I'm finally home . . .Long road to recovery

Well, I finally got to go home yesterday. Since my original surgery date of 7/7 I have been hospitalized 4 times for a total of 38 days. I have had 3 different surgeries and am now how on a feeding tube that goes directly into my small intestines. I am under home health care and am receiving care for the feeding tube and the abcess of one of the incisions from the 3rd surgery. My big worry is the infection of the incision that I have. But, I am in so many meds, I'm sure this will clear up in time. If I weren't getting home health care, the Dr. said he would have to keep me in the hospital. I have missed my family so much. I have put them through so much. Timing couldn't have been worse. Three of my 4 kids were starting new schools. My youngest son Seth is autistic and this has been particularly difficult for him. New school, out of routine, staying with my parents. We had to split the younger two for the older two since their schedules are all so hectic. I actually got to have all 4 kids home today. Can't tell you how muoh it did for me mentally. I missed them so. None of them could come up to the hospital so I hadn't seen them in almost 3 weeks. The goal at this point is to learn to eat again. Reintroduce fluids and food back into me and be able to keep things down. As time goes on I will be less and less dependent on the feeding tube and will get enough nutrition from eating and drinking. There is no time frame on this but I will be taking things very slowly. Everything has to go through the feeding tube at this time. What a process this has been. I will update you as I am able to. Rhonda DS 7/7/04

I hope you start feeling better.

Rhonda, It's so good to hear that you're home and got to be with your kids. It's so much easier to relax once you're home, but just take it easy for a while. Sometimes these surgeries don't go as easy as we expected. I was blessed with no problems at all but also know of others who had complications. I've been following the board and your angel's posts about your hospital stay, so you've been in my prayers and I'm wishing you a quick recovery now that it seems that you're on the way UP !! Good luck to you and keep us posted! Andrea