The other side of the story

Swede - great to hear from you and from home! We have all been very worried about you and saddened that you were on the other side of the state. Trust me, if you were here you would have had to deal with many of us in the hospital! lol Your outlook is amazing and before long this is going to be a distant nightmare that will have done nothing more then make you stronger!

Lean on us no matter what, that's why we are here

Liz

Man we've been holding this seat for you on the other side, and now you can come and enjoy the journey that will be before you.  I for one am still looking forward to ALL your wow moments to come. GIANT HUG!!!

Swede,
So glad to see you on here, and that you are finally home.  That was the bad, but things are about to get better.  When you look back on this later, it will be but a distant memory.  It can only be up from here.  Take care, good thoughts and prayers coming your way.
Ena

Hi Swede!

Good to see you are home and back online!  You just hit 40, but look at this as starting over, but you get to keep the good things from the first 40 years!  Am hoping that all continues to positively move forward for you. 

Maura

Welcome Back Swede!  So sorry your slide onto the bench was rougher than usual but glad you got that whole benign mass thing figured out.   Heck of a way to celebrate your 40th; you are literally "over the hill" now, thank God.  Don't worry about the 40oz at all.   It is not a bit unusual to not be able to get in 64 for the first couple of weeks (even without all you've been through).  Yes, warmer stuff might help; peppermint decaf tea is calming to the intestines, or alternating w/SF ice pops.  Don't pu**** treat yourself gently; walk, sip and sleep.

Todd, I am so glad to see you posting and to know that you are home.  We have been very .  It is wonderful to see that you still know that these things CAN and DO happen, but that does not mean you have to give up.  It may take time, but you are going to realize that this was the best thing you could have done for yourself and your kids!!

We are always here to support you, so keep on coming back for questions, information and to offer advice and positive vibes to the rest of us!!

Swede,

I'm glad you're home and on the mend now!!  Missed your positive attitude and humor around here!  Having buyer's remorse isn't uncommon, especially with all the setbacks you've had.  In time, I think you'll be very happy you had this surgery.  Like others said, don't worry about getting all your fluids in yet---none of us can do it early out.  Just keep sipping.

Welcome to the loser's bench!!

Swede, I am chiming in late because I was away for a 3 day weekend with family. But I am reminded of Robert Frost's words, "The only way out is through."

So as you go through this, know that it is part of your journey out of this rocky stretch of road you have been on.

Be patient with yourself and your body. You are healing and need to take it all very gently. You are in my prayers!

Hey Swede! Glad to see that you are finally back on the road to recovery. Hope all goes smooth from here on.

I know that sometimes things happen out of our control which is one reason that I am still on the fence. I like to keep the control in my hands and still remain unsure that elective surgery is the answer -- even though I know it would be the solution.

Keep us posted on your progress. Scot

Swede,

Thanks sooooooo much for the updates, the humor, the positive attitude, the sharing of the good and the bad.  It's PHENOMENAL!  All of it.

Maybe I missed something...but you also at one point mentioned a mass in your colon?  What's the deal with that?  Did they determine anything?  I'm just now going through posts and catching up and what not...so if you answered that question, I'm sorry!

Hang in there...and yes, you WILL reap ALL the benefits soon enough!

~P