The other side of the story
Hi everyone! I want to thank you all for your prayers and well wishes. I found them all inspirational. You guys are the best!
Well so far so good...mostly. I have been adjusting to home life and I can say that I am so thankful to be out of the hospital. My recovery is still on-going and I am struggling to get my liquids in. It wasn't a big deal for me after my surgery for the week I was home before going back in. I was getting in about 70 oz. a day. Now I'm struggling to get in 40 oz. I have only been off IV fluids for 2 days so I'm sure I wont be dehydrated right away but I am seriously concerned about it. It seems to be getting better each day so hopefully i can get back on track. I think it has something to do with the multiple scopes and repairs they did to my pouch...maybe swollen. I have been tolerating the soft and pureed foods and it seems that the food actually calms my stomach.
So here are my thoughts on all of this. I still think that I needed this surgery! None of that has changed. But you can bet your life that I have thought to myself more than once that I wish I would have never done this to myself. This was too much to endure! I never bargained for this. You think to yourself...I wont be that one percent guy, I will work through it just like everyone else and reap the benefits and live the good life. Two weeks in the hospital, the docs not knowing what was wrong, losing blood and needing transfused, getting scoped 4 times, vomiting blood!!! That was some of the scariest unsettling stuff I have ever gone through. I picked the best Dr. on this side of the state. She has done 8000 of these surgeries and is the head of the department at a center of excellence. So, basically **** happens sometimes. I realize that I am still really close to these setbacks and I am not really getting to enjoy the benefits of my hardships. I am sure that if everything goes well from here on out I will be able to get some perspective and I will be more tolerant of everything. Like I said before I needed this surgery, I want to be alive to enjoy my kids. But, understand that unfortunate things can happen to good people. I hope this makes me stronger and allows me to appreciate the benefits...when they come.
I'm not trying to scare anyone (Scott) or deter you from making the decisions that will benefit you. I am using this board to get the support and insight from my friends on here. We share the good , the bad and the ugly.
Thanks for hanging in there with me everyone!
Swede
Well so far so good...mostly. I have been adjusting to home life and I can say that I am so thankful to be out of the hospital. My recovery is still on-going and I am struggling to get my liquids in. It wasn't a big deal for me after my surgery for the week I was home before going back in. I was getting in about 70 oz. a day. Now I'm struggling to get in 40 oz. I have only been off IV fluids for 2 days so I'm sure I wont be dehydrated right away but I am seriously concerned about it. It seems to be getting better each day so hopefully i can get back on track. I think it has something to do with the multiple scopes and repairs they did to my pouch...maybe swollen. I have been tolerating the soft and pureed foods and it seems that the food actually calms my stomach.
So here are my thoughts on all of this. I still think that I needed this surgery! None of that has changed. But you can bet your life that I have thought to myself more than once that I wish I would have never done this to myself. This was too much to endure! I never bargained for this. You think to yourself...I wont be that one percent guy, I will work through it just like everyone else and reap the benefits and live the good life. Two weeks in the hospital, the docs not knowing what was wrong, losing blood and needing transfused, getting scoped 4 times, vomiting blood!!! That was some of the scariest unsettling stuff I have ever gone through. I picked the best Dr. on this side of the state. She has done 8000 of these surgeries and is the head of the department at a center of excellence. So, basically **** happens sometimes. I realize that I am still really close to these setbacks and I am not really getting to enjoy the benefits of my hardships. I am sure that if everything goes well from here on out I will be able to get some perspective and I will be more tolerant of everything. Like I said before I needed this surgery, I want to be alive to enjoy my kids. But, understand that unfortunate things can happen to good people. I hope this makes me stronger and allows me to appreciate the benefits...when they come.
I'm not trying to scare anyone (Scott) or deter you from making the decisions that will benefit you. I am using this board to get the support and insight from my friends on here. We share the good , the bad and the ugly.
Thanks for hanging in there with me everyone!
Swede
HW=400 SW=383 CW=252 GW=240
Pounds to go=12!!! Pounds Lost =148
You are truly an inspiration! May you recover quickly and reap all the benefits...you deserve it!!! You are in my thoughts! (((HUGS)))
Laura
Laura
Laura
"Two roads diverged in a wood..and I took the one less travelled by and that has made all the difference." -Robert Frost
Over 176+ lbs lost since surgery!! :-)
See my profile for my OH Blog!!
mistyshadows
on 8/21/10 10:54 am
on 8/21/10 10:54 am
I'm fairly new and have been reading and praying about what has been happening. Maybe it was said, but I missed it... did they narrow it down to the connection of the pouch that was the culprit? Was it one of those unavoidable things or one of those the doctor is human and can error things?
I think your attitude is amazing. I can't say that I would be able to be so positive. I hope that you continue to improve and all the bad stuff is behind you. The cute kiddos in your picture are going to be loving all the fun stuff you'll be doing with them soon.
I think your attitude is amazing. I can't say that I would be able to be so positive. I hope that you continue to improve and all the bad stuff is behind you. The cute kiddos in your picture are going to be loving all the fun stuff you'll be doing with them soon.
Swede Swede Swede - you gave us one helluva of a scare! We have been thinking of you and praying for you and your family as much as we can. I appreciate your honesty for all that you've gone thru. I for one commend you for your bravery and perseverance in getting thru these very trying times.
I know you're a strong man and you are going to recover from these setbacks and you are going to rock your tool and become healthier and stronger than ever. Trust me foamies wil be a walk in the park after all this!!
Still sending many prayers and well wishes to you and you're family.
Kathy
I know you're a strong man and you are going to recover from these setbacks and you are going to rock your tool and become healthier and stronger than ever. Trust me foamies wil be a walk in the park after all this!!
Still sending many prayers and well wishes to you and you're family.
Kathy
'One shoe can change your life'...Cinderella
we are glad you are getting better, I have know a few people with similar rough patches right after their surgery. It took months but eventually they did get it behind them. feel better. and decide that it was worth it. We are so thankful you are doing better and able to get perspective.
I look forward to seeing your progress and the joy that will come to you
I look forward to seeing your progress and the joy that will come to you
And this is why you are so important to these boards! You positive attitude will shine through all the difficult times. Thank you for understanding what your words will mean to others. As for the fluids - it will come. Always have your water bottle with you and just sip sip sip.
And as for scaring anyone, these things sadly do happen - rarely - but they do. Continue to share all the "the good, the bad and the ugly" and you too will find out that your sharing with others actually will strengthen your already positive resolve!
Welcome back!
And as for scaring anyone, these things sadly do happen - rarely - but they do. Continue to share all the "the good, the bad and the ugly" and you too will find out that your sharing with others actually will strengthen your already positive resolve!
Welcome back!
Swede,
Glad to hear you are home. Set backs can be a part of this journey. Gene had a very rough beginning, 3 hospitalizations in addition to the initial surgery. You are looking at this in a very positive way, and in time will be able to process all that has happened. I can remember Gene looking at me when he was in the hospital saying this was the biggest mistake he'd ever made, before he had time to really process and think about it. As Gene told me many times after processing all his setbacks - He WOULD DO IT AGAIN. I was there every step of the way in all his set backs and went ahead with this surgery myself. I know the benefits of it first hand from watching my best buddy go through all the challenges that were thrown at him after surgery. Keep the faith. God answers prayers, God is good! You and your family remain in our prayers.
Ida & Gene
Glad to hear you are home. Set backs can be a part of this journey. Gene had a very rough beginning, 3 hospitalizations in addition to the initial surgery. You are looking at this in a very positive way, and in time will be able to process all that has happened. I can remember Gene looking at me when he was in the hospital saying this was the biggest mistake he'd ever made, before he had time to really process and think about it. As Gene told me many times after processing all his setbacks - He WOULD DO IT AGAIN. I was there every step of the way in all his set backs and went ahead with this surgery myself. I know the benefits of it first hand from watching my best buddy go through all the challenges that were thrown at him after surgery. Keep the faith. God answers prayers, God is good! You and your family remain in our prayers.
Ida & Gene
IdaMae
OMG what an awesome way to look at this! I can remember waking up and saying to myself WTF did I do to myself only not in those words and asking Susan and Dennis all of these crazy insane questions and them smiling at me promising me it gets better and they were right! Its scary and thats why I get so pissed at some of those people who comment we took the easy way out. I am so glad to hear you are doing so much better. Hang it there Swede one day at a time and any one of us will be glad to send hugs, lots of them. Yep we are there for the bad times as well as the good ones. Thru thick and thin. Take care.
Swede,
It's so good to see you back on the boards and to hear your positive attitude back in force. I'm quite sure that your stoma is swollen and VERY irritated, so just sip tiny amounts constantly. Try warm liquids (they are sometimes easier to get down and can reduce swelling) if cold ones are a problem... or vice versa. Someone suggested a while back that you keep one of those tiny medicine cups (the kind you get from cough syrup) and drink one every 5 minutes or so...
With any luck, all your rough patches are behind you and you can now focus on reaping the rewards. You've put so much energy and good planning into your journey - it will get better and soon.
Keep on rockin!
Karen
It's so good to see you back on the boards and to hear your positive attitude back in force. I'm quite sure that your stoma is swollen and VERY irritated, so just sip tiny amounts constantly. Try warm liquids (they are sometimes easier to get down and can reduce swelling) if cold ones are a problem... or vice versa. Someone suggested a while back that you keep one of those tiny medicine cups (the kind you get from cough syrup) and drink one every 5 minutes or so...
With any luck, all your rough patches are behind you and you can now focus on reaping the rewards. You've put so much energy and good planning into your journey - it will get better and soon.
Keep on rockin!
Karen
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