1 Week

I just got back from the Doctor's office for my one week post-op appointment. The staples came out! Yeah!! My belly now looks less like a mold for a battlefield re-enactment and more like, well...a topographical map. I go back in 4 weeks to get the g-tube out...wish that was a bit sooner...But it's better than having to wait 5 weeks. I guess. I've lost 12 lbs since surgery and 18 lbs since my first appointment way back in August. My shirts are hanging longer and loser and my pants are lose without having to sit down and loosen them first! :-) I guess things are going well so far. I've only had one moment of an emotional breakdown...Monday night in the shower. I just started panicking about the whole financial aspect of being out of work for over a month with holidays and everybodies birthdays coming up, plus the uncomfortableness of not being able to bend over without getting short of breath and light headed because of the g-tube (I was trying to shave my legs at the time). I took some pain medicine had a good cry and went to bed. Everything was better the next day...as it always is.

Tonight is the Chirstmas party for our group. The last chance we have to get everybody together before the holidays are really maddening rushed. This is the first time I'm going to drive since surgery. Should be exciting... Tomorrow night is Kent's pinning ceremony from nursing school and Friday is graduation. My Uncle Doug comes in sometime next week from Milwaukee for Christmas. So much going on and so little time...

Have a great weekend!!

3 Days Later

3 Days later I am still figuring out how all of this works. I'm trying to figure out when I'm full and when I'm not. When I'm hungry (which I think is never) and when I'm not. Trying to get in enough fluids to stay hydrated and enough protein to heal. Trying to figure out when I'm in pain, and just have gas. Which by the way has been most unlady-like. The pain medicine makes me sleepy, but without it, the g-tube in the left side of my stomach hurts. But with it, I can't sleep at night... Just lots of figuring out to do. I never thought in a million years that cottage cheese would taste so good!! It's the only "food" I've had since Tuesday!! Unfortunately, it will be a month or so before I can actually chew... I'm really looking forward to homemade mashed potatoes on Christmas!! I'm anxious to go to the mall, just to get out of the house! I can't stay awake long enough to work, and I can't drive yet, so I've no idea what I'll be doing for the next few weeks. I go on Wendsday to get the staples out, so that will be interesting. Especially if Jennifer, my completely non-medical little sister decides to pass out on me. I already told mom she'll have to take me to get the tube out 'cause I know Jen won't be able to handle that!! Okay...I gotta go start on another bottle of water or tea. I'll try to get some pics of my little Christmas tree up soon. Happy Shopping!!

An Update...

T- 2 days. In 48 hours from now, I will be sitting in a hospital room recovering from surgery. It's such an odd feeling to know that my life will never again be the same. I'm nervous, excited, anxious, and a teeny bit scared. But, I know that this is the right decision for me to make. This is the best thing for me t do for myself. I have to get healthy. I have to get back to where I once was, even further than that. I want to start running again. I ran for a short period of time in high school when I played soccer, I've been thinking that it's time to take it up again. I'd like to find a race to enter this spring. I just gotta find one. So, thanks everyone for you thoughts and prayers already. I really appreciate it!! I'll try to post pics of my little Charlie Brown Christmas tree soon. Seasons Greeting!!!