Almondbunnie is back!

Good Mornng Everyone! My surgery date was 1Jun06. God has seen me through. Well let's see, the morning of wls,I was late getting to the hospital.(traffic downtown DC) Praise the Lord, I was still a go at 7:30am. They asked me a few question during pre-op. They set up the IV and I remember asking will I see the surgery room and kissed my husband goodbye. I then remember waking up in my room. They say surgery lasted two hours. The night before surgery I explained to my husband how I might look in recovery, with iv's, tubes in my mouth, and tubes in my nose not to be alarmed its whats needed after the surgery. He fell apart, he said he could not handle the tubes in my mouth. I'm like get over it, they won't me in your mouth, so I need you to be there for ME. Well when they wheeled me into recovery, (to which I really dont') remember. My husband said he knew all went well because I didn't have tubes in my mouth but the tubes in my nose caused my nose to bleed so he asked me if I was ready to be cleaned up.. and he said I responded with a yes and cleaned my face. I really don't remember being in pain because I slept. I just remember being uncomfortable. The Nurses & Techs at GWU hospital ROCK. I swear I thought I was the only patient. I saw my dr thurs & friday but saturday & sunday I saw other dr's under his wing. They took excellent care of me as well. WOOOO... let me slow down. Thursday evening I began to throw up blood and mucus. OMG.. I broke down and cried. Saying to myself I should've listened to my parents. However, talking to the nurses and dr's they calmed me downed and advised me that this sometimes happens, but because I did not have the drain tube down my throat. But at that moment I thought well, I'm gonna be one of the ones who cannot keep anything down.God is good, and I had no more episodes like that. Now onto Friday, IV slipped out my arm and OMG. after two painful tries they finally got someone from the ER to come up and in one pain free stick it was in. I have bruises on my arm that are unreal. Saturday was even better didn't even use the pain pump just used the pump to sleep.They told me I could start ice chips saturday afternoon.The step I needed to go home. Ice chips never tasted so good. That evening I go****er and juice, was scared to drink it because I thought it would not stay down. But it stayed. Sunday morning I got a protein drink.. Well I had my episode of "dumping" i got loose bowels. It went down okay. Within 2 minutes I was in the bathroom. The staff told me to stop drinking go back to water and see if that helps, it did.But it delayed my leaving until 5pm.. OOOOO but the pain part was them removing the darn jp drain now that hurt like NONE OTHER.. cannot even compare it to child birth..I did that 4x's would do childbirth 4morex's.. if i could avoid that... .I was pretty pissed about that one. NOTHING could have prepared me for that sensation! But I sat there for a good 30 minutes trying to gather my thoughts after they pulled the drain. Well I'm back home doing trail and error of protien drinks not inducing trips to the bathroom. But other than that I'm doing fine. I've been able to keep things down. I find it hard to sleep trying to find that "sweet" spot for sleep. I am blessed that I'm doing just fine. For those who are in the process of the liquid diets or getting ready mentally. Go with God and stay prayed up and God will see you through. God Speed to ya'll and will see you on the losing side soon. AB

Welcome back! You sound like you're in great spirits! My surgery was the day after yours (06/02) and I, too, had some road bumps. It does get better day by day, doesn't it??? I am also doing trial and error taste tests of food... ugh... it all just doesn't taste good! Luckily I like cottage cheese because it tastes wonderfully! The funny thing with me is that sweet stuff tastes GROSS now! I won't even drink a chocolate protein shake - the thought of chocolate makes me want to vomit. WEIRD! Those are words I never thought I would utter! Soooo... welcome back and post what is working for you in terms of food and drink! I would love some tips. I'm adding unflavored Unjury to yogurt and pudding and cottage cheese.... all mushy stuff. Drinking is horrible unless it's warm. I miss chugging on a bottle of ice cold water... those were the days! Hugs to you!... and congrats! Feel free to contact me if you want to gripe or chat... we're some of the first few people on this board to have the surgery! Almost everyone else is waiting! hugs! carol L.

hey carol.. i cannot believe surgery was just last thursday.. and today is already tuesday.. i lost track of time in the hospital.. i just tried boost strawberry for a protien drink this morning.. i did a chocolate ensure.. and that was a NO go.. and i think i'm doing okay.. oh yeah.. pleanty of friends have explained warm drinks are soothing, tipid water is great.. anything ice cold is shocking to the pouch.. so congrats to you.. thank goodness i do not vomit.. i pick quick stepping anyday than puking.. other post that i've read suggested peppermint tea... i'm doing boost & grape sugar free popsicles.. they work best for now.. i'm walking to gnc now.. to see their protien drinks... i don't want trial and error to be to expensive.. AB

Congrats Almond and Carol!! Be well and take good care of yourselves. Save a seat for us on the losing side! Carolyn 14 days and counting...