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.
it's not a NEW ME - it's a RE-FOUND me.
whew!
quite a ride!