Finally I post!!!

Hey Everyone, Sorry it's taken me so long to post but getting home after 5 days in the hospital and getting settled in has proved to be a challenge. I am now doing well. As many of you know due to the updated post by my sweet Tinkerbelle, I had a minor set back due to a swollen esophagus. All is good now and as the old saying goes......"it will get better when the swelling goes down" it is better now. I am not having any problems at all getting liquids to go down. The only other problem I encountered is with my sinuses. I have terrible post nasal drip. That has caused me to throw up twice but I called Barbara Kayes and she told me to start back taking my benedryl and to get some cough suppressant that has a DM at the end. I found a great one with nothing added such as sugar or anything else at Food Lion of all places. Actually it was my daughter that found it for me. I have yet to go out of the house since surgery other than a walk to the mail box or out in the yard for a little while. It's just been so hot. I have just about worn out the carpet in my house walking the floor. Walking is much more pleasant than sitting and just last night did I sleep any length of time that was beneficial to my rest. I am on the mend now. Over all I have done very good even with the few little things I've encountered. I would not change a thing. My stay at the hospital was very pleasant and I had the best of care. I did have a strange little old lady in my room one night that didn't want to sleep and she kept the TV on all night not to mention all the room lights. She watched the Food Network all night of all channels to view. I had told her that I was a gastric by pass patient. Guess she didn't comprehend what that was. I am so glad to have this all behind me now and be on my way to the losing side of town. What a journey this has been and the best is yet to come. I am so thankful for all the friends I've made here along my journey and I want you all to know that I love you from the bottom of my heart. I know I don't get the time to post to everyone's post all the time but like everyone else I try to post as much as possible. You are all family to me now.......who else could understand what I'm going though except someone who has traveled the same road as me. You all know the sheer embarrassment of being FAT, the ugly looks of others who discriminate against us because of the FAT. All the difficulties that come with being overweight. This is a bond that we all have one with another. And then we experience the surgery, the weight loss, the Wow moments, and all the good things that happen because of our journey. Thank you all 100% for being here for me and I only hope that I will be here for you when your time of need comes. Just know I am only an e mail away. Drop me a line and I'll be sure to reply. Family comes First!!! Lots of Love Kathy 305/287/185/160

Hi Kathy...congrats on your surgery and being home and doing well! I am so very happy for you and remember we are here if you need anything I am SURE that one of us can help you our or MANY of us can help you out as best as we can. Hugs! Shele

Hey, Kath! Glad to hear you doing so well now. Yea, post-nasal drip can irritate a pouch and fill it up too (ick!). Hubby's surgeon way back when explained that as a reason why some folks cannot eat as much in the a.m. as other times of the day. Urgh! So, your roomie was watching Food Porn with a WLS patient in the room who couldn't eat anything? Nice. I'm so glad that you have finally, finally gotten past your day and are on the losing side now. A long journey but one that will change your life. Hugs, Kathy

Hey Kathy, It was great to see that you are home and doing so well. It does get easier every day! I think it is very true that you make very good lasting friendships here because we all share a bond that others will not understand and we are all SO there when someone needs help, has a bad day or we can share in the sheer joy of being able to do something that was not possible before because of our weight. There is so much genuine love for each other on here and no judgements. Welcome to the best group of people in the world!!!!!! Jackie

Hi Kathy, well there you are!! I have been so thinking about you. Trust me, we all know how it is the first few days. I remember just before surgery I was posting like every hour, and then once I got home I was just a slug!! I can't even explain it but I had no ambition to do anything like posting. It takes time. I laughed about your hospital roommate, I remember when I was first out of surgery I had to go to ICU and had someone in my room who was sort of out of it all the time, but everytime she woke up she told me 'you know they are trying to kill you'. I didn't want to laugh cause she was so serious, but I thought, get me outta here!! Jackie is right this is the best support group you'll find. Anything at all you have a question about someone will have some insight. But of course your first line of defense should be your doctor. Case in point - I was not told to take iron after surgery by my doctor, it was not on the list of vitamins he wanted me to take, but I had been hearing about getting anemic and worrying so I started to take it about 2 months ago. I had some labs done last week in preparation for my 9 month check up and my doctor called me today and said my iron was way too high and then I said, oh I am taking iron -- he said stop it!! I guess my body doesn't get rid of like it should! So first ask your doctor!! I wish I would had followed my own advice!! Keep a journal, that is the most fun. To go back and read your thoughts, your weight, how problems/concerns, and how they go away!! This is the life Kathy -- and yours is just beginning. love donna

Kathy, Glad you are up and around and doing well. It was a pleasure to meet you and your daughter. Be sure to post when we have a "newbie" in the "family". Tammy

Hey Sweetie... Glad to see you back and posting! The Food Network? Wow...talk about torture...lol...you are a strong woman for putting up with that...but then again...I am sure food itself did not really appeal much to you....it's just that darn head hunger!!!! Welcome to the next part of your journey. It is one heck of a ride! I am so glad to see you back, friend! Love ya! Stephanie

Kathy Congrats on the surgery, glad you are home now and getting on the mend, it has definitely been a long journey for you. Just take it slow and know that now it will begin to be easier than what all you have already encountered on this journey. I miss you guys at the group meeting at JRH, daughter has swim meets on Thursday nights but that ends this month so hope to be back soon. Take Care. Keith

Hi Kathy, It's so great to hear from you! It sounds like you are doing really great and it gets even better every day. I'm waiting to hear your WOW moments! Mine are starting but they are still little....but I know they're going to add up to a big one here anytime. Try to stay cool in this heat and remember to drink extra if you can! Amy

Hey Kathy! So glad to finally hear from you. We were all very concerned, but we knew you'd make it out just fine. Sorry to hear about your roommate. I'm very grateful that I'll be in a bariatric wing, hopefully I won't have that problem. It is very hot, no one can blame you for not wanting to walk outside. Can't wait to follow your progress, take it easy and talk to you soon, Amber