Heard from Joanie - UPDATE

Just wanted to let you know I heard from Joanie. It's been a week since her surgery and this came from her this morning: "To My Dear Friends, Thank you all for all your prayers, calls and concern. A special thanks to Barb who did a great job updating. My progress has been slow but steady. I thought I was ready for the pain of the surgery, but I guess nothing prepares you for that. I had a rough time in the hospital, no sleep and lots of difficulty getting down my first liquids. After the morphine pump was taken away the first day, I found the pain med, by mouth, made me nauseous. I was using Tylenol up until yesterday and today I was drug free! Besides some minor setbacks since I came home on Monday, its all going very well. The surgery incision hurts much less and I am getting down lots more liquid (though still not at my goal for amount or protein)and even walked a half a mile today! I am glad to be home and cannot wait to be on "the losers bench". I know the pain of this will fade with my scar and I will become the healthier, more active person I desire to be. Please keep me in your prayers. All my love and thanks, Joanie"

Thank you my Angel Tara for keeping you updated. She has been wonderfully supportive. I gotta tell you...I knew this surgery was going to be rough..but nothing prepares you for the pain..once off the morphine pump..I found the meds by mouth made me nauseous and requested Tylenol which took me forever to swallow the liquid kind and tasted awful to boot...Had trouble getting any amt of fluids down day one and two..just hurt when it hit my pouch...I was discharged on Monday..and had some rough days this week...its been one week today...and I never thought I would feel this good...I met my protein and fluid goals for the first time and have walked a half mile for the last two days. My wonderful husband and kids took great care of me. They went camping this weekend and my sister was going to stay with me..but frankly, I don't need her....I am enjoying my solitude and doing lots of little cleaning projects I never get to...and lots of thinking about the new wonderful life to come. Thank you for all your kind responses and prayers. Joanie-open RNY 7/2/04

Joanie, Glad to see you back with us. Sorry you were in such pain and discomfort. I guess it is different for everyone. You will feel better and better each day. Its super that you are walking already and sounds like you have a great attitude. Keep it up!! Have a wonderful weekend. Linda

Thank you Linda...I know all is not going to go smoothly as I figure out things with this new stomach pouch...I see the doc next week to be put on to the next level of foods. I know by Wed I will be dying to chew something!! My sister is taking me out for a outing of shopping today...so we'll see how well I do on the "outside". LOL Joanie