Day Four and Counting

Ugh. Is about all I can say about these past few days. Ouch, Ugh, and holy Crap.  When they tell you that you're gonna feel like you've been hit by a bus.....they aren't kiddin'!  BUT, I wish they'd give you something for the nausea.  No one mentioned I'd be sick to my stomach every time I had to take my meds.  It's making me more grumpy than usual.  My back hurts, but it's hotter than a hooker in vegas even with the air conditioners running in the windows...so to put the heating pad on is sort of like creating a sauna in your own living room! Bonus.  They tell you you're going to have gas pains, but they don't tell you for how long! wow.  I just keep trying to walk...but that doesn't always help either.

So I'll take Maxine's advice and do a little Fart Can Do exercising.

Well, my wonderful sister-in-law is coming to help take care of me some time today....she's a saint for putting up with me! I say that before she gets here! lol  I just know what I feel like sitting here in the middle of the night in my recliner.  A beached whale, with my baggy pants half on.

Hey...and the fact that it hurts to wear a bra...look out brother-in-law...cover your eyes dude.

I've been sort of creative in my words as of yesterday and this morning.  Eric took off all this time from work to stay home and help me...um...so he says. But guess what? Where is he (except for THE DAY OF SURGERY)????  At the FARM doing cherries for THEM. Yes. THEM.  If you know anything about my relationship over the years w/ his family....I sort of consider THEM the enemy, and this particular episode in the chronicles of the 'schaubs' proves that I am right.  He should be here with me, as I have difficulty getting up out of this chair without pain, but NO...he's out THERE with THEM doing cherries this morning.  And where has he been the past two days??? You guessed it. With THEM.  I honestly am trying not to be a bitter wifey.  Afterall, Eric is the one that told me NOT to reschedule this surgery (even though I mentioned several times it was during cherry season)...he kept telling me it would be OK.  Wow.  And I actually believed him.  After 9 years I finally get it.  THEY are like a black hole.  He cannot escape THEM.  He cannot run from THEM.  THEY always win somehow.  Yes, I am sitting here feeling sorry for myself. I hurt! I'm sore!  I want my man at my side holding my hand or just watching TV...just knowing he is HERE.  Instead I'm all alone, out here in the boonies. Cannot drive anywhere (they tell you not to on this medication) for at least a week.  So I say, THANK GOD my sister-in-law is coming today to save the day.  God does work in mysterious ways!!!  I was feeling all sorry for myself, and in comes that call from her.  Asking if I wanted her to come take care of me.  Oh bless you dear sister-in-law. 

And speaking of the medication, if I can stop taking it I am going to...it makes me so sick to my stomach! yuck.  I'm going to see how long I can survive without it.  Obviously I'm a tough girl. HA  HA  I haven't made it this far in life without being tough and probably a little bit annoying! ha ha ha

As for THEM. I will never win where THEY are involved.  I've won very small battles over the years, but it takes too much energy to fight against THEM.  I should have known better than to schedule this surgery during cherry season.  Ah well.  Another lesson learned.

So here's to day 4.  Lets see how far I can make it today without crying.  I gotta dig deep and find that tough girl today!

On The Other Side

First off, I have to post a pic...of me just before they wheeled me off for surgery.....this is where I tell you..."Everything is Better With Blue Bonnet On It"   LOL

Well, here I am...day three after gastric bypass surgery.  The first day wasn't so bad after they got the pain under control in the recovery room.  Very nice nurses there.  I only remember one face though. ha

Once to my room, things were fine.  I dozed off and on most of the day, but never really slept soundly.  I finally sent Eric home around 6pm after I'd had my first short walk down the halls.  He was exhausted to say the least.  Poor guy has been getting up early to go shake cherries in the orchards, coming home to grab lunch and then back out to do lawn care on his own until 8pm at night.  So, it was only fair I sent him home to get some sleep.  The kids are with my sister so he wouldn't be disturbed. (although they are missed ... have never been away from them like this before).

Night number one....can be called "nightmare".  My roommate was an older woman in her 60's, who insisted on having her TV on ALL night.  She was asked if she'd like to have it turned down and she said NO.  Well, the drugs I was being given kept me from sleeping, along w/ her loud tv...lets just say it was a long long night.  I was loopy, and edgy because I could not sleep.  By 3am, the night nurse just simply turned off the roomie's TV as she was snoring the night away anyway and would not even notice.  I tried on several occasions to be nice to this roommate, but it seemed she felt the world was to revolve around her. Ok.  The shows she chose to watch were repeats every 3 or 4 hrs...the same 'storage' ngihtmare shows over and over and over.  It was awful. Then she picked one about inmates and guards. Help me!!! ha haha

Second day, things were OK as far as pain management was going...until the nurse said we had to wean me off of the pump.  I had been able to self medicate up to this point.  It became very clear to me with about 4 hrs that I was not going to like the new drug regime.  After the first 4 hrs, I was really ready for some pain meds!  She made me wait the whole 4 hrs.  At this time I got a nice surprise and saw my new friend Sue. She'd come to check in on me.  We had a very nice visit for at least an hour or more.  When she left I was beginning to feel the pain of no drugs.  I asked my nurse if I could have some gasx and was refused.  I needed pain meds, but was told it was too early.  When she finally came to my bedside, I was sitting on the edge rocking back and forth in pain.  Add up a night w/ no sleep, coming off a narcotic drug, and not being given meds to keep the pain in check..yeah...you can see where this is going.  I sort of had a melt down.  The tears started just rolling down my face.  My nurse went and brought back the Charge Nurse who wondered if I was crashing from the drugs, I told her it was a simple meltdown after 24 hrs of no real sleep, a crappy roommate and no pain held in check. I had not been told that I would not shave to experience this sort of pain.  I had been led to believe my pain would be managed.  The Charge Nurse immediately got me medication to handle my pain and get it back under control.

I kept telling them I knew how hard they work, and was so grateful to them for going the extra mile for me.  I honestly believe I have been a model patient doing what I need to be doing.  I'd even been up twice that day walking on my own without waiting for assistance.  I am very independent, but when it comes to pain, I'm not afraid to ask for the meds....and when I did I was refused.  That is my one issue here.

So, not only did the Charge Nurse get me pain meds and my pain under control, she also moved me down the hall....to another room!!!! Thank the Lord!  I was able to rest for at least 4 or 5 hours without anyone in my room.  Lovely.  My new roommate is a dear little old lady who is just as sweet as any grandma should be.  I'll take her home in a minute.

I have been able to actually sleep! yes!  Not a lot, but I think I managed 3 hours at once.  I've been up walking now 3 times and it's 4:30am.  They keep telling me that I am going to have gas pains....I feel them, but nothing is happening. (I know you want to know that!).

As for now, it's day 3.  Or the morning of day 3.  My tummy is very swollen, and feels like it's being stretched out.  I have a wonderful 'binder' I get to wear that holds me in.  Very nice.  They are giving me meds every 2 to 2 1/2 hrs now. This helps maintain my pain status at a 1 or 2, and helps me keep on walking.

Eric is working again today...and yesterday I told him not to come visit...by the time he was able to get home, I was just coming out of my crisis, and didn't want him to see me like that.  Poor guy had worked outside in this awful humidity anyway!  So, at some point today I will get released to go home!!! yes!!!  I will call Eric and he will come get me.  For now, I will maintain my pain free zone, and keep walking!

They've taken me off the IV (although it's still in my arm for now).  This means I will have to start sipping liquids today.

Anyway, I'm fine everyone....but thought an update would be in order.  One day at a time!

Lana

No turning back

Well, today is the DAY BEFORE SURGERY.  I am up early. yup...as usual.  Eric has so much to do this time of year!  He not only has his full time job, but also the lawn care, AND it's cherry season here!  So, he is the guy that runs the cherry shaker. (pretty cool machine and fun to watch).

Today I can have liquids only. boo!  I can't have creamer in my coffee either.  PLUS, I'll be starting my 'cleanse' at 12:00. yeah....um...yuck.  I had such big plans for my 'last meal'.  Oh well.  I didn't get that last meal.  I had an omelet for breakfast, and was going full tilt all day, and wound up eating bean dip w/ blue tortillas for dinner at 6:30.  That is still a fun meal for me as my friend Diane and I get it whenever we actually get together and go out to eat! LOL  It's bean dip....smothered in cheese, and topped off w/ tons of fresh cut onion. Yup..onion. Oh yeah, Baby!  Bonus is that it was organic and vegan. :) yeah!!!  I've been so good with eating right.

So, the last meal was fun, but not what I really wanted. I wanted Broasted Chicken.  I don't think I'll ever be able to eat it again in the future.  So, goodbye broasted chicken!

Today is setting up to be one heck of a day!  The list of things that need to be done is getting longer and longer!

1.  Enjoy an hour of peace and quiet before getting kids up, dressed, fed, teeth brushed, and into truck to meet up w/ sister for drop off in Traverse City at 8:30a.m.

2.  Remember to grab Emma's medicine at Pharmacy before sister drives off w/ them.

3.  Kiss kids bye bye and go to Gas station, grocery store (hubby has to eat even though I can't!), and IF IF IF there is time....get oil change in truck before racing home.

4.  Put groceries away, go BACK to house where I did windows yesterday and do a touch up on ONE window...basically REDO the whole outside of said window.

5.  Get home by 12 to start the ....'cleanse' prescribed by surgeon. Oh no this I am so looking forward to....um...not.  I've been told that it is one of those experiences you don't want to repeat. LOL yeah. Lucky me.

6.  If I can get all those things done THIS MORNING...I can catch up on emails, phone calls (lets just say if I'm mid-cleanse, the only people I'm calling are good friends! LOL), and get clothes, toothbrush etc. ready for hospital tomorrow.

7.  Oh and did I mention it's LIQUID DIET DAY??? yup...boo!

8.  Finish laundry if at all possible.  Vacuum if at all possible.  Pull of sheets on kids beds and wash them...attempt to get them back on.  ha ha (sorry Mr. Eye Candy...this may be your job).

9.  Don't forget to feed, water, talk to chickens, and gather eggs....at some point today!

10.  Do the shower w/ the 'stuff' the surgeons office gave me....OH, and call the Hospital after 2pm to get surgery time for tomorrow!

Whew!  I think that's it.  I've been so busy prior to this, I have not had time to even THINK straight! Let alone get nervous about surgery. It's all surreal to me at this point.

Ok..I may try to do a quick video later today after I know the time of surgery.  Thanks everyone for your support...love and friendship! See you on the other side!