Finally Out Of The Hospital!

Well, if you thought I dropped off the face of the earth, you would be partly right.  My surgery experience is one of those that can go down on somebody's list of "worst surgery procedures ever...."  

The initial surgery appeared to go great. I was so relieved to wake up and find out that the doctor had been able to complete the entire DS process, and felt good enough to gobble up a few ice chips.  

Next thing I know, I'm being wheeled back to surgery - and I wasn't sure what the heck had happened.  I remember signing permission for them to perform another surgery and to get blood if needed.   As it turns out, there was internal seepage and bleeding from the surgery site - possibly around the bile duct. (I think... I'm still working out all the details for myself.)  

My white cell count was high and I had developed a fever.   During that surgery I was put on a ventilator, which I was on for another day or so. They had to sedate me and secure my hands.  

After that surgery I was placed in ICU for a week while they monitored my condition and the leak/seepage. They took several CT scans several days apart to determine if the leak was still active - which it turned out to be.  

I was finally transferred back to the Medical/Surgical floor where they were doing a "watch and wait" to see if the leak could heal on its own.   A few days later I developed a fever and then headed south into respiratory failure.  I don't remember this happening, though. I just remember shutting my eyes, and then opening them and finding myself in the respiratory ICU.

A day later they told me that I had developed an infection in the PIC line they had inserted, and it was that infection which pushed my system into failure.  They had removed the PIC line while I was under sedation, and then they set another one up on the 2nd day in ICU.  

My condition continued to improve and I finally made it back "home" to the Medical/Surgical floor - where I spent my last week in the hospital. They finally released me to take clear fluids by mouth.

Up until that point I hadn't been able to have anything at all by mouth. They "fed" me with a high-calorie, high-vitamin/mineral and who knows what else liquid via IV. It was called TPN - "Total Parental Nutrition."    The TPN included a combination of sugar and carbohydrates (for energy), proteins (for muscle strength), lipids (fat), electrolytes, and trace elements. Electrolytes include sodium, potassium, chloride, phosphate, calcium, and magnesium. Trace elements include zinc, copper, manganese, and chromium.   

The nurse told me that each bag of TPN cost more than $900! I had one bag every 24 hours, along with IV fluids and IV antibiotics.   Finally, another seepage test was done, where I had to drink a blue fluid and then they tracked that flowed through my system to see if it would end up in a drainage bag I still had in place. No blue showed up! There was still a little bit of miscellaneous drainage into the bag, but nothing blue that would indicate it was coming from a leak.  

After 4 weeks EXACTLY I got to go home. I got in at about 9PM and was so totally exhausted just from riding in the car, and I was worried that I wasn't going to be able to take care of myself while my husband was at work. They left in one drain, which my husband and I have to empty every night and take note of the volume.   Now, a week later, I'm doing much better.

The doctor still has me on fluids only, though - which makes it about 6 weeks since I've had anything solid to eat.  I have my follow-up visit scheduled for this Friday, 1/24/14, where they are supposed to remove the drain (sounds a little scary to me)and *hopefully* advance my diet to pureed or soft foods.  

I'm still working hard to get my liquids in so that I don't get dehydrated. It's hard, but I certainly want to do everything possible to keep from having to go back to the hospital. I'm not sure I could stand another stay.  

Anyway - long story long! :)  I was also on oxygen my entire stay, until they worked on weaning me off it two days before they released me.   It's actually taken me two days to put this account together, because I'm still so weak and tired. I'll be trying to do a little reading every day, though.

Welcome home! What an experience . Glad you're ok now

Thank you, Gail!

Wow!  You have been through it.  Sorry you had such a bad experience but you are over the hump now and are on your way to getting better now.  Don't worry about having the drain removed- it doesn't hurt.  I had 4 removed and barely felt a thing.

Wendy

Wow is right... So sorry you have had so many issues. I hope you will be 100% in the clear and have nothing but smooth sailing from this day forward. My sister spent 4 weeks in also with her DS due to a Bio duct leak and Blockage.... I remember how scary / painful it was for her at the time.... She is doing 100% better now and is a tiny healthy size 4.... here's to a better brighter future!

Wow, you've had a rough ride but you're on the road to recovery now. I hope the rest of your recovery goes smoothly.

I am so sorry you and your family had to go through such a difficult time. I pray for a speedy and uneventful recovery.

Yikes.  I felt rough for the first 3 weeks with everything going smoothly, I can only imagine how you're feeling.  

I hope you get to soft foods again soon (hopefully without any adverse effects)!  

Rest as much as you can.

My goodness, you have really been through the ringer.... Im sending positive thoughts your way.... Things can, and "will" only get better from here on out... We are all here for you.. Please keep us posted on your recovery... Im happy your home.. and God bless you...

Leaks can happen and I don't think there's any rhyme or reason. I'm glad you were still in the hospital when they caught it and that they took such good care of you. Welcome home. 

--gina