Please Everyone Post an update-Roll Call

Hello AMOS Family, Please can we get anyone and everyone to post a hello or an update to let us know you are all still around..... Love to hear stories and where everyone is at with there journey........ Hope to hear from ALL of you....... Debra P

Hi Debra....I am scheduled for surgery on March 14 so now I am getting more and more excited and a bit nervous. I have my pre-op testing at the hospital on February 28 and with my primary on March 8. I don't think I will totally believe it is finally happening till that is all done. Actually I won't believe it until I wake up in recovery!

Joan, Thanks for posting..... I see many look but never post..... but I guess we are always there for them right?....... I am so glad that your journey is taking a big turn very soon and that is so awesome...I wish you the very best hun and a speedy recovery. I am on my way too........ and yes sooo many mixed emotions for sure..... Take care hun and thanks again for taking the time to post and let us all know how your doing.... Debra P

Hi AMOS My surgery is scheduled for 3/17. I have pre-admission tests and doctor visit on 3/10. I am gradually buying things I will need after surgery. I am anxious to have it done, but not really nervous or excited yet. Of course, I still have a month to go. Also, trying to get use to my C-Pap machine which has been helping me sleep better. I am preparing stuff to take to the hospital and trying to get all of my personal affairs in order. Trying to stock up food for my hubby so he doesn't starve. He is really easy to feed. I plan on making bread for him and freezing it so he has enough to last until after my surgery and I am feeling better. Of course, with supervision, he can make bread if he runs out. I just had a health care proxy completed so my daughter(an R.N.) has authority to make my medical decisions. She knows what my wishes are and my husband would keep me alive no matter what. That is where I am at. I have not had anything new to post so I have just been reading. I enjoy reading and learning from everyone. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Brenda

Brenda, Thank you for posting hun and would be a bundle of nerves being close but not to close..... Hell who am I fooling I am nervous the whole jorney...... I can not wait to be able to repair for my surgery, I am hoping it will be in April/May......~crossing her fingers~ I will pray that you have a calm month until your surgery...... Take care Debra

Here is an update. I had surgery on 2/11/05 and was released 2/14/05. Surgery went well. I was in ICU the first night then taken to a shared room the following day. Unfortuantly, the roomie was not bariatric which did make for some tough days (You'll understand as I go on). The first day in my room, I smelled gravy. My husband thought I was nuts. About 20-30 minutes later, food trays come around and guess what? I was brought Mashed Potatoes and Gravy (day 2 of surgery)... HMMM smelled soooo good but I KNEW I couldn't have it. So, regretably, I told them there had been an error and they needed to take it back (sighs). I had a few high fevers at night which led to suppositories and cold clothes which eventually brought them down. Day 3 I am heading to the swallow eval (gross!) and actually smelled a bagel toasting. I didn't see it, but I KNEW it was there. Did I mention to you that my roomie was non-bariatric and chews her good smelling bacon really really loud? I went for walks while she chewed away. That was really hard. On night 3, I KNOW for a fact that the nurses were munching on popcorn cause I woke up to the smell. Should be against the law. Have you ever payed attention to commercials? While I was in the hospital, I learned that Pizza Hut had a new pizza bread stick thing that had dipping sauce, SUBWAY has new hot subs that melt snowmen, and I still think of Denny's French Toast Slams and NachoMelts. Well, on day 4, my cousin picks me up to take me home and she has her son with her. He was hungry (poor little guy) and of course she swings into Wendys to pick him up a Cheeseburger and Fries. I wanted to lick the fries and the pickle (don't even like pickles). That day when I came home I was very frustrated and emailed everyone I knew that Someone should have stopped me from this insanity and not let me do it. I was so depressed. On top of that, the Physician's Assistant had told me that I shouldn't get weighed before leaving the hospital (dietician agreed with it a few hours later when I saw her) due to most people having weight gain even up til their first appointment due to the excessive IV fluids they pump in you. How fair is that? I hadn't eaten since Wednesday and that didn't count since I pooped all that out on Thursday when given the liquid med to dispell everything. So really, I hadn't eaten in ... let's see... 6 days! And THERE WASN'T GOING TO BE A WEIGHT LOSS? I was not a happy camper. So, what did I do when I got home? Stepped on those scales and sure shooting, I had GAINED weight. Then I cried and cried and cried. The next day I felt MUCH better! Let me confess something here. I really hate water. I am sick of Jello. I am sick of popsicles. And.. I haven't figured out the whole broth thing yet. I just would like to eat something real. However, I had made a DECISION that this is what I had wanted to do and like anything else I have wanted in life, I have to work on it, be patient, and not get discouraged whenever something doesn't go MY way. I enjoy reading the messages. I come here everyday to see if there is a new tidbit of information, or if someone else is feeling the same way I am. My favorite part that keeps me going is looking at the Before and After Pics. That is truly motivating. Those of us who don't talk much or reply alot are still benefiting from this site. If others are like me, I reply when I feel I have something I can contribute and don't talk to talk. But, it doesn't mean I don't care or pray for or give silent HURRAYS for the group. Often I send private emails. Again, thanks to all who contribute, who are willing to so candidly share stories, experiences and who are willing to go out on a limb by giving to others a part of yourself. Your silent partners appreciate it! God Bless, Terri

Terri, I just wanted to offer you a little encouragement. It DOES get better!! I promise! I had surgery 3 months ago and I remember in the first few weeks being very frustrated too, especially the day or two before I was allowed to start on the soft foods. I just wanted to CHEW on something even if it was soft and mushy! It seems like yesterday, and then it seems like so long ago too. The important thing is that you are keeping motivated - it wont be so hard soon, and then YOU will be the one motivating others!! You will do great, I know you will! Keep us posted on how you are doing! God bless you and keep you, ~Andrea

Andrea, Thanks for the reply. I think I overdid it yesterday. I noticed that my staples area which had been the color of my skin under the staples is now a blood red color especially the higher up the staples it goes. I don't know what I did, but I tend by nature to be an over-doer. Now today I don't feel so hot. My left leg has hurt since last night going from butt area to feet then back again. I'm glad I have an appt tomorrow cause now I"m a little nervous. Maybe it's just natural healing process? Thanks again for the note. terri

Terri, Hello hun thanks for posting to share your thoughts...... I know how you feel being on all the diets that I have been on, licking food does NOT sound that strange to me but it did make me laugh (of course being on the other side of this we can laugh now but when you are there it sucks).........~hug~ It is so nice to just hear from people every now and again to hear and see how they are doing...... hoping your recovery gets better every day and I am sure it will hun..... Hoping you well....... Debra P

Hey Debra: I'm down to the last test before submitting to BC/BS. I go for that (endoscopy) on Thursday 2/24. After that, we're submitting for approval and, if all goes well, I'll be on the operating table on March 28. I'm not posting the date on my profile until I'm certain that the insurance company is going to approve. Maybe I should let them know that I will fight a rejection!!!!!! and I will win. I was at my PCP earlier this week and he is so excited about my surgery. It's nice to have that kind of support. Keep me posted on what you're doing. Cheryl