FINALLY home from nursing home post -plastics......ready to catch up and 'give' back!

Hi my dear friends, thank you SO much for the supportive replies and responses to my limited posts. Feel so out of touch, not getting to read posts, though will catch up as energy allows (smiling).  Can't believe how exhausted I get, even took several long naps during the day, and just feels wonderful being home.  The toughest challenge other than inept nurses, no computer access, etc., was not having anything even close to appropriate WLS food choices!  Way too funny, not even touching 'food' I wouldn't even give my cat!  Was fortunate to have a couple friends bring in real food, plus was able to come to my apartment just a mile away to get chewable food, catch up on 'real' Emails and make quick update posts! 

Got a huge scare at this week's second follow-up with plastic surgeon yesterday.  He was appalled at both visits this week, my ace wraps were way too tight, and the right foot/leg was way swollen and tender to the touch.  He said there may be a blood clot in that calf and sent me down for an ultrasound.  He said if there's a clot, he'd immediately send me back to NMMC for IV heparin (blood thinner).  Oh, being thisclose to going home for good, I just repeatedly prayed for negative result and to be able to attain eight a.m. discharge this morning.  Whew!  It's acute edema (not cute, just 'acute') and have got to keep up the walking (still using walker and have both legs ace-wrapped from the feet to groin).  Too funny, there was so much 'hurry and wait' for services at the nursing home, I wasn't able to get up for the longer walking, nor able to rest with both feet elevated.  With my many amusing quips about the nursing home 'skilled nursing' care, my doctor said he will never send any of his patients to this or any branch facility.  The sense of humor just grew and grew.....along with the swelling.  But am at home, am able to resume my eating plan, get in all my supplements, etc.  One week of gross deviation won't hurt anything, but just felt so lethargic in there, knowing I wasn't getting enough solid protein through 'real' meat.  Their cottage cheese had to have been 20% fat, and every thing way way too salty.  So glad that derailment is over!  Thank you again for all the support, and I'm looking forward to getting caught up here and will being able to 'give back'.  Generous hugs and best wishes to each of you!  Hugs, Patti

well glad to hear you are home patti, and getting back on track

sounds like you had a bit of an adventure there.  its amazing how hard it sometimes is to find the right foods for wls patients.

so glad you will be able to do what you need now and catch up with things.

hope your recovery is speedy


be safe and well, hugs, jacki

Thank you Jackie!  It's just wonderful being home again, with Chloe (meow) under foot, singing for more TLC!  Nutshell:  had double thigh lift Mon. 10/20;  due to having MS. was hospitalized til 10/26.  Was only home three days 'til complications had me meeting my surgeon at ER, where I was admitted for another three days til being discharged to a skilled nursing facility at a nursing home less than a mile from my apartment.  Was there last Friday evening and discharged right away yesterday morning.  Had laparoscopic RNY w/gall bladder removal 7/25/06, all with absolutely no complications. After maintaining goal, began losing balance and falling.  Neurologist ordered brain MRI to rule out any MS deterioration, which hadn't happened.  She observed me walking from all angles, and with slight sway, the liquid fat inside much extra skin had affected my core balance and equilibrium.  The rest is history.  Has been a long tough painful haul, though will surely pay off for safer ambulation.  Thanks for asking, I'm optimistic about end result of this derailed progress and prognosis!  Take care of you and enjoy the day hon!  Hugs, Patti

So glad you are on the road to recovery.                                                  My 85 year old Mom visits the 'old folks' at the nursing home at their retirement facility twice a day.  She is shocked at the food that is served these people.  Many are diabetic, many with high cholesterol, etc, and there are no special diets for these folks.  Lots of fat, carbs, and sugar.  I guess that stuff is cheaper! 

Hi Grammeylew, unfortunately you're right about 'cheaper' 'food!'  Feels just fabulous being back at home, and in control of getting back to my eating plan, as well as being able to keep up with supplements.  Take care of you and enjoy the day!  Here in the Minneapolis area it's currently 24 degrees with a wind chill in the teens.  Good day to snuggle up on the couch with a comfy throw, cup of decaf chai tea and a good movie or two!  Thanks for the support!  Take care of you and stay warm! Hugs, Patti

Patti,
Glad you are back home and out of that nursing home.  I haven't read all the posts so not sure why you had to go in there but glad it is all over with.
Take care
Mickey

Thank  you Mickey!

Patti - I am glad that your humor did not leave you when your extra skin did !  Glad you are back and hopefully a full speedy recovery is in the works now...

I hope you have someone available to come wrap your legs for you - some things we just can't do ourselves.

Welcome Home,
Shelia

Thank you Shelia!  yes, gotta hang on the that humor, especially in the hospital and heaven-forbid, nursing home!  Yes, I have a home care nurse coming daily for four weeks to do would cleaning, pack the three openings, and do the ace wraps.  Just feels so great being back at home.  Just got off the phone and am exhausted--time for another looooooooooooong nap!  Thank you again, and have a wonderful (stay warm!) day!  Hugs, Patti