Post surgery trials due to Type I Diabetes, Ketoacidosis, and Dehydration

Sorry that it has taken so long for me to post after my surgery.

My actual roux en y surgery went well. My problem has been my other illnesses post surgery (e.g., type I diabetes, coronary artery disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.). The day after surgery I had chest pains and was put on nitroglycerin patch, which gave me a major headache, I also had a high heart rate and arythmias. The cardioligist checked me out to make sure that I had not had a heart attach (which I knew that I had not). I was released on Wednesday evening to come home. Thought I was o.k., on Thursday began getting sick. Called Dr. and got phengren suppositories. Continued to be sick the next day and by Friday afternoon, I had chest pains, racing heart, dry heaves, etc. Called the rescue squad and back to the hospital I went. Not from surgery but from ketoacidosis (extremely dangerous complication of diabetes Type I) and dehydration. The next entire week was totally not fun trying to bring my potassium back to normal levels and it kept falling. I was finally released from ICU the following Thursday evening with strict instructions for more blood tests and potassium pills. Turns out that getting your potassium too high is as dangerous or more dangerous than too low.

It has taken me this time to adjust my diabetes to these changes and to keep myself from going back to the hospital. I am coming back thanks to everyone's prayers. I will begin to post regualarly again now.

I do want to give major kudos to the nurses and staff at Pitt Memorial Hospital! They are the best I have ever had! Also, my surgeon, Dr. Wade Naziri is awesome!! He not only does great work but has a wonderful bedside manner and truly cares for his patients! With my case, he took on a challenge due to my other illnesses and he is definately up for it, which makes me feel much better!

Good news thus far - my blood sugar levels are the best they have ever been with the exception of the ketoacidosis episode. My insulin use per day has been cut in half and I have lost 24 lbs total.

Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers, and caring enough to communicate with me. I will be posting regularly now (as long as I can stay out of the hospital).

Sorry to hear you have had such a rough time.  BUT.. glad to hear you are doing much much better!! 

Thanks Jennifer! I hated so much that I was unable to let everyone know how I was doing until now.

I look forward to all good things from now on!
Melinda

I am so sorry you have had such a rough time! I hope everything is going to be better now. How wonderful to be able to cut your insulin in half in such a short time since surgery and 24 pounds is so exciting! I am so glad you have a good doctor and he has been on top of everything. Can't wait to hear updates from you. I am still waiting to hear from my surgeon but hope to have surgery soon. Beth

Melinda, I'm glad that you are doing better and that you are finally on your way to a smoother recovery. I can't even begin to imagine how scared you must have been.*whew* Thankfully that part is over for you and there will be smooth sailing from now on. I knew when I chose Dr. Naziri that I had made the right choice. I liked him a lot when I had my pre-op appointment. Thank you for re-confirmining that I made the right decision when I chose him as my surgeon. Now I like him even more. I wish you an event-free rest of your recovery. Linda

Melinda
Sorry to hear you had such a rough time. YES you are right the staff at Pitt Memorial is outstanding and Im glad they gave you the best of care. I hope everything works out for you and you have a uneventful rest of your recovery.


Darcie

Glad to hear you're doing better, sorry you had to go through all of that.  Sounds like you're finally on your way!  Good Luck!!!

Geeze - you poor thing! What a scary start for you. So glad to hear that you are feeling better though.  Couldn't feel much worse, I guess. Hope the rest of your recovery goes smoothly. Mare

Sorry to hear about your complications, but really glad to hear about how it is working itself out for you!!! Will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers...

Melinda -

I am so very sorry to hear of your heroing experience. I am glad that you have been in such competent hands and I look forward to hearing of your continued good health and success.

Welcome back!