Peaceful, Easy Feeling

Well, I survived. Today was a learning day. I spent the morning in class learning about "the good, the bad, and the ugly." I am going to be honest - there was a little more "bad and ugly" than I had expected. But I can do this. And I plan on blogging about it. All of it. I want this to be a place I can be honest about what is going on. I am a true believer in prepare for the worst, but expect the best. I learned with my pregnancy, C-sections and gall-bladder surgery that people don't like to tell you the bad things. Well, not me. I WANT to know the bad things, then I can prepare myself mentally. And, if they don't happen to me, I can be excited that I did well.

The first thing we did in class with the nurse was to discuss the pre-op diet. My surgery is 2/25, so I am supposed to officially start stage 1 on 2/14. Happy Valentine's Day to me! But, I want to lose a little more pre-surgery, so I am back on the wagon tomorrow. Well, probably tomorrow evening, because I need to go grocery shopping.

Stage 1 Diet -
This is an extremely low-carbohydrate diet. The purpose is to shrink your liver, so that it is not in the way during the surgery. FYI - Carbohydrates are stored in our livers as glycogen, which contributes to Fatty Liver.  The goal here is not more than 30 grams of carbs, not more than 65 grams of fat, and at least 100 grams of protein. So, protein shakes - here I come!

Stage 2 Diet - Liquids + Protein
Jell-o will be my friend. Jell-o, water, juice, broth. And protein drinks. Fun times. Luckily, this will only last 4 days.

Stage 3 Diet (which turns into Stage 1 Post-op diet)
Clear Liquids. Yeah, not much to say about that, huh? Clear liquids.

On Monday, which will be the day before surgery as well as the Clear Liquid day, I have some extra treats as well. I get to take 4 doses each of 2 different antibiotics. I will take a dose of each at 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., and 8:00 p.m. And, lest I forget - I get to drink half a bottle of mag-citrate at 4:30 p.m. If you don't know, that is for a bowel prep. I would guess that if you need me after lunch on Monday, I will be in the restroom. Sorry if that's TMI, but I want to share it all. (This is what I consider the "bad and ugly."

I will have my surgery on Tuesday, and will be in the hospital 2 nights (I was confused when I said 1 night). I will have to have a barium swallow on Wednesday to make sure that I have no leaks, then I will have 24 hours on clear liquids to make sure there are no complications. Then, I'll be home. 

The good is that I should be back to regular texture foods within 10-12 weeks after surgery. That is not bad. I can handle anything for 10-12 weeks. But, I'll write more about that as the time comes.

Other things that we covered today were the post-op diet steps, what to expect in the hospital (I have to walk a mile before I can leave), and the supplements that I will have to take daily. A complete multi-vitamin, calcium, and B-12 are going to become staples to my diet for the rest of my life. And for the first 2 -3 months, they must be chewable.

I also met with an exercise physiologist, who also happened to be my "friend" from the Wellness Center. Regina did my initial evaluation at the Wellness Center last March, and has helped me several times between then and now. So that was easy. I had a moment of pride during our "meeting" because I already have an exercise plan, and I am generally exercising the 250 minutes/week that they want. I also had to walk around the office for 6 minutes to test my heart rate. Well, it didn't elevate that much, because the workouts I have been doing are more strenuous, and my heart was used to it. Yay me!

Tonight, I am at peace. I am excited, and wish I could go in tomorrow!

I think I was more nervous about the "payment" time than anything else, and having that done makes me happy. Maybe I will sleep tonight.

I feel like this is very dis-jointed. I know it is not the best writing ever, but my goal is for this to be "real." And this is how I feel tonight.

Thank you all for all of your support. I have a lot more I want to say, but now, it is time to put my babes to bed. I pray you all have a blessed week!