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Got discharged from the hospital Thurs afternoon.  Dr Campbell did a great job.  No complications.

Tuesday - Got to the hospital at 6AM.  First thing:  Lose the clothes and put on support stockings Knee high.  Surgery began around 7 and lasted about 3 hours.  Woke up in recovery with little pain, mostly naseau.  No throwing up, but felt a large bubble under the diaphram.  Was in my room by 1.  I was sitting up in a chair and walking by 5.  No food or drink.  The suggestion to bring chapstick and mouthwash was a great one!  Especially that first day. 

Wednesday - Catheter out by 9.  Water at a rate of 2 ounces (30cc) per hour.  And the breathing machine every hour.  I stopped using the patient administered morphine except for one boost at 9 (see above).  Had this sensation that I swallowed a football.  Lots of upward pressure on the diaphram which made it difficult to take a deep breath.  The "bubble" started to break up with walking.  The nurses emptied the drainage tube and ball ("JP") about every four hours.  An LNA washed my hair and gave a sponge bath.

Thursday - Graduated to jello, broth, and sorbert.  Lots more walking.  Stomach is a little distended and swollen from the surgery trauma and the gas.  Dr Campbell took out the drain tube (piece of cake), and explained why the tenderness on the most left side port incision.  That's where the staple gun is inserted and then removed.  Discharged and home at 5.

Friday - Starting a new chapter in my life.  FIrst up question is how to crush all the meds and get them in.  I put a couple in water, one I crushed and sprinkled like salt on pudding, one I just chewed.  yuk.  Any suggestions?

Tom

Congrats Tom!  Sounds like it was fairly uneventful (as it should be)!  I meet with Dr. Campbell on the 29th for my consult, hope to be in your shoes soon.  Glad you're doing well and I hope it continues!
Matt White

Yipee Tom!!

Glad everything went well! The hospital gave me a little pill crusher and said they sell them at Walgreens. It's very helpful.

Good luck with everything and welcome to the Losers Bench!!

Diane

Tom
Congratulations!
I found that applesauce worked the best for me. I would fill one of the medicine cups they send homje with you to sip with about 1/2 to 2/3 of applesauce and mix them in. It has some texture so you don't notice the chunks from the pills. Just make sure you get the Natural type.
Good Luck
Doreen

welcome to the loser bench Tom!!!

Glad to hear that all went well.  I agree that crushing your pills and putting them in all natural applesauce is the way to go.

Hope to see you soon!

Thanks for the applesauce hint.  I think I have to wait until I hit "phase 3" of the diet. 
Had a "wow" moment this AM when I saw an 8 pound drop since last weekend.

Tom

and you will have many more to keep you motivated.....keep up the great work!!

Congrats on your surgery. Welcome to the losers bench!
~Donna

Hi Tom...so glad to hear that you had a fairly uneventful time.  And yes, chapstick is a major thing to bring.  One would never think, but it is a necessity. I have found that using Hood, Calorie Countdown Chocolate drink is the best for me.  It only has 3 sugars, is made with sucrulose (Splenda) and is thick.  It is also good enough to mask the taste of just about any pill.  I take one that is especially bitter, and it was the only thing that I could use to get it down.  It is also good to mix shakes and such because it has 8 grams of protein, and is thick, so it gives a thicker texture.

Each day will get better and better.  And welcome to the other side.  You are going to love it.

Martha