Update

Dr. Bour told us this morning that Joel could go on the phase 1 diet starting today, and hopefully (praise God) go home saturday or sunday!!   I have to say for the first time he did say, "maybe the surgery was a mistake" and I told him that everyone has those feelings...he had such a hrad time with that phase 1 protein, just didn't find anything "good"...but this will help his healing process and the doc said surgery was an option, so we are not out of the woods yet. I hope you guys have a great friday!!!  ~ Deidre

 That is great news!!  Tell Joel to hang in there! Donna Jo

I will Donna Jo,  thanks... ~ Deidre   

Please tell Joel that he's not alone in his Phase One Hate.  Everything that was considered a "clear liquid" protein source made me soooo sick.  Eventually even the mere thought of the smell could make me gag.  The one thing that I could force down was the Proti Jello ... Nutrition Solutions sells it.  But even that was difficult.  (Make sure he gets his fluids in, even if he can't get all that protein in.) Also, please encourage Joel to delay his regret over the surgery until he's feeling better ... and I believe he WILL feel better one of these days.  At one point during my hospital-time, I remember asking Dr. Bour to please take me back into surgery and put everything back the way he found it.  I knew I had  made the dumbest mistake of my life.  All I wanted was to eat and drink like a normal person.  I was so envious of the people in the rooms around me who would get regular meal trays ... I would just cry like a baby.  Dr. Bour said he could tell when I was finally on my way to "Well" again, because I stopped crying every time he came in the room. I can't even tell you how often I think of you both, and I hope you know how sincerely I hope for better days for Joel ... and SOON.  I pray things go smoothly from here on, and that the Phase One time will go by fast for him.  I hate SO MUCH that he is experiencing these troubles.  I wish I could do something to help! One day at a time ... trust Dr. Bour's wisdom ...  and please let me know if I can do ANYTHING.

Thank you Dawn,  I try so hard to tell him and sometimes he is listening, but I think that because I haven't had it yet that I don't know...I am going to print these off and take them to him after work... I hope that everything is good on your end, I have been praying for you too... I can't thank you enough for your prayers and encouragment...it means everything to both of us!!    ~ Deidre

Hi, I have been watching the updates on Joel and keeping him in my prayers.  I am a month out and still am not sure if it was right for me or not.  I had no complications except for the protein stuff as well.  If you need anything just email me, I live in S'ville and will help out all I can.  Have a great day!

Thank you Tammy...that means ALOT!!!  I hope you have a good day too!

~ Deidre

I have been thinking about you guys and am glad to hear that Joel is progressing in the right direction.  I think everyone here can agree that protien is REALLY REALLY hard to get in the first week.  And with the exception of the one superwoman who had surgery the same week as me, I haven't heard of many people that were able to get it all in every day during those first weeks. And I don't know many people that didn't have that "regret" phase either.   Day by day it DOES get better.  Just tell Joel to keep pushing forward, this will all be behind him very soon. (((((hugs))))) Kathy

Thanks Kathy,  we appreciate all the thoughts and prayers!  I know that I get alot of my strength and encouragement from all of you...you all are the most amazing people that I know!!

I am going to print all of this up and take to him...to let him know that this is coming from the post-op people...and IT WILL get better!  (sometimes I think that I am just lying...lol!)  Thanks again  ~ Deidre

Deidre please give Joel my greatest well wishes. I am praying for his quick healing and tell him to hang in there.  :love:  Pam