Successfully Sleeved!

"Where are you going on your vacation?" Asked the anesthesiologist as he pressed the mask against my face.
"Somewhere near the beach...maybe Hawwwaaaaiiii or...." Then I was asleep.

The next thing I remembered, I was waking up in my room on the third floor. My pain wasn't too bad. Except my stomach looked like someone beat me with a baseball bat. I stayed one night in the hospital. Tyler got to stay overnight with me on the fold out couch. I had no problems getting my fluids in and keeping them down. I passed my leak test Tuesday morning and got the okay to be discharged later that afternoon as long as I was able to meet my hydration needs.

Really the whole thing is still a blur. I remember walking the halls feeling stoned from the morphine.  I remember thinking I was at home when I was really still in the hospital. I guess that's what happens when you work there.  My RN's and CNA's were so sweet to me. I hope I didn't cause them too much trouble. I got myself in trouble for going into areas that are for Employees only. Like the linen room and pantry. When I got caught, I was all "but I am an employee!" lol Bad patient. It was a weird feeling being the patient instead of the nurse.

I wish Tyler would have hidden my cell phone from me for the first two nights. I was sending some bizarre texts to my friends and family. My vision was blurry from the Scopolamine patch so I couldn't proof read anything before I sent it. The blurry vision coupled with autocorrect on my iPhone made for some hilarious texts that made absolutely no sense. Now I know why everyone I texted kept telling me to get some sleep.

As far as my diet goes, I am drinking 2oz of protein drink over 30 mins and 2oz of water over 30 mins. Unless I'm sleeping, I need to constantly be sipping on water or protein. I have a follow up appointment with my surgeon on July 3rd and hopefully at that point he'll advance me to pureed foods.  The coolest thing so far is that I am not hungry! That's all for now. Tootles!


Natalie

Willpower. Testing, Testing, 1-2-3-4---10

Liquids, liquids, and more liquids!
This is only day 2 of the 10 day liquid diet.
I am so uncomfortable!
I am so hungry!
I am so grumpy!
I feel so bad for my hubby...

Shopping at Costco yesterday was scary. Not for me, but scary for the customers who would stop right in front of me, leave their cart in the middle of the isle, and go to the sample stand. I had to fight the urge to run them over! I was so angry with them for getting in my way. Angry for leaving their fat cart in my way when all I wanted to do was buy my sugar free jello and my protein drinks and get the heck out of there! It was so frustrating to be stalled by these people. The not hungry version of Natalie would have patiently waited in line behind them and moved along when my turn came. Hungry Natalie is a completely different person. My glare seared through their chomping faces as I passed them by. They were my enemy. Tempting me to veer from my predetermined path. I survived Costco and so did the unsuspecting, evil sample eating jerks...I mean customers. That was yesterday.

Today was a little easier. I was still annoyed by every little thing this morning but I managed to change my attitude after some quality time with my mom. I'm beginning to realize that being uncomfortable is okay and that I will live through it.  I got this fat by comforting myself with food and by avoiding activities that made me uncomfortable.

1. I'm uncomfortable at church. This is why I haven't gone in a while. Disclaimer: This is purely me. This does not reflect on anyone at church at all. Whenever I go, I am always welcomed with open arms.
2. I'm uncomfortable at work (this is why I request LC's all the time). Working 12 hour shifts caring for the ill, as a morbidly obese girl is freaking back-breaking.
3. I'm uncomfortable going out. It's just embarrassing.

What am I going to do about it? I don't know yet. But I certainly hope that I can form a healthy relationship with all three of these things that I used to enjoy. Tyler is speaking in Sacrament meeting tomorrow so I am going to muster up some courage, put on the one skirt that fits me, and listen to my adorable husband speak.

I stumbled across this online today. It's good.

say what?

So umm, did I say I was deactivating my Facebook account? I don't remember that. I was told not to make any serious, life changing, or financial decisions for 24 hours after having my EGD because of the Fentanyl and Versed lingering in my system. Oops! They should add deleting social networking memberships to their list of things to be mindful of until the drugs wear off. Haha! Sorry for disappearing, Facebook friends. But no worries, I'm back on.

By the way, June 24th is my surgery day! I just found out today. So excited! And nervous. But mostly excited. The 10 day pre-op liquid diet begins on June 14th. I've been told the first three days are really difficult but then it gets better. The purpose of the liquid diet is to shrink the liver and reduce abdominal pressure. This reduces the risk of having to convert to an open procedure.
Here's a look of what this next month looks like for me:

June 10th: Pre-op blood work and chest x-ray
June 14th: Begin 10 day liquid diet
June 20th: Pre-op appointment with my surgeon
June 24th: Surgery
June 26th: Home
July 3th:    Post-op appointment

Did I mention that there are about a half a dozen birthdays in the family during my liquid diet phase? This may be a bit tricky.

Well, that's all for now. Tootles.


Natalie