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Posted 8/25/2011 6:52 PM (GMT 0)
MMM - I didn't see your post till after I wrote to Bill.

The test I had this morning was an all-encompassing upper GI, small intestine and colon as well. The radiologist told me everything "looked fine" and that he'd send the report to my surgeon.

He also said that he thought I was still having some reflux of some kind but that it would be up to the GI and/or surgeon to determine why.

I'm trying to be patient.

Thanks for the encouragement.
Rita
Posted 8/25/2011 9:07 PM (GMT 0)
Bill, glad everything is going okay for you. Rest and relax into the recovery trip. MMMM...jello....

Rita, if it don't beat all! I'm hoping the GI can figure out what's this odd refluxing is about. Maybe you do need to see if you can get some extra nourisment from the doctor?

Denise, don't get me wrong, I do have some small discipline issues, but they act so much better than previous classes we're happy.

Kitt, I hope your day is going smoothly.

I've got to go to PTO night in a few minutes. So I'll be back tomorrow evening.
Posted 8/25/2011 9:26 PM (GMT 0)
Bill, Hurrah !  You do try hard to give your wife gray hair with your shenanigans.  I am going to start you a Post Op thread of your own and will transfer your posts so far to that thread.  I think anyone that has gone through what you have deserves their own post-op  thread as well as what a story you have to share.

 

We are praying for you and do go very slow...................or I will be on the next riverboat headed your way young man.

 

Gentle hugs,

 

Kitt

 

 

Posted 8/25/2011 9:41 PM (GMT 0)
Attention : Link to Bill's new post-op thread

 

https://www.healingwell.com/community/post.aspx?f=45&r=r&m=2196596

 

I moved all post-op replies to Bill to the new thread.  Please do continue to post to him in the new thread.  I know he will have much to share with us.

 

Kindly,

 

Kitt

 

******************************************************
Posted 8/25/2011 9:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Bill.

What a rough time you have had but so pleased to hear that you are now doing well.

Rest, relax & take very small steps as you begin your journey along recovery road. We will be there with you, cheering you along, every step of the way.

Best wishes

Lynda
Posted 8/25/2011 9:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hello All,

Joy, good to see you and I will get back to the funnies soon. :-)

Rita,  I am glad you had your tests done and nothing major was found so far.  I know how hard it is to be patient so know you have my prayers to help you stay in the moment.  Coming here to HealingWell and finding support and caring is a good thing so stick with us and know we all understand "it ain't easy" to feel lousy.  I have been where you are and wondered if life would ever start to get better.  It does but the roller coaster ride causes you to feel the butterflies in your stomach so I hope your ride is a short one.

Sandi,  I am grinning ear to ear -  I had all of John Denver's 33 rpm record albums.........now that dates me. 

Here is one for you and for Bill today:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zx27dP1mTg

Denise,  I thank you for all the awesome posts you did today.  I know Rita appreciated your suppport throughout the day as well as I did also.

Love and hugs to All,

Kitt

Posted 8/25/2011 9:59 PM (GMT 0)
All post op post for Bill please post in his new thread:

https://www.healingwell.com/community/post.aspx?f=45&r=r&m=2196596

Posted 8/26/2011 12:58 AM (GMT 0)
Hello All,

Yes I have shoveled my way out from under the snow. Actually it didn't last that long & melted quickly. We have now had a week of warm, sunny spring like weather which is very welcome in terms of warmth but like you Denise I too suffer from allergies. Normally the hay fever/sinus problems kick in about November but I have been feeling a bit 'snuffly' so to speak over the last couple of days so am blaming the weather. I hope you are able to get some relief from yours.

Sandi - I guess you will be busy preparing for your vacation. Wow 2 years is a long time. You must be so excited to see them all. Enjoy every minute of your time with your family & make lots of new special memories to hold in your heart for when they are not around.

Joy - so pleased you have a wonderful class of littlies this time. They are very lucky to have you for guidance & I'm sure you will all have a great year together. My grandson started school 2 days ago & I was lucky enough to be invited along to see him off on his first day. When I met his teacher I thought of you. We are so lucky to have such special people in the world to help mold these young minds.

Rita - I posted to you on the other thread 'failed nissen' I think it was, so wont repeat it all but I hope you are doing ok & having a good today.

Bill - I hope those doctors & nurses are looking after you & you are not giving them any more scares. Get well soon.

As far as my recovery goes Im 8 weeks post op now. Still on this soft mushy diet (oh how I long for something with a bit of a crunch), have lost 15kg (I think that's about 30+ pounds) & generally doing ok. Still have the odd bad day with aches & pains but there a far more good days than bad ones.

I started back a work 3 weeks ago. My job is in a microbiology laboratory for dairy giant Fonterra & it is the start of a new processing season for us here in New Zealand so things are extremely busy, working 12 hour days & for me an hours travel there & back. It didnt go so well to start with because everyone just expected that I was better & wanted me to jump right in as if nothing had happened but my boss & I have come to an understanding. I will take each day as it comes, only work part time hours & very light duties for now & if I dont feel well I will not come in or go home as the case may be, no questions asked. I've given myself at least another 4 weeks to be back to full duties with the usual lifting restrictions of course.

Have a follow up with my surgeon on Monday. He has been away & I haven't seen him since I left hospital so I will be interested in all he has to say about my surgery & progress.

Even though I don't post often I do check in each day to see how everyone is doing & send feel well vibes to you all.

Take care

Lynda

"Life never gives you something you cant handle"
Posted 8/26/2011 1:23 AM (GMT 0)
KITT

Thank you so much for the song... the gift of music is always my favorite.. and John Denver is a favorite.. I saw him in concert and I cried the day he died..... he was a gift that left this world too soon..

You are such an amazing lady.. I know that we would be great friends if we were in the same area.. but since we are not we will just have to be great friends here!!!!! I would be willing to bet we have a lot of the same taste in music.. I am glad that I was able to make you smile.. I love to do that... Nothing makes you feel quite as good as helping someone else or making them smile.

Well FRIENDS
One week from tonight I will be in Kentucky getting close to local dinner fare... OMGoodness.. chili spaghetti, Goetta, steak hoagie.. oh man.. I will definitely have to watch it.. or I will be gaining weight back.. this I refuse to do...
I will be on while I am on vacation just not as often except when I am at my sons.. he is the one who gave me my laptop and built my computer.. he understands the computer addiction ;-) grin

I can only say that I am glad I can continue to talk to my friends while I am on vacation... I would truly miss you all if we could not communicate...

Had a very rough day at work today.. hope to get in a few extra z's tonight.. looking for a quite weekend (even though Irene is coming up our eastern shore)

Reach for the Sunshine.. Rainbows will follow
SANDI
Posted 8/26/2011 2:26 AM (GMT 0)
I know, Joy.Nobody gets a class totally free of problems! Still, keep your good news down low! LOL nono Hope you had a good day and are feeling well.
Take care of yourself!
Denise
Posted 8/26/2011 6:31 AM (GMT 0)
To all my forum friends in the United States.

My thoughts & prayers are with you today. I hope you & your families are all safe & well & have not been affected by Hurricane Irene.

Take care

Lynda
Posted 8/26/2011 1:36 PM (GMT 0)
Lynda,  Thank you so much for your thoughts and I am fortunate and live in  MN so we are land locked and hurricanes do not hit us.  I have been watching the weather channel and praying that the track of the hurricane shifts but so far it does not look promising. You are very kind in thinking of us here in the U.S. and I hope your spring is in full bloom soon.

SANDI, I too cried the day John Denver died.  It was a shock when I heard of his untimely death under such tragic circumstances.  He was only 53.  He was just 2 years older then I am. His first taste of musical success was in 1969, when the folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary recorded Denver's "Leavin' on a Jet Plane," which went on to become the Number 1 song in the country. I used to know the lyrics to that song by heart.

I know we would be great friends in person and I do need friends in my life so thank you for being my friend.  "Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: "What! You, too? Thought I was the only one."~ C.S. Lewis

 

Denise and Joy,  My dear friends and guardians of the forum, your input and advice, your love and caring, your watching over the forum is greatly appreciated and I never tell you enough how much that means to me.

 

I am going up north to the cabin for the weekend just so you know I did not jump ship with the wee mice. turn   I may even catch a fish.

 

My thoughts will be with all of you and I will be back online again on Monday.

 

Gentle hugs to all,

 

Kitt

Posted 8/26/2011 4:02 PM (GMT 0)
Rocky Mountain High

Now you've gone and done it. lol I have a head radio that tends to play a song all day if I hear it early in the morning. It's like in "loop-mode". I still think about John Denver dying in that plane crash as if it were yesterday. I miss "Annie's Song" . . .

Not sure where to start today except to say that everyone on the forum who is a friend or fan of Sweet William had a prayer answered when his two surgeries went well and he is where he needs to be in hospital and healing ever so slowly. At least he isn't in the dark about what to expect and he knows his P's and Q's and he has so much support and encouragement from his family, friends and friends in this forum.

When people have something really big in common they can form bonds very quickly out of necessity that can remain intact for a very long time. I think that's the case with Bill and all of you who have known and communicated with him over these many years and experiences. There is power in numbers and, so it seems for Bill right now, there is power in prayers.

As I posted on another thread I continue to remain a mystery to my GI doc, my surgeon, my husband and family, to myself and to most of the people on this forum much to my chagrin.

I knew as far back as day 4 post-op that I was having some kind of reflux that didn't feel the same as the GERD reflux did. It has only continued to get worse and there has only been one night that it has not awakened me and that was this week. I could look it up in my journal but I'm too lazy right now. Needless to say the last two nights have been the worst and night before last is what propelled me back to the hospital as per the surgeon's orders for more tests.

The tests all show no problem in the mechanics of my total GI tract as tested with barium swallow on August 4 and complete barium swallow with intestinal and color xrays yesterday.

The radiologist said both times that the mechanics of it all is one thing and the functionality of the same process under normal circumstances swallowing actual food is another thing altogether. Also as I said yesterday after getting home from the tests my surgeon keeps mentioning "intra-esophageal reflux". I'm going to do my best to research it since he really didn't seem to know what to do about it.

When he spoke with my GI about it all the GI knew to do was order Bentyl and Phenergan but I pretty much asked for the Phenergn myself because I'm so nauseated so much of the time. Bentyl did not help the reflux and I didn't try Phenergan last night because I wanted to see what the Bentyl did on its own.

I'm constantly nauseated from the "acid" and it's just a fact of life at this point. I'm ready, willing and able to wait for everything to "settle in" etc but the nausea and icy-cold acid feeling constantly in my esophagus is different than before NF but just as bad.

I'll give this a bit more time and put some real effort into researching intra-esophageal reflux and then we'll be heading out for Mayo or another facility where more problematic digestive disorders are handled.

It's a beautiful day here in NE Oklahoma. The weather has moderated a bit from the 100+ temps but I'm too sick to enjoy it. Still I guess I'm grateful to be alive and with a bit of hope left.

Thanks for everyone's support and Bill, get well at your own pace. All the best to you.

Rita
Posted 8/26/2011 10:17 PM (GMT 0)
Remember I told ya'll I've been a little scatter-brained lately? Well, my forgetfulness got me into trouble last night. shocked

I had decided to go ahead and take my Advair 250/50 at 7pm with the rest of my medicines, instead of waiting until bedtime like I normally do.

Two hours later feeling very sleepy I start getting ready for bed...not thinking I pick up my Advair and took my third puff for the day! shocked skull smhair

It didn't dawn on me I had taken it already until I went to rinse my mouth and it hit me! nono

Terrified, I called my insurance nurse who asked me many questions updating my files and then asked how I was feeling. I felt okay, except I had a little fluttering in my chest and felt a little twitchy. My blood pressure was okay. She thought I'd be okay, but to call poison control to be positive. So I call poison control and they did some calculations with my weight and age and determined that I should be fine and not to take my morning dose today. I then had to call back the nurse and tell her what the poison control guy said.

I managed to fall asleep around 10pm.

I guess I need to create a check list of my medicines and check them off as I take them now. blush

Rita, I've always been partial to "Sunshine".

Posted 8/27/2011 2:28 AM (GMT 0)
LYNDA
I live in Florida and we had only the feeder bands as it passed by us on its way up the coast. We got rain and some wind, but nothing serious.. we live about 35 miles inland and I am sure the coast got a bit more wind but no damage that I have heard of... I went through 3 of these in 2004 and the 1st and 2nd ones were killers.. the 1st, Frances, was a cat 1 that sat off our shores for 30+ hours just beating us to a pulp and the 2nd was Jeanne, that ripped our Florida Room roof , clean off.. it was devastating... we had over $17,000.00 in damage to our home... I truly hope we never have to go through anything like it again.. we lost so much personal things.. like photos... oh well.. we have our lives...

DENISE

I hope you have a wonderful joy filled weekend.. I am planning the same.. (yeah right.. getting ready to go on vacation for 2 weeks.. I am gonna have a real relaxing weekend....grin)

JOY

Sunshine can make you happy... that is why I love it...

Please friend take care and start that meds list.. we need you here!!

If you began the year with your little troupe of angels.. they have only gone astray .. they are still there, just in camouflage for a bit ;-)

KITT

Have a great weekend.. enjoy and relax.. catch one for me!!!

BILL

Relax and regain your strength... listen to your doctors... and your wife... ;-)

Reach for the Sunshine... Rainbows will follow
SANDI
Posted 8/28/2011 1:01 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Joy,

That's so easy to do! When you take inhalers or daily meds, sometimes it's hard to remember, or we do it without thinking. My problem is taking my Advair when the counter reads 000. That doesn't help much! After some time, I look at the counter and see it is 000, and I have no idea how long it has been empty! I've take double doses of inhaler as well as other medications. Glad to hear it didn't affect you too much.

Hope you're getting some R & R this weekend, so you're recharged for Monday!

Hi Sandi,

I have had a wonderful weekend. We're so fortunate that we aren't experiencing the brunt of the hurricane. We're too far west to feel it. The city we moved from (about an hour and a half further east) will be getting lots of rain and wind, but we're going to remain unscathed. My heart is with the people who are getting hit.

Packing for a 2 week vacation! Wow. It always takes longer than you expect. There is so much to remember! I hope you have a wonderful time on your vacation!

My little 9 month old grandson was over all day yesterday. He wouldn't nap! He was happy and enjoyed himself, but every time I tried to get him to settle down to sleep he would have none of it. I am wondering if his teeth were hurting (he's just getting his first two, and I think he's got a few more close to coming throug), or if his ear was hurting (he was tugging on it a bit). Who knows? He really pooped me out, though!

Kitt,
I hope you are having a wonderful weekend get-away!

Hi Bill...
We are thinking of you, and looking forward to the time you feel well enough to post. Rest and relax so you can heal.

Hi Lynda,
I hope you're feeling well today, and that your healing is progressing well. When you talk to your surgeon, I wouldn't be surprised if he gives you the green light to begin eating some of those crunchy things you crave so much. Actually, crunchy things chew to a liquid quite well. It's the doughy, chewy things that are more difficult. Toast chews better than bread, crackers are fine, You can experiment with what will chew to liquid, and just don't swallow things that don't!

Has Spring "sprung" in NZ yet? I hope so. I'm sure you're looking forward to all those beautiful flowers and green grass! So you suffer from seasonal allergies, too! Doesn't it make you have mixed feelings about springtime and summer? I'm probably the only one who is looking forward to a nice thick layer of snow on the ground!

Take care, All!
Denise

Post Edited (dencha) : 8/27/2011 7:08:49 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/28/2011 10:30 PM (GMT 0)
Denise, I've had a interesting weekend. I got to sleep until 11 yesterday, visit with my brother and two of his kids, then took my niece to wally-world to get an upgrade on our cells. She had dropped her phone in a parking lot late at night, lost the battery, and ruined the sim card. I took my parents and niece out to eat today after church. I'm finally getting to rest.
I still have one more day off before going back to school.

I hope everybody's doing good.
Posted 8/28/2011 11:26 PM (GMT 0)
Wow, Joy...
You have had a busy day. I'm glad you've got a little time to rest before facing your "rugrats"! My son called today to see if I could help in his classroom again tomorrow, but I have an old friend visiting all day. Maybe Tuesday. I've got a pile of work I brought home to do for him, so I'd better get busy with that! I keep procrastinating!
Enjoy your day, and rest up!
Denise
Posted 8/29/2011 10:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hello All,

I hope everyone is doing well & you have all had a great weekend.

I had my check up with the surgeon yesterday & he was very pleased with how things are going. Still have work restrictions for another 4 weeks but I can handle that.

As far as the diet is concerned he said I can start to experiment with foods (yay!!!) but he wants me to still keep things reasonably soft :( & to be careful with swallowing for another few weeks then at about 4 months can start adding raw stuff. Well I guess that's progress. (Note to self - be patient) lol.
I don't see him again now until mid December for a six month check.

Rita - Pleased that you are starting to feel a little better, long may it continue, 5 weeks is still early days. Healing definitely is a time issue. Even though I kept telling everyone around me I felt ok I was really just fooling myself & it's probably only been this last week that I can HONESTLY say "I feel good". Sometimes we are our own worst enemies.

Denise - Spring hasn't quite sprung yet but its not far away. The daffodils are out which is always a good sign & my allergies a manageable with anti-histamines. I also get psoriasis so I'm looking forward to striping off the winter layers soon & letting some sun at my skin. I hope your allergies are giving you some 'time out' & it hasn't gotten too cold just yet.

Sandi - How is the packing going? Are you counting the sleeps yet? Have a wonderful holiday & enjoy every minute with your family. We look forward to hearing all your news when you return. Travel safe.

Joy - I hope you are having a good day with your littlies & that those co-workers are not giving you any grief.

Kitt - How was the fishing? Did you catch the big one or did it get away?

Bill - Get lots of rest before you leave hospital & continue to get better each day.

Take care

Lynda

"Remember when we were young & we couldn't wait to grow up.....
What were we thinking!!!!!"

Post Edited (elsiem) : 8/29/2011 4:13:51 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/30/2011 1:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Lynda,

I'm glad to hear that you had a good appointment with your doctor. The main thing to remember when eating, is to take small bites and chew, chew, chew. You can experiment and find what foods chew to a liquid. Really crispy (not raw...rather things like toast, crackers, etc.) chew to a liquid nicely. Keep the bites small and chew thoroughly, and you shouldn't have any trouble.

Also, if you have a Crock Pot/slow cooker you can cook and cook and cook veggies and meat and you'll have no trouble eating them.

If you're chewing something and it's not cooperating by chewing to a liquid, just don't swallow!

Keep some water nearby (not iced) or if you enjoy tea, that's a good option. That way if something feels a bit "stuck" you can help it through and calm down your esophagus.

You'll do just fine. I was set free to eat @ Day 6, and had no problem when I followed the directions I've shared above. You should do just fine.

I'm having terrible allergies...we're now in fall weed season. Do you have ragweed in NZ? Not fun. The problem I'm having is that my new allergist decided to add to my serum and increase its strength during the middle of my allergy season (my other allergist would never do that--he's always wait until the winter). They are building the strength very slowly (it will take 22 weeks to get it up to full strength), so I don't get any therapeutic protection from the shots, so my allergies are SO SO SO much worse.

I just started an antibiotic for a sinus infection brought on by nearly 5 months of allergies. I'm looking forward to the snow!

Happy Eating!
(((Hugs)))
Denise
Posted 8/30/2011 1:45 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Kitt!
Hope you had a wonderful little getaway up north. I'm sure you're busy unpacking and catching up on everything at home.
Missed you! turn
(((Hugs)))
Denise

How are you doing, Joy?Hope those little sweeties of yours are behaving themselves! Have a great week!
Posted 8/30/2011 1:48 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Sandi,
I had a great weekend...busy but fun-filled. We celebrated our 38th anniversary and had a neighborhood block party on Sunday. It was nice to meet all our neighbors. None of us have lived in our neighborhood long, so it's nice to get together.

You are doing a wonderful job of welcoming and responding to members. Thanks! Your caring and compassion come through loud and clear. I know your sharing is appreciated.

Have a nice week!
Denise
Posted 8/30/2011 2:35 AM (GMT 0)
DENISE

Thanks for the kind words.. but, that is who you are.. a kind, caring sweetheart of a Lady..

Gee, I guess that can be said of several here... wink:

I try to do what ever I can to help someone feel better and encourage them to stay with us and let all of our experience and support help them.. sort of like you (I think it was) said early in my recovery.. I try to 'pay it forward'.

I am coming up on my 29th anniversary. December will be it..

Just stopped to reply to your post.. I am still getting ready to leave this coming Thursday for Northern Kentucky and then Nashville Tennessee.. to see my big babies and my little ones.. tongue
I am looking forward to almost 2 weeks seeing my family.. thank goodness for my son.. he came and looked at my car, I kept hearing something and the mechanic said it was good to go.. my son replaced the serpentine belt today, it was cracked and crystallizing.. might have made it an hour or so and kaput.. then we wouldn't have been able to continue with our vacation.. the cost of the repair would have prevented it.. Thank Goodness for my son and his mechanical abilities.. yeah yeah


KITT

I hope your weekend was great and I will be here on and off during vacation just to say Hi and lend a shoulder..

Reach for the Sunshine... Rainbows will follow
SANDI
Posted 8/30/2011 2:40 AM (GMT 0)
Sandi,
Thank goodness your son was able to fix your car! It wouldn't have been fun to be stranded midway through your trip. I hope you have a wonderful time visiting your babies and grandbabies!
(((Hugs)))
Denise
Posted 8/30/2011 11:17 PM (GMT 0)
Everything's good here today! :)
I did see my doctor for some bloodwork yesterday and found out I'm pre-diabetic (6.4 on A1c). :(
Right now I'm supposed to watch my diet and exercise more. Yeah, rrrrrrrrright. The diet's easy, not the exercise.
Oh, well....
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