Almost 2 weeks...

So here I sit, almost 2 weeks post surgery and I'm almost back to normal! I do still have occasional pain, but I also still have 3 drains sticking out of my abdomen. They should come out Wednesday at the Dr. Appointment.  Also on Wednesday, I will be posting my first official weigh in. I figure the Dr. scale is the better one to use, since I didn't actually weigh myself on mine before going in. I will weigh myself when I get home on Wednesday, just to see how far off my scale is from the Dr's.

I'm actually feeling really really good. I am almost at normal capacity on being up walking around. I'm still a little slow getting around, but it's getting better.

The hardest part so far, is getting in all my liquid for the day. I have no problem with the protein, but I have a really hard time getting 64 oz in. I'm trying very hard to get it all in every day. I know some days I fall short, but I don't beat myself up over it. I just do my best, and start over the next day. I know once I'm completely healed and can drink a little more at a time, it will be better.

My kids have been great! They have all 3 been helping me out when they can. It still hurts to bend over, so if I drop something, all 3 run to pick it up so I don't have to bend. They are helping keep the house in order and being really great kids!

My husband has been amazing. I know this has not been easy on him, because not only is he having to drive the kids everywhere, he has to drive me around too. So when I need med refills, or have meetings, he has to be available to take me and pick me up. He has been so wonderful! He hasn't complained at all..(at least not to me.) He has taken this whole thing really really well, and I couldn't ask for a better husband to stand by me and help me the way he does. I hope he knows just how much appreciate and love him. I wouldn't be where I am without him.

I guess that's about it for now... I'll update again soon!

Until next time!

Just a short quick update..

Well I am 6 days post op, and doing pretty well... I'm still sore, and so I'm still taking my pain meds pretty regularly. I've cut down though, and most times I can get away with just 1 instead of 2. I've not need the nausea medicine in a few days which is a good thing. I'm very surprised at the lack of nausea. The hardest part is getting all of my liquids in. I feel like I'm consistently taking sips, and yet it's still not quiet enough. I hit my protein goal almost every day, and that's the part I thought would be the hardest. But overall I've doing very well. I'm glad I decided to take 4 weeks off instead of just 2. Anyway, that's about it for now... I will try and post a longer update later! Thanks for reading!

Home from the hospital...

Today is Thursday September 13, 2012 and I've made it home from the hospital. It's crazy how the smallest things can wear me out. I've done nothing but sleep all afternoon, with the occasional trip to the bathroom, and of course getting my liquids in. So I thought while I was feeling up to it I would post a quick update on here.

Surgery went just as expected. We got to the hospital at 5:30 am, checked in, and shortly after were taken back for final blood work, and then put into a bed. Not even really a room, because I had a room on the floor after surgery. I just had a curtain that gave us some privacy. So then they came in started my IV, asked me why I was in, and if I had any questions. After the IV was started, it wasn't too long until they rolled me into surgery holding. I was the first one in there. I had a nurse come over, and give me all my preop medications. While she was working on those, Dr. Bell came in and spoke with me made sure I was good to go, then he went and spoke to my husband. After Dr. Bell, the anesthesiologist came in to go over paper work and make sure I didn't have any questions on their end. Shortly after that, they wheeled me into the OR. They transfered me to the operating table, they were strapping me to it, and that's the last thing I remember until I woke up in recovery in excruciating pain. They had not given me pain meds yet. Nor had they given me anything for the nausea. So I spent a little longer in recovery while they got everything under control. Then I was wheeled to my room, where I slept off the meds most of Tuesday. I was only up to use the bathroom, and that night I walked in the halls just a little. Yesterday was a better day, my pain was well under control. I walked in the halls several times. But Dr. Bell just wanted to make sure I was ready to go home before he sent me. So then this morning, my potassium was low, so he gave me a bolus, and oral k+ before he sent me home. I was out of the hospital by 11:00 am. Besides getting my scripts filled first thing, I've pretty much just been veggin on the couch. And now that this update is done, that's where I'm headed back too! Hopefully I will get some of my energy back soon! Thanks for all the prayers you guys! I love you!

The last night...

Well tonight is my last night as the person I have always been. Tomorrow, I will become the new me. And I'm not talking about personality or behavior. I mean the old me that was resigned to being fat her whole life. Who would never wear cute clothes again. Who would never shop in a "normal" store again. Tomorrow, I won't wake up skinny, but I will wake up and take a huge step towards getting myself there. Tomorrow, I get the tool that I need to help me achieve my goal of being able to shop in normal stores, having more of a selection of clothing. I know what my hubby is thinking as he reads this. He's thinking we're gonna go broke buying clothes and shoes when the weight is gone.. lol Not quiet babe. I promise to be reasonable with my shopping. ;)

I've had several people ask me today if I was nervous. I don't think nervous really describes what I'm feeling. I'm excited, scared, happy, and fearful. I think I'm just scared and fearful of the unknown. The unknown being surgery. I've never had surgery like this before, where I've been completely under sedation.  But I have faith that God will be watching over me while I'm in the OR, just as he will be watching over the doctor, and my family as they wait for word everything is fine.  So for my friends who pray, I would appreciate all the prayers I can get tomorrow. I will update with a blog, when I'm feeling up to it.. Hopefully I can post a short note tomorrow after surgery some time. My hubby will be keeping everyone updated on Facebook! See you guys on the flip side!

Friday, Friday...

So here it is the Friday before my surgery. I still feel like I have so much to accomplish between now and then. I'm trying to make sure my kids have everything they need for school done, and that they are taken care of while I'm in the hospital, and my husband is with me. Also trying to make sure when I come home from the hospital, I don't have to worry about much, except resting. I have washed every uniform piece my girls own so they have about 2 weeks worth of school clothes. I still have to decide what I am taking to the hospital. It won't be much. Probably just my tablet, phone, some pj bottoms, house shoes and socks. I plan to wear very comfy clothes to the hospital on Tuesday morning, and then wearing them home again Thursday.

My house for the most part is fairly clean. I have all the dirty dishes washed, all my clothes washed, most of my kids stuff washed, and my husband has to fin for himself on clothes for a while. LOL but he'll be fine.

Tomorrow each of my kids has a birthday party to go to. So we'll be pretty busy tomorrow, and then I work Sunday and Monday. So really, I only have tomorrow to finish getting everything ready. AHHHHH I can't believe it's almost here. Hope everyone has a great weekend!!

Preop, preadmit, and 6 days. Oh my!

So today was my pre op appointment with Dr. Bell. It was about half an hour. Most of that was with the nurse going over what meds to take the morning of surgery and what to expect while in the hospital. Dr. Bell came in for about 10 minutes went over all my paper work, and asked if I had any questions. I didn't. So he said see ya Tuesday. I got my paperwork I needed for my appointment at the hospital and was on my way.
Next was my preadmit appointment at the hospital. They warn you it can take up to 2 hours to complete, depending on what tests the ordering Dr is asking for. In my case i needed an EKG, cbc, and chem-12. They will do a type and screen on the morning of surgery because they are only good for 72 hours. I signed all my consents for the procedure. I will also have an EGD after surgery so Dr. Bell can make sure everything looks good. The pre admit nurse went over what to expect, and again what meds to take and not to take before surgery. She also gave me some great recommendations about protein powders. After all the the paperwork was complete, she handed me the cleanser i needed to use the night before and the morning of surgery. Then i waz done. It did take the full 2 hours in my case, but i had to sign a bunch of paperwork before i even got to the preadmit area. I was done by 2 pm.

After i finished all my appointments, i went and picked up my paperwork for my leave. I have all of it to complete. But its nothing to major.

I can't believe i am down to 6 days!  That is just around the corner! I guess thats all of my update for today.

7 days!

I have one week until my surgery! I am sooooo excited.. I just can't explain to you the emotions that are running through me. Tomorrow, I have my preop appointment at Dr. Bell's office, and right after I have my pre registration directly after that. Then I have to work tomorrow night. Thursday night, Sara is modeling at the mall, Friday I have a photo shoot with an amazing lady, and afterwards, we are going to the hockey game. Saturday we actually have nothing planned so far. Sunday and Monday I work, and then we are at Tuesday! This week is going to fly by!! I will write an update tomorrow after my appointments. I've been trying to keep all of my appointments and everything here, so others can know what to expect. Have a wonderful Tuesday night!