May 29, 2013 – Day 34 Recovery

Well folks, here’s the Ottawa RPN 1 month post op follow up details

1. I have been diagnosed with depression which explains my constant tiredness, foggy head and unclear thinking and lack of desire to do things I love like my job (which I’m not back at yet but dreading) and my crafts.
2. My blood work came back great showing that vitamin and nutrient deficiency’s were NOT the cause of the symptoms and I’m doing well in those areas
3. I CAN start other purposeful exercise like going back to curves and starting AQUAFIT!
4. My only pain med allowed is Tylenol and prescribed narcotics but that’s it, FOREVER
5. The severe pain I get in my left shoulder IS GAS PAIN – how odd is that!
6. My main food focus while counting numbers is primarily proteins (not carbs/sugars/fats etc) but of course I need to be generally aware of not eating high fat or high processed sugar foods (which I do well)
7. Drinking pre and post eating, I’ve had explained to me well now so I can try harder at it.  Pre meal drinking if it’s done too soon before a meal, fills you up and you won’t want food (bad).  Post meal drinking can flush the food through your body too quickly causing your body to absorb nothing from the food (nutrients) and causing you to feel hungry again too quickly.  I absolutely understand it all now.  I knew the rules but my brain needs to also understand why.
8. My weight loss is at what’s known as the “high end” meaning I’m loosing a lot compared to an average.  My average is 6-7lbs a week and less loss is absolutely fine and acceptable by the clinics standards but I guess my body is doing well to cooperate!
9. AND…because of my continued side effects, primarily the depression, I’m off until June 17th! I couldn’t be happier because I was so not ready for work yet (big smiles!)  I love my co-workers and miss them but couldn’t focus and be of any use if I wanted to for my families/clients so this is a win – win!

So, Kirk and I left very happy with the news and direction given today!  That should be my last visit to Ottawa as my file is now being transferred to Kingston.  I do really like the staff and support in Ottawa though but the drive is crazy!

May 28, 2013 – Day 33 Recovery

Up with the boys then back to bed, needing lots of rest, tired bug is still with me.  Off to the hospital with my Mom for one of her appointments then I took the family out for dinner before Mikey’s immunization needle party at the Health Unit!  I think I’m getting pretty good (I’ve been out 4 times this month) in selecting things that match what my “OK” list of foods are.  I of course always have a “doggie bag” to bring home with me or food to share with others at the table!  Tomorrow is my 1 Month Follow Up so I plan to explore many questions (and have written a list) with my tiredness and back to work being my first two questions to tackle.

May 27, 2013 – Day 32 Recovery

Monday, one of my least happy days since surgery but likely not related to surgery at all, more related to people around me and their choices.  Tired again (but this time it was likely due to being up at 2am to deal with some issues) yet I had to have my “game face” on for the foster parent 2hr meeting I was hosting today.  I had to have a nap in the afternoon after feeling so exhausted and after tried more of my “London Broil” but up it came again so I guess that’s on my current “no-no” food list.  Parenting exhausted too as my one foster son who has aspergers and struggles in many areas, was obsessing over his new laptop and time with it and new games which all became my parenting burden as his ability to follow routines and such seemed to be only a fleeting thought.  I guess what they say about life not slowing down for us when we want or need it to is true!

May 26, 2013 – EXACTLY 1 MONTH SINCE SURGERY – Day 31 Recovery

Today was Kirk’s STAG party and my pom pom girlies over craft party.  Tired again today, so much so I felt that I mixed my words and was slow in my thoughts as well.  I did do a few things before these two big events but nothing hugely physical to explain the tiredness?

Today was a grazing on food day (which is frowned upon) but came with the territory of having snacks out and no meals planned.  By grazing for me, that meant in the span of about 5 hours, I had about 10 ritz crackers each with some cream cheese on them.  By bed I was starving (as the 10 crackers had been my only food for the day) so I cooked a “London broil” (a circle of hamburger wrapped with steak – umm protein) but it wouldn’t stay in my stomach, first throwing up in a little bit.  No worries, this is still going to happen as long as it’s not a 3 day adventure.

Happy for all the help and laughs, just as happy to head to bed as I was so tired all day!

May 25, 2013 – Day 30 Recovery

Saturday, up before everyone and out doing yard work, first low key by riding the lawn tractor then I build up the desire to be more physical and hands on by getting my herb garden back in order with a ton of weed pulling and mulching.  I spent 3-4hrs at this then the rest of the day was more low key, driving around for errands and out for dinner with Kirk.  Shockingly I wasn’t as tired as I might have expected with how my morning started but certainly still not my old self still.  All meals are continuing to agree with me and for the most part I’m eating soft (generally normal) foods but of course still baby amounts but still struggling with the gap of time you’re supposed to leave between eating and drinking.  I plan to question my nurse at my follow up about this so I can understand the thinking behind it.

May 24, 2013 – Day 29 Recovery

Super duper tired day today and with no projects on the go.  Up early (in the snow and some hail we got in late MAY!) to drive Mikey to the Canada’s Wonderland bus then home and rested.  Ran some things to a friend, bank appointment and grocery store and that took enough out of me that I napped from 4:30 until 6:30.  This was one of my most tired days, even compared to the first week after surgery.  I’m getting a little worried about my work return mixed with my exhaustion and struggles that have been not so much “the norm” of recovery.  I guess I’ll get more answers next Wednesday.

All day headache today and it’s become clearer to be that any NSAID’s and ASA’s are not allowed, that is essentially all pain meds.  I’ve done some googling and found out that Tylenol is “ok” but still not ideal.  I have my one month check up in Ottawa Wednesday so I’m going to clarify.  I could only tolerate my headache for so long today before I needed something and broke down and took kids liquid Tylenol.

More pushing my luck with food (heck, we’re almost at the one month in mark) and had 1 chicken finger from the store (baked of course, not fried) and slowly ate and chewed away at it with no issues.  I could only get through 3/4 of one piece then 3/4 of an egg (hard boiled).

A friend has been struggling with the dreaded “THE EASY WAY OUT” accusation when her surgery choice gets brought up and it’s weighing on my mind.  First, THANK YOU to my friends and family for (so far) never saying this to me.  Second, please have a read of the link attached if the thought has even crossed your mind.  From my experience I can say there are a FEW “IT’S EASY” parts only in one area and that’s a temporary thing – to not have to work out like others might, but the lack of work out is partly due to healing and Dr’s orders right now (although I have done some purposeful exercise activities outside of my usual busy life demands).  BUT, worrying about what to eat, calorie/protein/sugar counts, how much, what texture, when to add water and not to forget vitamins and how that list of items could with huge impact damage my freshly stitched new “pouch”.  I’ve almost been re-hospitalized twice since April 26th and have had enough experience with vomiting that I think I deserve an “expert” award.  I’ve had to deal with nausea for a 26hr stretch then on and off, sharp shoulder gas pains (odd place eh!), washroom worries and all of those things may not subside.  No pop or anything carbonated for fear of pouch damage, very few pain med options for the rest of my life, no caffeine, no grease or high sugar (not that I’m complaining about that) and if I cheat in any of these areas, my body will punish me in ways I won’t want to cope with (which in itself is good motivation to stay on track).  After the first 2 years I’ve heard it can get harder.  Loosing can be somewhat “EASY” but I use that word loosely and with caution because I’m fairly certain most people wouldn’t want to contend with the list above but maintaining after the 2 year mark gets harder.  So the best of luck to people whom can loose weight the “normal” way with less food intake mixed with increase physical exercise, but that wasn’t me.  If that works, you in fact have some “EASY” strategies that in fact I didn’t.  I’m being a bit unfair to call “normal” “EASY” too as I think neither option is easy.  I still follow essentially all of the elements of the “normal weight loss” route but mixed with the life long surgery implications around food/vitamins/carbonation/alcohol/pain meds and numerous other complications etc., because of my choice.  I wish I could just alter eating and increase exercise without the list of “extra’s” to have to contend with.  If you go backwards in my blog to my very first, I detail there why the “normal” weight loss route wasn’t possible for me.

http://www.obesityaction.org/educational-resources/resource-articles-2/weight-loss-surgery/1973-2 Check out this link

May 23, 2013 – Day 28 Recovery

Successful food day again today! I find myself not feeling FULL at the end of eating which worries me as I pre-assumed that this would be my guideline or coach of sorts to know how much to pile into my stomach BUT I do feel a different feeling that is like the step before the uncomfortable FULL feeling that I’m listening to and stopping.  I also get confused because I can eat 4 tsp bites of something and know it’s enough and another time I can eat a cup of something (I guess if I think back, the cup of something is usually eaten slower).  I just NEVER want to go backwards or over do it and be sure I’m focusing on adopting my new cues and habits.  I think for the most part it’s working (by it I mean the eating routine and cues), just not always the way the professionals (whom haven’t had this done) describe it.  I don’t avoid mentioning my weight on purpose but it fluctuates so I wait until it’s settled on a number or gone down and not risen again.  I’m now 261lbs, down from 300lbs = 39lbs.  About 15lbs of that was pre surgery, 24lbs after surgery.  I don’t see it very much except a bit in my face and I do know that my clothes wear different.  I’ve been able to come down one clothing size and have bought bins to pack up to sell some of my already too large clothes 🙂

More wedding focus (yeah, my brain is on track to where I want it to be) and gardening focus today.  Still struggling with tiredness so I listen to my body and take breaks and even a nap if I need to (like today).  My pictures are my accomplishments for the day!

May 22, 2013 – Day 27 Recovery

Very tired day! I’m always up at 7am with the boys and then move on with my day but today I could hardly open my eyes and certainly couldn’t keep them open after the boys left. 10:30 was my final awake but still tired start to the day time.

Another focus on wedding today as we price compared chair rentals and chair cover rentals as well as visited a travel agent for honeymoon options.
I might be pushing my luck a bit, especially after my scary no food weekend but I am eating now some soft foods well chewed like small pieces of chicken, a warm ceaser salad which made the lettuce be soft and a bean soup. ALL WITH NO ISSUES!

My evening project was wedding too so my ability to focus better must be improving! Prior to the last few days my brain has felt since surgery like its unmotivated, in a fog and forgetful. Sometimes like with some yard projects I push past it but its coming more naturally now. My “Lewy” helped with my wedding project!

May 21, 2013 – Day 26 Recovery

Still on an upswing with the tummy troubles not bothering me any more.  I’ve even pushed my luck a tiny bit with well chewed soft food.  I decided to try out the stationary bike too today and lasted 15 minutes and really only got up because it hurt my butt more than lost the ability to physically continue.  One of my biggest worries is hoping that my extra skin will tighten up as weight leaves and my legs are my current focus (next will be arms).

Kirk, my bestie Erin and I went to RoseHips (florist) where in February I won $1000 worth of wedding flowers and today we went to plan all of our floral wedding needs! Exciting stuff and we’ve seemed to maybe push past the $1000 freebee amount but even if we pay a few hundred more, it’s still savings! We certainly spoiled ourselves with some extra floral requests that, had we been paying 100% ourselves, we never would have indulged in!  We came home and finalized a guest list and made a second budget (my computer crashed a few months ago and we lost our first list).  We’ve also had our contact person, Brad, call back who rents the horse pulled 12 seated wagon too and that’s booked too!  I think it’s a good sign that I’m feeling well enough for this focus (which surprisingly, I haven’t recently had the desire to tackle).

May 20, 2013 – Day 25 Recovery

Happily, everything I put in, stayed in today.  I only pushed water and pureed food on myself but since that exact food was rejected for 2.5 days, I was thrilled to have that same food be agreeable now! Maybe no trip to Ottawa after all!  I’m still feeling that it was something literally stuck that finally dislodged (although that seems so odd) OR the meds I had lessened taking because my need for them seemed done (I guess that’s why I’m not a DR eh!).

I shouldn’t be surprised, but I was very lethargic today, unlike I’ve felt before.  I felt motivated to do things outside with Kirk (paint the fence and pressure wash) but I had to take many breaks between my activities and Oreo (my Newfy) kept me in line!  I didn’t mind but I’m not used to my body feeling this way.  Of course it’s had no food since Thursday but the gravy food train started back up last night but obviously hadn’t made up for the lack of food I guess.

‘Overall, a bit of a stressful weekend but got lots accomplished and had a good meal with friends yesterday and my bipolar stomach is on an upswing now so happy Victoria Day weekend after  all!