A MONTH OF MY LIFE LOST

My first day out of ICU 4/21/13

My first procedure in Mumbai was done laparoscopically. My second required that I get cut from the top of my stomach to the bottom.

I had 2 drainage bulbs, a G tube and a 

feeding tube

I don't know what all had to be done but I do know that my husband told me that the surgeon told him that it took multiple surgeons to piece me back together and that my intestines were a mess and that the bottom of my stomach had closed up and that is why I couldn't hold anything down. 

APRIL 23rd 2013 {FB}

Yea!,,, got my very first Popsicle today, spoke with the kids for quite awhile, and had visitors... simple pleasures , can be so sweet. Happy girl

APRIL 26TH {FB}

Still on a feeding tube and walking around all hooked up like the bionic woman but still Improving. PAIN, PAIN, PAIN, YEAH I GOT IT!!!!!! Got put on the full clear liquid diet today. Did o.k. just going to take some practice. So happy hubby has started coming over to walk with me to help my healing come along. Earlier today I was told there was no ballpark as to when I may get to go home but later this evening when James and Nick were here the doc said as long as I keep progressing I maybe home by next Friday (no promises) but its at least goal to work toward. I still thank god everyday that I let James talk me into going to the ER. Chances are I wouldn't even be typing this had I not. OH YEAH AND A BIG THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO JUST BUSTED OUT OF THE WOODWORK AND TOOK THE TIME TO COME SEE ME. Ok I'ma stop so I don't get mushy but again you know who all you are and you mean a lot to me for just setting aside time for me.

April 27th 2013 {FB}

Another tube removed this morning. Still not the 2 I wish were gone but doc says they will more than likely be staying put till the day I leave. Breakfast of watered down grits wasn't to appealing but the cream of chicken soup this afternoon has so far been the winner of what I have been able to eat...well other than water, water, and more water. I'm getting to point that I think I really hate my veins. Its becoming a daily thing now where they are having to find a new one...curse you thin rolling uncooperative veins of trouble. Walking a bit more each day and getting my strength back.

27TH

Almost off the pain pump. Taking pain meds by mouth but still hooked up to the pump in case a little extra is needed. Feeding tube will be shut OFF tonight and disconnected. I cant believe how excited I am. So close to going home. Being a good girl and doing what I'm told. Thanks for all the prayers He is awesome!!!

27TH

It doesn't matter how I hold my belly or the pillow over it. Every time I sneeze I feel like its gonna blow wide open..lol

APRIL 29th 2013 {FB}

All these steps forward I've been taking and yesterday I have been pushed back the big green tube has been reconnected. Doc says its not a bad thing. Sometimes you gotta take a couple steps back to take more steps forward.

MAY 1st 2013 {FB}

As of last night I'm all most completely disconnected from everything. All that is left are my 2 tiny drainage bulbs.

1ST

Taking me back for another ct scan around noon. Looking for possible blockage, kink, or a part too narrow. Praying I won't have to be reopened. This is my only hurdle to overcome before getting to go home.

1ST

Results are a bit bittersweet. On the pro side everything looks good just swollen. On the con side, since the swelling is still so much they are reconnecting me to the feeding tube and so on and cutting out my oral intake for now.

MAY 7th 2013 {FB}

Even though I'm still going to  have a feeding tube and a g tube doc says I'm finally going to get to go home either tomorrow or Thursday!!!!!!!!!!!! Have to get a home health nurse set up to get me prepared to live a home with these tubes till I'm healed enough to have them disconnected. It's been a long painful month but I'm getting better and better as the days go by. Looking forward to the brighter days ahead. And again thanks again for the over flow of prayers for healing and a speedy recovery. Even though we have had to back track a tad I'm still getting better at a pretty speedy rate considering all that has been done.

MAY 9th 2013 {FB}

I broke down and cried for the first time today. Today was supposed to be THE day. I was finally supposed to go home and be with my family. But since I woke up sick and dry heaving the doc had no choice but to refuse my leaving. I cant even find the words to best explain how much I miss my family or just the feeling of home. I'm going to stay strong but it's starting to affect me just a tad more each day.

MAY 10TH 2013 {FB}

Doing a little happy dance. The doctor said I can go home today!!!! They are working on my discharge papers now and I'm keeping my fingers crossed I don't get sick.

SOMETHINGS JUST NOT RIGHT

    I can honestly say 2013 has not been my best year.  I have been through so much that I can't remember all that happened. I have to refer back to Facebook posts of what was going on and go from there to tell my story of what happened next.

I was so excited to be leaving India on April 14th and the thought of finally having my kids in my arms in my arms again. It had been the first time I had every really been away from them (one or 2 nights with their dad doesn't count in my eyes and that was even few and far between) and even more so it was the first time James and I had been apart for more than 12 hours in 11 years. So it was a big thing for all of us. 

APRIL 14th 2013

We left the hospital with smiles on our faces and butterflies in our bellies. We had 20 hours till we arrived home but we were ready. Our hospital rep dropped us off in front of the airport and left. Thank goodness someone there understood us and directed us on where to go to check in with a tip of course. I was feeling a bit quizzy so the airport staff had me wheeled around in a wheelchair. I was pretty much o.k. till we got to security. The security lady was not nice at all and she wanted to know why I was holding my side. I tried to explain to her that I had just had surgery and that I was in pain and then she jobbed my incision with her metal detector. When I cringed in pain she made my lift my shirt to show her what was there and had me pull the bandage to the side. I had never felt so violated and helpless. After going through all that she wasn't done then I had to dig through my bag to show her my medical flight clearance papers so that I could board the plane.

From security I was wheeled to the lounge to wait for time to board. From the moment I got poked I because extremely nauseous and very faint feeling. Once on the plane I figured I would try to sleep the whole flight and wake in Germany feeling better. WRONG... The sick feeling never left it actually got worse. I had to keep running to the bathroom to be sick. I couldn't hold any water down, the flight had not clear liquid diet. By the time we got to Germany I was so weak I felt like fainting. No one ever came with a wheelchair so Jennifer helped me walk from on end of the airport to the other to find our lounge so that she could get me a wheelchair. I don't know what I would have done without her. She was such a blessing to have with me. I continued trying to drink but it came up as soon as it went down. I ended up paying $22 american money for a bowl of chicken soup hoping the broth would help sooth my stomach or at least give me the feeling that I had something in it. I was able to get 3 spoonfuls down but like the water it didn't stay. We had a six hour layover this time and it seemed to take days.

My first $22 bowl of soup. to bad I couldn't enjoy it

   We boarded our final flight to go home. By the time the plane took off I had gotten so weak that I couldn't even get up to go to the restroom. I used the sick bags and just rolled to one side whenever I got sick (thank goodness I had a window seat). I prayed the whole flight that god would let me live till I got home. I honestly thought I was not going to make it home alive. I cried to myself trying to hide so that others couldn't see me. Jennifer did her best to help but there was nothing she could do. All I wanted was the feeling to go away and to hold my kids and tell them that I loved them. We finally made it to Charlotte and I was so weak and sick that I couldn't even express how happy I was.

APRIL 15th 2013

After getting our bags and going through security for the last time Jennifer wheeled me to where my Husband was waiting. Just seeing the huge smile on his face made me cry even more. But his smile faded very fast and his expression turned to fear.

He told me right off that I looked very unhealthy and that I needed to go to the hospital but being the stubborn girl that I am I refused. I wanted to go home and see my kids. I tried still to hydrate on the hour long ride home and as before nothing was working. I didn't get the give the big hugs and hear all the "welcome home" shouts live I had envisioned  instead I was welcomed with expressions of fear and concern on my family's faces at seeing the shape I was in. I told my husband that I was just dehydrated and jet lagged and that after a good nights sleep in my own bed I would be good as new in the morning.

Just like the few times before I was wrong. I slept maybe an hour and was up in so much pain. (oh yeah I failed to mention that the doctor had sent me home with absolutely NOTHING for pain) I went in the living room to sit on the couch so that I wouldn't wake James and worry him. Nothing I tried would stay down.

FACEBOOK POSTS

April 18th 2013

*For those who don't already know. Hubby had to rush me to the ER yesterday. Got very sick during our plane ride home that wouldn't get any better. Doc says I've developed a blockage. Was admitted to room 607. Possible emergency surgery today.

*Spoke to soon. Was just informed surgery scheduled for 12:30 this afternoon.

APRIL 20th 3013 {James's Update}

Checking in for my wife. She is at Catawba ICU Room 511. Don't know when she will be moving. Had to rush her to the ER the day after she got off the plane. Thought she was dehydrated and needed iv fluids. It took 2 surgeons and emergency surgery. She is getting better every day and will have a feeding tube for a few months. The kids can keep everyone updated. ICU 511 and will be moved to 607 when she gets out ICU.

APRIL 21st 2013

It's summer here, finally. I, m not 100% on what happened to me. I can only tell what I know. I had a wonderful trip to India. Was doing ok with little nausea here and there. I was up walking and feeling fine the day we were to leave. I had even done an interview with The Wallstreet Journal. At the airport in India I started feeling queasy it didn't help matters when then the lady with the metal detector jobbed it into my wound and when i cringed she demanded to see it and my authorization papers to board the flight. I must figured I needed to up my water intake most of all. which I did. Although I had been told by the hospital there would be a special diet for me (since I was on a clear liquid diet only) I shortly found out flights DO NOT have any liquid diets period. I tried to keep as much water as I could in me during that 8hr flight. By the time we reached Germany I felt like I could have

blacked out and went to the lounge to relax. I found a little bistro in Germany and bought a cup of soup in hopes that would somewhat tide me over till hit Charlotte 11 hours later. Although my $22 bowl of soup amazing it was still not I needed. I gave it a true girl scout try. The entire trip back consisted of my rolling over and over trying to get comfortable whilst attempting to hydrate and not vomit. All was done in vain. I threw up 

The entire 11 hrs home and again on the ride in the back of Alex's truck. When James first saw me he wanted to take me to the ER but I told him I was needed some good ice cold water, a bed, and to get rid of this jet lag. I spend a very painful sleepless night. No water, not even protein shakes would stay down. I finally gave in and let him take me to the ER. After 3 bottles of iv fluids dehydration was ruled out and I was admitted into the hospital. That morning by noon I was being wheeled back into surgery and am now on my way to wonderful recovery. As to what happened I'm still kinda in the dark on the. The surgeon's (yes it took 3 surgeons) to fix what happened. I HAVE TO THANK GOD I'M STILL ALIVE AND THE CARING HUSBAND WHO WASN'T GONNA TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER... Happy to say I am out of ICU as of a couple hours ago and I'm now in room 619

Arriving in Mumbai- Facebook updates.

APRIL 4th 2013, 3 a.m.

Arrived in Mumbai India this morning at 1 a.m. Just spoke to the Dr. Today is going to be nothing but

 testing since I had some of my intestine removed a 

long time ago they are having to do exploratory testing to decide which surgery I will be having.

 If to much was removed I will be having the sleeve 

done. If I have enough I will be having the RNY. Surgery was pushed from the 4th to the 8th.

4 A.M.

Oh my gosh. 3 in the morning and it was wild. Cars, bikes, mo-peds, and people walking every where. Streets without marked lanes and our driver was driving 120 mph. no lie we saw the gauge  it took 30 minutes to get from the airport to the hospital driving like that. The hospital is gated with armed guards all around it. Not allowed to take any pictures at the hospital but will take one when we get to go.

women don't wear gowns in the hospital it was a top and bottom set, sadly their biggest size wasn't big enough for me to fit so I had to wear a pair of my sweat pants

6 p.m.

Just got back to my room. had 2 ct scans, and MRI, EKG, chest x-ray, lung exam and an echocariogram. been fasting all day and they have finally sent off for some soup for me. I am officially on a liquid only diet till after surgery. Can't wait to slurp down some soup then I'm going to try to crash. exhausted and missing home, family, fur-babies, and MY BED

My IV that had to stay in everyday of my stay except when I went sight seeing

April 5th 2013 6 a.m.

I finally got a little sleep for the first time since we arrived..YAY!! My stress and nerves have been so out of wack missing my family. Just when I thought all my test were done, they walk in to take blood out of my artery. OUCH!!! They took it out of my wrist and OH MY GAHHHHHHHHH!!!! but things are good and I believe we get to go site seeing today..YAY!! I miss you Vincent, Santana, Nick, James you guys are always on my mind. LOVE YOU!!!

The lovely bruise that started to form after having blood taken from my artery 

9 a.m.

Well crud I guess the tests aren't over. Fasting today for an endoscope later :? this stinks I really wanted to go sight seeing today. I guess they have to check everything. I have to say they are very through here.

8 p.m.

It's 8:25 in the PM here and we are just eating dinner. got all my test results back and this pudgy girl is fit as a fibble doctor say he has no reason to think that the surgery won't be a success. So excited to finally be able to go out and explore tomorrow!!!!! 3 more days till the big day!!!!! YAY!! but found out I''m going to be on a ventilator after surgery :? uhhh scary but i'll be fine.

April 6th 8 p.m.

Had an absolute awesome day out in India. Went to the Dr. Bhau Daji Land Mumbai City Museum, The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya Which was formerly known as the Prince of Wales Museum of Western History, an art museum  the zoo (YAY!!), Bollywood, The queens necklace, the hanging gardens, we saw the richest man in India's house, and we went to their mall for some shopping. and other stuff in the ragging heat!!!! Finally back going to take a shower slurp some soup and crash... I have some awesome pictures. Can't wait till I can post them

April 7th 2013 4:34 p.m.

They are prepping my for surgery. It's 4:34pm now and my surgery is first thing in the morning. Was doing good till they made me sign a consent in case I needed a blood transfusion and then told me I will be in ICU for a day. Can't even explain how I'm feeling right now. Praying everything goes without a hitch. LOVE YOU ALWAYS Vincent, Santana, Nick, James, Brandie Luu, B.G. Uncle Randy, Sailor, Kaylie, Lil Gerry, Taleia, lil Ben, Jody, Ellie, lil Jody you guys mean the world to me. I love all my family.

April 8th 5:49 a.m.

It's 5:49am Mumbai time. They just came in and woke me up. One hour give or take and it will be show time!!!!!!!!!! 0_0 I wish I could just hit a fast forward button and stop on tomorrow. LOVE YOU ALL!!! Jennifer will be coming on and posting updates for those following along

7 a.m. {Jennifer's updates}

they just took Summer down for surgery. they will be keeping me updated and i will go down to see her as soon as they allow me to. i will be keeping everyone informed.

10 a.m. {Jennifer's updates}

still no word that procedure is finished. said that it may take longer due to her having a portion of her intestines removed but they came in an hour ago and said things were good

12 p.m. { Jennifer's updates}

still no word that procedure is finished. said that it may take longer due to her having a portion of her intestines removed but they came in an hour ago and said things were good

1 p.m. {Jennifer's updates}

just spoke to nurse. they will let me know when she moves to icu and i will continue to update as soon as i hear anything

3 p.m. {Jennifer's updates}

Surgery is over she was in the recovery room and they have moved her to the ICU cannot see her yet.

4 p.m. {Jennifer's updates}

Just saw Summer and talked to the surgeon.
The surgery took a lot longer than expected because of her intestines. it took about two and a half hours
longer. she was in some pain but they are giving her plenty of meds. she should be able to come back to her room tomorrow but he said it may be the next day. she talked a little but was pretty much out of it. ill check back in with her tonight and post any new info.

 April 9th 10 a.m. {Jennifer's updates}

just saw summer and spoke to the docs this morning. she is in a little pain and they are taking her for another endoscopy in just a little bit. they will be removing her tube today at some point. she walked a little bit last night and they are going to have her walk some today after the test. she said her throat was the most sore thing but that will be better once the tube is removed. more updated to follow

April 10th 9 a.m. {Jennifer's update}

just brought her up. shes sleeping. tube still in and they said may be in til tomorrow for drainage

1 p.m.

they had her walk a little more a few minutes ago but shes still feeling nauseous  didn't have her do too much yet and said they will have her do more later. she is also allowed to drink a little water now but that's it

3 p.m.

she just walked a little again and is doing some circulation exercises. once tube is out tomorrow the nausea should go away. doc just left and said everything looks good. just to walk a little bit more

April 11th 10 a.m. {Jennifer's updates}

the tubes are still in. she walked some more this morning around the room. They had some trouble with the i v but they fixed that. Said the pain in her throat is worse than in her belly but that's still related to the tubes

3 p.m.

shes now allowed to have 30 ml of water an hour but it has to be warm. is also doing steam treatments.

April 12th 6 a.m.

i finally got the tube out of my nose!!! walked a little more today. Thank you all for all the prayers. getting better and better. the surgeon did an amazing job. now just gotta get used to drinking 30mls of water an hour

10 a.m.

had a horrible night. pain meds wore off and it hurt so bad, they fixed me and I'm feeling better now. They took me off the pain pump and took out the cath. Two tudes left and I will be free!!walking more and the upped me to 100 ml of water an hour.

April 13th 6 a.m.

Woke up again this morning in terrible pain. The nurses here are just awesome.

3 p.m.

Watching "Grease"in India. This girl's in heaven, or maybe close.

6 p.m.

So ready to get home and see my family. tired of being sick and ready for some american clear liquids. tomato soup 8 times a day is making me sick. I need some good ol chicken broth.

10 p.m.

28 hours and we will be at the airport and 49 hours and I will have my family in my arms again. So excited!! Hope I can sleep tonight. It's almost 6pm Mumbai time

April 14th 10 a.m.

As part of my discharge today they did an after weight in....already down 15 lbs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! leaving with a smile on my face for sure and a new lease on life. 

3 p.m.

 Before leaving to go home I was interviewed via phone by a reporter for the  Wall Street Journal  Mumbai and then I was interviewed and filmed by the hospital about why I chose to have gastric bypass surgery and about my stay in Mumbai.

8 p.m.

1 hour and 20 minutes and counting till we leave for the airport. 4 hours till the plane takes of and we will be home TUESDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                        TO BE CONTINUED!!