I'm back!!!!

Jan.10. 2004, It has been along time since I have updated my profile. There were reasons I have not done so. I was one of the few people that had complications. I was depressed for quite a while. I couldn't have anything by mouth for 2 and 1/2 months. I just didn't feel like posting anything or even getting on the computer. It all started with my original surgery. I remember waking up and seeing my kids, and motioning to them that I was ok, then all of a sudden I was losing all control. I could hear people calling my name but I couldn,t move or respond. I was rushed back to the Operating room and opened up. My new little pouch had developed a bleed. I woke up next in ICU,every thing is such a blur of the days I spent in the first hospital. I know I was having problems with my kidneys. I was in renal failure. I was given a total of 14 units of blood during this time. My kids were very worried about me. They had enough to contend with. Their father died of Pancretic cancer the very day of my surgery. Well my kidneys starting working again, the kids were in and out checking the bag of urine and celebrating when it started to fill up fast. I had my third surgery to repair the leak I had in my pouch on the 4th day after the original surgery. It didn,t work. I spent almost a week in ICU. I was put on IV feedings and moved to the surgercal floor. I developed a infection somewhere and was running a temp. My Surgeon was very worried about me and consulted another surgeon at a teaching hospital in Chicago. I was then transfered to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, and Dr Alexander Nagel took over my care. I was giving antibiotics and feedings and was there until Oct 1, when I was finally sent home, with a picc line and IV feedings at night while I slept. I was sent home with the warning of not eating ar drinking anything, " It could be life threating" I went 2 and 1/2 months with out any problems. Then as I was feeling stronger and not sleeping or resting all day, I decided it was time to start cooking for my daughter and grand daughter again( I live with them. I did ok for a few days and then Thanksgiving came around and guess who wanted to do the family dinner. It was me. I started taking little bites of anything that looked and smelt good. At first I would not swallow, I would chew and spit out the food.(just to get the taste). By 2 weeks after thanksgiving I was swallowing my food. I was doing this without the consent of my Dr. I wasn't getting sick in fact I felt better than I had in a long time. I know I had to get off the Picc line and IV feedings. The next appointment with the Dr. I confessed as to what I was doing. He was shocked at first, but he asked how I was feeling, and then said that as long as I felt ok that I must be healed. We then scheduled a swallow test and it came out good. So I have been eating legally since that time. My weight loss has been slow though. I started out at 317 on the day of surgery(Sept 12) and when I left the hospital I weighed 301. I have gradually went down to 263. It seems that I stay on one weight for a week or two and then suddenly drop 4 or 5 pounds at one time. I am goint to up my protein and liquids to see if that helps

Evelyn, I am so sorry to hear all the post op problems that you had to experience! Hopefully that is all behind you now and you can really start enjoying the new you!!! Good luck!!!

Evelyn, I am happy that you are on your way back to a normal life and that you are much better. I. too, had a very eventful surgery. I stll have to use a walker, because of the lumbar region of my back. We have a duty to inform people of the problems that we had. Welcome back!

Evelyn, I'm sorry you've had such a rough, rough time with things, though I'm glad you're finally able to eat solid foods! And, I'm glad you're back and updating again! 317 to 263 is no small potatoes -- even before you consider the medical complications you had to deal with.