Finally home!

Thanks, I am sure every day will be a little bit better.  It helps that my husband and our daughter and SIL watch me like a hawk so I don't lift, pull or push anything.  My husband won't even let me do the laundry.  Normally I'd protest that, but for now I'm fine with it!

Karen

Welcome back.  Glad you are home but sad you had a difficult time.  Things will get better from here.   It is difficult for me to relate to what you have had to go through. I have had no trouble with fluids, severe pain or anything like that and am grateful that my body has seemed to tolerate everything well.   Give yourself a little time and all the difficult stuff you just went through will be a distant memory.  For me very day gets a little easier and I feel a little more normal.  

I'm glad you are feeling more normal every day.  That gives me a lot of hope!

Karen

I know that sometimes when you feel yucky you think you are going to feel yucky forever. out its hard to see past it. you are on the recovery road now though and you can expect to feel better better and better.

Welcome Home Karen. Now the healing and loosing begins. You will be bloated from gas and fluids the first week. I had gained 8 pounds while in the hospital. Once your more mobile and walk it off you will loose it very quickly. You are now on your way....I also found which I didnt post before that a killer headache comes from dehydration. It is one of the key signs. Once I started to drink the headache went away. I am so glad you are doing better. Please keep us posted.

Shannon

At one week I finally weigh less than I did going into surgery, but I swear my stomach and abdomen are still larger.  I have been in sweats and PJs since surgery.

I know I need to get more fluids in.  My husband has threatened to take over my fluid intake and recording it so I get enough fluids in.  I told him if he makes me drink 4 oz every hour I'm not having "a meal"  (protein shake), I'll throw up.  He wasn't impressed. 

Karen

Sorry to hear of the struggle, I know it will get better with each passing day.  It is so wonderful to have this site, to get support and encouragement.  I hope you are up and back to feeling yourself soon, I have been stressing about the crushing of the pills too...my husband got me a stone "mortar and pestal" and now I plan to put  my unsweetened applesauce to go good use thanks to you! 

Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year, isn't it exciting that we will all be able to keep our New Years resolution to loose weight for the first time in our lives for several of us!

Many Prayers,

Lea

Glad you are home, Karen.  We had surgery the same day.  I had a hernia repair also.  When I got home I stayed on Vicadin for five days.  Every 3 1/2 hours I took a Vicadin, went to the bathroom, walked around for awhile, sat down, used my Spirometer, drank water or crystal light, tried to stay awake as long as possible then back to sleep.  This was my routine for five days.  3:30 a.m. On day five I took my last Vicadin.  I almost threw up after.  I just couldn't take one more.  I hurt but it was bearable.  Ever day my stomach went down a little and I felt a little better than the day before.  That night I had my first bowel movement.  I was so glad and definitely felt better.  I have had very little protein up to that point.  The nurse called to see how I was doing and I told her my routine for five days but that I couldn't get all my protein in.  She said it was okay.  Hydration was the most important thing. The rest would come in time.

Today I feel good.  I am beginning to get in protein and just started taking the vitamins.  Finally back to sleeping in bed and not my recliner.  I can only drink or eat about 2 oz. of jello, pudding, cream soup at a time.  

I use a bipap machine, too.   My waking up constantly made it difficult to get long term REM sleep results.  I only woke up once last night.  So hopefully my first night of full sleep will be tonight.  

I hope things improve for you in the next couple of days as you get further along in the healing process.  I pray our GERD problems will go away for good.

 

I hope and pray you get an uninterrupted night's sleep.  Our bodies need plenty of quality sleep to heal.

What a blessing to have no more GERD problems.  That would be wonderful!

Karen

I think once the swelling and tenderness in your esophagus goes down you will be able to eat and drink better.  The fullness may dissipate, too.  The damage from GERD was much worse for you.  I am still thinking positive and feel things will get easier over time.  Please do not get down or depressed.  You made the right decision.  If you still have issues I bet your doctor can shed some light on something that can be done to make it better for you.  Happy holidays to you and everyone in this OH forum.