1st year SURGIVERSARY!!!

Well, one year ago today my nightmare began. Even though it was a love/hate relationship in the beginning. I am still her to tell it. I was in surgery for about 3 hours and didn't wake for another 5 hours. I graduated to full liquids and was sent home 4 days later with shoulder pain diagnosed as gas...Ya Right. I got through my stages with no problem except a few little melt downs. Thank goodness for Tylenol#3's and my heating pad. I hated the pain and all the antibiotics I had to take but, I wanted to get better. I trusted all these professionals and took their words for what was wrong. It was a long summer 08. In the fall 08 my savior came and Dr. Goddard was on at the emergency and he order a CT scan..Praise the good Lord above. It showed 2 abscesses and yes our worst nightmare a leak. Five surgeries later ... 2 JP drains placed. 2 open surgeries trying to place Fibrin glue to fix the leak..then the stent, which was a nightmare. It came back up into my chest.

My body still rebelled and wanted to heal on it's own. She was still pizzed that I took 2/3'rds of my stomach out. So, I got out of the hospital for Xmas with a wound vac and drains. What a gift..LOL! But, I was alive (Right). I got through the high calorie TPN's and tube feeds, one bag at a time. I knew it was for my body to heal. Even though I did have a conversation with my NUT and she was willing to lower it some, but, I went back to her and said we need to do what we need to do to heal me. By March, my incision finally healed to epidermis. I still get shoulder pain and taking Tramacet for it. I want an answer to whether I am healed or not. Guess that will take time. My new Doctor is aware of it all now.

Eating at one year out is about 2-3 oz of protein at a time with some veggies if room. I do have  carb overload by days but get through it. I need to drink more water. I also need to get a exercise regime. I did get a Y pass for my b'day but still haven't used it.

150+ down and still moving!!!

Overall I LOVE my sleeve and would do it all over again.

Hugs

Donna

Before...





Last month...Need a 1 year out!!

Congrats Donna

Wow you have come such a long way and I am so happy that you are doing better - been a hard journey but you have survived and you look amazing !

Hope you get to celebrate your surgiversary in a special way and rejoice that you are still here with us - have watched your story the entire year and it was scary reading it - cant imagine living it.

Enjoy life girly you deserve it - thanks for always answering my questions and giving back despite the battle you were in - it means a lot to me.

hugs
deb

The fact that you say overall you love your sleve and would do it all over again makes me remember how much this actually can change your life! Congrats on being strong and making it this far! Keep your head up and smiling, you look wonderful, I hope you feel the same way!