Surgery is this Wednesday!!!!

I can't believe that a year after starting this journey my surgery is finally here. I want to thank all the wonderful people here on the board for answering my many questions and getting me prepared for this day. I'm thrilled but quite anxious as I know is normal. Any words of wisdom as I take the big leap? Hugs, Kathleen

CONGRATUATIONS. Wishing you an uneventful surgery and a speedy recovery . ~Shelly

Congarts!!!! and in the words of my favorit childrens book. Congratulations today is your day, your off to great places your off and away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You Have brains in your head and feet in your shoes you can head any direction you choose. Much luck Kristina

Great! Kristina's little ditty is hard to beat, but best of luck and wishing you a painless and speedy recovery. Please post and let us know how you did! God Bless. Dianne

Congrats once again Kathleen and best of luck on your new journey

Kathleen, You are a wonderful person and everything is going to go great. I feel like we went through this together since we started the same time and our surgeries are less than a week apart. You will be in my thoughts and prayers on Wednesday. I can't wait to see you at the next PMRI meeting where we can both finally say we are losers!

Dear Kathleen, Take a deep breath and trust in the decision that you have already made. Trust in your doctors/surgical team. Dr Irgau has helped to give me a whole new life. Before my surgery, I was in so much pain that I really couldn't call it life ... it was more like sidelining. Now I am smack dab in the middle of life ... and boy is it sweet! Keep your mind focused on the importance of regaining your health. Remember, while in the hospital, to walk, do your breathing excercises and drink your fluids when they allow it. When you get home, concentrate on sipping to get in more fluids, get those vitamins in as soon as you can (will help your recovery process). Push the protein, which will help your healing and aleivate the weakness. Something that I didn't understand going in (don't know how I missed it but I did so I will share just to help make sure no one else misses it). Know that you may not be able to do 75-80 gms of protein right off the bat, drink 64 oz of fluids, get all your vitamins in or eat more than two bites of puree. Although some people can, you may have to work up to it. Remember, your new tummy will be swollen and agravated for a while. I was so amazed when I could only take two small sips and be as full as if I had eaten at a all you can eat buffet. It took me a while to be able to get more in. I got serious when I started getting a bit dizzy and suddenly realized that I was becoming dehydrated. I upped my fluids by sipping constantly and the dizzyness disappeared ****il it came back when I had to be taken off my BP meds because my BP fell too low). It helped me a lot to sit down and come up with a schedule so I could see how to space my vitamins and meals. If you would like to see how I space my vits, just let me know and I will be glad to share my schedule. Anyway, do all you can to do what you need to do, the sooner you can follow the plan the better off you will be. Most importantly, take the time to record your thoughts and feelings in your personal journal. When you get a little further down the road, you will learn a lot about yourself when you reflect back. I made up a little tips and tricks sheet for my previous angels (it goes into a bit more detail than this post). You are more than welcome to peek at it if you want, perhaps you will find something that may ring a bell for you. Just email me and I can send you the link or you can find the link on my OH profile page. It is called Tips and Tricks. Best wishes for a speedy recovery and a very successful journey! Hugs, Tammy

Best Wishes in your journey.... be sure to keep us updated on your progress. Remember all of us are here for you!

Congratulations Kathleen!!!!!!! I will be praying for you...Gail

Kathleen, right about now you are almost on your 2nd day of clear fluids. I hope that it hasn't been too hard. Believe me it is worth it. Hang in there. 1 more day and you'll be a looser too. Remember to walk, sip & breathe. Then do it again. No matter how yucky you feel. It''ll get you up and recouping faster. Tell whoever comes with you not to panic, you might get into a room quickly or if the hospital is real busy it could be awhile before you get to your room. As soon as they awaken you in recovery, start moving your toes, fingers and anything else that you can. The nurses will release you faster if they see that you are somewhat mobile and alert. Try to stay calm for the next 24 hours. we'll keep you in our prayers. ((HUGS)) Elissa