12/8/02

Well  here's the latest update! AND IT IS GOOD NEWS!! I went for my scope with my new surgeon on Thursday  and it went very well. The opening      from my stomach to my small bowel is now the size of a marble. When he started the scope it was the size of a sesame seed (no wonder I couldn't even drink water)  This surgeon is one of the best doctors I have met; he is so caring and so compassionate. 

He was able to inject steroids into the opening; hopefully this will stop the scarring and keep the opening from closing down. BUT! I have a fungus in my new stomach and this may prevent the steroids from reaching the tissue and so I might have to go back for another scope.  I am now on medications to help clear up the fungal infection and also medicine to stop my gallbladder from creating stones.

The really good news is he is 90% sure I won't have to go back for another surgery. He also said that the first surgeon left the opening way too small and the suture line was not what he would like to see.  As I said before my first surgeon is a QUACK!!  

I still have the G-tube to feed myself as I can only take in liquids at this time.  The PICC line and the TPN feeding are gone!  Hurray!!   They saved my life but I am glad to not have to mess with them any longer.

12/12/02

Having a little bit of setback!  I can't keep certain foods.  But I will get through this God is beside me.  I know that I will still need a surgery for my Gallbladder so am just holding on to see if I will need another surgery on my stomach.  Here is a beautiful prayer I found.

"I wish for you..." 

Comfort on difficult days,
Smiles when sadness intrudes,
Rainbows to follow the clouds,
Laughter to kissyour lips,
Sunsets to warm your heart,
Gentle hugs when spirits sag,
Friendships to brighten your being,
Beauty for your eyes to see, 
Confidence for when you doubt,
Faith so that you can believe,
Courage to know yourself,
Patience to accept the truth,
And love to complete your life

 

Dec 17  2002

On the 20th, I will go for my 8th scope.  I am very grateful that I had 8 days of being able to eat.   Life is good ~

So I will update you after my scope on Friday.  I haven't heard what the results are of the biopsy so I think no news is good news.

98 pounds have gone bye bye!!!!

WOW!  Shame on me it has been more than a week since I updated this page!   Today is the 27th of December.

Latest update   I went for the scope on Friday Dec 20.  My surgeon wasn't as optimist as he has been in the past.  He thought the scope would last a month.  Well he was wrong -  it didn't last a week.   Yep I am strictured again.   So on to another scope when he gets back from vacation.

Christmas was wonderful.  I spent it with my husband, mother, brother and my brother's best friend.  They all enjoyed a great meal  Turkey, mashed potatoes, dressing etc.   I enjoyed watching them eat. 

I have lost  -- drum roll please    104 pounds!!

so check here next Tuesday for ...

ME WITH PURPLE HAIR!!!

OH MY!  Long time no update   Shame shame!

Here goes -  Had another scope on 12/30 down in Grand Rapids.  UGH! but the good news is that is latest longer than any other scope - 10 days.  So maybe on I am on the other side of this uphill battle. 

I have to get a picture on here of our newest baby!  Miss Annie our black poodle!   She is adorable!

I go for another scope tomorrow!  Dr. Sanford at Munson here at Traverse City will be doing it!   Thank God!  That 3 hour drive to Grand Rapids is wearing on both Jim and I  however the 3 hour drive back is only bad for Jim as I am so drugged I don't even remember it.  Poor Jim  He says I repeat myself the whole time and he can't wait to get out of the car and get me to bed so I will hush!   I have a slight infection in the area of my G tube so I might have to get that taken out.  I hope I don't have to have it put back in cause that was the worst.

Take care all   Love to everyone of you from both Jim and I!

Jan 19. 2003

HI! Sorry about taking a week to update this but I haven't been feeling well.  The scope went ok but he wasn't able to get the stricture opened as much as we would have liked it to be open.   And since the scope I have been ill - vomiting and nauseated.  Unfortunately I am also battling with severe depression.  I am so thankful I have my faith and I am sorry God that I can't seem to understand why.   I just need to let God take over and I will be fine.  Please say prayers to let me do this as I know it is the best thing.

ON the upside, some of my family including my hubby and mom went to see STOMP.  It was a fantastic show.  I laughed and was awed throughout the show.  And here in Traverse City we have beautiful snow.  So life is good.  

Today is a beautiful day to be alive   Right Dad?]

Look at the message God sent to me

If God bring you to it; He will bring you through it!

Well the 12th scope didn't work either.  SIGH!  I am so tired of being tired! and of vomiting and the nausea.  I have made an appt with Dr. Foote and I am going to ask him to do the surgery again or refer me to someone who will.  I really like Dr. Foote but I want my life back; I want to go somewhere and have fun not worry about where a bathroom is cause I will need it quickly. 

I have come to a stand still on my weight loss which is 110.  That is ok cause I want my body to relax (is that possible?)  I am strictured again so I will need another scope soon.  Hopefully it will be this Friday. 

Love and hugs

Jan 26 2003    Okay   is everyone as tired as I am about the scopes?   Well I had my thirteenth on Friday and it went well.   Dr. Sanford (who I think is a saint) scoped me again and said this time I wasn't as strictured; which is good news.  Now I have to figure out why I still vomit as I still couldn't eat today Sunday.   My hair is finally stopped falling out in gobs now it is just a few strands here and there.   Wow do I sound like a whiner.   So I am going to list what I am grateful -  God, His Son,  my family (Hubby, Mom and Brother) all my relatives, all my friends, my weight loss and prayers.  

Oh!  and of course my dogs. Anna the newest

Ali doing the treadmill for me

  Nut Hey let me in!  I can see you eating!!!

Honest   We aren't doing anything wrong

January 29

Well I had a tad of a setback - my G-tube fell out last night at 2am.  Jim and I had to go to the ER to make sure that everything was ok and they tried to put another one in before the tract closed but were not able to get it in.   So I will wait for the my appointment with the surgeon on Monday. 

Wow!   Look at me!    Sheesh!!   I am with my hubby and my Mother!  

A message to my Cousin Charlene  I have gift wrapped the pants for you!  Hugs! 

   
Feb 4  2003

 Hurray!  Hurray!  Hurray!

I will be scheduled for a surgery in the next few weeks.   This time my new surgeon is going to try to do it with a scope which means a tiny incision in my stomach and a significantly less hospital stay.   However he may still need to do my surgery as an open surgery   Which ever is fine by me!!   I can't wait!   Look out world   here I come!    Thanks everyone for your prayers!

Feb 10 2003

Ok!  well it is time to play games with the Insurance company.  I can't get a surgery date until the Insurance company approves the 2nd surgery.   Aren't HMO's fun?   So I have no clue as to when I might have the surgery again.

Today I will have my 13th scope.  Yippee!  But at least I will be able to eat again after I have it done.   I am having a bit of pain in the area of the pouch so I hope nothing is going on there.  

Good news -  I am down 120 pounds.   80 more and I get my hummingbird tattoo.  And NO there is no talking me out of it!  I have worked hard and earned it!     Hugs! 

Happy Valentines Day

Still no news on my surgery date!   I am feeling very well !   I have lost about 122 pounds!   Hugs and Kisses  Doreen

I have a date!!!!!!!    HURRAY!    March 4th I will going in for a revision of my previous surgery and I will get my Gallbladder out at the same time.    It has been an uphill battle and I am tired!  But I am so excited!

Prayer Request

Please pray for my Aunt who has recently been diagnosised with Breast Cancer!  Thanks

See next page for updates of March 6th, 2003 and forward