That's how I feel right now. It's not work or stress or any of that. It's FLUID/FOOD consumption. The good thing is that I've already gotten in all the required protein for the day, but here it is 8:30 at night and I've not had dinner yet. I just don't feel like I can put another bite/sip into my mouth. My fluid intake today (not counting the 8 oz of protein shakes I've had) is only at 38 oz. I'm suppose to get 50-60 oz/day. I have sipped on liquids all. day. long. I seriously cannot put anything else in my body. I may break down and call RD tomorrow just to make sure I'm doing this right. Is it normal to not be able to get in everything at this point?????
I'm thinking it's time for a flotation device!
________________________________________________
"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
Monday, May 14, 2012
Mother's Day aka Post Op Day 4
Yesterday was my best day yet. I made it through the entire day without napping - though by 9pm last night I was pretty exhausted. Plus - no Lortab! I got in all of my protein with this menu:
Though I sipped on water all day long, I'm still falling short there. (Side note...my youngest son is the comedian of the house. I probably would have had a bit more water if he hadn't poked small holes around the entire top of the bottle so I wore as much as a I drank! The humor way outweighed the irritation that it could have caused!) After forcing myself to eat/drink basically every two hours, I am really having a difficult time getting it all down. Truly the times I "feel" best is when I've not had anything to drink/eat for a while. Like when I first wake up. I know that will change, and I know that I must eat. I'm just letting you know what feels best right now.
- Breakfast - 1 egg
- mid-morning snack - 4 oz 15 calorie peach juice + fuzzy navel Nectar protein supplement
- Lunch - 1/4 c sf/ff banana pudding made with skim milk + 1T PB2 (YUMMY!)
- mid-afternoon snack - 4 oz skim soy milk + 1/2 scoop cappuccino Nectar protein supplement
- Dinner - 3.5 oz tomato soup + 1 packet unflavored Unjury protein supplement
- evening snack - 4 oz skim soy milk + 1/2 scoop cappuccino Nectar protein supplement
CME being silly trying the yummy banana pudding/PB2 mixture.
As I was logging all my food intake yesterday and going back over some of the information in my education manual, someone said, "You just want to be their little overachiever that they refer to in meetings, huh?" Though I know it was said with a supportive and positive meaning, that's not what I'm trying to do at all. I want to do the very best I can at this process because I want others to see that God has equipped me and that He is the one who deserves the glory in this.
Other happenings on Mother's Day... my oldest daughter and her hubby stopped by for a while. My gift was cute...it was "Gigi" things. She's due to deliver our first grandchild soon so she decided to bring me things like bibs about grandma and such. :) My boys got me a license plate that says "#1 Mom" for my car and my youngest made me a homemade card filled with love. My youngest daughter called (since she lives a couple hours away) and my parents came in for a while when they dropped off the boys after church. (I wasn't sure I was up to going to church yesterday - but seriously I miss those times!) CME made me cry with one of the sweetest cards ever. He and I also took a nice stroll down the street. Not sure of the exact distance, but much more than I've walked post-op. Yes, yesterday was my best day yet.
I've been up since about 6:45 this morning to try to start the routine. In the past hour, I've had my morning vitamins and about 6 ounces of diet cran-apple juice. (It counts toward my "water" intake.) At about 8:30 I'll fix breakfast (have to wait 30 minutes after drinking anything) and be off on another day...
I want to leave this one thought with you. As we (regardless of weight) struggle with the thoughts of being worthy or charming or beautiful, listen to God's words. One of my best friends sent me this yesterday as my Mother's Day greeting:
"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done and let her works bring her praise at the city gate" ~ Proverbs 31:29________________________________________________
"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14
Sunday, May 13, 2012
A Picture Journey
This is a look into what the hospital stay looked like. To be honest, I'm not thrilled about putting these out here - but CME took them and if I go back to the total transparancy so God can work in me through this process, I suppose it's part of it. Trust me...you may want to skip this entry!
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There you have it. It ain't pretty, but its part of the reality.
________________________________________________
"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14
My sweet friend Lori praying with me before surgery.
Waiting in the pre-op room.
Reading my Emotional First Aid Book
The lovely ted hose and foot pumps to help keep blood clots away.
CME being a paramedic ... likes to get all the details.
Patiently waiting to go back to the OR
Equipment
Addition of the liquid tylenol...could you see the difference?
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Watching the clock.... The time I was being wheeled to the OR
After they had pumped me full of tons of IV fluids, blood, etc.
Right before I left the hospital
IV
The staff that I have absolutely NO memory of...none.
Post-surgery. After one of my vomiting episodes.
A few of the angels looking into my room from the nurses' station
Breathing apparatus (standard) and my "clear liquid" diet
Pouting and not thrilled CME is taking pictures at this point!
Yes...I've already become a fall risk.
Some time on Thursday. Still not feeling the best.
Not a fan of the camera at all right now.
CME's foot rest...my embarrassing bedside toilet. :(
I'm not sure why they have smiley faces... really???
Updating my blog!
A wonderful reminder on the wall in the hallway of the hospital. It was one of many.
Still not thrilled. And oy! The hair!
Jello! (Liquid diet)
Trying to be pleasant with all the pics.
Wonderful flowers from some very dear friends!
1 of 6 incisions.
2 of 6
3 of 6
4 and 5 of 6 (we seemed to miss #6). The phone added for size comparison. The one above the phone is the one that is causing me the most pain!
Oldest about as thrilled with the camera as I was.
Waiting to go home - updating my blog.
Battle wounds from the multiple times they drew blood. After so many times, they had to figure out new places to try. I'm sure the blood thinners didn't help with the bruising.
________________________________________________
"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14
Post-Op Day 3
Yesterday was Post-Op Day 3 and my first full day home. My day started at 7:30 when I carefully rolled out of bed, being very aware of the incisions. At 8:00 I took my Prilosec (will be taking for life) and D3 mixed with an ounce of applesauce. Note to self: do not try to bite the little bitty Prilosec beads...they are bitter!!!
I decided to take a shower before breakfast. I thought it might make me feel a bit more normal. And I decided to put on just a little makeup. CME doesn't think I need it, but it makes me feel better - like I'm a bit more presentable. Didn't dry my hair or anything...to be honest, the shower and makeup wore me out.
Breakfast didn't start until 10:00 - which is something that probably disrupted my whole food/eating schedule - but I had one scrambled egg! (7g protein) Interesting that one little egg seemed overwhelming at first...like it was a LOT of food. But over the next 45 minutes, I was able to finish it...even if it was a bit cool by then.
I walked outside a bit...down the driveway a couple of times. What I'm noticing there is that it increases my heart rate a lot. Today, I'm hoping to monitor it better. Take a reading before I walk and then after. I'm not sure if it's normal or not - but want to make sure I've noted everything that's going on with my body.
Around 12:30, I had 4 oz of light Silk soy milk with a full scoop of chocolate truffle Nectar protein powder (26 g protein total). It took me almost an hour to get that all down. It's a huge difference from when I was sampling. I could down 8 oz in less than 5 minutes. Regardless, this is by far one of my favorite combinations for protein. Lots of it in small dose and not grainy or smelly. :)
I sipped water most of the day, but it truly is difficult to get in all the required water. I'm going to be more conscious about that today. Water is essential! I think my total water intake yesterday was only about 30 ounces.
I napped a bit and by 3:45 I realized I was already running behind a good eating schedule, so I ate 2oz low-fat cottage cheese (6g protein). Who would have thought that so little food would take me almost an hour to eat??? When they tell you that you will have a hard time eating such small quantities...they're not kidding. I felt like I was really pushing myself to get in all I was suppose to.
At 6:30 I had another 4 oz. protein shake, but this time I used the Minute Maid Just 15 Peach Juice and Nectar Fuzzy Navel. (11g protein) I only used 1/2 packet for the protein and planned on using the other 1/2 later last night. Unfortunately that was the end of any food/protein consumption for the day.
Around 7:30 I had to take my first dose of Lortab elixir. I was experiencing some internal pain that just wouldn't subside. I felt the same pain on Friday night, but it went away relatively quickly and I didn't need the meds. But last night, the pain took my breath away. I don't know how to explain it exactly, but it was like a constant stabbing feeling in my side. Though I was hoping to get through this without narcotics, I know that they were prescribed for a reason - to help me heal. So I took a dose. The Lortab made me very woozy (and a bit nauseous) so I went to bed without finishing the food I was suppose to have or the rest of my protein shake.
In all honesty, that's about the time I felt defeated. I don't know what exactly I was expecting, but I didn't expect to be so tired and I didn't expect to have to take pain meds. I usually haven't needed those after past surgeries. As I told CME, I just want to excel in this process. He was so good to remind me that I've not been home very long and that I should be patient. That I need to heal first and that this is not a race. I <3 that man!
Today I opened my education manual to see what it said about discharge orders. Two things stuck out to me: The postoperative phase of Gastric Bypass can be very demanding of your mental and physical endurance. and Expect your endurance to be low initially, but it will improve. It made me feel not quite so defeated - but maybe actually on track. Patience is still something God must need to work in me.
What I do know is that God is faithful and He has provided me with a fantastic support group. From CME and my children to my family and wonderful prayer warriors! I have felt the prayers and know that I am constantly lifted before our Father in Heaven! Today is a new day with new mercies and possibilities.
________________________________________________
"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14
I decided to take a shower before breakfast. I thought it might make me feel a bit more normal. And I decided to put on just a little makeup. CME doesn't think I need it, but it makes me feel better - like I'm a bit more presentable. Didn't dry my hair or anything...to be honest, the shower and makeup wore me out.
Breakfast didn't start until 10:00 - which is something that probably disrupted my whole food/eating schedule - but I had one scrambled egg! (7g protein) Interesting that one little egg seemed overwhelming at first...like it was a LOT of food. But over the next 45 minutes, I was able to finish it...even if it was a bit cool by then.
I walked outside a bit...down the driveway a couple of times. What I'm noticing there is that it increases my heart rate a lot. Today, I'm hoping to monitor it better. Take a reading before I walk and then after. I'm not sure if it's normal or not - but want to make sure I've noted everything that's going on with my body.
I sipped water most of the day, but it truly is difficult to get in all the required water. I'm going to be more conscious about that today. Water is essential! I think my total water intake yesterday was only about 30 ounces.
I napped a bit and by 3:45 I realized I was already running behind a good eating schedule, so I ate 2oz low-fat cottage cheese (6g protein). Who would have thought that so little food would take me almost an hour to eat??? When they tell you that you will have a hard time eating such small quantities...they're not kidding. I felt like I was really pushing myself to get in all I was suppose to.
At 6:30 I had another 4 oz. protein shake, but this time I used the Minute Maid Just 15 Peach Juice and Nectar Fuzzy Navel. (11g protein) I only used 1/2 packet for the protein and planned on using the other 1/2 later last night. Unfortunately that was the end of any food/protein consumption for the day.
Around 7:30 I had to take my first dose of Lortab elixir. I was experiencing some internal pain that just wouldn't subside. I felt the same pain on Friday night, but it went away relatively quickly and I didn't need the meds. But last night, the pain took my breath away. I don't know how to explain it exactly, but it was like a constant stabbing feeling in my side. Though I was hoping to get through this without narcotics, I know that they were prescribed for a reason - to help me heal. So I took a dose. The Lortab made me very woozy (and a bit nauseous) so I went to bed without finishing the food I was suppose to have or the rest of my protein shake.
In all honesty, that's about the time I felt defeated. I don't know what exactly I was expecting, but I didn't expect to be so tired and I didn't expect to have to take pain meds. I usually haven't needed those after past surgeries. As I told CME, I just want to excel in this process. He was so good to remind me that I've not been home very long and that I should be patient. That I need to heal first and that this is not a race. I <3 that man!
Today I opened my education manual to see what it said about discharge orders. Two things stuck out to me: The postoperative phase of Gastric Bypass can be very demanding of your mental and physical endurance. and Expect your endurance to be low initially, but it will improve. It made me feel not quite so defeated - but maybe actually on track. Patience is still something God must need to work in me.
What I do know is that God is faithful and He has provided me with a fantastic support group. From CME and my children to my family and wonderful prayer warriors! I have felt the prayers and know that I am constantly lifted before our Father in Heaven! Today is a new day with new mercies and possibilities.
________________________________________________
"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14
Friday, May 11, 2012
Post-Op Day 2
Last night was an interesting one. With deep vein thrombosis a potential risk for bariatric patients, part of the normal process is to put patients on heparin (blood thinner). In my case, the blood may have gotten a little too thin combined with the fact that I probably had a small bleeding vein in between the staples. This caused bloody BMs and also resulted in my hemoglobin dropping to 7.7. That number was low enough to warrant a transfusion of two units of blood. These were risks I was aware of up front. Just not ones that I thought I'd have to deal with. Nonetheless I did and everything is good this morning.
I was able to shower on my own and put on my own clothes! Praise God for these little victories! A nice shower can make a big difference in how one feels.
I've been walking the halls and am about to climb the walls. I'm ready to go home. Now I'm waiting to be discharged. My BP is up a little (144/94), but I'm not thinking that's going to keep me here.
Thanks for the prayers and thoughts. Through my wonderful Creator, he is equipping me with what it takes to get through this...including awesome prayer warriors.
I was able to shower on my own and put on my own clothes! Praise God for these little victories! A nice shower can make a big difference in how one feels.
I've been walking the halls and am about to climb the walls. I'm ready to go home. Now I'm waiting to be discharged. My BP is up a little (144/94), but I'm not thinking that's going to keep me here.
Thanks for the prayers and thoughts. Through my wonderful Creator, he is equipping me with what it takes to get through this...including awesome prayer warriors.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Stuff you may not want to know...
Yesterday was pretty rough. Apparently I am very slow coming out of anesthesia which isn't good when the want you up and walking around. Vomited a couple of times...besides the fact that it hurt like crazy, it was all blood. :-( I guess that makes sense that the only thing in there would be blood, but still kind of freaks you out.
Still trying to get me up and walking, around 8:30pm or so we tried to get to the bathroom. I say tried because as I was walking with assistance I got dizzy and cold sweats and the next thing I remember is CME and the patient tech trying to get me up off the floor. Yes, I fainted. :-(
There is no dignity in situations like these. Since I couldn't make it to the restroom they brought in a portable toilet. If that's not humiliating enough, the tech was male...and well hospital gowns are hospital gowns.
This morning has been some better. Meds have worn off and at least I am alert. Had to do an upper GI lab where I had to drink this nasty stuff so they could make sure that there weren't any leaks. Guess what. Fainted there too. Not sure why but its frustrating. :-(
We'll see what the rest of today brings. Still hoping and anticipating being released tomorrow.
Knowing I'm not at this alone...
Still trying to get me up and walking, around 8:30pm or so we tried to get to the bathroom. I say tried because as I was walking with assistance I got dizzy and cold sweats and the next thing I remember is CME and the patient tech trying to get me up off the floor. Yes, I fainted. :-(
There is no dignity in situations like these. Since I couldn't make it to the restroom they brought in a portable toilet. If that's not humiliating enough, the tech was male...and well hospital gowns are hospital gowns.
This morning has been some better. Meds have worn off and at least I am alert. Had to do an upper GI lab where I had to drink this nasty stuff so they could make sure that there weren't any leaks. Guess what. Fainted there too. Not sure why but its frustrating. :-(
We'll see what the rest of today brings. Still hoping and anticipating being released tomorrow.
Knowing I'm not at this alone...
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Comparison
So much for an early bed time! The family came home from their dinner and the conversation was quite comical:
Oldest son enters: Dinner was yummy!!! (walks away)
Turkish daughter enters: Be glad you didn't go, Mom! It was disgusting! Terrible! Horrible!
Me: Really? Oldest son said it was yummy!!!
Turkish daughter: <yells Oldest son's name>!!! What did we just talk about in the car?!? You broke the rules already!
It was cute. :)
We spent some family time playing Rory's Story Cubes which brought a lot of laughter. I'm glad that there wasn't an early bed time.
A couple of last-minute things I wanted to do - one of which was getting new pictures to compare to where I was in February when I last took some and use as comparison for post-op. As I mentioned yesterday, I'm down 25.4 so I was anxious to see the side by side comparison. I have definitely felt the difference in my clothes, but I'm not so sure that it's visible yet. But here we go...
This one is for CME...because he's been so great. His "work it girl" comment resulted in this silliness!
"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14
Oldest son enters: Dinner was yummy!!! (walks away)
Turkish daughter enters: Be glad you didn't go, Mom! It was disgusting! Terrible! Horrible!
Me: Really? Oldest son said it was yummy!!!
Turkish daughter: <yells Oldest son's name>!!! What did we just talk about in the car?!? You broke the rules already!
It was cute. :)
We spent some family time playing Rory's Story Cubes which brought a lot of laughter. I'm glad that there wasn't an early bed time.
A couple of last-minute things I wanted to do - one of which was getting new pictures to compare to where I was in February when I last took some and use as comparison for post-op. As I mentioned yesterday, I'm down 25.4 so I was anxious to see the side by side comparison. I have definitely felt the difference in my clothes, but I'm not so sure that it's visible yet. But here we go...
(hair looks better!!!)
Looking at the pictures I can see some change. What I see the most is the difference in the face...not necessarily size-wise, but smile-wise. Yes...laughter was good tonight..and yes, I'm excited for the new chapter in my life!
________________________________________________"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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