Update on Sister Georgie

April 1, 2005 It has been about two months since my last update. I thank God for blessing me to make it through my surgery. Like others I started this journey at high risk of complications because of my extreme obesity and co-morbities. I was willing to take the risk for a better life. I prayed for protection as many others prayed with me as I went into surgery on 1/28/05. I was informed by my surgeon that he discovered three hernias that he had to repair before he completed my RNY. My surgery took 2.5 hours and I was immediately placed in surgical ICU after surgery on a ventilator and NG tube which I did not look forward to. I remember waking up in ICU but was unable to open my eyes. I could hear my family and friends voices and could feel them holding my hands. I was trying to talk to them and couldn't not realizing that the ventilator was preventing me from speaking, at this point I realized that I was alive and had made it through surgery. I spent two weeks in ICU without food or water by mouth with ventilator and NG tube. I was finally moved to a private room and was released on 2/15/05 to a rehab facility to convalesce. When released I had a G-tube, staples and two partial open incisions due to an infection. I spent three weeks in the rehab facility and had to sign myself out because of the poor quality of care I was receiving. I noticed blood in my stool and mentioned it to nursing staff who did not think it was a big issue ... so I signed myself out on 3/5/05 and was taken to hospital ER and admitted. It was discovered that I had a bleeding ulcer and had lost a considerable amount of blood. I was placed in ICU because my hemoglobin was at 5 and I had to have a blood transfusion. I was released from the hospital on 3/16/05 in the care of a nursing service for wound care. On March 31st I had my first follow-up visit with my surgeon. During this appointment he removed my G tube and staples and I am happy to announce that I am 65 pounds lighter. It has not been an easy journey for me but my progress is worth every bit of what I had to go through. I feel like the incredible shrinking woman and I am one happy woman. Thank you all for thinking about me and I promise to get back to posting soon. Georgeann

I'm sorry you've had such a hard time, I'm so glad to see you posting. I've been thinking about you often. I let Kat know how you were doing also. I hope the rest of your journey is better and I know it will be. It will be all worth it. I'm proud of you for doing this to better your life, you deserve the best. Amy

I am happy you are doing much better. I can't wait to be on the losing side. Just take it one day at a time. I will keep you in my prayers. Take Care, Hugs Julie

NIce to see you on the losing side. I hope everything gets better for you. Richard

Georgeann, I'm sooooo glad to hear you are finally on the loosing side and are feeling better!! You have been through sooo much! I have a history of PE's too, I got 2 after I gave birth to my last son in 2003 along with CHF and I'm really worried about having surgery...I'm still waiting approval, which I should know Monday or tuesday the answer to that!! But I"m so glad you home and on the loosing side! Please take care and keep us posted when you can!! Tabitha

Georgeann, it is wonderful to see you back on the OH board! You are doing so well with your weight loss, that is really good. I am sorry to hear about the struggle you have had up until now, but it sure sounds like things are finallly looking up. 65 pounds! That is amazing. You are making good progress and must already look like a new person. I have continued to pray for you and will continue to do so. Hugs, Kitty B. RNY 12/13/04 251 / 185 / Goal: 145 pounds (someday)

Hey Lady! Well, it's about time we heard from you!!! But your excused because you have a pretty good reason for not being on the computer. I am very proud that you stood up for yourself and signed yourself out and got the care you knew you deserved. Glad to see you have prevailed and are on the road to a better life! Best wishes~ Sarah

Sister Georgie!! WELCOME BACK!!! Val did what she could to keep us updated on you, but we never knew that much. I'm sorry to hear you went through so much!!! But I know your faith in God would pull you through anything bad!!! I'm glad to see you had enough "gumption" to know blood in your stool was not right and to sign yourself out of that rehab place. Thank God you listened to your inner voice!!! God was telling you things were not right and you listened!!! GOOD FOR YOU!!! So don't be a stranger on here any more!!! Hope you are feeling much better and enjoying this wonderful spring weather!!! Hugs, Susie

How wonderful to hear from you, I am sorry for the problems you had and sure pleased to hear things are better now. Welcome to the losing side. Darla

So sorry to hear your journey started out so rough. Glad to see ya back