Staying in the hospital this weekend

I'll not be going home today, but rather will stay in the hospital this weekend and be here on Monday for my next surgery. This ensures that I will be hydrated when I go in for the surgery and will have the best chance for a good outcome. The surgery will be mid morning on Monday. It should last 1-3 hours. They may not have to open me up all the way again. All good news. The recovery is supposed to be 3-5 days.

Life is indeed good!

Jennie

New surgery planned

Well, the latest is that I will be going in for surgery to remove (or Take down) my oscomy bag on Monday. The dye job showed no leaks in my new setup. I'm still VERY concerned about keeping hydrated, since even on the maximum amount of meds, I'm putting out too much liquid.

I may be going home on Friday, then return on Monday for the procedure. The writeup on the takedown surgery says 3-5 days recovery at the hospital, so by all accounts, I'll be home for good by the end of next week. Aren't I just the optimistic one!

I'd like to thank all of you for your calls, visits, notes and prayers. It has meant a lot to me. I'll keep y'all up to date on my progress through this blog.

Feel the love,

Jennie

Talked to the doctor....

I talked to my surgeon this afternoon. He wants to pump some dye into me to see if there are any leaks in his new creation, and if not, he will schedule my take down surgery for next week. I'm apprehensive, but what the hell. ;)

The dye job will be either Wednesday or Thursday. I can see the reasoning behind it. I'm just a bit gun-shy.

On the good news side, I'm hydrating right up.... I talk normally, instead of that weird voice I took on when I was so dehydrated. I feel like I have a bit of the old me back. I just wish the nausea or acid stomach would go away. The doctor thinks it's because I'm grossed out by my oscomy bag. What an idiot. (oops... fill that in with something more politically correct. I just can't in my current mindset.)

Jen_girl

Back in the hospital, AGAIN.....

Well, I'm back in the hospital again. I came in last night around 7:00. I'd lost 16 pounds since I left the hospital Thursday a week ago, but 10 of those pounds were the fluids they had pumped into me during my stay. Not good. In fact, the not goods, keep mounting. This morning the resident on duty told me they are thinking about doing the take down operation while I'm here in the hospital this time. For those of you scratching your heads, the take down refers to the removal of my ilioscomy bag and the reconnection of my intestine to my new anus. Now I know a lot of you have been lobbying for that, but I have great trepidation when it comes to the next phase. Could that be because I've read a lot of studies from other hospitals siting quality of life issues after the take down operation... Duh!!!

Whatever.

My phone number at the hospital is 966-3514. I stopped using my cell phone because I got a bill for $250 for the month of January.

For right now, I'm not a happy camper, but I'm still aware how very lucky I am so the happiness quotient will rise again as soon as I quit whining.

Hugs,

Jennie

I'm going home tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The doctor came by today and told me that after I finish the 4 bags of potassium I need to take in my IV, I am done here. That means sometime tomorrow, I'm out of here.... I can't wipe the smile off my face!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh happy day.....

Jennie

Still in the hospital....

Well, for all of you who wonder why I haven't returned your message on my home answering machine, news flash.. I haven't been ignoring you.... I just haven't been home yet. I'm still in the hospital. I may be going home Friday. God, I hope so!!!!

Jennie

Back in the hospital, sucking down fluids thru the IV

I got all settled in to a new room at the hospital late last night. Apparently lots of folks choose to have elective surgery at the beginning of the new year. They are expecting me to stay for 2-3 days. That kind of put a wrench in the works for Barb Perrin to come stay with me, but she may come East on Wednesday.

The good news is that since I've been having the IV, I'm no longer dizzy when I try to get up, and I don't get the blood rushing head aches. Life is better!

Did I mention that Patty Kirkley got the Saint of the week award during my stay? I won't gross y'all out by telling you why, but rest assured, she deserved it!!!! Both Patty and Ken were wonderful hosts. I felt TOTALLY pampered and spoiled! I could get use to this!!!!!

Hugs,

Jennie