On Saturday, August 13, 2001, I got out of bed and immediately fell back onto it. It took a few tries to make it to the bathroom, and then, when i bent over to feed the cats, i nearly passed out. I called a friend, who came over to feed the cats [thanks, JulieJ!!!] and to help me. we called the ambulance, and the process of getting me out of the house, down the steps, and into the ambulance took more than two hours. thank goodness for oxygen tanks!!!
When i got to the ER, my oxygen sats were in the low 70s, and my arterial oxygen was about 60%. i weighed almost 500 pounds.
and i was admitted. Spent 5 weeks in the hospital and then 3 weeks in a nursing home to learn how to walk. I had to cancel my appointment with the bariatric surgeon, which had been scheduled for AUGUST 15!!! all i'd had to do was make it for two more days, and i just couldn't!!
Diagnosis: something about hypoventilation syndrome plus sleep apnea. i was pickwickian. an ugly term.
When i got out, i was dragging an oxygen tank, and, after gaining about 15 pounds in the hospital [putting me over 500], i lost some during the nursing home stay.
The discharge was in the middle of october, but i had to wait a few weeks before the surgeon had an appointment for me. his verdict: i WAS NOT HEALTHY enough for the surgery. and he set out a list of specialists i had to see who had to approve me/get me in condition for the surgery before he'd schedule it.
and OH, by the way, i had lost 84 pounds!!!!!
and i went through every single test, every single specialist, and miraculously passed! and lost a few more pounds along the way.
and why didn't i post this note earlier in the day? I WAS TOO BUSY!!!!
don't get me wrong - i'm now battling atrial fibrillation - and it's getting better, but i had to do laundry, go to the farmer's market, do a couple of errands, and have coffee with a friend.
one of the biggest lessons i've learned - and there have been MANY lessons - there are some people in the world who will be ANGRY to see you change, even when those changes are for your health. It's sad, but going through surgery changes the way I cope with stress and with other people - for the healthier and the saner. But after years of people being accustomed to my 'food based reactions,'' it's been hard for some of them to adapt.
Wow Jiff, 10 years! I am so encouraged by your story, you attitude about life, the way you have dedicated so much time and effort to monitoring this board and giving what you can to those that might follow in your footsteps but could never fill your shoes!
I am glad to have your ear when I need sound advice, your humor when I need a giggle, and your support every time I come here.
Thank you for everything you do and say in the service of others, I continue to try to follow your excellent example.
Angela
Last edited by missangelaks; 08-14-2011 at 06:06 PM.
thank you for the kind comments. it astounds me that i'm still alive!! and soooo much has happened over the past 10 years - mom's alzheimer's and death. misfortune and stress. but i'm still here! even though i've regained about 60-70 pounds, i keep reminding myself that i've STILL kept off 200 pounds!!!
and i'm drifting down slowly again. thank goodness. still have issues.
and angela - for the record - i took on this 'job' for several reasons: (1) i receive way more than i give to everyone on here. (2) i NEVER want to see someone get into the condition I was in - that was horrible and was the result of a number of issues, mostly emotional, but some bit of misdiagnosis along the way (3) i need all the help i can get!!!!
i'm grateful every single day that i can literally get out of bed, shower, and get dressed, and do pretty much everything i need to - a little slower than i'd like, but it all gets done.
And adding a PS: because of all this history, there's literally NOTHING that anyone who comes to this board can say that I haven't heard or experienced. No matter how scary it is for someone - and it IS scary - it IS possible to survive and get through it. the question always is, though, whether you come out with a good result - and happy - or a bad result and miserable. and none of us need more 'miserable' in our lives.
Seriously, that's an amazing change. It's a shame that other people can't accept a beneficial change in someone they so-called care about. But anyway, Good on you!
Awesome story, Jiffy!! You rock!!! It seems that a lot of times it takes getting that major scare before we can get our minds wrapped around the truth.
I've been gone for a while, but need to get back on here. This board is so supportive and such a wonderful place to be.
10 years ago today
