Mackadybee

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It's been a long time since I've checked in.  I ended up being diagnosed with gastroparesis in July 2011.  I have a g-tube again in my remnant stomach.  I'm told I am not a candidate for a gastric pacemaker and have been recommended for a remnant gastrectomy but cannot find anyone willing to perform the surgery.  I was sent back to IU North in 2011 under Dr. Samer Mattar's care and was told before being transfered to IU North from St. Francis Hospital that he would perform the gastrectomy but he did not.

I've been referred to the IU Motility Clinic where I have had bad experiences over and over with Dr. John Wo asserting his claims that I do NOT have gastroparesis and arguing back and forth about my previous medical history.

Because of the gastroparesis, I can no longer consume the healthy fruits and vegetables that I loved eating.   I have to eat easily digestible foods which have caused me to gain weight.  I'm back to 194lbs and I hate it.

I just want this remnant stomach out!!

I am down to 154lbs now and can get into size 12.  I find it really odd shopping for clothes.  I'll hold up a large shirt and think that it won't possibly fit to find that it fits perfectly.  My mindset still thinks of picking out the size 3X shirts.  I saved some of my favorite big shirts and altered them down.  And, I tried on a pair of my favorite overalls that I couldn't even button on the sides before surgery and they now look more appropriate for a clown.

After being discharged from the hospital on 8/24 I developed complications and was re-admitted to the hospital on 9/2/07.  It was found that I had a small bowel obstruction and had surgery again on 9/04/07.  I came out of surgery not being able to breathe and was on a respirator till the next day.  I spent an entire month in the hospital.  

During the second surgery, a gastronomy (feeding) tube was placed connecting into my old stomach.  I had and still have severe nausea.  I'm taking phenergan, reglan, zofran and scopolamine for nausea.  And, just until recently, I was only able to tolerate hot drinks.  

There are times when I have to be reminded to eat.  I've had a hard time getting protein in.  I tried tuna my first night home and it came up.  This past weekend I was able to get beef in.

I lost 65lbs in 2 months.

I'm still in the hospital.  I am still full of gas inspite of walking EVERY 2 hours.  I have THE most stubborn bowel.  I am on liquid lortab for pain.  And it seems that depending on what nurse I have, I get between 10ml and 22ml. The IV is out but may go back in because my potassium is low.  I had to drink that nasty stuff last night.  I told the nurse that between drinking it again or getting the IV back--I'd choose the IV.

Mom came to the hospital late last night after she called me and heard that I wasn't doing too well.  I was in a LOT of pain and was just then getting the Lortab.  I wasn't able to hit my goal anymore on the incentive spirometer.  I think the gas had settled on my chest.  It's not AS bad this morning.

I'll be glad to get home so I can take my own vitamins and iron.  They do not give sublingual iron here and the vitamins are not chewable.  They are too big to swallow and too coarse to swallow when broken up.

My surgery was yesterday morning.  It began as laparoscopic but ended up as Open due to adhesions.  Dr. Ditslear said I had adhesions over my stomach AND intestines.  I have an incision over my previous incision and five other holes.

I am still being give insulin wihich is very distressing to me.  My IV fluids up until this afternoon consisted of Dextrose?!?!?!  My sugar got up to 384.  It was 179 at 10pm tonight. I had no visitors today--not even my family.  Last night, three of my "mat-carriers" were here.  They are such a blessing to me.  I received flowers from church--very nice.

I came out of recovery with the On Q-Ball AND a PCA pump of morphine--which was very handy as the On Q-Ball slipped out while I was trying to get out of bed to walk.  The nurse and I didn't even notice until I was getting back into bed.  I still had the carry bag strapped around me.   I didn't even feel it come out.  Unfortunately, they don't put it back in.  My nurse tonight seemed very surprised that I was still on the PCA pump.  She insisted that I start liquid Lortab and wheen myself off the morphine.  She also insisted that I wear the compression hose--which I didn't even wear during surgery.

I have an abdominal binder which is very comforting.  I use my incentive spirometer every hour.  I walk every two hours and then sit in a chair for most of the day.

I got to start clear liquids at 9am this morning.  I've been drinking Isopure Protein water, broths and Crystal Light.  The Isopure isn't too bad but I will drink what I can get from the hospital because I hear that stuff is like $5 for  20 ounces.

 

 

I received a call this morning informing me that I have been approved for gastric-bypass surgery!

Anthem called Jennifer from Dr. Ditslear's office on Friday to deliver the good news.

My surgery date is Monday, August 20th.  I will be attending a pre-op class at the Clarian Bariatric Center next Tuesday.

I am having a colonscopy this Thursday.

I called my surgeon's office yesterday and his secretary tried to run interference.  But I insisted on speaking with the doctor's assistant who called me back later in the day.  She seemed genuinely shocked that my paperwork was submitted yet.  She said she would follow up on it.  And, she did.  I received a call back from the lady who submits the pre-cert. package.  She informed me the paperwork was submitted yesterday with confirmation received.

Anthem still hasn't received my pre-certification paperwork.  So, I called Dr. Ditslear's office today to see if they've even been submitted.  And, of course, they have not.  The receptionist advised me that Jennifer was missing some papers and that coincidentally she was coming in today to pull them from my file.  Tomorrow will be two weeks since I was in their office and they still don't have my paperwork submitted??!   Why do I feel like I've been fed a bunch of crap?

I wish they'd get the ball rolling.  It would be my luck that when I finally get approval, my job will be sent to India. 

Well, I was supposed to have my final dietitian appointment and meet with Dr. Ditslear today (6/8/07).  However, I received a phone call last Friday stating that Dr. Ditslear would need to cancel and reschedule for 6/22/07.  That was not acceptable to me.  With the help of Ella at the Bariatric Center, I was able to arrange to see Dr. Ditslear at his surgical office at Clarain North--and two days earlier than my scheduled appointment.  I was willing to even flip flop surgeons if it meant I would get this process moving quicker.  I know that my appointment was being moved around because Dr. Ditslear was planning on attending a Bariatric Surgery seminar that he previously didn't plan on attending.  Which is fine--more knowledge the better.  My problem is that his surgical office tried to make it sound like my appt was cancelled because he had emergency surgery scheduled.  Hello!?  Emergency Surgery?  How can it be an emergency when it's five days away?  Why can't people just be honest with you and tell you the truth?

People are getting laid off here at work as their jobs are being sent to India at an annual cost of $3,000 per person instead of $30,000 for the same job here in the US.  I am so afraid that I will lose my job before insurance comes through.  I know to worry is a sin--that you're not leaving it to God, but it's so hard not to worry.  It's been 2 1/2 years since I started my first attempt for bypass.  I'm ready for the fruition.

Dr. Ditslear and Lori Vasquez told me that I've done everything right.  I've given them all the medical documentation of my co-morbidities.  I've done the 6-mos. supervised weight loss.  They don't believe Anthem will have a problem approving the surgery.   I'm prepared to appeal to the Indiana State Board of Insurance if Anthem declines me again.  I'm NOT taking NO for an answer.

After I met with Dr. Ditslear, I drove to the Clarian Bariatric Center for my 6th and final appt with the dietitian.  I brought my grandmother with me as Ruthanne wanted to meet with her and encourage her to not cook the things I shouldn't have that are setting my blood sugar high like pasta and rice.  Well, I didn't meet with Ruthanne--I met with Annessa.  She is a sweetheart too.  Grandma didn't get the talk I was hoping for but she has stopped cooking rice and pasta dishes.

My struggle for this weekend is my Aunt's birthday party.  I'm in charge of making her cake per Grandma.  My aunt Peg requested a chocolate yule log cake that I usually only make at Christmas time.  But this is going to be torture making a chocolate cake that I can't have let alone lick the batter of the beaters.  Grandma is planning on making mac n' cheez too.  When I complained her response was just not to look at it.  Hello?!  Is that realistic?  I told her that the cake was walking home with my aunt.  It is NOT staying in the house!

My diet now up to surgery is still meat and veggies but Annessa says I can have fruit which will come in handy when I have hypoglocemia--which is often now that I've been put on Actos.  I'm trying to cut back my insulin to find a good balance.

Well, stay tuned and pray for insurance approval.

I had my 5th appt with my dietitian and had gained 6 lbs.  We set a new goal to lose 10 lbs by June 8th which is my last appt with her and when I next see my surgeon.

She has given me a tough diet to use till them:
Eat only meat and veggies--no potatoes, corn or peas.

No fruit, no bread, no dairy--she is allowing cottage chese and low0-fat cheese only.

I have cheated only slightly.  I came across two small strawberries when I was watering the flowers.  It seems a shame to let them got to waste...

It's been rough trying to come up with a good meal that doesn't consist of yet another salad.  I've been roasting carrots and parsnips.  

I met with a new Diabetes doctor named Dr. Herdotou.  He has added Actos to my list of medications.  I have had episodes of lows so I've decreased my insulin from 80 units bid to 65 units bid.  I wish I had been placed on this a long time ago.  It's really controlling my glucose.

Grandma is in Florida so I can't depend on her to cook dinner or scramble eggs for me.  She is going to be shocked to find her freezer has practically no meat left---I left the sausages in there.  The only canned vegetables left in the pantry are corn, creamed corn and peas.

I'm keeping regular appts with a pastoral counselor who I like so much better than the first therapist I saw.  I got connected with him through my church.  We are dealing with heavy things from my childhood that lef to my love affair with food.

Dr. Hero asked about my exercise routine.  I told him that I tried to exercise 2 to 3 times a week.  He said "That's not enough!  Three minimum!"  So, eventhough I was late Tuesday night, I went on to water aerobics.  I plan on going tonight which is a new class that is 1 1/2 hrs long.  I don't know if I'll make it through though.  I guess I'll be heading out on the Greenwood trails Friday with Dexter and maybe awater aerobics again Saturday morning.


I'm trying to get ALL of my medical records forwarded to the bariatric center so that we'll have the documentation of my diabetes having been out of control and the sleep apnea and asthma.

I'm a ball of nerves couting down to June 8th.  I'm anxious about how long it will take to hear back from Anthem.  I'm afraid they will turn me down again.  But, this time, I will be appealing it straight to the Indiana Board of Insurance.  I'm not taking any NO's.