Hello from Maui!!
Hello everyone,
My story began Sept 16, 2003. I was admitted to USC University Hospital for gastric bypass surgery. Some of what happened next could only be told to me because I have no memory of it. I was told surgery went well, and after a few days me and my best friend were laughing and getting in trouble for being so loud. The next day my dad called her and said you'd better go see suhaila because she may not make it.Just the night before everything was just fine. I was told I had pulmonary embolisms, hypertension, and hypotension(whatever that is). I was given a trah and my life began again at USC.One of my first memories was waking up in ICU Xmas day 2003. I never got emotional about my situation because I frankly didn't know better.Alot of my memories are clouded because of the drugs I was given. I also had acute renal failure, DVT,pnuemonia, and malnutrition. I remember when I finally peed my dad, the drs all of them were almost dancing........all because I peed. alot of credit goes to my dad because he never showed me how serious this was. Alot of people wonder how I could not know alot of what happen, but to this I say you try it and see. I found out later my dad was indeed scared. He became close to my soc. worker who was a god send. She said he'd cry. You have to know my dad to understand he was one of the strongest men I've ever known. I had the diaylsis, pt, ot, and general discontentment. I lost the ability to walk so now I couldn't walk or talk. It just kept getting better........HA. The days turned in weeks, and they turned into months 19 of them. At first they tried to start me doing pt. They would put me in a wheelchair for an hour. I was so sure they were trying to kill me. Putting me back to bed one of the first days, they let me fall. Much to my dismay they said me falling was a good thing. I apparently tried to not just fall, but to broke it. They said it showed I hadn't lost the ability to walk, I just couldn't walk but one day I would. Then on april 11, 2005 after 18 months at USC, I was transferred to huntington Memorial for rehab. I I still had the Trach and i couldn't walk but there was an end in sight. The bad part, my dad had brain surgery before i left SC. He would never wake up again. My brother John was dianogsised with cancer late Dec 2003. He never told us how bad it was. He died last month. So the 2 biggest supporters I had died 11 months apart. I feel very guilty that after all that I'm alive and they aren't. Did I deserve to be here more than them? NO. But they both loved me and cared for me thru this. I will always thank god for those two guys. I was lucky I had them. My soc worker used my dad as an example, he came everyday to see me. She had to talk to family who wasn't visiting their mom, so she said you need to see her. I know a man who is everyday to visit his daughter.........
At Huntington rehab was a ***** my ot therapist was having me practice getting into a shower. I had to only go over 1 small step, I had a very hard time. Before I left they tried to get me to use 2 canes. I just couldn't. So on May 11,2005 John wheeled me out of the hospital....our destination, HOME. I got to see Monkey(my cat), the la freeway traffic, and hom e. I was home at last. But the story doesn't end there. I went home to dads house. A beautiful 2 story hose with a pool. I couldn't go upstairs and I couldn't do the pool. Afterabout a month I tackled the stairs, it took me a while to get up them but i did it. I tried the pool once, it took alot to get in, and once in it wasn't a fun thing. When I tried to get out I couldn't. I struggled for a half an hour to get out. I was still throwing up. But what I could eat was Pizza?? I also ate lots of fruit, popcorn, peanut butter,and Himmus. My dad was arabic so I learned to love it. I had someone with me 24 hours a day. Then on Aug 26, 2005 I moved to TN to be near my brother. I was suddenly living alone and scared to death. I do just about everything for myself except drive. My cousin was with me during rehab came to stay with me last month, he said WOW you are going up stairs, living alone, doing fine. I have alot of crap to muttle thru but I'm here. It's a very personal journey but it's one we have to live with. Most people will never understand how we could get to this point but we did. And we are the ones who will live with our choice. I appreciate the people on this site who care about others well being and are more than happy to share their experiences with others. I only hope I've helped even just one person. Whether you decide to have the surgery or not don't let my story stop you. what happened to me was very unusual. Weigh the facts for yourself. GOOD LUCK ON YOUR JOURNEY
suhaila
oh ya.......I lost 153 lbs, so far
Hello I am in the pre-op stage of WLS. I believe my surgery will be in July. I am being presented in June. I really would love to find others in the program, Maui or wherever. And Michelle I am looking for you hehe!! I NEED an Angel if anyone would be so kind!!! I would love to hear everyones secrets!! Mahalo Shannon
:angel:
Hello!! I just had my surgery done on April 11th. Are you having your surgery done in Maui? My best advice for after surgery is to take it SLOW with foods!! I am still trying to figure out what settles and what doesn't--it's hard!!! I rushed into starting soft foods too fast, and my tummy is kicking my butt for it!!!! Good Luck, and let us know how things are moving along for you 
Aloha! I live in Kihei and am scheduled for May 15 surgery day.. Are you going through Kaiser's program? We have a great support group called webstiles, for pre-op's and post-op's. Hope all goes smoothly for you and soon we will be on the loosing side!! Yeay!!
Aloha,
Carrie Hello, I'm in Lahaina and yes I am going thru Kaiser!! It's alot of work but well worth it!! I have went to a couple Webstiles, but only in Lahaina. I am going to try and make the one May 13 in wailuku. For some reason that date doesn't look right to me!!9:30-11:00 a.m. Is that right? Anyhow GOOD LUCK on May 15 I am so envious. I wish mine was tomorrow!! Aloha Shannon
Well, good noews is, I have nothing left to steal!
I have a killer sinus headached going right through my eyeball. I finally broke down and took some Aleve. I know some say we're not supposed to but no need to suffer. Once in a great while won't kill me.
Too bad a beer would. That would get rid of my headache now but oh, the morning!
I'm pretty happy not taking advantage of Rick being out of town with the kids to screw up, food or drinkwise. I've been sticking to my sponsor like white on rice.
I wonder if Cyndee is OK. I'll try to find her in the archives and give her a jungaling. I know she was having a terrible time of it.
Vicki
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