crankiness factor

Is it "normal" to be fed up with only certain people and a little cranky/ornery/*****y at this point? I could live without ever hearing from my stepmother again, for instance. Cause I am feelin packed full of *****iness today. Also, took myself off Lortab last night...took my last 1/2 a dose around 10pm. Then took myself to the doctor this am where the "help" seemed rude. People who were there "caring for" me let heavy doors slam in my face, belittled me when I didn't understand what he meant about "how was I taking the medicines I was taking?" Orally? No! Like, um 1 teaspoon? once a day or twice a day? ***evil *****y laugh**** .....Totally *****y gay man that just made me want to slap him....and I don't need to tell you all that "some of my best friends are gay, do I? Well, they are, but this guy just was RUDE. Ok...so then....I have phlebitis where the IV was in my arm. I knew it hurt, even when I was in hospital....so I am now on antibiotics, on top of all the rest of the crap I need to take: the list is long: in the AM: celexa, spironolactone, multivitamin, calcium, pepcid, actigall, and now antibiotics (4x day!) in the pm I retake the multivit, calcium, pepcid, and actigall. PHOOEY! When the f*ck am I gonna be able to eat or drink? I have to crush all these and mix em with pudding...which masks only 1/2 of the icky nastipoo flavors. You guys KNOW I'll be busting out the excell to make myself a chart for drug ingestion. Good news: my staples are out, I'm feeling lucid (if *****y), and I've been advanced to the soft food diet phase. This last piece means nothing to me yet, as I am being very timid about trying new food....still on yogurt, shakes, and pudding, but yearning for some cottage cheese, so I may try some later today. Thanks you all for letting me vent..... Oh, another great thing! My friend Thomas (we dated a long time ago and now are good friends) brought me a huge bunch of these Gorgeous stargazer lilies and they are opening up and smell divine, and they really are making me feel better.

Oh, yeah, I forgot.... I GAINED 4 pounds. I know its fluids from the hospital, but still......

Well Annie, I hate to tell you, but this is so normal. You have been through a huge change, mentally, physically. It is normal to be irritable. Besides, idiots like that make me cranky and I am not post op. I have tons of gay friends and believe you me, I will tell a gay man off just as quick as I would anyone else. He deserved to be ***** slapped! The phlebitis will take a while to heal. Did they tell you to use moist heat? Ibuprofen is the best, but you can't take that, so just stick with the antibiotics and take a hot wash cloth and use it a few times a day. That promotes healing. It can sometimes take a vessel up to a year to recover from and IV site, especially with phlebitits. I had it bad after my surgery. I had 4 IV's all of which infiltrated, and I had been stuck 12 times. So, I had several phlebitic veins. It is not fun, so I am feeling your pain on that one! So, just keep doing what your are doing. Really really baby that pouch. I would stay on soft foods for a while before progressing. Cottage cheese is safe, so you should be ok with that. Don't forget to try some sugar free popsicles. They make a nice snack. Hope tomorrow is a better day.

Thanks guys! I cannot imagine having more than this one phlebitic vein. Someone else on the main board mentioned a warm wash cloth and I tried it...very soothing. In a weird way, it's taking my mind off the pouch, etc. It still hurts like a somethin-somethin though. Thanks for the info Val. Cottage cheese has been my friend for a long time, and so I am sticking with it. I have some sf popsicles, but sort of forgot about em in the all the hubbub about protein and fluid and medications. Will try one tomorrow. Today was better than yesterday, and I have high hopes for tomorrow. Going to try to get and out do an actual planned "walk" as opposed to the stressful walking around I did today. The one weird thing.....I still haven't really felt "full"....or at least....maybe I dont really know what full feels like? Haven't puked and am just following the rules as best as I can..... Also, my "sips" aren't all that dainty to be honest, yet I am having no negative feedback on it from my pouch....does that sound ok? I'm not gulping or anything...but I take healthy swallows of water and feel totally normal.

That was one of my best realizations, I could drink water at a good rate, just listen to your tummy; I hope you are one that can drink well, it makes life a whole lot easier.

Thanks! that's excellent to hear. I thought I was either crazy in denial, or hurting myself. Glad to hear I just may be a "good drinker." Oh, not that kind?

Earl didn't have any problems with drinking at all. For me it was a nightmare. This is just one of those things where everyone is different. You will get your full sensation more when you start eating solids. But, believe me, if you overfill your pouch you will know it! You will either have discomfort in your chest area, or you will vomit! Ew Sounds like you are doing just great! Val

Annie, This will all pass, promise. You're right on track, and really it will all be worth it. I kind of forget all this stuff we go through post-op until I read a post like yours. So rest assured, it does get better and better. Soon all this will be a distant memory. Keep posting and make sure to get plenty of rest. Hugs, Chris L.