Update on Kevin

Hiya Gang!

I am currently at home after surgery a week ago Monday 12/14.  I woke up in recoverwhat little dignity I hay to find that they tried to do it laproscopically for an hour but apparently my organs are not in the right spots so they finally threw in the towel and went open...  So I have an 8 1/2 inch surgical zipper to go with all the failed laproscopic incisions.  Yay! 

I was in the hospital until Thursday but was not all that much fun to be around.  Pretty sleepy most of the time.  Dan and his lovely bride were up on Monday and some old friends who originally got me hooked into Dr Benn were also there, both the husband and wife having undergone the surgery 5 years before...  My sister Tess (Vanish) was there Monday and took care of things.  

Throughout the first few days i had trouble with the aftermath of the catheter...  that was ugly.  :-)  I think whatever modesty or dignity I had left was pretty much out the window...  Hahah...  

The nurses were awesome (with the one sucky exception who makes the others look even better) and the NAs were great.  I had a beautiful corner room with two windows and overlooking the ugly rush hour traffic I got to avoid those days.  :-)  My pain was kept well in hand and the double surgery made me a bit of a novelty...  The first one the doctor had to convert this year... 

I went home to my folks house.  My mom, doubling as drill seargeant was telling me the halls of the house were shorter than the hospitals and to get up and keep moving!  I finally got on the treadmill and went 3/4 miles and the next day 1 mile.  I got paroled to home and have been taking it easy.  I got my drain out yesterday and have been weaning myself off the  pain meds. 

So there is the update.  Not sure where the scale is but since I can see I am not yet at my goal weight, we won't worry today.

Coffee on Saturday in Eagan?

congrats on being home, Kevin-you made it through the first week, which is the worst part-although the zipper takes a little longer to heal than the lap insicions-there are quite a few people who have had to have open procedures, so you are not alone.  Good for you that you have family behind you and standing by you!!  stay away from the scale for a couple weeks-there is no point trying to see how fast things go, just concentrate on healing, sipping and walking and let the tool work for you.  As for modesty/dignity....well, you know, it's all a matter of perspective!!  those of us who have had children realize that doctors and everyone else get to see everything.....and it's ok.  take the shame out of it and move on-they helped give you this marvelous new tool!!

It sounds like you are doing pretty good considering all that went down last week.  I'm glad you're home recovering now & up & moving which is GREAT! 

Not sure how many people are planning on going on Saturday morning since it's right after Christmas, but if I'm around home I'll run up there if you & others plan on going.  If not, we'll be back in Burnsville the following week for sure!!!

I look forward to seeing you & so glad to have you on the losers bench with me & many, many others!! 

Glad to hear from you - it seems like you did retain your sense of humor out of the deal!

Hang in there.. Sorry it started out rough - but you are well on your way and once you see that scale start dropping you will be SO glad you did this (if you aren't already)

Hugs

Stephanie

Kevin who?! 

So glad you are doing well.  Will miss seeing you at Christmas, but I think you already got your present!  Now just heal from it.

See you on Monday at some point.

Love you,

Tess

What an awesome attitude you have !  Sorry it was such a tough start and glad you're doing so well.  Take it easy and don't go too crazy.  Coffee on Sat.?  Amazing. I will be recovering from a full house, personally, but more power to you.  Hope to see you soon.  So nice to have met you a couple of weeks ago.

Karen

Glad you made it home, and it's all over.  It can only get better from here.  Hoping for a speedy recovery for you and wonderful Holidays.

Kevin:

I'm sorry that you had to be converted to the open approach.  But on the flip side I'm also appreciate if a shared characteristic that we both have and that is to keep the medical team guessing!

Sounds like you are doing great at home.  Keep up the good work and I'm glad you are doing well.  (I also agree to avoid the scale.  Lots of extra fluids in your body and weight fluctuations!)

My best,
Kelly

Glad to hear you are home and recovering!  Sorry to hear about your goofy organs...(just kidding).  Just think of all the cool stories you can concoct about the scars...... 

I will be out of town on Saturday....but I do hope to make it to a coffee gathering one of these Saturdays (if I can ever get up that early on a Saturday). 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!


 

Glad to hear that you are well and home!!