complications - reassurance needed

I had a revision from a band to RNY done on Nov. 29, 2011. The first 5 days were smooth sailing, then started having troulbe getting thicker soups, pudding down, bu****er would go down just fine.  Talked to the surgeon and it was decided to do and EGD with a dilatation to open the anastomosis site back up (done on post op day 10). From the way the surgeon talked is that they had to work quite hard to get things opened back up cause there wasn't much of an opening left.  Well after the dilatation I went home and took some pain meds for back pain and took a nap (otherwise I felt fine). I woke up about 2 hours later and had the worst pain that I have ever had to my left chest/shoulder/back region. Took another dose of Lortab and called the surgeon. He said that he thought it was all the manipulation of the anastomosis that was causing the pain, but said that if it continued to come into the ER where he practices or else go to the one where I live (2 hour commute to the ER that he practices in compared to where I live). I went to the ER where I lived, they worked me up for cardiac/respiratory/abdominal issues. Had a CT of abd/pelvis/chest as well as a chest xray and all were clear. My WBC was slightly elevated at 14.?. My LFTs were slightly elevated also, so a gallbladder ultrasound was completed that showed 1 gallstone.  I was admitted due to the elevated WBC and pain. I got up to my room about 0200. Some time the next day more bloodwork was completed and my WBC was 28.6.  I was already on 3 antibiotics at this point also.We just continued on ice chips with IV fluids and antibiotics throughout that day. More lab work was completed on my second full day in the hospital and my WBC came down to 17.6. Started having shortness of breath throughout the night. Received a neb, chest xray, and some lasix. The xray showed a pleural effusion, The interesting thing is it didn't show up on my admission xray, so in the morning here I get a visit from the pulmonologist and probably a thoracentesis to drain it.  I also get to see the infectious disease doctor for antibiotic management.   The other thing that scares me is that I was just started on clear liquids again. I hadn't ate anything except for ice chips since thursday evening (EGD was friday). So started some SF jello and low salt broth for lung. The broth went down fine, but started to have bad Left upper quadrant pain after the jello. I am being medicated for the pain with Dilaudid while in the hospital.  I am just starting to wonder what is going on. I sent an email off to my surgeon to review about what i going on. Hopefully he will have some answers.  My doctor here in the hospital is also a surgeon, and they have talked once since being admitted    Guess it sounds like I am stuck here a few more days at least. And to top it all off it is the hospital that I work at, but the staff keep it light for me so it isn't to bad.
Any comments or information is appreciated. Thanks ahead of time.
Steph

Take it easy during your time in the hospital Steph.  You will have swelling from the manipulation of your pouch/stoma.  Sounds like you have a great team working for you.  Glad to see that your white count is improving.  They always rule out the bad stuff first, all the tests in ER.  The gallstone could also be causing some of your troubles.  Give your abdomen time to adjust to the changes. 

This is one of the hoops presented for your body to adjust its way through.  Keep up positive thoughts and know that we are here for your support.  Sounds like your co-workers are there for you too.  What work do you do at the hospital?  Hugs

I am a nurse, so that doesn't help matters cause they say that knowing to much information isn't good either.  Hopefully I get some information today regarding what is happening.  Had some trouble with anxiety this morning, but has seemed to settle down. Still having trouble iwth anxiety, but no longer crying over it (at least at the moment I'm not).
Steph

Steph, I am a nurse too, working night shift in L&D.  Yes, too much knowledge is not good at times. 

I do have some great news.  The emotions and tears are normal and somewhat expected.  I will post the article that talks about emotions as a new post.  It deserves to be read every once in a while by the new folks.  Keep me up to date on your progress.

I agree sometimes "knowing" too much isn't good.
I know you are in good hands, and you are getting the care you need.
rest, walk, sip etc
and you will be out asap