wednesday.    I wasn't allowed to eat or drink anything on Tuesday.   If my mouth got dry, I had to use a moistened sponge to wet it down and that was it.   I was given a button to deliver a narcotic when I felt I needed it.   I got props from my nurses because I wasn't using it much.    I was pretty impressed with the lack of pain.    It didn't feel great but my incisions were just generally sore, that's it.   I have five incisions on my chest and torso.   One is right at the bottom of my sternum and it was a site for my gallbladder removal too.   They made a pretty large incision using my belly button too (also used for my gallbladder).   The other three are between those two sites.   My steri strips  are starting to come off on their own too.    I only have two left.   My belly button has been a bit angry as I've stressed those sutures.

On Wednesday I started receiving meals.    I was also allowed to drink water.   The main tool was the little medicine cup you usually get with cough medicine.   I was supposed to try and drink a medicine cup of water every 15 minutes.   For each meal I was given a coffee cup of broth and a cup of gelatin.   I usually ate a spoonful or two of Jell-o and a few sips of broth.   Dan left on this day since he had to work but Gavin and Alissa were able to visit.     (The flowers are still alive!)    I basically relaxed, did some walking, read my book, etc.   My catheter was removed halleluiah.   And I was able to shower!
On Thursday Dan's mom and her husband came to visit.  I was actually surprised by this as I didn't know they were coming.   I was antsy at this point because I wanted to be discharged but had to wait until 2pm since that seems to be the magic time for the process to start.   The surgeon came and checked my incisions was happy with everything.    His residents had come and checked me the previous days.   They were finally able to take my IV out prior to being discharged.   It really hurt on Thursday.    They gave me my prescriptions and I was on my way Thursday.   I filled all my prescriptions but really didn't need to.   I haven't needed my narcotic or my nausea medicine.   I've been giving myself a shot each morning to prevent blood clots.  Despite not liking needles, the shots have been pretty simple to do and not painful.   I also have a prescription for omeprazole which is supposed to prevent stomach lining discomfort and heart burn.  

Today was the first post-surgery meeting with a dietician and I received good news about how my diet gets to progress week-by-week.  I get to add cottage cheese, eggs, and protein drinks this week.  Next week I get to add non-red meat and hummus.    It will be nice to have texture again in foods.   I also start a portion of my vitamin regimen this week too.   I take a chewable multivitamin in the morning and another at night.    I also take calcium citrate three times a day (morning, lunch, and evening).   At week six I will add B12 in the evening (a drop under my tongue) and an iron pill right before bed.   It has to be separated from calcium citrate.

I think that's enough of an update.   I've been meaning to blog for days but I've still been in a mental fog.   Anesthesia totally messes with your brain as well as your lungs.   I finally felt pretty normal today at work but still get winded easily.    

I Need to Borrow Alissa's Shirt

I have definitely been a roller coaster of emotion in the past week.   Some major events have sparked emotional Jenny.

1)   Getting used to the non-solid food diet.  Around day 3 I had a melt down in the sense I felt like I was withdrawing.   I was really missing some certain foods.

2)  I got a phone call from Dad about his concern with surgery.   I wish I had heard from him sooner.   It lead to an argument with Dan because I needed to vent about it and didn't get much of a response from him.   There has been a lot of stress with Dan's kids and ex lately and I feel that gets a lot of attention.    When I have an issue pop up, it feels odd to get attention or help.   I'm grateful I don't have drama or issues often but it would be nice to feel important when things happen.

3) I had a guy hit the back of Elvira today when I was running errands.   I've calmed down a lot but I'm still pretty disgruntled.   The fact he thought I reversed into him was infuriating.   The claim has been submitted to State Farm and luckily the dealership is an approved body shop.   The damage is minimal but it's a new SUV, I don't want it looking rough yet.

The non-solid diet has been OK.  I've developed a renewed appreciation for oatmeal.   It's been a saving grace for lunch at work.    I am struggling a bit with the soup because I'm used to putting A LOT of crackers in tomato soup.     Eating it plain has been meh.   I'm not a big chicken soup person but I've been using chicken bouillon and Lipton soup mix to make broth.   I'm not eating yogurt as much as I should be but it hasn't seemed as appealing.

I need to crank out a lot of grading this weekend so I'm in a good place to not work for part of next week.  I am going to do some at home and some at ISU.   On Sunday, Gavin has his football banquet.  I feel dumb because I paid for Dan and I and I can't eat the meal I paid for.   I'm sure Gavin and Dan will help the food disappear.   I have the fun process of ingesting magnesium citrate after the banquet so I can start "cleaning out my system".   Ideally I should be taking it on Monday night but I need to teach my DMACC class.    It wouldn't be professional to run out of the classroom continually to use the bathroom.  

I thought I'd be more nervous by now but I'm sure that will change as Tuesday approaches.   Found out that I'll need to report to the hospital at 5:30am.   I didn't realize that being first in line meant going in THAT early.

Swim & Gym ended on Thursday and like usual I was ready for it to end.    It was an interesting session since all my employees were new.    Some are being invited back and some are not.   Parents were patient with the construction issues thank goodness.    The next session starts February 7th and I'll be excited for it by then.

I don't know if it's because of surgery or my approaching birthday but I did decide to treat myself to a manicure and pedicure the other day.   I also bought a new rug for the apartment today.   (Side note:  I feel very adult-like thinking a new rug is a treat.)

Eleven Days and Counting

I'm on day three of my pre-operation diet.   I have days of non-solid food ahead of me to prep my system and continue to shrink my stomach.   They want those of us having surgery on November 22nd to eat this way so we avoid having the "last supper"  event happen.    If the diet isn't restricted before surgery, it is common for a person to keep having a feast periodically since they feel they'll never have the food again or for a long time.   I can complete believe people would struggle with that...Lord knows I'd be doing it too.  I did have some "last suppers" prior to this new diet starting.   I know damn well I would have done that up to surgery too.  

I did a better job of grocery shopping today so I have the correct food on hand.    My main staples are:

• Sugar-Free Jell-O
• sugar free pudding
• Cream of Wheat, oatmeal, and/or Malt-o-Meal
• Carnation Instant Breakfast drinks
• Tomato soup (made with skim milk)
• Chicken broth
• Low-sugar yogurt
• One protein bar a day 
• skim chocolate milk 
• Protein powder

I'm grateful for the chocolate milk as I use it for my chocolate protein powders.    The hot cereal is nice too.   The one protein bar a day is supposed to give us something solid to eat but I'm already getting sick of the flavors I've purchased.   I will admit I'm struggling already because I'm craving other foods badly.    The good news is they are healthy cravings but I still can't eat the food.  (chicken breast, apples, peanut butter sandwiches, etc.)   

I had my GI scope yesterday which was an interesting experience.    I had the impression I would be out of commission for part of the morning and able to work in the afternoon but that didn't happen.    We got checked in on time but it took longer to get my IV started due to my issues with the process and veins blowing.   The nurse lady that stuck me wasn't very nice either, I could tell she was irritated with me but I did give her fair warning.   I don't remember being put under with my wisdom teeth back in 2000.   I don't remember with my gallbladder surgery either since it happened so quickly.    Being put under for my scope was interesting.   They sprayed stuff into the back of my mouth initially so it would numb up.   Horrible tasting stuff.    They then said I'd feel something burning in my IV site and that would be the indication my anesthesia being administered.   I remember making a comment about the burning feeling and then waking up in the pre-op room.   Odd feeling to know time passed without having a clue about the passage of time.   Before the procedure, I canceled my 12:40pm class and my 2:10 class.    I probably could have taught my 2:10 class so I regret cancelling it.   Better safe than sorry I guess.   I did show up to run Swim & Gym.   It made me realize I won't be functioning as well as I expected after surgery.   

I don't feel nervous about it yet.   I guess that is surprising and seems to be surprising people that know.   I honestly only get worried about the needles and IVs.    

I'm proud to say I've gotten some Christmas shopping done for Gavin.   He wants a personal laptop but he's not getting that this year.   He has a device from school to use and can use mine when he needs to so I don't see the logic of buying him another one.   We just put more money into his car too. He's just getting a collection of small stuff.   No clue about gifts for others.    I'll be shopping in December when I hate shopping but oh well.

It was nice to have a day up in NE Iowa for Luke's wedding.   It was nice to have a date that wanted to be there and actually dance.   I was exhausted when we got back to Ankeny.   So what will be the next wedding?   

I guess that's enough of an update.   I actually feel like hell.   I woke up with really bad joint pain and have been nauseated a lot today.   I actually had to leave work early because I couldn't focus and just wanted to rest.   It has felt like I've had a very unproductive week and I'm behind with grading.    I did some grading before this blog entry.   We'll see if I crank out more after this is finished.  

That's enough for now!