Learning as I Go

Educating my stomach is not the only education I'm finding I need. They had put a blinder on me after surgery to help support my mid-section. It occurred to me that I might want to leave it off at some point so the incisions could breathe. When the nurses called to check up on me, the confirmed that I should. I decided that the best time to go without the binder would be when I am laying beat in the bed for a nap. Boy, I couldn't have been more wrong! About 5 minutes after laying down, gravity started pulling at the incisions on the left side. Didn't get much of a nap. So now I know that I probably should wear it most of the time until the incisions heal just a bit more.

 I also get tired throughout the day. As the day goes on, it gets harder for me to get the liquids down. Not only that, I keep swallowing a lot of air when I try to sip. I wish someone could explain to me how not to do that.

Surgery and Beyond

Today is day 2 post surgery and things are moving swiftly.  The day of surgery, everything went well and they remembered to use glue to close the incisions. It turns out this is very much in my favor because I don't have a drain to deal with. They ultimately had to make 5 incisions, presumably because they had to fix a small hernia at the same time. They are all small incisions. I did have to deal with nausea the first day but it was attributable to the anesthesia, pain meds and the gas in my system from the surgery. I followed the advice to get up and go walking and the gas was gone by midnight. Each new nurse commented on how mobile I was. Of course, that only encouraged me to keep moving. The surprising thing is that I found my knees no longer hurt, just like that! Oh yeah, I had them switch me to liquid Tylenol after the second dose of pain meds because I really was not in physical pain and the pain meds made me nauseous.

The doctors visited at 6:30 a.m. and took a look. They were happy with how the incisions looked and happy to hear I had been up and about. They switched me to phase 2 liquids (protein shakes,etc) and told me I would be released later that day. I finally got my first protein shake and a couple sugar-free popsickles. I attempted to drink some of the shake and was immediately nauseous. I was finally able to get 4 ounces down before switching back to water. They released me around 1:30. I had had several visitors before I left, which was nice. When we got home, I attempted to drink the rest of the Boost they had given me only to end up nauseous again. I finally took a good look at the bottle and realized they had given me a regular Boost. Too much sugar. I switched to my shakes and was able to get them down without further incident. The only thing that makes me nauseous now is the liquid nausea medicine they gave me (ironically?).

Today is day 2 post-surgery. My mom made me some bullion and it was a nice change from the sweet shakes. I feel a little like a baby learning to eat again. But I am stronger every day and that is good. Mom has headed to Akron to catch her flight back to FL in the morning. John is here now.

Day Before

The day began quietly. I was surprised that the surgery time phone call came around 10:30. My surgery is scheduled for noon which means we have to be there at 10 am. I called my mom to let her know. She was waiting to board the plane. I went to my pre-op appointment and was pleased to see my weight. Since starting all of this, I have lost 25 pounds. They were very pleased with that as well. The nurse said that it gives them confidence that I will do well after surgery.

 What they didn't tell me was that they saw a "slight" hiatal hernia when they did the endoscopy. They will fix that during the surgery. She said it was very small (most patients have large ones going in). Other than slightly low vitamin D levels, I am very healthy.

 Mom checked into where she's staying and then headed over. She finally asked about getting something to eat, but didn't want to eat in front of me. I really didn't care; she will have to eat in front of me a lot over the next few days. I took the opportunity to take her down to the Murray Hill Market. Michelle was there and they had all kinds of fun stuff available. As usual, Michelle started handing my mom all kind of samples. In the end, Mom went with eggplant with a meatball and "gravy" and a side of roasted veggies. Oh, and a snubble (puff pastry filled with sweetened cream cheese). The bakery that makes them was featured on national news about 6 months ago. Really good stuff!

 I am trying to pack for tomorrow and am having a hard time figuring what to take. I guess they will let me change to my own clothes after they remove the IV. And they want me to bring things I can walk in. I'm sure I will pack too much. I'm also trying to decide if I can get away with just my Nook Color. I love my tablet, but I'm not sure I want it hanging around my hospital room. I can blog on my phone, so the Nook may be enough. I'm also wondering of I should bring a project to work on. I suspect I will be laying around a lot!

 At the current moment, I am trying to hydrate up to the  last moment. They usually have trouble putting in the IV on surgery day because I am dehydrated. I can only have clear liquids, but I can have them until midnight, so that's what I am concentrating on. I hope it helps.

Three Days Before

The days and counting, hard to believe. I guess it is a little hard to wrap my head around because I am here by myself trying to get my apartment clean before my mom arrives. Seriously, even doing this is taxing to me these days. I've been working in spurts: Changed the sheets, did 2 sinkfuls of dishes, went through the remaining stacks of mail, vacuumed...It's been a pretty products day despite the ton of stuff left to do. My main goal tomorrow will be to finish getting the kitchen organized. What I really need to do is start going through my clothes. I know most of it is going to be too big very shortly (some things already are), but I am having a hard time wrapping my head around that. As a matter of fact, I came home the other day to a package from Land's End. It contains a fleece from the U-M Alumni Association for my life membership. When we decided to go ahead with the life membership, I hadn't decided to have surgery, so it is a 3X and it's a bit big already. Sad because it's a really nice fleece.

 Throughout the day,my mind has been running a mile-a-minute with the surgery. Even though I have always healed well, I will admit being a little worried I won't this time. Healing depends upon getting liquids and proteins in. I have spent a lot of time preparing, I just hope what I've prepared will be okay for me. I worry my tastes will change somehow.

Prepping for Surgery

The last week or so has been prep time for surgery. Last week started with my peri-operative appointment. Ten vials of blood and a chest x-ray later, I was back to work. Thursday, I met another cardiologist, who, after taking my medical history and listening to my heart, said "I'm inclined to agree with the last doctor." The one who walked in the room and with an exasperated look on his face said "so, what are you doing here?" At least this doctor took the time to talk to me first. Yes, I know I am unreasonably healthy, but at least have some tact!

 The next appointment was yet another cardiologist (surgeon this time) who explained the IVC (inferior vena cava) filter. What I didn't know when talking to him was that either I let them do this or I don't have surgery. This is an umbrella-shaped filter placed in your IVC to catch "possible" thrombosis. The twist was I basically had an hour to decide because the doctor was leaving town the next day. I ended up dropping all plans Friday and letting them place it.

 Yesterday, I had an endoscopy and then the all important pre-op/post-op class. What's amazing to me is what has changed since I first talked with the surgeon 8 months ago. At that time, I was told it would take 2 incisions and a minimum of 2 days in the hospital.What we learned yesterday is they now only make 1 incision through the bellybutton and as long as there is no leakage and we are getting our liquids down, we could go home in one day. Oh yeah, and the best news; no enema the day before surgery! since the surgery only affects the stomach, we got lucky.

So now, two more days of work, a meeting with the surgeon Monday, nothing but fluids Monday and the surgery Tuesday. I knew the time was going to fly! Mom arrives Monday and John wil arrive Wednesday night. we have to hang out here until Sunday and then we go to Troy for the second week of recovery. The only thing up in the air is my follow-up visit so I can return to work.

Bariatric Updates

Today is the first of a few appointments before my actual surgery. The official date of surgery will be March 27. Today is my peri-operative appointment. This appointment is about confirming I am healthy enough for surgery and discussing anesthesia options. They are fond of saying there are new better options, but in 2009 I still got sick after my tonsillectomy. This time it will be important for me to not get sick after surgery.

 After today, I have an IVC filter consult (which I am likely going to decline), a cardio clearance and an endoscopy. I suppose I will also find out what drugs I will have to take before and after the surgery. In  and amongst all of this, I am running experiments. So, it's going to be a busy couple weeks.

Boiled dinner

This week we received a nice pork roast in the share. We also received a cabbage, Yukon gold potatoes, turnips, and apples. Since it's snowing outside, and also close to St. Patrick's Day, I figured boiled dinner would be a great comfort meal for today.

 Boiled Dinner

•  1 4-5 lb pork roast*
•  1 large potato*, diced
•  1/2 head cabbage*, wedged
•  1 large winesap apple*, wedged
•  1 large turnip*, wedged
•  1 cup apple cider*
•  7 cups water
•  1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
•  1 tsp sea salt

 Place vegetables and apples in bottom of crock. Place roast on top. Pour cider and water over roast and add spices and salt. Cover and cook on HIGH for 3-5 hours, until roast is 160°F in the center. Remove roast and allow to temper 5 minutes. Turn cooker to LOW and cook until potatoes are fork tender. Slice pork thin and serve with vegetables and apples.

*CSA Ingredients

Winter Vegetables

Today, I need to use up winter vegetables. I also need dishes that will fit into my pre-op diet which is pretty basic. I couldn't quite find a recipe that appealed tome, so I am going to do what we used to call potluck. I am going to take all the vegetables I have and make a fresh vegetable soup. Seems an appropriate dish for a snowy winter day.

 "Pot Luck" Vegetable Soup
 Note: This soup is made with vegetables I had in my kitchen. You may use whatever you have available.

•  1/2 head cabbage*, chopped
•  2 turnips*, peeled and diced
•  1 large Yukon gold potato*, peeled and diced
•  celery heart and leaves (about 4 stalks), sliced
•  6 oz mushrooms, quartered
•  2 cups sweet corn*, frozen or fresh
• 2 cups frozen peas
•  1 small sweet potato*, peeled and diced
•  12 cups water
•  4 Tbsp beef stock flavoring ^
• 1 tsp dried thyme
•  1 Tbsp dried marjoram
•  1 bay leaf
•  1 Tbsp minced garlic

 Prepare all vegetables and place in large Dutch oven or stockpot. Add remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil over med-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until vegetables are well cooked.

^Note:Use a good beef, chicken or vegetable stock if you have one. I did not have one, so I used a stock base.

*CSA ingredients