| Tuesday, October 30, 2001 My stoma closed up again, shortly after my last post. So I had a third stoma dilation with a larger balloon. Since then I have had no more trouble with my stoma trying to heal closed. However, I still throw up my food on occasion...when I eat certain foods (especially ground meats). I can eat a steak though. Some day, the same food that agreed with me the day before, causes me to throw up. There is just no consistency in it. I'm sure it will improve in the future. The urge to throw up diminishes each day. My depression is gone, and I'm feeling stronger now. I am totally grateful that I had this surgery. To date, I have lost down to 229 from 322...a total loss of 93 pounds!! During the doctor's photography of my stomach, it was discovered that the lining in my esophagus had been eaten away through the years due to acid reflux disease. He said that the surgery may have saved my life, as often cancer and other diseases can result from cronic acid reflux. My energy level is great...my libedo has returned...I do not snore anymore...I sleep better...my hips don't hurt...I'm buying new clothes (the downside :-)...I can put my socks and shoes on with great ease...I bend over to pick up stuff off the floor EASILY now...the list goes on. Another downside is the harrassment that I get from my male co-workers, teasing me about having no butt, calling me "skinny," and telling me that I need a smaller hat! You just can't win....it was not 5 months ago, that they were teasing me about being FAT! LOL Another great burden is that women want me. ha ha Tuesday, July 17, 2001 It has been a while since I wrote in this journal, but I haven't felt much like writing. Several weeks ago, my stoma closed up. I started feeling nausea and was vomiting. At the time I didn't realize what the problem was.....I called Dr. Billy and he re-admitted me to the hospital. They put a camera down into my pouch and saw the problem and used a balloon to open up (dilate) my stoma. I felt better for a few days, but shortly began to feel the nausea again. I was sick and throwing up for about a week and a half. I had a doctor's appt. to have a dilation again, last night, and now I'm feeling GREAT. The nausea has stopped and I can eat and drink again. Before this second dilation, I had not been eating much at all and was getting weak. I am hoping that this solves the problem and it does not return. Since the surgery, June 11th, I have lost 52 pounds. One of the problems that I've had during this time period, especially when sitting at home, is depression. On several occasions, I have even sat and cried. I know this is a temporary thing from reading about other's experiences after this surgery. During the last couple of weeks, I have even felt like I wished I had not had the surgery, but knowing it would get better, kept me going. Even with the small amount of weight I have lost so far, I believe it is worth it. Since my dear wife has had the surgery, it helps me to know what to expect.....good and bad. I'm really looking forward to regaining my strength and energy. Monday, June 20, 2001 Well, It is done. I have gone on to "the other side". I would like to thank everyone who prayed for me. Your prayers were truly felt. On Monday June eleventh Joyce and I went to the Sutter Roseville Hospital and were greeted by Patricia, Dr. Billy's assistant. She sat with us and helped me get admitted. Shortly there after, I was looking up into the operating room lights and the eyes of my anesthesiologist. I felt at peace, owing a lot of that to your prayers, my faith in God and the skill levels of those who were to operate. After I awoke I was in a lot of pain and my stomach was distended. At first Dr. Billy thought there might be a twisted intestine or a blockage. After many X-rays it was concluded that it was gas and the appropriate medication was dispensed which relieved the symptoms slightly. I discovered that walking really helped and so the nurses got used to seeing me walking the halls of the hospital at all hours, day and night. Other than the gas, my pain level was never very high. On Wednesday, June 13th I was able to start taking Broth, Jello and water. I was supposed to have been released from the hospital on Thursday. Dr. Billy decided to keep me an extra day to monitor the painful gas problem I was released from the hospital on Friday to the care of my loving wife. Joyce had rented a recliner for me to have a place to sleep in the hotel room (we had to stay in Roseville until Monday to see Dr. Billy). I could not have slept laying down. I continued with the liquid diet. On Monday Dr. Billy released me to go home. I went into surgery weighing 322 and on the following Monday was down to 313. Wednesday, June 20, 2001 Today is the 12th day since the surgery and I feel wonderful. I have been walking about � mile to one mile per day. Today was my best yet with a total of 2 miles. My total weight loss so far is 27 pounds. I have eaten some soups that I put in the blender and then heated up. It was good. Tonight I tried some cottage cheese and it was good. The only problem I have had was I drank some protein drink too fast and it was a little painful. Monday, June 25, 2001 I reached one of my goals today, I was able to weigh myself on my wife's scale. It is digital and would not register at my old weight. As of this morning I have lost 34 pounds, 14 days! |
| John's Journal |