Double Dipping Traveling Turkeys WISH Journal

[GotDisney?]

Okay, so I've had some good weeks and some bad weeks. Here is my latest update:

I had surgery (Nissen) on Fri 7 Dec and am still stuck on a liquid diet to this date. I'm sick of everything being either sweet (jello, pudding, etc) or salty (broth, soup, etc).

I'd kill for Subway 6-inch complete with toasted bread and all the crunchy veggies I can get on it.

Unfortunately, I have a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube sticking out of my stomach that gets clogged up if I even so much as think of eating anything with some weight to it. I'll feel fine one minute, then all of a sudden - zap - there goes all my energy. I can no longer workout like I was beforehand (4-5 times a week for 45-60 minutes at a time). The only thing I am allowed to do is walk. No crunches, no push-ups, nothing by walking. Another sad side effect is that the tube sometimes pops its cap and everything I've eaten/drank for the day drains all over the place.

The one nice side effect of this is that I have lost over 20 pounds in two weeks despite the lack of exercise. I realize that I'll gain some back once I am allowed to eat normal again, but if I work at watching what I eat and am allowed to workout again, I should be able to keep most from gaining back.

How is everyone else doing with their eating/workouts this holiday season?

 

[GotDisney?]

Went to the doctor for a follow-up from my surgery thinking I'd get the 'ol peg tube out, but noooooo, they decided I need to keep it in longer and come back at the end of the month.

I know I sound like a whining baby, but I really am tired of soup. I have moved up to more soft foods, but it's still not a crispy salad.

My weight loss had stopped for awhile. Figured my body was hoarding it's fat since I was barely getting 500-700 calories a day. The good news is that I've dropped another 2 pounds since Wednesday. Must be getting something more than soup helped.

I've tried the diet shakes, but they fill me up way before I can finish them. Most of my calories are coming in the form of cranberry juice. I made sure my DH got the 100% juice.

I go back to work next week and am a bit concerned how I am going to handle everything. My worse fear is the peg tube will pop it's cap and leak all over my uniform.

 

[cjckclan]

Kimmi Anne - I was thinking about you recently and wondered if you had already had the surgery. Wow! It sounds as if you are having a lot of complications. Is that normal? I can't imagine a liquid diet for a month. Sending you some hugs and hoping you are having a better day.
I suppose this surgery has you on profile so you don't have to worry about being deployed. Maybe that's a bright spot in this whole thing.

Okay, since I last posted in the summer I've gained back all 5 lbs. I had done fairly well through Christmas. That means that I had gained back 2-3 but that's been the normal for 13 years. We even went to Memphis with DS and the band and ate BBQ, beans, cole slaw, etc. and came home without gaining. Then disaster happened New Year's Eve staying up and snacking. I figure I have a few months to try again before it's time to try on .... SWIMSUITS !!! Maybe I'll just buy a wetsuit!

 

[cjckclan]

I go back to work next week and am a bit concerned how I am going to handle everything. My worse fear is the peg tube will pop it's cap and leak all over my uniform.

So how's work going this week?

 

[GotDisney?]

It's been a tougher recovery than normal. I've hit a lot of bumps in the road, but am working through them. I am currently on one profile after another as I progress. I am still under the surgeon's care for another 2 months. I'm back at work, but only for 4hour days. Plus, I've been out a lot still fighting this upper chest epidemic that has hit me twice now since the surgery. Thankfully, my bosses have been EXTREMELY supportive.

I finally got rid of the tube on Monday. I've been eating most solids, but have had to take smaller amount and be careful not to drink too much while eating. I'm still having a bit of difficulty swallowing food, but have learned to how to deal. The great thing is now that I am eating "real meals" again, I haven't gained any weight back. In fact, I am losing again, but no where as quick as those first two weeks.

What is frustrating me the most is how much I have gotten out of shape fitness-wise since the surgery. In fact, walking this afternoon with my daughter Marie nearly exhausted me and it was only 1 mile at a slow pace!!! I cannot wait to get over this chest congestion/cough/sore throat thing so I can put in a better workout. Luckily, the doc also gave me a consult for physical therapy to help me progress back on track without over doing it and potentially causing damage to the area that I had surgery.

My main goal and motivation is the cruise. I do not want my family to have to wait for me because I have to take a rest every 2 hours.