THE REMODEL OF THE TEMPLE CONTINUES

Jul 11, 2009

The Builder took about 85% of that old stomach out on July 2, nine days ago.  I decided not to post right away, but give some time for reflection.  I went to surgery so excited, and calm, very, very calm.  My first moments of being awake in the recovery room were pretty tough.  I awoke soooo sick to my stomach.   Wait a minute, can I still say sick to my stomach?     It was so unexpected and I was really taken back by the intensity of it all.  Eventually I went to my room on the bariatric floor where a wonderful, really wonderful, group of nurses tried very hard to get me through the first few days.   I experienced a low heart rate, very low blood pressure too, and so they scurried in and out with EKG's, labs, respiratory therapy etc.  The Builder was busy reshaping the new temple.  I was pretty discouraged, but believed it would get better, and it has.  I was in a couple more days than expected and so I'm home not even a week as I write.  I'm up and about, walking, doing small things in the house. 

    I have almost non-existant nausea today .  I did learn that my meds create almost instant nausea.  So, I devised a trick for taking the crushed meds, and that is use one of those little non-dairy creamers to put the powders in.  They are hardly there, and my body does accept it.   It has been one of my better ideas.

Each day does get a little easier.  But to quote one of my friends, she said, "this is hard."  Not hard in terms of discomfort or pain, but just intense learning all these new things.  Said very succinctly "this is harder" than I imagined it would be.  I am very sensitive to smell now, smells apparently no one but me smells, lol.  I am easily tired, but one expects that after major surgery.   I would imagine some of the younger OH'ers might be more adept at all these changes.   

Will I be able to say "I love my sleeve?"  I think that is coming.  I don't dislike it now.  I just want to be kind to it and take care of the gift I've been given.

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