So I have pretty much hibernated since Thursday night! I was soo sore from overdoing it that my body was like violently rebelling against me! Its really weird because I have 6 incisions, with 2 being on my left side and 4 in a sqare shape centered above my belly button – But the 2 on the left we the ones that the bigger laparoscopic instruments went in that did most of the stuff and they are the ones that hurt like hell. So I can bend as long as I bend on my right side – which really proves difficult when I go to the bathroom !
I was supposed to watch the VanHorn girls this weekend, but am very very grateful that Kristin stayed with them this weekend while she was studying for her midterms. But I went late Saturday night and had so much fun seeing my little “sisters” again! I soo miss seeing them all the time so I was glad I got a few hours to talk to them all! Plus I brought Daisy to play with their puppy Chloe and they were like instant best friends. It was so awesome to see them run everywhere so fast and play soo much – Daisy is always too hyper for everyone else’s dog so she was really excited to have another puppy with as much energy as she has. I just couldn’t believe how grown up all the girls are now. They are all doing so well and I loved catching up with their lives now. Their parents have raised such awesome girls – I only hope one day my children will be as awesome as they are! But by the time I left I hardly had any energy left and was starting to really feel sore. So I slept most of today!
My mom came over and brought me an entire refrigerator full of every drink you can imagine since I can only drink liquids for 2 weeks and can then move onto to smooshy foods. Its becoming harder! But the good part is when they removed 75% of my stomach they removed the part of my stomach that secretes the hunger hormone so I am actually not even hungry now. YAY!
My mom and I went and visited my neighbors who I know feel have become my adopted grandparents. He has Parkinsons and she has Alzheimers and are sooo hysterical! SO we talked to them and another neighbor for an hour or so. Found out that most of my neighborhood is full of young divorcees. They know everyone so I am always meeting neighbors everytime I go over there – so many people just drop by to say hi to them! Then my mom and I went on a VERY slow walk for a while – found a 2 bedroom for lease that is being renovated and is in an awesome spot but not sure if I really want to move again this soon! It’s a 2 bed on one story when most 2 bedrooms here are 2 story. So I will call this week and see.
I am going to work tomorrow and hope I will do ok. Still a little tired and sore but should be fine. I haven’t wanted to talk much because I get out of breathe easily right now. But I am still doing my breathing exercises so its getting better. I should start getting back to everyone soon – just understand I am not avoiding anyone just waiting till I can talk longer!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
POst op
So I had to stay home from work today as I was in too much pain to move much. Think I jumped the gun too quickly because I felt I was doing so good after surgery. But when I got home from work yesterday I definitely felt all the movements I made all day.
I didn’t take my pain medicine but one time yesterday so I felt the full effects of the surgery. Plus I can only take sips right now and if I take a normal sip it hurts soo bad if air gets down there when I take a sip. That kills me – but I get soo thirsty I just want to gulp it down. Taking my meds every morning and night is turning into a nightmare because I can only take one pill every half hour so it doesn’t hurt… Tried to take 3 at one time this morning and I paid for it.
Its still way better than I ever expected it to be. They prepare you sooo much for this that you already know what could happen and how you should handle it. I just feel very swollen and sore. I wanted to give it my all to make it back to work so quickly so I didn’t miss any more work than needed, but I think that was a mistake because I wasn’t ready to get in and out of my car or in and out of my office chair.
I haven’t been able to talk for very long as I get tired easily and talking makes me use my diaphragm a lot which puts pressure on the whole area they took out. I am still using my breathing machine every few hours to make sure I don’t develop pneumonia, since its very easy to not breathe regularly since its hurts to breathe deeply.
So I will get back in touch with everyone as soon as I start feeling better and can talk. I am drinking plenty of fluids – guess my bladder is getting a good workout!
Everyone is more than welcome to stop by if you have time… my mom came over and made my already clean home spotless! I would love the company! =allyv
I didn’t take my pain medicine but one time yesterday so I felt the full effects of the surgery. Plus I can only take sips right now and if I take a normal sip it hurts soo bad if air gets down there when I take a sip. That kills me – but I get soo thirsty I just want to gulp it down. Taking my meds every morning and night is turning into a nightmare because I can only take one pill every half hour so it doesn’t hurt… Tried to take 3 at one time this morning and I paid for it.
Its still way better than I ever expected it to be. They prepare you sooo much for this that you already know what could happen and how you should handle it. I just feel very swollen and sore. I wanted to give it my all to make it back to work so quickly so I didn’t miss any more work than needed, but I think that was a mistake because I wasn’t ready to get in and out of my car or in and out of my office chair.
I haven’t been able to talk for very long as I get tired easily and talking makes me use my diaphragm a lot which puts pressure on the whole area they took out. I am still using my breathing machine every few hours to make sure I don’t develop pneumonia, since its very easy to not breathe regularly since its hurts to breathe deeply.
So I will get back in touch with everyone as soon as I start feeling better and can talk. I am drinking plenty of fluids – guess my bladder is getting a good workout!
Everyone is more than welcome to stop by if you have time… my mom came over and made my already clean home spotless! I would love the company! =allyv
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Post Op Info
Well, I am laying here feeling a little stiff!
Immediately after surgery until Tuesday night I felt awesome. I kept thinking “is this all”. I was up walking within the first hour and kept walking around the hospital every hour after that. It really helped with the stiffness that came from the surgery.
The staff was very surprised by how well I did and couldn’t believe how quickly I was able to get up and walked the entire bottom floor. The staff were amazing. I cannot say enough about how wonderful I was treated there. I felt like I was at a spa not a hospital.
I just felt soo good compared to what I thought I would feel. I am sure it helped that I had gone through soo much pain after my back surgery. I was so excited when the Dr visited early Tuesday morning to release me, since he didn’t release anyone else until after 5 that evening. He is the most awesome Dr ever – he cares so much that he is changing peoples lives. When I kept thanking him for changing my life he got all teary eyed and gave me a huge hug.
I had stopped taking any pain meds around noon on Tuesday so when my mom picked me up around 5 I was a lil stiff and swollen and could feel more of the pain. However, it was livable pain. After I got home I definitely starting feeling everything. Getting in and out of the car and into bed hurt soo bad. The worst part is going to the bathroom – just sitting down that far uses all those muscles that are soo sore.
Driving to work this morning was tough – every bump sent pain throughout my body. I did fine at work for the most part. However getting in and out of my chair was a bitch. Walking hurt a lot too. I was feeling a lil nauseous despite all the meds they have me on to help it. My liquids only diet took a toll on my tummy today and that sucked.
The ride home was the worst. I felt every single bump… But as soon as I got home and into bed I felt much better. I am glad to know that I can seriously handle the pain without pain meds! I hate seeing or touching my incisions. 3 are about 1 ½ inches across. One started bleeding immediately after surgery so it looks the worst. They are kept together by glue so I don’t have any staples or stitches! I feel weird when I sneeze though – because it puts so much pressure on my belly I feel like it will all come open.
It was really cool because my boss and coworker came to visit me on Monday. That was so awesome of them! The funny thing is I had a huge sleepwalking/talking incident that night that made my nurses laugh… glad I dint say something incriminating…
So I am taking it easy this weekend to recuperate. I will start returning calls as soon as I feel I can talk long enough!
But all in all this may really hurt right now but its nothing compared to my back surgery.
Immediately after surgery until Tuesday night I felt awesome. I kept thinking “is this all”. I was up walking within the first hour and kept walking around the hospital every hour after that. It really helped with the stiffness that came from the surgery.
The staff was very surprised by how well I did and couldn’t believe how quickly I was able to get up and walked the entire bottom floor. The staff were amazing. I cannot say enough about how wonderful I was treated there. I felt like I was at a spa not a hospital.
I just felt soo good compared to what I thought I would feel. I am sure it helped that I had gone through soo much pain after my back surgery. I was so excited when the Dr visited early Tuesday morning to release me, since he didn’t release anyone else until after 5 that evening. He is the most awesome Dr ever – he cares so much that he is changing peoples lives. When I kept thanking him for changing my life he got all teary eyed and gave me a huge hug.
I had stopped taking any pain meds around noon on Tuesday so when my mom picked me up around 5 I was a lil stiff and swollen and could feel more of the pain. However, it was livable pain. After I got home I definitely starting feeling everything. Getting in and out of the car and into bed hurt soo bad. The worst part is going to the bathroom – just sitting down that far uses all those muscles that are soo sore.
Driving to work this morning was tough – every bump sent pain throughout my body. I did fine at work for the most part. However getting in and out of my chair was a bitch. Walking hurt a lot too. I was feeling a lil nauseous despite all the meds they have me on to help it. My liquids only diet took a toll on my tummy today and that sucked.
The ride home was the worst. I felt every single bump… But as soon as I got home and into bed I felt much better. I am glad to know that I can seriously handle the pain without pain meds! I hate seeing or touching my incisions. 3 are about 1 ½ inches across. One started bleeding immediately after surgery so it looks the worst. They are kept together by glue so I don’t have any staples or stitches! I feel weird when I sneeze though – because it puts so much pressure on my belly I feel like it will all come open.
It was really cool because my boss and coworker came to visit me on Monday. That was so awesome of them! The funny thing is I had a huge sleepwalking/talking incident that night that made my nurses laugh… glad I dint say something incriminating…
So I am taking it easy this weekend to recuperate. I will start returning calls as soon as I feel I can talk long enough!
But all in all this may really hurt right now but its nothing compared to my back surgery.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Having my surgery
So my surgery is scheduled for 10am Monday morning at Foundation Bariatric Hospital… the old Renaissance Hospital in Edmond. I am soo excited! I feel like I am getting my life back. The best part is how absolutely healthy I am eating now. I swear its like once I got off eating so much carbs I stopped craving them completely. Its weird because now that I am more than 20 pounds lighter I am soo encouraged to keep losing this weight. ALthough celebrating my birthday with all liquids won't be too much fun!
I know I have a long way to go… a long, long way! But I am so happy to have an opportunity to get this weight off. Since April I gained over 50 pounds… I know that a lot of that was due to quitting smoking and all the medications I was put on which ALL cause weight gain but I have learned how to overcome this the best I can.
I thank those who have contacted me to wish me the best… It really means a lot to me, especially to those that go as far back as elementary school!! I will let you all know how I am as soon as I get online. I will be staying overnight Monday and should leave by Tuesday morning… I can stay Tuesday night oo but I think I will want to come home by then.
From then on it will be liquids for a few weeks, then smooshy foods, then semi solid foods… So for a month or so I wont be eating regular food. I am surprised to know the broth everyone loves is available at The Dollar Tree… RANDOM!
Seeing my sister tonight at Matthew's party really made me excited to think I may actually get back to my high school weight again in the next year or two. As she said though she is still that small because she is a surgery resident and that's what it does to her… I won't ever be as stressed as she must be, esp during her trauma rotation…
I am honest about all this because that's how I live my life now… no secrets here – I am an open book! I am who I am and won't ever pretend to be anyone I am not! I was skinny for soo much of my life that when all 3 of my surgeries happened over the years the weight just kept coming on with all the complications.. And with the car accident keeping in my pain and in bed on and off for 2 years the weight gain was horrific. With all the complications from the 360 degree spinal fusion I never thought I was going to survive it! When things finally did turn for the better, my husband left and went back to AZ leaving me shattered and not healed with no job, no income, no hope…
Yet here I am today – mentally sooo much happier, finally have hope again, quit smoking in April, have an incredible job, and am eating soo healthy losing now over 20 pounds. I am still extremely sad my marriage didn't last, but I know I deserve someone who will stick by my side through everything.
I just wish I will give hope to someone to cope with whatever it is they may be going through. It WILL be ok… You will turn out to be a stronger person because of the hard times – they shape who you become! I am stronger than I ever believed I could be and now know I can get through just about everything! In a way it may be a blessing to have gone through so much, so young because I have learned soo much from it all! Most people don't learn what I have until they are 50 or 60. I don't have much to be scared about anymore.
This surgery is a gift to myself… A gift to pay myself back for the 2 miserable years I had with my severe back pain and back surgery that cost me my marriage! I gave myself my lungs back by quitting my almost 2 pack a day cigarette habit, and now I am giving myself my body back by this gastric sleeve operation!! Its like getting my teenage size stomach back without anything too drastic or foreign objects in my body. Plus the part that produces the "hunger" hormone is in the part removed so I will lose all sense of hunger after the surgery! It will last about 30 minutes and I will have about 6 quarter inch incisions and one 1inch incision. I will be up and walking within and hour after the operation. After my back surgery it should be a piece of cake!
I am so excited – my boss and coworker said they would come visit me after work Monday – that is soo awesome of them. One just had my surgery 3 months ago and the other had the band about 6 years ago. They look amazing!! Plus my head boss wants me to call him when I wake up so he knows I am ok… I am very lucky to be working with such great people! I guess things happen for a reason!!
Quick shout out to Heather for standing by my side since April and never letting me give up! Thank you for listening to me talk on and on about how in shock I was that he left and not killing me for having to listen to it all the time!! You have picked me up soo many times and I thank you soo much! Thank you for believing in me when even I didn't! Thanks for not letting me ruin everything I have worked so hard for and for keeping me away from our friends that would have led me astray! It means so much to me!!!
I know I have a long way to go… a long, long way! But I am so happy to have an opportunity to get this weight off. Since April I gained over 50 pounds… I know that a lot of that was due to quitting smoking and all the medications I was put on which ALL cause weight gain but I have learned how to overcome this the best I can.
I thank those who have contacted me to wish me the best… It really means a lot to me, especially to those that go as far back as elementary school!! I will let you all know how I am as soon as I get online. I will be staying overnight Monday and should leave by Tuesday morning… I can stay Tuesday night oo but I think I will want to come home by then.
From then on it will be liquids for a few weeks, then smooshy foods, then semi solid foods… So for a month or so I wont be eating regular food. I am surprised to know the broth everyone loves is available at The Dollar Tree… RANDOM!
Seeing my sister tonight at Matthew's party really made me excited to think I may actually get back to my high school weight again in the next year or two. As she said though she is still that small because she is a surgery resident and that's what it does to her… I won't ever be as stressed as she must be, esp during her trauma rotation…
I am honest about all this because that's how I live my life now… no secrets here – I am an open book! I am who I am and won't ever pretend to be anyone I am not! I was skinny for soo much of my life that when all 3 of my surgeries happened over the years the weight just kept coming on with all the complications.. And with the car accident keeping in my pain and in bed on and off for 2 years the weight gain was horrific. With all the complications from the 360 degree spinal fusion I never thought I was going to survive it! When things finally did turn for the better, my husband left and went back to AZ leaving me shattered and not healed with no job, no income, no hope…
Yet here I am today – mentally sooo much happier, finally have hope again, quit smoking in April, have an incredible job, and am eating soo healthy losing now over 20 pounds. I am still extremely sad my marriage didn't last, but I know I deserve someone who will stick by my side through everything.
I just wish I will give hope to someone to cope with whatever it is they may be going through. It WILL be ok… You will turn out to be a stronger person because of the hard times – they shape who you become! I am stronger than I ever believed I could be and now know I can get through just about everything! In a way it may be a blessing to have gone through so much, so young because I have learned soo much from it all! Most people don't learn what I have until they are 50 or 60. I don't have much to be scared about anymore.
This surgery is a gift to myself… A gift to pay myself back for the 2 miserable years I had with my severe back pain and back surgery that cost me my marriage! I gave myself my lungs back by quitting my almost 2 pack a day cigarette habit, and now I am giving myself my body back by this gastric sleeve operation!! Its like getting my teenage size stomach back without anything too drastic or foreign objects in my body. Plus the part that produces the "hunger" hormone is in the part removed so I will lose all sense of hunger after the surgery! It will last about 30 minutes and I will have about 6 quarter inch incisions and one 1inch incision. I will be up and walking within and hour after the operation. After my back surgery it should be a piece of cake!
I am so excited – my boss and coworker said they would come visit me after work Monday – that is soo awesome of them. One just had my surgery 3 months ago and the other had the band about 6 years ago. They look amazing!! Plus my head boss wants me to call him when I wake up so he knows I am ok… I am very lucky to be working with such great people! I guess things happen for a reason!!
Quick shout out to Heather for standing by my side since April and never letting me give up! Thank you for listening to me talk on and on about how in shock I was that he left and not killing me for having to listen to it all the time!! You have picked me up soo many times and I thank you soo much! Thank you for believing in me when even I didn't! Thanks for not letting me ruin everything I have worked so hard for and for keeping me away from our friends that would have led me astray! It means so much to me!!!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
10/1/08 Whohoo finally having it!
So even though I am having the shittiest week ever... I am finally going to get to have my surgery – almost right at 20 pounds down peeps!!! You have no idea how good it felt to go to the Dr today and know I am at my target weight. My NP and Dietician were jumping up and down as they know how hard it has been for me to get these last 20 pounds off.
So I go in for my surgery on Monday and have my preop appt with my Dr tomorrow. I got it worked out with work to get the time off nd everything is a go....
So looks like my birthday will be full of JUST liquids but the best present to myself will be that surgery so thats ok!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am still sad reflecting on where I was last year and how horrible a time that was, but to think I have made it this far in just one year is unbelievable. If you would have told me that in one year I would have stopped smoking, eating soo healthy, and had a great great jonb and been able to walk I would have laughed. That was one of the most horrible periods of my life. Yet here I am today more than a 360 degree difference! Its amazing what our bodies and minds are capable of.
I doubt anyone even reads this thing but this is more for me to get stuff out than for anyone to read… I am finally getting back to the old Ally again and for that I am truly grateful to God! I know that no matter what happens during my surgery I will be OK –n because it wil NEVER be as bad as the complications from my back surgery. I know that no matter how many people care about me I will be ok because I still have my family and important friends who will! I need to stop trying to understand people who really don’t care and focus on the ones that do. It hurts, yes, but I have to move on now.
So hopefully I will be able to keep everyone informed as to how I am doing. I will be at Foundation Bariatric Hospital here in Edmond if anything should happen. But I am sure if that were the case my parents would have contacted you already… I know that every surgery has its consequences, but mine should only be about 30 minutes. Then an overnight stay and then home.
I plan on being back at work by Thursday. I am very fortunate to have such a great company that I am employed at..
Sorry to out of state friends – haven’t been up to talking lately as I have been in a funk and hate to bring that on others!
What in the world – its like I am feeling like turning 31 is like the end of the world or something… Maybe I need to give myself a swift kick in the ass
So I go in for my surgery on Monday and have my preop appt with my Dr tomorrow. I got it worked out with work to get the time off nd everything is a go....
So looks like my birthday will be full of JUST liquids but the best present to myself will be that surgery so thats ok!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am still sad reflecting on where I was last year and how horrible a time that was, but to think I have made it this far in just one year is unbelievable. If you would have told me that in one year I would have stopped smoking, eating soo healthy, and had a great great jonb and been able to walk I would have laughed. That was one of the most horrible periods of my life. Yet here I am today more than a 360 degree difference! Its amazing what our bodies and minds are capable of.
I doubt anyone even reads this thing but this is more for me to get stuff out than for anyone to read… I am finally getting back to the old Ally again and for that I am truly grateful to God! I know that no matter what happens during my surgery I will be OK –n because it wil NEVER be as bad as the complications from my back surgery. I know that no matter how many people care about me I will be ok because I still have my family and important friends who will! I need to stop trying to understand people who really don’t care and focus on the ones that do. It hurts, yes, but I have to move on now.
So hopefully I will be able to keep everyone informed as to how I am doing. I will be at Foundation Bariatric Hospital here in Edmond if anything should happen. But I am sure if that were the case my parents would have contacted you already… I know that every surgery has its consequences, but mine should only be about 30 minutes. Then an overnight stay and then home.
I plan on being back at work by Thursday. I am very fortunate to have such a great company that I am employed at..
Sorry to out of state friends – haven’t been up to talking lately as I have been in a funk and hate to bring that on others!
What in the world – its like I am feeling like turning 31 is like the end of the world or something… Maybe I need to give myself a swift kick in the ass
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