I am home...

Again, thanks to everyone who posted or emailed their words of support. They really meant a lot to me even when I was under the spell of morphine and talking about "monkey knife fights", which apparently my sister emailed to everyone, because now everyone wants to know how you fight a monkey. Haha. I couldn't eat anything in the hospital (I was and still am afraid of eating/drinking something too fast) bu****er was my best friend. When I got home this afternoon, Dianna showed up with sippy cups in hand, so I'm sip-sip-sipping. Maybe tomorrow I'll be more adventuresome with the liquids. I had part of a protein shake this afternoon, but the 8oz was a lot to handle. The taste wasn't bad and it didn't disagree with me, so it should be okay. Look for more out of me in the future as I ask a million and one questions. -Julie

Congratulations, Julie! I didn't eat anything in the hospital when I was there either. No biggie! It is very hard to get those protein shakes down early post-op so I'd suggest making small ones for now and just have them perhaps a bit more often then trying to get 8 oz down at once. In time, you'll get there! Glad to hear how well everything went for you! Best wishes, Kathy

Thanks Kathy, I try a little more each day. Today I got 1.5 protein shakes in (still working on the other .5, have been since 8pm), some chewable vitamins, a b-12, a prevacid, and a little calcium (about 1/4 what I'm supposed to have, glad I built it up for that month and a half before surgery). Maybe about a bottle of water. So I guess you just have to improve a little each day. Anyhow, thanks again for the well wishes. Sorry it took me a while to get back to you, it's tough to sit at the computer right now. Julie

Glad to see you posting.....now you can post for yourself and I can post for myself (Like I minded anyways ) Take it easy the next few days, sip, sip, sip, walk, walk, walk, and it will be all OK, I promise you!! If you need anything, please let me know. I know I said to ask the boards when you have a question, and that was so mom wouldnt tell me everyone has different expierences.....so I figured if I sent you to the spot where you can get all of the different expierences, she cant say anything, right?? I am still so proud of you, and cannot believe there is someone else in the family that has joined the *Tiny pouch people* clan Thanksgiving will be weird this year, especially if Dad actually gets his surgery....Mom and Todd will be hanging out together as we complain about the menu Ok, enough rambling, survivor is on, hope moms guy gets air lifted off the island Dianna

Dear Sister, You have come through for me in a big way. I never would have imagined. Thank you so much for that. Sip, sip, sipping, I'm TRYING very hard to do. It's hard to get the fluids in. Pre-op I thought all those people who were complaining about drinking water and protein shakes were wusses, now I'm finding it really tough not to complain about it myself! Walk, walk, walking, that is a different story. If I can make it to the front door and back that's great. There's one staple line (on the opposite side of where your appendix would be (or at least MINE would be )) that I think gets pulled when I stand up in a vertical position, and it HURTS. There's also a real tender spot right next to that line, is that where intestine was reconnected or something? I thought about binding it with an Ace bandage, but Mom doesn't know where they are. Of course. If it wasn't for that, I could walk all over the place. But I'm afraid of pulling it too hard. Well, since Dad's not going to be joining the *tiny pouch people* clan, I guess we're just going to have to stick up for each other. That's what sisters do, right? (too bad Mom's guy didn't get airlifted, but he'll go very soon here) Julie

Hmmm...... You never imagined I would come though for you in a big way, hun?? And exactly what does that mean???? You are my sister, I am here for you in any way you need me to be.....one day it will be just me and you against the world, never forget that..........

Well Well .. Look who it is .. Miss Julie .. the LOOSER BABY .. You are doing great .. and yes sipping is what you need to be doing at this stage .. Well I will be up there tom night . if all goes well .. maybe I can get Di to bring me by . Well .. Hugs till then .. and welcome Home ! Natalie

Hi Natalie! It was nice to see you yesterday, even though I had just woken up from one of my pain medicine-sleep-shower cycles. (I was in between sleep and shower. ) Congratulations on getting your surgery approved. I hope everything goes exactly as you need it to go, and you can finally get rid of that "alien baby". Anyhow, thanks again for all of the care and concern you've shown me over the past couple of months. I really appreciate it. Julie

Hi Sweetie....So glad you are home where you can probably get some sleep without a nurse checking your vitals all the time. Sounds like you are doing great and I am so happy for you. This is an amazing journey and so much fun. Hugs, Betsy

Thanks Betsy! You're right about the vital sign ladies. They were annoying, as was that IV. I could not wait to get rid of them both. When I got home, I didn't sleep very well the first night, I was having horrible headaches. I slept all through last night though, which was GREAT. Now if I could get ALL the vitamins in, and ALL the water, and ALL the protein, I'd be really doing something. Hope to meet you soon, Julie