Complications.... What doesn't kill us makes us stronger!

                  I am just dropping a line... It's been a while since I've updated. Mainly because this month I have spend 15 days in the hospital. I got my sleeve on April 1st... I was in the hospital for 5 days and when I came home I took it easy for a few days, and when I got back to my old life, I thought I felt better. Well, I went to my PCP on Wednesday, April 10th, just for a a followup and I wanted her to check my lungs. I was struggling to breathe slightly. She listened to my lungs and said they sounded clear. I was thrilled and relieved. But I kept feeling worse and worse.                                                                                                                                                                                    On Saturday, April 13th... Breathing hurt so much and I couldn't sleep or get comfortable. I sat on the edge of my bed for hours. On Sunday, I realized I couldn't wait anymore and I called my surgeon's on-call... They told me to rush to the ER. I went to the ER at the hospital I had my surgeries. Within a short time, a chest Xray and a CT Scan were done... and they found that my spleen cavity was filled with fluid and my left lung was surrounded inside and out with fluid... making it almost collapse completely. The pain I was feeling was because of a severe infection and being forced to breathe with only one lung. I was admitted and put on IV anti-biotics every 6 hours. I was on painkillers around the clock too. On Monday,  I got a chest tube inserted through my ribs into my chest and over 2 liters of fluid drained immediately in the Procedure room which was so painful they had to shoot my full on Fentenal.(not sure of spelling)...just so I could move back onto the stretcher. It was awful! On Tuesday, I got a tube put through my ribs into my spleen cavity(The place where my spleen used to live) They removed a ton of puss since that was where the infection started. 

                Over the new week, I tried to recover... I had daily blood tests to check my white blood cell count, daily chest xrays( which they came to my room to do, Nice!), I got a blood clot in my left leg and they ultrasounded that right in my room too... I started feeling stronger everyday. But the Infectious Disease dept came to see me after testing cultures from my infection. They said that the infection was a rare strep bacteria which was resistant to the IV Anti-biotics. So they spoke to the CDC and started me on another Anti-biotic regiment which I am still on. They still may call me if these anti-biotics don't work on the cultures in the lab.

               It can take 4-6 weeks for my left lung to complete bounce back and re-inflate.... so I am taking it easy and doing breathing exercises every hour. I do love my sleeve so far though! No Regrets!

Overdoing it....

I ended the day yesterday crying hysterically, nauseous, in extreme pain.... It was awful. It was my first day driving... It was TOO SOON. I didn't take my pain killers since I can't drive with them and the tylenol wasn't cutting it by the end of the day. These staples really hurt me... I want them out. I am tired of liquids... and feel weak and nauseous sometimes. I feel like my stomach is ready for soft foods. I did go to my PCP's office yesterday and she listened to my lungs, looked at my incisions, and said everything looks and sounds great. I have lost 22.5 pounds since they weighed me on March 27th. I am hoping to be down more when I see my surgeon next Wednesday. I can't really exercise yet but I do try to walk around as much as possible. I am pleased with how I feel about food though. I went to the movies for the first time the other day... Popcorn is tough for me, I really love it. So much that I used to chew it and spit it out... So There were people eating popcorn behind me, in front of me and beside me... and I didn't want any... That's never happened before to me. I drank my Protein Shot... Which as you know tastes like dirty feet, and I got the 3.8 ounces down... but the taste was still in my mouth. My husband gave me 1 hershey's kiss.... I sucked on it and the deliciousness filled my mouth. I didn't desire another one. I was content. Weird, right?

What a difference a Poop makes!

I feel Great... today... much much better. I finally pooped for the first time in a week and it was awesome! I think i take being regular for granted and these pain killers and not eating Eff my shit up... literally! I am Offically On The Mend!

Over the River... but not through the woods... yet!

Well, I got through the surgery,,,, I am now a Sleeve Sister. There were very little complications but the Surgeon did Knick my Spleen.... so since it wouldn't stop bleeding, It had to be removed. I am now the Spleenless jellyfish, everyone was expecting. Since my surgery was done open, I didn't expect the horrendous gas pains... and I still have them. They're Awful! I feel relieved to be through the surgery but I haven't really eaten all week. I am not hungry and can only take tiny sips of water so far. Today when I got home.... I tried my first 11 ounce protein shake and it took me like 4 hours to drink it all. I am hoping it will get easier but I will take each day as it comes. Thanx so much for all your prayers and happy healing thoughts.