And what a week it was

                                                                           

1st of all I am certainly excited to have this chapter in my life concluded and to be

beginning the next step in my continual evolution.  Sunday last I reported to William

Beaumont Army medical center for preadmission for gastric bypass surgery which was

scheduled as the 2nd case the next day. The night was uneventful. On the scheduled surgery

date events conspired to delay my scheduled time for another day. It involved a medivac helicopter; ambulances, and all the available operating rooms utilized. From what I heard from the news my Doc was fully involved in the happenings, and I wasn’t asking questions. That evening my surgeon, the head of the department, totally professional, dedicated and honestly good guy came up to see me.  He was considering doing my case at the close of the day after discussions with him he “rightfully” decided to do it in the 2nd case of the next day that was Tuesday.  It was an excellent decision, and you will know why shortly.  I was ready to go wheeled up with my bride (after all it was our anniversary) ill have you know she was a trooper hanging with her hubby throughout the 1st four days or so 24-7 until I was assigned a roommate in my hospital room. (hospital policy) more about that roommate later. Ok, I was hooked up to the appropriate tubing and was told that I would be given something to relax me before the procedure read “Nite-nite bro.”  5 to 7 hrs later I awoke to 1st gladness then more than a little panic on my part as my right hand was paralyzed from my middle finger to the thumb and the left arm unresponsive and stiff.  It has since then regained function seeing I can type, but it was a scary time until it did. The consensus was (and will be confirmed next week) due to the position of my arms on the table it restricted nerve passages, and due to the duration of the procedure, it restricted my arm mobility.  I also had a sore throat due to the tubing keeping me breathing.  That being said I was informed with the complication’s that were discovered while the surgical team was inside my chest and abdomen. 1st it was two undiagnosed and undiscovered hadal hernias which were repaired and two previously undiagnosed softball-sized tumors that were found near my chest wall and removed. both were benign. I guess it pays to look as I or anyone else had ZERO knowledge of those two issues before my lying down on the table.  The procedure other than that was uneventful and went well. I had little or no pain, and I did not have the chance to push the pain button when I returned to recovery.  But wait there was something else that was lurking in the dark waiting for the smoke to clear.  After two days returned to the ward, I was sent to ICU with some heart arrhythmias that were appearing from time to time with little or no warning.   I have in the past have been diagnosed with arrhythmias, but this one seemed to have to do with the electrical pathways in the heart.  I am following up with a Doctor to run that issue to ground. For now, I am being treated with drugs until a long-term solution can be implemented.  I think it’s called supraventricular tachycardia (but don’t quote me).  Meanwhile, back in the hospital bed in ICU, those issues were coming under control and after a day or so I was returned to my previous room for observation and release.  My coworkers were excellent coming down and encouraging me with their visits and text messages. An outstanding group of people.  I never felt alone and knew I have lots of folks in my corner.   Now for my silly thoughts during the process.  The procedure was an anticlimax (for me) no pain for the most part from the procedure, it was the complications that that had everyone’s full attention including mine. Ok, the 1st of my silliness I never got to push the button.  I won’t take pain meds unless I’m in agony and other than the 1 or 2 times I pushed it to test it, it was removed without fanfare. No IV dalatiid experience for me I, however, did have some significant pain issues once which was treated with liquid OXI.  That stuff is the straight devil’s mouthwash. It will jack one up.  No thanks. Tylenol 3 in liquid form that stuff is just NAS-TEE. I refused it after the 1st dose.  My nemesis was the bottle of water and protein powder mixture flavored with peach iced tea.  If I use the word nasty it’s because I have no words to describe the gag-inducing flavor of that concoction. If supplied a lemonade packet  of sugar free was provided instead of the peach that would be at least palatable even in its nastiness  Now about the complete professional conduct of all involved I was allowed to have my own CPAP unit in the room (a blessing) as the one provided sounded like a jet engine in my face.  I was kept informed at all points of the problems that were emerging and their progress in getting me released. I have appts made for me or instructions are given for the new (gigantic) bag of meds and was released home in time to watch the two football games I was interested in only one thing sleeping in my bed which I did with gusto. I am on a 100% liquid diet as of this writing seeing my protein drinks at the domicile have flavor going for them. I am looking forward to the next step. Found myself searching for bariatric modifications to what I can have (when the time comes) and it seems more diverse than I once suspected, and that’s a good thing.  For future reference learned 3 ways to poach an egg. I was gratified to know that the breakfast in the cafeteria will only require the deletion of bacon from my selection, with the go-to breakfast choice of cottage cheese and pineapple (which I dice up at my desk) to add in is legit as is my love for tuna so it will work out just fine.  I will continue to write on the progress I’m having. In short, I’m glad to be home and the hospital phase over. And let the congregation say AMEN!!!!