1 Week Post Operation

So it's been one full week since I had my surgery and I'm feeling pretty good.  I had some bad days, Sunday when my blood counts got so low and Thursday I had a lot of pain in my ribs and abdomen when getting up and down.  This morning I woke up feeling really well and had what turned out to be a bad idea that caused me to throw up a few times.  I thought that I might be able to take my large calcium vitamin right before a breakfast of a protein shake.  It ended up preventing everything else I ate from passing through my pouch.  That was around 9:30 and finally at about 4pm I was able to eat some Cream of Wheat that stayed down and have been slowly taking my medicines through out the day.  Mom gave me my blood thinner shot at 11pm.  She's been taking really good care of me this week which I am so thankful for. 

According to the scales here at Mom's I haven't lost any weight yet, which is disappointing.  When the home nurse was here today she was speaking on the phone with the nurse at Dr. Gellar's office who told her that 15 liters of irrigation fluid were used to find where the bleeding was coming from.  I guess that explains the lack of weight loss and the amount of fluid coming out of the drain in my side.  I will just keep drinking my water and walking around Mom's house until I notice some changes. 

I'm home and feeling better

Just wanted to make a short post to let every one know that I'm home and feeling pretty well today.  I was released Monday around 4pm, came home to Mom's house and got some uninterrupted rest.  I woke up about every four hours to take a pain pill and empty my drain.  There is a lot of fluid in the drain but the surgeon said to expect that  due the fact that I had quite a bit of bleeding during surgery and much irrigation fluid was used. 

The home health nurse stopped in today at 3pm, she checked to make sure I had all my prescriptions and knew when to take them.  She will have to call my doctor to find out about the blood thinners, there wasn't a prescription called in for them but I'm not supposed to take that until the drain is gone anyway, looks like that could be a while.  She will be back tomorrow to take some blood for testing, they want to make sure my blood counts are stable and/or improving. 

Today I've had cream of wheat, refried beans, and part of a protein shake that I will need to finish before bed.  I don't feel any kind of hunger and it doesn't take much to fill me up.  I've been taking little walks around the house to keep moving.  I have no problem going up and down the steps 5 or 10 minutes is about all I can do before I feel tired. 

I'll update again in the next few days, hopefully I will continue to make good progress.  Thanks to everyone for the prayers and good thoughts.  I think they've really helped and made a difference. 

Monday... COMING HOME!

Just talked to Bridgett on the phone, and she's coming home today!!!!  That news sounds much better than what we were hearing yesterday.  Her blood pressure is good, hemoglobin is stable at 9.6, walked to the restroom by herself, and she sounded so much stronger and better today. She will come home with the drain tube, but according to the Dr. that is looking thinner today :)  She will be staying with her Mom (Beckie) and a visiting nurse will come to check her out on Wednesday. 

THANK YOU all for your prayers and THANK GOD for the good report today!!! 

~Kathy

Sunday Jan.23

This morning, Bridgett was dizzy and nauseated.  Her blood pressure dropped to 86/62.  Her hemoglobin, which was 14 before surgery, had dropped to 7.  The Dr. ordered a transfusion, with 2 units of blood.  The first unit is almost done, her blood pressure is back up to 117/60 and Bridgett is feeling better.  Not as light headed and tired.  They'll start the 2nd unit of blood shortly, and check her hemoglobin level after 24 hours.

The drainage tube from her stomach is too dark, indicating there could be some kind of bleeding inside.  They are keeping a close watch on this tube, and if it doesn't clear up soon, there's a possiblity they will have to do another surgery to find out where it's coming from.   The nausea and dizziness has kept her from walking like the Dr. ordered, to prevent pneumonia.  She was able to eat a little bit of jello today.

Please continue to pray for Bridgett.
~Kathy

The Big Day

Bridgett's surgery was scheduled for 10:00 am on Friday, but they didn't start until 12:20.  Everyone at Suburban Hospital was so nice.  They kept us updated on the progress the whole time.  Surgery lasted about 2 1/2 hours.  Dr. Gellar came out and explained that Bridgett did great during the surgery.  They were able to do it laproscopicly? but it took longer than expected because he had to find a source of bleeding after the bypass. They also did a biopsy of her liver and that looked good.  He said she lost a unit of blood, but her vitals stayed good.  She was in recovery for about an hour and they called us when she was in her private room.  When we walked in the room, Bridgett looked a little pale and had a drainage tube in her nose, but she was talking and said she felt much better than we expected at that time, thanks to some good pain meds.  They were going to get her out of bed Friday evening for better breathing and to keep her moving. Dr. Gellar said that the more walking she could do, the better.  Bridgett sent me a text at 10:50pm... "Nose thing is out yay!" If she continues to do well, it's possible she will come home on Sunday!! 

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers. 
~Kathy

Day 2 of clear liquids

This would be easier if I'd already had the surgery - I am STARVING!  Last night I dreamed that I forgot I couldn't eat and then I caught myself eating something so I spit it out and and started chewing up stuff and spitting it out.  How gross is that?  Today I just let myself stay in bed as long as I wanted because I thought it would keep me from thinking about how hungry I was ... and then I had a dream about eating, haha!

Today I have to finish getting things in order before I leave.  My friend Brett is going to stay here and take care of my animals until I can come back to the house on my own.  He's doing me a huge favor, Thanks Brett!  I hope you're still speaking to me after you realize how badly spoiled they are :) 

My bags are packed and I'm ready for the hospital.  If you see me on line message me, it helps keep my mind off of real food.

Edited to add:  This bowel prep stuff is really, really gross :( 

Two Days until Surgery...

Well, it's getting really close to surgery time.  I'm very anxious and excited about it all.  Thank you to all my friends and family who are being so supportive.  Today and tomorrow I will be on a clear liquid diet, then tomorrow night I will have to drink the Magnesium Citrate for the bowel prep (I keep thinking of  that as the "Big-Ass Blow Out" in my head.) 

I've asked my Aunt Kak to update the blog for me Friday evening so everyone will know how I'm doing.  She and my mom will be in the hospital with me while it's going on so I wouldn't expect to see anything here right away.  I'll try to answer any texts or emails as soon as I feel up to it.