Blockage & Meeting Rebecca C

Well, the answer to the vomiting is that I have a blockage in my esophogus, which keeps the food from going through to my little pouch.  That explains the uncomfortable feeling that I have been having as well as the vomiting.  Yesterday, when describing how my pouch feels to Dr. Deveney, he immediately asked me a few key questions and stood up to say, we need to get you into see Dr. Feinchel to have him stretch that opening into the stomach.

Mom, Al and I had planned a little trip up to Ilwaco Washington, to the Ilwaco Antique Store (a favorite antique store of mine, and also the place where I put some of my vintage jewelry to sell).  Thankfully, we had planned that trip, which was now going to be cancelled, because Dr. Deveney felt the surgery should be done the next day.  So, this morning, bright and early, Mom, Al and I got ready and made the traffic nightmare back into the city of Portland Oregon, and up the hill to OHSU hospital.  We went to short stay in the Upper GI section of Multnomah Pavillion.  It was a parking nightmare, and the closer we got to the hospital, the more anxious and nervous I got.  By the time we were parked, and out of the car I had a release of emotions.  This is common for me to get to moments before an event and start crying. I just needed fresh air, and a short walk.  Mom graciously let me use her walker, and she and Al went to park the car.

Unfortunately, I didn't tell them where to meet me, as I just assumed they knew that they had the same information I had.  They were a little anxious themselves coming out of the elevator, where I knew they would come from.  There I sat, in Mom's walker, waiting for their arrival.  I think they were relieved to know that I was right there.  Mom was concerned that I was walking too far, and I was concerned that she was walking too far also.  However, we were able to find the building, and the short-stay.  It would have been much easier if Mom or Al would have done what Kesch does, and just take the instructions out of my hands and read them for themselves.  I was nervous, and didn't read the instructions clearly, or we would have known exactly where we were headed!  Oh well, we live and learn.  I think Mom and I were both glad to be able to set down.  My poor husband just follows and trys to act calmly.

It wasn't long before they called me to go to short stay.  I walked down by myself, only to hear Al rushing behind me to give me the "orders" that I had left with him, and at the same time I realized that I still had my glasses on, so we exchanged items, and said our goodbyes.  I was tired, from a restless nights sleep the night before, and so looked forward to relaxing in one of those surgical beds.  The carted me into the surgery room, and I was wide awake.  I met the doctor, they put in the IV and I was asleep in moments.  I awoke, as if I had just awaken for the first time after a good nights sleep.  The nurse told me the proceedure was completed.  Dr. Feinchel came in to tell me that the blockage was not cleared, and they would have to try again in a few weeks.  He said that there was a little ulcerated area in which we needed to get it healed.  So, more information and excitement (so to speak) to come.  I will keep you updated! The highlight of my trip is that I got to meet Rebecca C!  I was in the waiting room at OHSU Digestive Health Center, and there were two women talking, one looked really familiar and the other only a little familiar.  I asked if they posted on Obesity.com.  Rebecca said yes, and I immediately knew who she was.  We chatted briefly, and then they called me back in.  It is so great to meet people that I have met here online, but Rebecca was one of my favorite people online, and I grew to look forward to her postings.  So, it was very nice to meet her, put a face to her and compare a few notes.  I hope that I can soon meet many more of you in person!

Wow Gayla, Sorry to hear you're having these problems.  Thank goodness it can be handled with an endoscopy.  You'll be okay.  A couple of those procedures and things will clear up.  I think this is common for some people going through this procedure.  I, myself have had several endoscopies due to the previous bariatric surgery I had in 1990.  Actually, it's a semi-annual thing for me now.  I'm looking forward to the revision to the gastric bypass to end all of this.  Just remember, it's painless and it will help open things up in there.  Hope you're feeling better, and I do hope to meet you one of these days as I rush up the I-5 corridor to Eugene. Donna M.     

Hi Gala ,what a truma you went thru ,well your on your way again ,I'm doing fine ,and I feel so much better too. Hope to see you at our next meeting. Jo Ann

My goodness!  What a terrible thing to go through.  I hope they have stretched it enough that you can get some nutrition in for now.  Wasn't it Rebecca who had to have several of those stretching procedures done too?  Anyway, I hope they get you back on the right track soon. Linda

Gayla, I'm so sorry to hear they couldn't get that cleared up for you but I know in time it will be all done and you will look back and say "Thank god that is over and look how far I have come" You looked wonderful and It was SO nice to meet you. I was thinking about you as I drove up for my appt. Good thing they were running an hour  behind or our paths might not have crossed LOL :) I hope we can meet up again and please keep us posted as to how your feeling ! Hugs Rebecca C. P.S.  YOu looked great! Keep up the great work!

Gayla: I had my surgery on 8/22/06 .  I had 2 have 2 endoscopies, because of blockages.  I had an ulceration ehich my surgeon perscribed a medicine called carafate which tasted nasty but it did help.  The 1st time they did an endo, they put me out which was wonderful, the 2nd time, I was awake which was not good.  I got really sick in October and had to have intreveneous feeding cause I could not keep anything down,  I am now 10 months out, things are going real good for me.  I still can't eat alot at 1 sitting, but I am not having the problems that I used to. . Hope you feel better real soon, Peggy

Nothing like keeping those doctors employed, huh?  Sorry they weren't able to correct everything the first try.  Hopefully all will go well the next time (or, maybe, your body will decide to heal itself)! Lori

Hi Everyone - I'm sorry that I don't post to each and every post that you have each written to me.  I just don't have the energy right now.  It will come back soon, I am sure.  It's 1:48 am, and I am setting here in tears, as I can't help but be so grateful for all of you who are so encouraging, share your own experiences and just seem to really make a difference.   As we each go through our experience with this weight loss thing, I think we are given the opportunity to share with others, to let them know what could come up and how we each handle various situations. I remember one of my biggest fears before having this surgery was throwing up.  I just really didn't want to have that experience.  Tonight I am up because I have dry heaves.  It's not the end of the world.  It's not the worst thing you can experience.  I know that this can be corrected.  The thing I really want to share is that I am NOT SICK.  I don't feel sick.  In fact, I am in very good spirits, and carrying on in my life just like most of you who had the surgery at the same time I did.   This is just an annoying blip in this long journey I am taking.  I have a website where I blog and a forum where I talk about pain.  I have always felt that my "purpose" in life was to share my experiences of pain with other people so that they could have a better understanding of their own pain.  I guess, in a sense, I feel like God allows me these opportunities to share with others so that they aren't so fearful of what may come their way also. So, rest assured, when I had the endoscope I slept through the entire procedure.  I woke up with a little hoarsness, but nothing major.  I am able to keep  a little more of the liquids down, but until this little ulcerated area heals, I may continue to have some problems.  I'm in good spirits.  I am loving how I feel with each pound that comes off.  Tonight my daughters and their husbands and my grandchildren all noticed that "Grammy" is getting thinner....and they really see it in my face.  So, in the end, I still have no regrets.  Not one time so far in the past month have I been sorry I have had this surgery.  The positive things that are happening in my body far far outweigh this little blip with the stricture. Anyway, again, thank you all who have written.  Your encouragement is helpful and makes me feel like I have some company on this journey of weight loss!  Thanks and thanks and thanks!

Gayla, I was so sorry to hear about the stricture & ulceration, but glad to hear you are doing better now. This process is quite an adventure. Shirley

Gayla,  I just read your post from the 26th.  So sorry you have a blockage and ulceration.  Not fun I am sure.    Hang in there.  When do you have to go back for another endoscopy?  I hope you are losing weight too, during all this irritating event.  Just keep plugging away and soon you will be better.       Julia