She's baaaack!

Eight days in the hospital, 2 surgeries, and a bad wound infection, but I am alive! The first surgery was textbook-- 2 1/4 hours, singing in recovery (I would have loved to have had THAT recorded). Walking pretty good, slobbering over ice chips. Next day, went to radiology and a very tiny leak was found. So I was back in surgery late that afternoon. I came out of that surgery with another drain and a gastric feeding tube. Couldn't even have ice chips-- boo hoo! They started pouring down the liquid protein supplement with water down that tube. We did that for a couple of days until radiology assured that I was leak free. I was running a low-grade fever and we were pushing meds through the gastric tube. Then I started with the wound thing. I was leaking gastric juices and bile onto skin and causing a terrible time-- no wonder I had a fever! Dr. Sundberg wouldn't begin to think about releasing me until the fever, etc. were under control. But I was moved into first-phase bariatric diet, trying as hard as I could to get as much liquid down as possible. Had problems with nausea and frothing, but I found I do well with Phenergan and liquid Tylenol works beautifully for fever and pain. Once a wound care specialist and the surgeon figured out to use a colostomy bag for the drain, giving my skin a chance to heal, I was released from the hospital on a full liquid diet. Getting home and the first evening at home were terrible, but I was able to get 5 hours of uninterrupted sleep on the recliner and woke this morning feeling so much better. Very gassy and a lot of edema-- I weigh more now than I did when I went in, but it will pass and it will all be worth this effort. Thanks to everyone, especially Elizabeth, for your support, prayers, and good wishes.

Susan- I'm glad you are home and beginning to feel better. Sounds like you had quite an adventure!!!! Not exactly what you were looking for, huh? Hope you start feeling lots better very soon!

I am so glad to hear you are healing and home !!!! keep it up from what I have heard you are a fighter ... Tiffany

Susan- So glad to hear things are looking up. You have great doctors- to think you could have been released with that miniscule leak- it must feel so good to know you chose the right doctor and hospital!! Take care and I hope you feel better and better each day. Lori

Thank goodness you are home, even though you don't feel well, there is nothing like home.

Susan, I've been following your ordeal I'm glad you got to come home and feel like you are beginning to mend. Take it easy and I'm sure you will be feeling better soon. Ann

What a relief to hear you are turning the corner! I hope you can put this all behind you and look forward to a brighter, "smaller" future!!!

I'm so proud of you...keep a postivie outlook...it's all down hill from here! Deb PAul

so happy happy happy you are home! and doing well and in good spirits it sounds like! what an ordeal! let us all know how things go for you! take care, hugs! Judi