First Week Reflections

So today rounds up my first week post-op and I have to say over all I feel great!

Some notes or 'reflections' on the last 7 days...

Day 1: the last thing I remember before going under was asking the operating room crew if Dr. B would take pics of my insides cuz I really wanted to see how I look in there. The answer was no. Then I have vague memory of being wheeled into my room where my hubby was waiting... They asked him to leave the room for a minute while they got me situated. Someone was 'bird feeding me pink stuff, 4 squirts and coaching me to swallow it. Couldn't keep my eyes open really... Then was in and out of it for the next couple hours. I'd wake up to my hubby spoon feeding me ice chips and asking how I was.

Finally I was asked to get out of bed and try walking around. Upon standing I got nauseated and sat in a chair for a while. More meds and fluids administered and finally I needed to pee... The first time I realized my ROM was limited, could hardly reach to wipe! Lol! Anyhow, took a slow stroll around the hospital with hubby and iv pump in tow... By 11pm I was doing two laps and had one more bottle of water to consume.

Day 2: (wednesday) discharged by 10am! All stats were great! Did not get a good nights sleep, but knew I'd get more rest at home. We had a 3.5 hour drive home and still made good time considering we stopped twice so I could walk. I was sore, but it was tolerable!

Days 3-5: pretty much all the same... Each day the pain decreases, swelling goes down, and less meds are needed. The challenge of course is getting the fluids in! I've had a lot of burping especially with water and broths.

Thursday had some mild depression, mourning food etc...

On Saturday I braved a trip to Walmart with hubby. It was a little too much activity even though I clung to the cart. But the visual overload being in the food dept was way overwhelming!

Day 6: got up for church armed with my protein shake and water bottle. Felt pretty good! Heard a great message! Love when He speaks so clearly to me that way. Oh, side note about church... The announcer guy had us greet our neighbor and ask how we could pray for them. The lady in front of me had turned to me and after introductions she said well I had Surgery on Monday... I said wow! I had surgery Tuesday! Hers was something for her colon, but we briefly compared stories and such... So neat to have such divine intervention like that!

After church, we came home and enjoyed some time together being lazy waiting for the Cowboy game to start! Which they won in overtime! Go Cowboys!!

Today: I had a nice leisurely 20 minute walk in my neighborhood. Trying to drink my fluids! And I plan to get some things (chores) done around the house.

The last two days I have been able to consume about 3oz of cream of potato soup thinned with chicken broth. I blended it so it's smooth. I also have about half a protein shake each day. Decaf tea and sf Popsicles seem to go down pretty easy as well as diet v8 splash.

I hit a wall about 4pm each day where I just feel fatigued. The first couple of days had a low grade (99.1) fever but went away with a half dose pain meds.

I switched to liquid Tylenol before bed last night. Trying to get off the pain meds all together. Also, I noticed that I hate the taste of my multi vits, currently using centrum chewables. Might try the gummies later, just don't want to waste the ones I have!

My hubby started eating around me yesterday... Not fun but okay. Some (not all) of his food smelled incredible!! My mind is swirling with ideas on new foods for when I get there! I'm anxious to try shiratake noodles and experiment with some recipes!

My rings are already spinning on my fingers!

Hoping to be ready to work by the end of this liquid phase (1 more week, thank God!)

So far so good!

Heaviest known weight: 285. Start of Pre-op diet: 273.  Day of surgery: 253. Day after surgery: 261. Today's weight: 241.

Guess that's it!