Literally. Three and a half weeks ago, I started experiencing a pretty intense pain directly under my xiphoid process. For those of us who have gone through this, we KNOW when something is abnormal. This certainly felt abnormal. It was almost as painful as when I had gall bladder attacks.
So, I did what any normal person does now and consulted Dr. Google. (Don't do this people...really!!!) I didn't really come to any definite conclusion. I narrowed it down to two possibilities...one was an internal hernia and the other... well, let me back up a bit.
About two months ago (maybe longer) I got on a kick of eating Rotel tomatoes for lunch. That's it. Like it was tomato soup or something...just spicy. Multiple times per week. I like tomatoes. They're healthy, right? Plus, I had gotten into a really bad habit of drinking waaaaaaaaaaaaay to much coffee. (yes, I admit it) CME tried to warn me - but of course I know better, right? After all, I've had no complications from this surgery. MD took me off Prilosec. I'm fine. I'm nearly 3 years post-op. Pshaw! I'll eat my Rotel and drink my coffee.
But the pain didn't go away, though it did subside if I ate. Two things here...I was eating more frequently to try to avoid the pain (aka consuming more than I should) and I was trying to mask the problem. I'm a smart person...yet wow can I ignore tell-tale signs! So, as I was tired of being in pain I decided to take my hubby's advice and I wound up buying some Prilosec OTC. I know it takes a while to work, but after 3 days...pain free! So can you guess what I may have been suffering from? I'm still guessing, but if there is a clearer indication of an ulcer forming I don't know what it is.
I've stopped the Rotel and have cut back on coffee - about 1/2 what I was consuming. I've been pain free for almost a week now. I called bariatric center today and MD has called in a new Rx for Prilosec. He wants me to take 2/day until I see him next month for my 3 year post-op. Standard questions were asked: Consuming alcohol? Nope. Smoking/tobacco? Definitely NO! Advil/Motrin/NSAIDs? Nope. He did mention it's not common to have an ulcer this far out - but I really do believe I did it myself. Not because of the pouch. Heck, a normal stomach might have a problem trying to handle what I was doing!
So I live and learn. Now to shed the 6 lbs I gained in those weeks I was eating more than I should have to try to avoid the pain. Consequences of my bad judgement, but still not defined by it!
Thankful that I am aware of what's going on in my body and even though I can be stubborn at times, I do learn. Thankful for CME who speaks medically sound advice to me so I don't freak out by Dr. Google's diagnosis! Thankful for the minor issue that makes me even more aware of the blessing I've been given through this surgery. I cannot take it for granted!
Oh...and hi. It's been a while! ;-)
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"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14
A-Weigh We Go
Showing posts with label complications. Show all posts
Showing posts with label complications. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Friday, August 23, 2013
At a Loss for Words
A couple of weeks ago, I blogged about the dad of one of our son's friends. I found out this evening that he died yesterday morning. I'm at a loss for words. He died from complications after his gastric bypass surgery. I feel sick. I don't even know how to express all that's running through my head. I am soooo sad for this family. I hope that this man was a follower of Jesus (daughter and wife are). I hope he's rejoicing though the family is mourning. I hope that this man is now fully restored to perfect health in a perfect body. It will take a long time for the family to heal. Wow. I'm so sad for them. I'm so incredibly sad.
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"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14
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"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14
Monday, August 12, 2013
I Can Pray
CME and I were at Walmart this past weekend when we were approached by the mom of a friend of our oldest son. I don't know her exact words, but it went something like this... "I need you to do me a big favor. I need you to pray for my husband. He's in the hospital in <city 90 miles away> and isn't doing well."
He had gastric bypass in that city about a week or so ago. He was sent home, but had a leak, became septic and had a hematoma on his liver. His kidneys were even beginning to shut down. She was needing to finish some last minute purchases before school started this morning and then was leaving the kids with friends and heading back to the hospital. I'm not sure that she knew I had RNY...though I'm guessing she did. But that's not why she approached us. She wanted...needed...prayer. So I prayed with her...right there in the kitchen gadget aisle. I prayed for complete healing for her husband and for peace for her and her children as they navigate this time. Our son asked the friend today how her dad was doing; she said he seems to be better. Praise God! Though I know that prayers are still needed.
I don't really know how to describe how hearing her husband's story made me feel. Grateful? Yes. Saddened? Yes. Guilty that God has blessed me and my surgery? Yes. Confused as to why others (those who have a personal relationship with Jesus like I do and those who don't) have complications? Of course. I am reminded that this family will not have the same experience that I have had. I am reminded that gastric bypass surgery is not the "easy way" out. I am reminded that the gift He has given me is not to be taken for granted.
What I do know is that this family needs prayer. There's not a lot I can do in this situation, but I can pray. I am thankful that she felt compelled to ask us. I am grateful that God has given me the courage to pray in the middle of a public place - not caring what the world may think about that. But most of all, I am so humbled that we have a Creator that loves us and hears our prayers...always.
So...how can I pray for you?
________________________________________________
"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14
He had gastric bypass in that city about a week or so ago. He was sent home, but had a leak, became septic and had a hematoma on his liver. His kidneys were even beginning to shut down. She was needing to finish some last minute purchases before school started this morning and then was leaving the kids with friends and heading back to the hospital. I'm not sure that she knew I had RNY...though I'm guessing she did. But that's not why she approached us. She wanted...needed...prayer. So I prayed with her...right there in the kitchen gadget aisle. I prayed for complete healing for her husband and for peace for her and her children as they navigate this time. Our son asked the friend today how her dad was doing; she said he seems to be better. Praise God! Though I know that prayers are still needed.
I don't really know how to describe how hearing her husband's story made me feel. Grateful? Yes. Saddened? Yes. Guilty that God has blessed me and my surgery? Yes. Confused as to why others (those who have a personal relationship with Jesus like I do and those who don't) have complications? Of course. I am reminded that this family will not have the same experience that I have had. I am reminded that gastric bypass surgery is not the "easy way" out. I am reminded that the gift He has given me is not to be taken for granted.
What I do know is that this family needs prayer. There's not a lot I can do in this situation, but I can pray. I am thankful that she felt compelled to ask us. I am grateful that God has given me the courage to pray in the middle of a public place - not caring what the world may think about that. But most of all, I am so humbled that we have a Creator that loves us and hears our prayers...always.
So...how can I pray for you?
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"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Horror Stories
We've all heard them. The gastric bypass horror stories. The stories from a friend who knew someone whose relative had gastric bypass and it was horrible. As in that old "telephone" game, the story is usually exaggerated by the time it's retold the 1,000,000,000th time. So, usually I don't listen to those. I knew before the surgery that there are stories like those out there. I knew the risks associated with the surgery. I chose to trust God with this decision (not to infer others didn't) for my life and proceed with this journey.
Yesterday, I heard a snippet of one of those horror stories. This time was different. This time it was from the patient herself - someone I've known for about a year. It wasn't a second-hand story and it wasn't hearsay. It was her life and her experience with gastric bypass. Not only that, it was through the same bariatric center and surgeon that I have. Obviously it caught my attention. She didn't start the conversation, I did. I had heard the second-hand cliff notes version so decided to ask her about it. I'm glad that I did, though I must confess it put a tiny bit of concern into my brain.
Disclaimer...excuse me if I mess up some of the medical facts, or forget some. I am relying on my memory and was trying to absorb all she said. (Again, it's like that old telephone game!)
Some years ago, she was the second patient of surgeon when gastric bypass was started in our city. Her surgery was open, not laparoscopic. She didn't have any complications and the first 12-15 months were glorious for her. Weight came off, she felt successful, etc. The one thing she kept experiencing after the initial year or so was a constant pain in her stomach. Though she kept addressing it with surgeon she felt as though her concerns were brushed off. According to her, bariatric center even suggested that she see a psychologist - which she did since she was also dealing with depression from the pain. Long story, but after a scope was done, they found an ulcer. She said she felt as if surgeon thought she had done something wrong to get an ulcer...that she wasn't following the plan, etc. (I do understand that not everyone's feelings are reality, but I do not dismiss the fact that it's truly how she felt!) Meds wouldn't fix it so they made the decision to do surgery and cut out the ulcer. That's when they found out that her stomach had perforated...to her liver??. Not sure if that's what she said, but it's what I remember and I know that's NOT a good thing. So they fix the pouch and a little later she suffers from another ulcer, another perforation and another surgery. Add to that the fact that she had to be sent home with a feeding tube. To make a long story short, her health was NOT good...and NOT improving. She could barely walk around her house, had no energy at all and was pretty well bedridden. It was so bad that a nurse told her she was in stage 3 starvation and sent hospice to talk with her. After literally being on the brink of death, the decision was made to do a reversal. Since her reversal - her stomach doesn't work properly. The vagus nerve that communicates between the stomach and the brain is pretty much broken so she has no concept of hunger or fullness. (That nerve also has other functions, but I didn't ask her if those functions were affected as well.) She says she's doing "ok" as she puts it... 99% better than at her worst. Still, she cannot eat more than 2 oz at a time and has severe hypoglycemia. She wasn't complaining, necessarily. She just said that she has learned to "deal with" the life she's living. She did say that she wished she had never had the surgery.
I really didn't think our conversation affected me negatively. I was wanting to know so I could be informed. But as the day went on...and as today has gone on, her story has had more of an impact on me that I originally thought. I'm really trying to keep the worry out of my thoughts, but here's what's happening in my brain: I feel good. (So did she at my stage). I placed this journey in God's hands. (She's a believer too...think she didn't?) I'll be sure to bring issues to the attention of surgeon/bariatric center as soon as they arise. (She did that...but felt dismissed.) Yes...these are the games that the evil one is playing with me today. Today's message at church was on the healing power of prayer and the timing was perfect. I will continue to be in prayer as I progress in this journey and ask that you pray for me as well. I will add this person to my prayer list. She needs prayer as much or more than I do at this point! She's not in anyway angry at or blaming God. She is, however battling feelings of guilt of having the surgery done and is still suffering through the complications she's experienced. Praise for her though...she's not been in the hospital in the past 9 months which she said is a record since her problems began!
So I'm needing to hear some positives. Some encouraging words. If you've had gastric bypass and are years out, please share your experiences. If you've never had gastric bypass and have some encouraging words or Scripture, please share that as well. You can comment anonymously on my blog...feel free to do so in order for others to hear those encouraging words as well! But most of all, please keep "C" in your prayers. He is the Healer!
________________________________________________
"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14
Yesterday, I heard a snippet of one of those horror stories. This time was different. This time it was from the patient herself - someone I've known for about a year. It wasn't a second-hand story and it wasn't hearsay. It was her life and her experience with gastric bypass. Not only that, it was through the same bariatric center and surgeon that I have. Obviously it caught my attention. She didn't start the conversation, I did. I had heard the second-hand cliff notes version so decided to ask her about it. I'm glad that I did, though I must confess it put a tiny bit of concern into my brain.
Disclaimer...excuse me if I mess up some of the medical facts, or forget some. I am relying on my memory and was trying to absorb all she said. (Again, it's like that old telephone game!)
Some years ago, she was the second patient of surgeon when gastric bypass was started in our city. Her surgery was open, not laparoscopic. She didn't have any complications and the first 12-15 months were glorious for her. Weight came off, she felt successful, etc. The one thing she kept experiencing after the initial year or so was a constant pain in her stomach. Though she kept addressing it with surgeon she felt as though her concerns were brushed off. According to her, bariatric center even suggested that she see a psychologist - which she did since she was also dealing with depression from the pain. Long story, but after a scope was done, they found an ulcer. She said she felt as if surgeon thought she had done something wrong to get an ulcer...that she wasn't following the plan, etc. (I do understand that not everyone's feelings are reality, but I do not dismiss the fact that it's truly how she felt!) Meds wouldn't fix it so they made the decision to do surgery and cut out the ulcer. That's when they found out that her stomach had perforated...to her liver??. Not sure if that's what she said, but it's what I remember and I know that's NOT a good thing. So they fix the pouch and a little later she suffers from another ulcer, another perforation and another surgery. Add to that the fact that she had to be sent home with a feeding tube. To make a long story short, her health was NOT good...and NOT improving. She could barely walk around her house, had no energy at all and was pretty well bedridden. It was so bad that a nurse told her she was in stage 3 starvation and sent hospice to talk with her. After literally being on the brink of death, the decision was made to do a reversal. Since her reversal - her stomach doesn't work properly. The vagus nerve that communicates between the stomach and the brain is pretty much broken so she has no concept of hunger or fullness. (That nerve also has other functions, but I didn't ask her if those functions were affected as well.) She says she's doing "ok" as she puts it... 99% better than at her worst. Still, she cannot eat more than 2 oz at a time and has severe hypoglycemia. She wasn't complaining, necessarily. She just said that she has learned to "deal with" the life she's living. She did say that she wished she had never had the surgery.
I really didn't think our conversation affected me negatively. I was wanting to know so I could be informed. But as the day went on...and as today has gone on, her story has had more of an impact on me that I originally thought. I'm really trying to keep the worry out of my thoughts, but here's what's happening in my brain: I feel good. (So did she at my stage). I placed this journey in God's hands. (She's a believer too...think she didn't?) I'll be sure to bring issues to the attention of surgeon/bariatric center as soon as they arise. (She did that...but felt dismissed.) Yes...these are the games that the evil one is playing with me today. Today's message at church was on the healing power of prayer and the timing was perfect. I will continue to be in prayer as I progress in this journey and ask that you pray for me as well. I will add this person to my prayer list. She needs prayer as much or more than I do at this point! She's not in anyway angry at or blaming God. She is, however battling feelings of guilt of having the surgery done and is still suffering through the complications she's experienced. Praise for her though...she's not been in the hospital in the past 9 months which she said is a record since her problems began!
So I'm needing to hear some positives. Some encouraging words. If you've had gastric bypass and are years out, please share your experiences. If you've never had gastric bypass and have some encouraging words or Scripture, please share that as well. You can comment anonymously on my blog...feel free to do so in order for others to hear those encouraging words as well! But most of all, please keep "C" in your prayers. He is the Healer!
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"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14
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