Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Remainder of Pre-op

Pre-op days 6-1
Ok, so somewhere along the way I lost my blogging efforts. I did great through the pre-op. I kept to all the rules and didn't break down and cheat at all. I really am proud of myself. My life got a little hectic the last week. I had been trying to get my house cleaned up and organized, get my work stuff finished completely and also keep getting my rest.  My sister came in on saturday to stay for a week. I moved to my Dad's house on sunday before the surgery. Man, I moved alot of stuff over. A big pillow for the couch (didn't use til wk 2), my own pillow, my snuggie, all my tea's (didn't use any), my magic bullet (used daily), my protein shakes, my clothes.  It seemed like alot more when I was moving it all out.

Day Of Surgery
So I had to be at the hospital by 5:30 on 1/17/11. I weighed in and was happy. I started at 327 and the day of the surgery I weighed in at 299. That is awesome 27lbs in 4 months. I was sooooooo proud of myself. Some of you will understand how it felt seeing that number. It's been a long time. Well, when I got there they put me in the outpatient pre-op area. My family went to the waiting area and I went and sat in the curtained area for a long time it seemed.  Getting ready for surgery wasn't bad, but it gave me time to get nervous. I ended up writing a letter to everyone. I finally got rolled into the surgery area and left my family again.  I expected to have been waiting in my room with them, not bad, was just surprised to have so much time with my thoughts. Anyway, saw the dr twice and then the anesthia kicked in and I slightly remember moving onto the surgery table. I remember them putting my arms out and that's it. Next thing I know I was awake in my room with everyone. Wow, I love my family, but I felt shitty and didn't care who was there. Seriously. I had absolutely no idea what to expect after the surgery.

3 days/2 nights in hospital.
I was up and moving around that day, I also took pain meds the entire first day. Wasn't in too much pain, but enough. Day 2 I woke up and my left arm was hurting. My IV was in that arm. I also noticed that my arm was swollen alot. When I pointed it out, they took awhile but finally took it out. My veins don't like needles much. They told me pre-op that they would re-try putting my iv in after I was asleep since it was soo hard to do. Anyway, they tried to replace the IV in my right arm and couldn't. Gratefully it was time for my swallow test. I passed it, so they didn't need to give me a new IV. I could have liquids and ice. I was really nauseas though so it was difficult. The hospital gave me this really sweet drink and I couldn't really do that. My cousin came in and kissed my forehead and I got nauseas. My dad came in and did the same, and I got nauseas. Crazy. I never threw up, but would gag and spit alittle. Because of the nausea I stayed an extra night. By day 3 I was super ready to go home.

***My sister was soooo helpful those days. She was the best nurse ever. She would walk with me, encourage me, everything.  When we got home, she became a mean nurse. She pushed me to do everything I was supposed to. I'm so grateful she was here for me***

The rest of my life:
So on thursday my Aunt Judy came in from Vermont! I miss her so much! She had bypass about 11 yrs ago and was successful. She changed her lifestyle and exercises everyday. What a great example for me. It was a great thing to have here with me. I couldn't drinkmuch or eat much for the first few days. My side hurt a little but overall I felt really well.