Life is never what you plan for....

I'm "sleeved" but not after a long, bumpy road. Surgery went OK, I was released on schedule and I came home to sip my protein and water. But a week and a half later, I just didn't feel right and I started having chest pains. So I went to the ER.

It was a horrific experience. I told the nurses and doctor several times, "I had bariatric surgery a week and a half ago, I'm Dr. XXX's patient." They didn't listen. They tested my heart, etc., etc., and sent me home with orders to take an aspirin a day. Huh? If it wasn't my heart, why do I have to take aspirin?

So the next day, after getting in at 5 a.m. after the night long ER visit, I felt like sh*t. And then I started running a fever. So I called my surgeon's office. They put me right through to my doctor and he was very apologetic for not seeing me the night before in the hospital - he was there!! So he had me go in for another barium swallow test (they make you drink this awful stuff and xray it as it goes down, to check for stomach leaks.) Then, after that was OK, I walked over to my doctor's office. He took one look at me and said "You don't look good. I think you're dehydrated and I want to admit you for the night."

Well, that one night turned into eight days and long story short, I did have a leak in my stomach, which meant I needed a drain to get rid of the abscess in my abdomen. Actually, I needed another drain after the first one slipped. I have never been so sick in my life as I was in that hospital. Fortunately I had excellent, caring nurses and Jeff by my side. He slept over in that recliner by my bed several nights. It was good to know if I woke up, he was there.

I went home with a PICC and on IV for both antibiotic and nutrition. This mean I was NPO (nothing by mouth, not even water) for three weeks. It was hellish, but I don't think I would have made it through without Jeff would listened to me cry, hugged me, supported me and took better care of me than any nurse could. (I had TWO visiting nurses coming in, too.)

After a few rough spots (NOT set backs my surgeons assured me) last Thursday I FINALLY got the drain and PICC out. After a week on liquids, I'm on the puree stage which is heavenly. Soup is great, even if it's so blenderized a baby could eat it. LOL

Don't asked me if I regret the surgery. I'm not sure. I'll let you know in a month when I'm back to normal.