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July 18, 2006: The Day Before Surgery
Wow! I am numb! I can’t believe that the time has come so quickly. It’s like I am watching a movie. I can’t believe that it’s ME that is having the surgery tomorrow. I will be glad when it is over so I can start this new journey to normalcy. God is so good! This past week on this pre-op diet went fast, and without much real hunger. HE took that away, and I am trusting HIM to get me through tomorrow and all the days that follow. Praise the Lord!
July 19, 2006: Surgery Complete - I Am A “LOSER”!
This has been a very, very trying week. In the day’s prior to surgery I had to deal with a bout of very painful GOUT! Then a postate infection with a lot of trouble urinating.
Surgery went well, and that’s when my problems started. In the recovery room I developed an arrhythmia, an “A Ventricular Fibrillation” which is serious. My heart rate dropped to under 20 bpm and my heart waves were all over the place. They were finally able to resolve it and bring my heart back into a normal rhythm. They said that this could be from the stress of the surgery. Then I could not urinate, so they inserted a Foley Catheter which is no fun at all. Before they would discharge me, I had to urinate on my own. After trying for hours, I managed a small trickle. They discharged me reluctantly.
July 21, 2006:
During the night, I again could not urinate and had to go to a local Emergency Room when the pain became really horrible. They inserted another Foley Catheter which is still in, and will remain until I visit the urologist on Thursday - about 1-week! Tests showed that I have a postate infection in a very enlarged postrate. The anesthesia also can irritate the postrate, so all of these factors contributed to the problem. Hopefully they will resolve so I can urinate on my own again soon. And these things we just take for granted!!
July 23, 2006:
4-Days Out! This is the first day I can say I feel a bit better. The pain and gas in my stomach is remarkable better. I am having trouble getting my meds down in the AM because I fill up so fast. This morning I had 2 teaspoons of applesauce and 3 oz. of tomato just to get the meds down and it filled me up. I have no hunger or appetite at all! Unbelieveable!!
July 26, 2006: The Nightmare Continues . . .
7-days out! Have been feeling very weak and light headed, and my catheter is soooo annoying. I called the surgeon and he advised me to go straight to the emergency room at North Shore Medical Center in Manhasset. They admitted me immediately for severely dehydration.
July 27, 2006:
8-days out! After several IV bags of fluid to rehydrate me, they took out my Foley catheter to see if I would be able to urinate on my own. I was, but not great! They released me at about 4PM.
5:30PM - Got home, and again could not urinate. The pain was incredible! My urologist was able to see me immediately on an emergency basis. They reinserted the Foley catheter. My bladder had twice what it should have been able to normally hold. That explained the horrible pain. An appointment was made for next Thursday for a bladder cystiscope and an ultrasound of my postrate to determine the best course of treatment . . . surgery, laser or microwave.
July 29, 2006:
I am finally able to get down enough fluids to keep myself hydrated. My postrate is very sore and this Foley leg bag is the pits, but, with God’s help, I will get through this. A few ounces of thin purees and shakes has me feeling like I ate a huge meal. Food is not the main focus of my life any more, praise the Lord!
August 3, 2006: - More Bad News!
I just came back from the urologist, had a cystoscope and a sonogram of my postrate, and I need surgery, soon, if I every want to urinate normally again. I will be having the surgery on 8/21 in Huntington Hospital, and God willing, I will only be there for 3-days. God is good!
My appetite is starting to come back, but I have only been able to get in about 1000 calories a day. I know I need more for my body to lose weight. Who would of ever thought I would have to be concerned about not eating enough. Talk about miracles!!
August 21, 2006: - And The Beat Goes On!
Just when I thought everything would start going smoothly, there is another “bump in the road”! Today, I went into Huntington Hospital for my long awaited postate resection surgery. They started the IV, took me to the OR, put me to sleep, and I woke up in the Recovery Room thinking it was all over. Then the surgeon comes in and tells me he could not do the procedure. He said that my urethra was exceptionally long, and the instrument he needed to do the resection was not long enough. There is a proper instrument, but it is not a “stock” item in the hospital. So, he has to order this instrument and reschedule my surgery. He said this should take 2 or 3 weeks. So in effect, I went through surgery for nothing and still have a Foley catheter.
Of course I am disappointed, but apparently God had other plans, and He knows what is best for me. The surgeon said there was a chance he might have been able to get by with the usual instrument, but once this is started, it must continue. He said that a good surgeon must know when to operate and when not to. I am glad he exercised caution. On a positive note, I handled the anesthesia well and did not have an arrhythmia this time. PTL!
August 21, 2006: Today’s The Day!
I went in at 6:30 AM for my postate surgery. Woke up in recovery, and YES, they actually got it done this time. More bumps in the road! Another arrhythmia, which they handled, PTL! Hurting pretty good, lots of pressure and bleeding like a stuck pig. The surgeon told me that the procedure took twice as long as normal because of abnormal bleeding.
Became severely constipated. Did not go in 6-days. They gave me Milk of Magnesia with no results. Then a 10 oz bottle of Magnesium Citrate with again no result. Then a second bottle of Magnesium Citrate, and finally success
September 1, 2006: Going Home!
It has been a rough week, but today I can go home . . . with the catheter!! That will come out this coming week, God willing, for good. Still some discomfort and plenty of postate spasms, but I am off the pain meds, especially the morphine.
While in the hospital, I got a consult with De. Ellstein, a hand specialist regarding the pain and swelling in my right hand. He took x-rays and told me the arthritus is very advanced and I need to follow-up with him once I get out of the hospital. Another bump in the road! Oy! When will it stop?
September 2, 2006: I am having severe lower back pain that radiates to the pelvis area. It feels like a muscular thing, like a sprain or pull, rather that an infection, etc. I was up all night because I could not get into a position where there was no pain. I don’t think it is surgery related.. I will try a heating pad today to see if I can get some relief. Almost no blood in the urine and the spasms seem less frequent. Could I actually be healing? God is good!
September 5, 2006: My back pain is almost gone, thank God! I am going tomorrow to have the catheter removed for god, I pray! I have been having terrible spasms and trouble with this catheter.
January, 12 2008: I can’t believe it’s been 1 1/2 years already since my surgery! I haven’t kept written here in a very long time, because I have been busy living my new life! I no longer focus on the pain and discomfort of living, but rather enjoy every day to the fullest doing things that “normal” people do without discomfort and feeling like an outcast in society because of my size and weight. This has been some journey, and it’s still going. If you are a “newbie”, hang on, because it’s quite a ride, and you are gonna love it! Many blessing!
December, 13 2008: I have neglected posting here for a long time. Bad, bad, bad! I promise to be better. I have been at a stand still for the last several months because my port is leaking saline. When I go for a fill, they fill it to my sweet-spot which is 7.5 cc’s. I get great restriction and immediate start losing weight at a great rate. In only a few weeks, I start losing restriction, can eat more, and the weight loss stops, or I gain back a couple of pounds. At every fill, I am missin between .5 and 1.0 cc’s of saline. This small amount os aline is the difference between great restriction and poor restriction. My surgeon has agreed to replace my port which will be done in mid-Jan . . . after the holidays. God willing, this will enable me to lost the last 50 lbs. I am currently down about 185 lbs. from my all time high. Have a blessed Christmas all!
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