Question:
This is really not a question, but I really need to talk to some people that may
understand what I've been feeling these past few weeks. I had an open RNY on 09/17/03. At a wk and half out I came down with colitis. Took some meds, it went away, but resurfaced about a week later and worse than the first episode. I ended up in the hospital again for a few days. The discouragement had started right before I ended up in the hospital the second time. Dealing with the severity of the abd. pain and diarrehea for almost a month, I got so weary, weak, and tired. At that point, I guess I hit the phase of "what have I done to myself," and wished I never had this surgery done. Since that time I have found myself more often than not, wishing I didn't have the surgery done because I'm tired of trying to get the fluids in I need, I miss eating, I'm tired of feeling tired. I don't mean to sound so whiney, but this is the truth. (I know there are many of you that have had more tougher times than I and I sympathize with you greatly) I just want to get out of this mode of regret and move on. I would really like to hear from some of you that may have had similar experiences and what did you do to pull yourself out of this place. Thank you for hearing me out. — Myrna E. (posted on November 4, 2003)
November 3, 2003
<b>I had open on 12/6/02. My first 3 months were slow and painful,
and depressing, stressful etc. But I refussed to lay down and accept what
was happening. I knew what I had to do. I siped on my water, I forced my
proteins in (which by the way helps you heal faster) I took my vitamins.
and I tryed to move around in the house, No I didn't drink 64 oz of
anything. I sipped what I could. No I didn't get much foods in but I tryed
to even if I vomit it right back up. No I didn't have the energy to
exercise but I tryed to go from one room to another, to exercise something.
anyhow what Im trying to say is you must push forward. I remember having
black circles under my eyes and feeling very weak, I looked like a walking
zombie. You are early yet. it does get better if you apply yourself and do
all you can to follow what your doc say, NOT SAYING THAT YOU DON'T. You
will begin to feel better soon, I stayed ill feeling for 3 whole months.
until one day I start noticing. that pain I had yesterday was not there
today. Hang in there and take care, The best of luck to you on your wl
journey.**Hugs**</b>
— Naes Wls J.
November 3, 2003
My first three months were rough. Thought I would never get through it. I
had good days and bad days. Nausea, depression, all the things I was told I
may experience.Now I feel great.During this time I never regreted having
surgery. I knew I had to be patient and get through this part of it. Thanks
to everyone here telling me what I was feeling was perfectly normal. You'll
get there too!
— Debbie W.
November 3, 2003
I went through the same thing for the first couple of months. I was so
sick I couldn’t drink and I didn’t get any protein in.
The only thing that tasted good to me was Dole Strawberry Bars, which made
me dump. I had a drain tube in for six weeks, which was miserable. I was
also saying to myself ‘What have I done to my body’? I
have never thrown up since my surgery. I never exercised before surgery
and now I walk at least ten hours a week, which I love. I’ve had
a few bumps in the road since surgery, early breast cancer – 30
radiation treatments – hernia repair/gallbladder surgery three
weeks ago. Don’t take me wrong, I am not complaining.
I’m almost 58 and I feel much younger, have lots of energy and am
so thankful to God for allowing me to have this surgery. <p>Please
try and get your protein in because you will heal faster. Also hang in
there, because it does get so much better. God Bless You! Sapala-Wood
Micropouch 12/12/02 - 213/130/125.
— Jazzy
November 3, 2003
myrna, I sympathize.. MY surgery was 10-3 and instead of lap it had to be
done open due to excess scar tissue. Once inside my bladder was discovered
in my pelvis and the dr. knicked it and it had to be repaired. Then I
developed a bacterial infection from the antibiotics used in surgery. You
talk about a mess>> I had an odor that smelled like I was rotting.
Then an absess formed in my incision and ruptured so they opened it up and
had the nurses come out and pack it daily. Then I developed severe pain in
the lower rt. quad. and was readmitted, taken back to surgery and my
incision was opened.(and left open)because of fluid buildup. I now have it
packed everday and pray that it looks okay when the packing comes out. It
is still hard to get around and I am weak too but I still dont regret
surgery because I know I was killing myself with the food.I couldnt keep up
with everyone my age and I felt bad all the time. So hang in there. We both
will overcome and its okay to miss the food afterall it was our best friend
for life. Good luck and God bless.. Lois
— loisph
November 3, 2003
Dear Myrna: I'm so sorry to hear of your troubles. I hope the colitis is
gone now. It's perfectly understandable that you would be down and
depressed after these episodes. I didn't have the problems you had, but I
still felt those "what have I done" feelings, and I've gone
through missing eating, feeling tired and weak. It has gotten much better
for me at this point (surgery 9/11/03), and I'm really feeling fairly
normal. I believe you will, too. You just need to take care of yourself,
follow your doctor's instructions, and work on getting as much protein and
fluids in as you can. That's when I started to feel better, and I bet you
will, too. Please remember to take it "one day at a time" and
each day, focus on getting well and strengthening yourself. Best wishes.
— Carlita
November 4, 2003
I'm sorry to hear you are feeling bad. i know its easy for me to say it
will get better but honestly it does. I had openrny on july 24-03. I can
honestly say I had the same questions but i knew that I had to get better
there were people depending on me and I was gonna get better. I really
think every day is better and betterthan the day before. Remember to drink
and walk first week i was home from the hospital i would walk about one
half block further than the previous time and every time i would tell
myself I will go farther. Take care of yourself and remember there are a
lot of people cheering for you. Take care and God bless Joan Comer
— Joan C.
November 4, 2003
Myrna, You have been hit with some difficult things PO and it's no wonder
you are down and discouraged. It will take time for you to feel better.
All I can say is please take it one day at a time. I've known a few people
who have had more than their fair share of PO problems and they got the
same way you are, but they kept pushing ahead and trying each day to do
what they could. It seems like for most the turning point is around 3
months. Things finally settle down and you can start to eat and drink
better etc. Getting hit with the colitis would definitely be adding to
feeling tired and dragged down. I'm not sure what your post-op eating plan
is like but keep trying to get in some protein, whether it's food or drink
- follow your plan! Take one meal at a time. Find one or two things that
do sit good and use those as your back-up. As far as the water, it is very
common for water to taste yucky for a while and to also not be able to get
in anywhere near 64 oz. Again do what you can and keep trying to advance
it. Don't get down because one day just doesn't go so good.
<p>Do you have any local support from people who had surgery with
your surgeon? Is there a nurse or someone in the program you can talk to?
You also might want to consider talking with a counselor to hep you through
this difficult time. Also don't be afraid to see out medication if you
find yourself getting quite depressed, as that will just add to your
stress. We are here for you but someone more local who has had surgery
could likely help you. I know we have had many support group sessions
where a post-op in the first couple of months is crying and so down but we
encourage, give advice and do what we can to help them hang in there. It
does truly get better, but unfortunately not overnight.
— zoedogcbr
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