Steve Whitmer Update

HI Y'all, I just got home from th e hospital.... Steve has an ulcer where his new stomach meets his intenstines...probably caused by caffeine!!! If his hemoglobin stays stable tonight, (it has dropped to 9.9) then they will let him come home tomorrow, and he just has to take Protonix or another stomach medication and stay away from caffeine for a few months and he'll be fine. Thanks for all of your EMails I know they'll brighten his day tomorrow, and I'm sure if he comes home tomorrow he'll thank y'all himself! Love you guys, Thanks

9.9 is low, but not too dangerous, so long as it stops going down! I wasn't aware that caffeine could cause an ulcer like that! I sure hope he gets on the mend fast. How are YOU holding up??? Jan

Cathy, So glad to hear Steve is probably coming home tomorrow and that it wasn't something more serious. Tell him to stay off the java and just drink his water! Thanks for keeping us posted Amy

Thanks Cathy for keeping us informed. Please tell Steve I am sending him prayers . I know you had to be concerned and a bit scared. I'm glad he is doing better but make sure he keeps on touch of his bloodwork if they let him out, 9.9 is low but I will tell you what helped me tremendously....Slimfast (newish, about 6 months old) "Low Carb Diet Meal" drinks....honestly has brought my iron up from 9 to 12.8 in the past 6 months. In fact I was at the hematologist last week and this was the only thing we can attribute my good counts to. This Slimfast has 20gr of protien and is 15% iron. It's been years since I was in the normal range and we had to get it stable before I could have WLS...(hopeful it will be soon) Hope to see him home and posting soon.