My update-back from California

 

First off, let me say……

I am so glad that I did not have a leak when I got down to California!!! 

Shari (Sherbearmama) was a doll when she picked me up at the airport, and took me over to Dr. Keshishian’s office.  Then Sharyl (Girlrocker) came to the office, so we were able to get our picture taken by a staff member there.  Unfortunately, Shari had to get back home, but it was SOOOOOOO AWSOME to meet her!!!!!!!

When I got to see Dr. Keshishian’s office, he said he wanted to run some tests, he asked me what I wanted to do… be admitted, or go to the hotel, and I wanted to be admitted.  (I was so scared of just not knowing what was going on, that being in the hospital would honestly put my mind at ease, not to mention being mentally, emotionally & physically EXHAUSTED).

So, Sharyl walked with me (and carried my luggage) over to the hospital, and we  waited in admitting, and we were surprised to meet up with Debra in admitting, she was scheduled to have her lap band to DS revision on Monday (2/13) with Dr. Keshishian.  So, once I was admitted, we all headed up to my room.  The 3 of us got to talk, which was GREAT!!!!!  And we were able to get someone from the staff to take our picture as well!!!!  So, I got settled into my room.  They took me down for some x-rays.  And the following day, I FELT SO MUCH BETTER!!!!!!  I had a CT scan done, with oral & IV contrast.  When Dr. Keshishian came in to see me, he said there was no leak detected from the CT scan, so that was GREAT NEWS!!!!!!  And Dr. Keshishian let me eat!!!!!!  I was put on a bariactric soft food diet…………. MMMMMMMMMMMMM real food again aftr being put back to NPO for 2 weeks!!!!  But in the back of my mind, I was still waiting on some food to show up in my ever excruciating JP drain (which it did not).

Also, Leslie from the came and visited with me on Saturday.  She is 6 years out from her virgin DS.  We were able to get a staff member from the hospital to get our picture too!!!!!

I find myself VERY FORTUNATE to have been able to have met 4 people who have had or will be having the DS, a life changing surgery!!!!!!!

On Sunday evening, Dr. Keshishian pulled out my excruciatingly painful JP drain.  It hurt a lot when he did it, and I cried, but once it “sunk in" that my excruciatingly painful JP drain was GONE, I cried and cried some more out of relief. 

All day Monday, I felt so much better without that excruciatingly painful drain!!!!!!  SO MUCH BETTER!!!!!!  Also, Debra had her lap band to DS surgery, and was my next door neighbor!!!!!!!  Glad I got to check up on her and see how she was doing.  And when they would get her up to walk, she would check up on me too!!!!

Tuesday Dr. K came in to see me and I told him I was ready to be discharged and to go to the hotel.  I had a follow up appointment with him on Thursday, and hetook take out the feeding tube in his office.  Then, I went & visited Debra after my appointment, she was still in the hospital. Leslie met me there & then she took me to Hollywood!!!!  We walked around, hecked out the Chinese Theater, and had lunch at The Hard Rock Cafe.  It was so cool!!!!!  I might be walking slow....... but I do get there eventually!!!!  Leslie is a GREAT tour guide, she graduated from Hollywood High.  
And, Thursday nite, Shary came and visited me in my hotel too.
So, not only did I get a "clean bill of health", I also got to meet 4 extremely GREAT ladies that I had only "met" online here.

I am very fortunate!!!!


THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jamie, wow!  What great news!  Glad things are going so well!

 
MEEEE TOOOO!!!!!   Glad I did not need another surgery!!!!!

Yea! Great news! Thank God you are back home and headed in the right direction. Sounds like a great group of folks out there in Cali!! Looking forward to hearing about your progress to a thin, healthier you!
Brenda

 
Thanks, Brenda!!!!  
I am doing so much better.  Been sleepin in my bed since I got home.  When I came home in early January, I was sleeping in the recliner in the living room.  I only took 2 or 3 naps in my bed, cause I could not get comforatable, BUT.......... I also could not manage to get out of the bed by myself!!!!  So, I had to make sue my hubby was home, so he could come & assist me!!!!  Sad, huh?
So, MAJOR difference!!!!!

 Yeah for no leak ! Sounds like you had a good trip. 

 
Yes, I was SOOOOOOOOOOOOO relieved that I did nt need surgery!!!!!  I am so blessed to have had these WONDERFUL ladies placed into my life!!!!!  Angels they are!!!!!

Hi Jamie
I am considering dr k for a revision surgery to ds. Glad you are doing well. How has your immediate post op period been. Dr greenbaum isnt doing ds anymore & offered me a distal. I dont think ill be happy with it. Do you know if you dont have anybody who can help you in the hotel what my options are? I have a 2 year old at home & am a single parent. Let me know what your feelings are & how it was with the traveling etc. So glad you didn't have a leak

 
My immediate post-op period was alright.  I did develop an infection in my incision.  But that coud happen with any surgery where there is an incision.  
I honestly do not think you would be happy with an ERNY/distal.  Waaaaayyyyyyyyyyyy bad news.  Unfortunately, I do not know how you would do it alone.  I ended up spending an extra $1,000.00 to fly my friend to be with me.  Well worth the debt!!!!!!!!  I would honestly post on the board, (Or the other proboard) to see if some people would be able to help you during the immediate post-op period, and out of the hospital.


Hope that helps!!!!!

I am glad you are feeling better:) I just hope that life keeps getting better for you :)