So Friday I had a drain put in to clear off whatever my leak was creating. Getting used to such a strange little critter has been strange. Very painful as well.
But this morning the drain is all fresh and I had a shower so I feel pretty good.
Tomorrow I have another leak / swallow tomorrow. I will show how much healing I've made. To drink again would be such a blessing! Maybe like a frozen crystal light slurpee thing? Huh, huh??
My sister stopped by to see me yesterday. We had a fabulous visit.
Jodi also came by with a special little visitor - Billy! He is just preciuos, all brave, so sweet & happy to see me, yet just curiuos little monkey he is!
Bill & Billy are coming today. Yea!!!!!
background
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
having a bad night
tonight has been strange.
for one thing I am typing with my left hand. Well not now.
for another I keep singing 'wind beneath my wings'
for another I am having abdominal ultrasound and remove of evil fluid.
for one thing I am typing with my left hand. Well not now.
for another I keep singing 'wind beneath my wings'
for another I am having abdominal ultrasound and remove of evil fluid.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
So I am here in the hospital a while!
Anyone know how to Skype? You are not allowed to look at me BUT I want to see you and your pets, kids, or anything entertaining. lol
abbyerwin@yahoo.com
abbyerwin@yahoo.com
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
CT shows I have a leak in the new tummy pouch
Please pray that this small leak heals rapidly.
The surgeon will keep me in the hospital another week to facilitate the healing.
I will try to figure out covering the work hours I will miss.
I asked Jodi and soon others to rally around Bill & Phyllis to help out with Billy - baths, homework, laundry.
The surgeon will keep me in the hospital another week to facilitate the healing.
I will try to figure out covering the work hours I will miss.
I asked Jodi and soon others to rally around Bill & Phyllis to help out with Billy - baths, homework, laundry.
Slowly but surly
So Sunday I was getting along ok then started a fever into the evening. Monday morning I had some diluted baby apple juice, as you do, and I found myself in great pain for about ten minutes, not being able to move. So I tried again two hours later and had the same result. So when the liquid hit my pouch it felt like a hot poker. I started packing my hospital bag. Praise God Jodi was over visiting at the time.
I was thinking the pain could be partly constipation so I tried another popsicle with sorbitol. (sorbitol helps me out that way) Well, that popsicle hit my tummy like a fire ball! I couldn't move, couldn't breathe. If Jodi wasn't there I don't think I could have dialed 911 by myself.
So the emt's thought I had gas pain (when having laparoscopic surgery they fill the abdomen with co2) with a panic attack. I thought I was dying. It took every bit of will to keep breathing.
Once at Northside they ordered a cat scan which may or may not have shown some tiny air pockets in the suture line. I guess now I see my surgeon was just baffled by the whole deal. So they put me on iv fluid & iv antibiotics. And IV Dilaudid (Hydromorphone). No sips of water, no ice chips, and no clue what is wrong. Ughhh!
Monday night I had a temp over 102 so they made me take tylenol suppositories. Somehow it came right my system to my tummy and was screaming in agony. I'm sure my neighbors were thrilled.
So Tuesday was a wee bit better. They increased the pain meds and let me have ice chips. Did some walking around the 4th floor. When my fever spiked last night I told them no tylenol! So they gave me a few tricks to reduce me temp such as ice packs on my neck, walking and using an incentive spirometer. The incentive spirometer measures how much I blow out. It helps me stretch out my lungs. I kicked that fever's butt back down to 98 degrees.
So now it is Wednesday. The surgeon stopped by this morning, He wants to do another ct scan. He wants to keep me until I can drink and tolerate pain better. Super tired today. Not much rest last night! Going to try for a nap. Nope – here comes the ct scan.
I was thinking the pain could be partly constipation so I tried another popsicle with sorbitol. (sorbitol helps me out that way) Well, that popsicle hit my tummy like a fire ball! I couldn't move, couldn't breathe. If Jodi wasn't there I don't think I could have dialed 911 by myself.
So the emt's thought I had gas pain (when having laparoscopic surgery they fill the abdomen with co2) with a panic attack. I thought I was dying. It took every bit of will to keep breathing.
Once at Northside they ordered a cat scan which may or may not have shown some tiny air pockets in the suture line. I guess now I see my surgeon was just baffled by the whole deal. So they put me on iv fluid & iv antibiotics. And IV Dilaudid (Hydromorphone). No sips of water, no ice chips, and no clue what is wrong. Ughhh!
Monday night I had a temp over 102 so they made me take tylenol suppositories. Somehow it came right my system to my tummy and was screaming in agony. I'm sure my neighbors were thrilled.
So Tuesday was a wee bit better. They increased the pain meds and let me have ice chips. Did some walking around the 4th floor. When my fever spiked last night I told them no tylenol! So they gave me a few tricks to reduce me temp such as ice packs on my neck, walking and using an incentive spirometer. The incentive spirometer measures how much I blow out. It helps me stretch out my lungs. I kicked that fever's butt back down to 98 degrees.
So now it is Wednesday. The surgeon stopped by this morning, He wants to do another ct scan. He wants to keep me until I can drink and tolerate pain better. Super tired today. Not much rest last night! Going to try for a nap. Nope – here comes the ct scan.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Big Day!
Christy & Olivia are over keeping me company.
I had thinned cream of wheat for breakfast and kept it down just fine. I even played some 'Just Dance'. Go me!
I think Billy is a little disappointed I didn't come home from the hospital with a baby - lol
I had thinned cream of wheat for breakfast and kept it down just fine. I even played some 'Just Dance'. Go me!
I think Billy is a little disappointed I didn't come home from the hospital with a baby - lol
Friday, August 20, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
my first meal
No leaks, yea! So for lunch I had green jello & iced tea. Or not.
Dinner is chicken broth & crystal light.
Bill spent the afternoon with me. I felt like the luckiest girl holding hands with him while we walked the floor. Now he is off to take care of Billy.
Jodi came by last night with hospital goodies like mags, sudoku, playing cards, slippers, crystal light & sunshine that is her essence.
Brooke came by today. Poor thing saw me after they had poisoned me for the leak test. I was in so much pain! She brought me the coolest tumbler that you can microwave or chill. I feel so bad I was half dead for her visit. Sorry Brooke!
I miss my baby boy so much. I might have to figure out how to skype him tonight.
Dinner is chicken broth & crystal light.
Bill spent the afternoon with me. I felt like the luckiest girl holding hands with him while we walked the floor. Now he is off to take care of Billy.
Jodi came by last night with hospital goodies like mags, sudoku, playing cards, slippers, crystal light & sunshine that is her essence.
Brooke came by today. Poor thing saw me after they had poisoned me for the leak test. I was in so much pain! She brought me the coolest tumbler that you can microwave or chill. I feel so bad I was half dead for her visit. Sorry Brooke!
I miss my baby boy so much. I might have to figure out how to skype him tonight.
Sitting in the hospital loving my laptop
Had a busy night walking and dry heaving. This morning I will have a barium test to check for leaks along the new tummy line. If no leaks, then I can start sipping water. So pray for no leaks! Today will be lots of walking to avoid blood clots in my legs.
my 'before' photo
Billy and Abby
August 14, 2010
A special thanks to Jodi Shaheen for these amazing photos!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Tomorrow is the big day, get it?
I am so excited!
Today is surgery prep day: clear liquids and an overdose of laxatives. Hooray. I went in in style last night with my last meal at Nemoes Seafood in Norcross. I had a filet mignon, crab legs, a lobster tail and zucchini. It was amazing!
Tomorrow morning I check in to Northside Hospital at 7:30. Surgery is at 9:30 am and should take an hour and 15 minutes. I will be in recovery for 2 hours and then moved to my room. The stay will be two nights.
I will be up and walking every two hours. Maybe I should pack my iPod.
Does anyone have questions?
Does anyone have a treadmill I could borrow for a month or so?
Today is surgery prep day: clear liquids and an overdose of laxatives. Hooray. I went in in style last night with my last meal at Nemoes Seafood in Norcross. I had a filet mignon, crab legs, a lobster tail and zucchini. It was amazing!
Tomorrow morning I check in to Northside Hospital at 7:30. Surgery is at 9:30 am and should take an hour and 15 minutes. I will be in recovery for 2 hours and then moved to my room. The stay will be two nights.
I will be up and walking every two hours. Maybe I should pack my iPod.
Does anyone have questions?
Does anyone have a treadmill I could borrow for a month or so?
Friday, August 13, 2010
Friday the 13th
Bill joined me for a bariatric surgery support group last night at Northside. I was so grateful he came! It was about plastic surgery after tremendous weight loss. I am fascinated by that subject and watched many a show on Discovery Health.
There is a very good chance I will be 'normal' sized again. Normal meaning a size in single digits. Normal meaning I fit in a airplane seat. Becoming 'normal' makes me teary in a overwhelming freedom and victorious kind of way. I never, ever thought it was possible. I thought I was sentenced to this huge body for life.
Well, well, well, 5 days until the surgery. Holy Toledo, it is here!
I go to Northside at 7:30 am Wed, Aug 18th. The surgery should take 1.5 hours.
Slippers, check
Robe, check
Cinderella sippy cup, check
bullet blender, check
Still going strong on the ultra low carbs. Meat, cheese, eggs & green vegetables.
Do green Chewy Spree count? hhh (Hardy-Har-Har)
The night time cravings are horrible but I have a trick to staying sane: Herbal mint tea and Bejeweled.
Am I sane? Not sure. The anxiety is surging through my brain and heart.
Tomorrow will be an awesome day. My bestie Jodi offered to do a 'before' photo shoot for me. We will meet at Billy's fav park then I will watch the kiddies for a while. Her baby girl, Gracie, is celebrating her 3rd b-day tomorrow night. Billy will have an entire day with his best friend in the whole world, Jodi's sweet son, Wyman.
Here is a good description of the sleeve surgery:
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/vsg/cmsID,8874/mode,content/a,cms/
There is a very good chance I will be 'normal' sized again. Normal meaning a size in single digits. Normal meaning I fit in a airplane seat. Becoming 'normal' makes me teary in a overwhelming freedom and victorious kind of way. I never, ever thought it was possible. I thought I was sentenced to this huge body for life.
Well, well, well, 5 days until the surgery. Holy Toledo, it is here!
I go to Northside at 7:30 am Wed, Aug 18th. The surgery should take 1.5 hours.
Slippers, check
Robe, check
Cinderella sippy cup, check
bullet blender, check
Still going strong on the ultra low carbs. Meat, cheese, eggs & green vegetables.
Do green Chewy Spree count? hhh (Hardy-Har-Har)
The night time cravings are horrible but I have a trick to staying sane: Herbal mint tea and Bejeweled.
Am I sane? Not sure. The anxiety is surging through my brain and heart.
Tomorrow will be an awesome day. My bestie Jodi offered to do a 'before' photo shoot for me. We will meet at Billy's fav park then I will watch the kiddies for a while. Her baby girl, Gracie, is celebrating her 3rd b-day tomorrow night. Billy will have an entire day with his best friend in the whole world, Jodi's sweet son, Wyman.
Here is a good description of the sleeve surgery:
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/vsg/cmsID,8874/mode,content/a,cms/
Monday, August 9, 2010
No Carbs - Day 8
I've been teary lately. Not because I miss bread and pasta and food alone but because
my brain is freaking out without the constant flow of sugar to stimulate serotonin. I think part of me is afraid of who I will be once I get this weight off. I thought I covered this crap in therapy but the onion of my complex self has oodles of layers. I don't think I purposely put the weight on to hide but I think I found safety in the fat suit. Safety from what? Humm...
my brain is freaking out without the constant flow of sugar to stimulate serotonin. I think part of me is afraid of who I will be once I get this weight off. I thought I covered this crap in therapy but the onion of my complex self has oodles of layers. I don't think I purposely put the weight on to hide but I think I found safety in the fat suit. Safety from what? Humm...
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
No Carbs
Meat. Yea.
Today is day 3 of no carbs - less than 20 a day. I'm not too cranky and didn't even tackle Bill with a cookie last night. We'll see how I behave by Friday.
Have you googled the sleeve?
Today is day 3 of no carbs - less than 20 a day. I'm not too cranky and didn't even tackle Bill with a cookie last night. We'll see how I behave by Friday.
Have you googled the sleeve?
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