Philisha

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On Friday, January 12th @ 6:15am, I headed in to Inland Valley Regional Medical Center in Murrieta for Gastric Bypass Surgery.  I was brought into a room at 7:32am and hooked to the IV.  At 9:30am I was out of Surgery.  At 12:30pm I was out of Recovery.  I was taken to the surgery ward for the next few days to be monitored. 

Friday, I was totally out of it all day in and out of sleep.  I was still hooked to a sodium chloride drip and morphine drip.  I was not able to have ANYTHING to eat or drink this day. 

Saturday, I was finally out of the sleep mode and was able to get something to drink.  They took me off the Morphine and sodium chloride drip.  I was solely on 1oz of Water every 15 minutes.  I was also given Jell-O, which I found was the only thing my stomach would handle.  100% Apple and Grape Juice was given that I had to cut in half (1/2oz water & 1/2oz juice) Broth which was almost totally intolerable.  And a protein supplement that was nauseating.  I was very weak and loopy.

Sunday I was supposed to be released but come to find out that during the surgery my blood didn’t want to cooperate and I became severely anemic.  My blood count before surgery was a 14 by Sunday it was a 7.  I was pale and looked dead.  They drew my blood every 8 hours to see if my blood would start to rebuild.  Finally after the 3 stick they found that my blood level was going even lower.  I was what they considered "critical."  The doctor came in and told me that my blood had "positive antibodies’" and would not rebuild blood. I was not to take a shower so that I would not pass out from standing.  I could not do the walking they recommend. I was literally strapped to the bed.

Come Monday I was feeling a little better but my count was not any higher.  They put me on liquid Iron and some Vitamin K shots.  I was begging to come home but still no luck.  They continued to check my blood count with no luck it was not going to work.  They then decided about 11:00am that I needed a blood transfusion and could only find a match in San Diego (2 hours away).  I waited and waited and waited.  I finally grabbed a nurse almost by the neck and she said that my blood will be with me at 7:30pm.  Well in the mean time they said my 1st IV was not strong enough to be able to send blood through.  So as you guessed they had to draw another line.  The first nurse came in and stuck my left arm 3 times and still could not find a vain.  The next nurse stuck me once on my right arm.  The third nurse stuck me 2 times still no luck.  The forth nurse was able to use a smaller IV and got me on the second try.  Unfortunately, the night charge nurse (the worst nurse alive) came in and told me that she had to find another line because the smaller IV would not handle blood.  I screamed at the top of my lungs that she will not find a vain.  I was to anemic and dehydrated to find a vain.  She still proceeded and on my Right Forearm she dug deep with the needle and stuck a vain.  I almost came out of the bed.  That was the last time I saw that bitch.  At 11:28pm my nurse came in and brought my blood.  She had 2 other nurses’ verify that it was the blood I needed, was clean and was my order.  Finally after 10 minutes of checking everything they pulled the lines and hooked me up.  I had to have my blood pressure checked every hour for 4 hours till the blood bag was empty.  Mind you this was from 12pm-4am being waked up every hour.  I was super tired.

Tuesday, SUCKED.  I was feeling much better now that I had blood.  I was getting color in my lips again and when I sat up I didn’t feel completely lightheaded.  I laid there for hours waiting to hear something.  But the nurses avoided me as if I had the plague.  At 2pm a director of the Gastric Bypass Program came in to check up on me.  I gave her the riot act.  The only thing she could do was walk away with a shocked look on her face.  She returned to tell me that they are still waiting for the doctor to return and give his orders on what needs to happen now.  In the meantime of her telling me this doctor called and asked for me to have my blood drawn again to check my count.  So again I was stuck.  Finally at 4pm the doctor came in and told me that my count was still iffy so wanted to check it one more time and if it looked good I was able to go home.  At 5:23pm after the second blood draw they said I could be discharged as long as I would keep taking Iron at home.  My blood count was 9.2.

Wednesday, I felt 98% better.  My color was back and I was comfortable and clean after a very long shower.  I continued drinking liquids only and rested.  Later that evening I went to my bestest friends house and made dinner.  I was able to drink the clear liquid and it was so yummy.  I then felt the extra 2% better.

Thursday, I had to return to the doctor’s office for my 1 week follow-up. I was weighted in and remarkably I had already lost 15 pounds since surgery day.  I got my staples out and the doctor took me off the liquid Iron and put me on a tablet supplement.  I am on soft foods now also.  I can have mashed potatoes (plain), scrambled eggs, refried beans, cottage cheese, plain yogurt, and string cheese ...etc.  I was so excited that after my appointment I went straight to Denny’s for my scrambled egg and mashed potatoes.  I was only able to eat half the 1 egg and 1/4 of the scoop of potatoes. I can only eat about 2oz every 3-4 hours.  This is what helps with the weight loss.

Now tonight .... I feel great!  Fifteen pounds lighter! 

With my scare of death from massive blood loss I have a new prospective on life too.  I can not wait till this weekend when I have my beautiful children back and I can finally spend more time to enjoy with them.  I have vowed to spend more time with them.  More time at home. (Except for my business that takes me away for a few hours).  My Husband was the best supporter for this and every thing I have ever done.  I can't wait to see how 2007 goes financially, with home life, and my love.