Kat posting for Rob

Hi everyone, this is Kat, Rob's girlfriend. (If he is the Caboose, what am I ???) I brought Rob home from the hospital yesterday. Yeah!! Today he had a rough day. He is very short of breath and very tired. He slept most of the day. I got him to walk a little and eat a little - but not much. What are your experiences with shortness of breath? Should we be concerned? I know he wants to get up and around and get on with his recovery, but he is just so exhausted. We appreciate all of your support. It means a lot to Rob. He was going to post tomorrow, but I figured out how to "hack" in here (hee hee) and thought I would get the information rolling. Thanks, Kat

Kat - I can't say for sure on the SOB but I know it happens to me when I'm dumping really bad, but I think it can also be a sign of more serious complications. I assume you both are in contact with his doctor? If he had just eaten and his pulse rate went up, it might be a dumping episode sans the leakage from selected orifaces. When I dump or eat too much I will first get nauseous, my pulse rate will get anywhere from 100-115 and I will feel close to hucking (thankfully I haven't yet). I usually have to go lay down and nap because it just wipes me out. Not sure if any of that is what is going on with Rob, but you might compare notes on it. Sorry I didn't respond to this earlier. I, like a moron, ate half a grilled stuffed burrito DH brought home for me thinking I'd be okay to have it. I wasn't. I soon thereafter went through a dumping episode that has taken an hour to calm down. Oy! Hope that helps! Take care of our Caboose. Oh - and your name? Well, I vote for Lucy Caboosey or Significant Caboose Other. I'm sure I'll be up for several more hours where I will come up with a plethora of other names if you don't like those, though! Dina

Kat, I agree with Dina, Rob needs to let his doctor know what's going on. Sometimes intense pain can cause shortness of breath when you're moving but I don't think that's what's going on. Tell Rob to contact his doc. God bless, Maureen

Kat, If Rob is short of breath without really expending any energy, like serious walking, you need to contact his doc. Such as, does he get winded just going to and from the bathroom? or rolling over in bed? does he get short of breath just walking around the house? If the answer is yes to any of these, Contact his doc! Va

kAT, Yes, with shortness of breath with little to no exhertion you should be concerned. Please contact doc for him. Let us know what happens. I will continue to keep Rob in my prayers. Whitney

I am not much of an advisor for I just had my surgery march 11th but I would call his Dr. just to give you peace of mind. Sarah T

The fatigue may well be from blood loss (anemia) from the GI bleed, but I agree with the others, shortness of breath does not sound right, especially with the fever he has had. We don't want pneumonia or some other infection to set in. I'll be checking in on you later to see what the doc says! Joy

When I got home, I was experiencing extreme shortness of breath. I didn't have this problem before surgery so was very concerned. The surgeon's office advised me to keep using the inspirometer every hour and walk, walk, walk - even if it was just for a very short while. The SOB did go away within a week. Having said all that, you really should check in with the doc. Connie

Hi, Kat: No words of wisdom, but just wanted to add my two cents: I think Rob should see his MD immediately. You don't want to mess around with anything as serious a respiratory difficulties so soon after surgery. I will keep him in my prayers, and I will pray for you, too! Exhaustion is normal: I had my surgery 3/1/04, and I still need to take naps occassionally, for at least half an hour each day. Take is S-L-O-W-L-Y, the weight will come off. Walking is still the best exercise, bar none. Please keep us up to date with his prognosis. Thanks! Rita