Dawn B.
H. Pylori & Pancreatitis
Dec 30, 2008
Well, the bloodwork came back and it was positive for H. Pylori (sign of peptic ulcer) and pancreatitis! Got that news on the 22nd while I as at my best friend's house baking Christmas goodies. I picked up Biaxin & Flagyl on Wednesday to start a 2 week regiment to hopefully clear up both issues. Kinda excited that I have an actual diagnosis and per Cindy, Dr. Nichols' assistant, he was as well. After I'm done with the meds I get a new blood test so I'll update then.
Christmas vacation was great. Had a lot of fun at Disneyland and relaxing at my folks home.
Way overdue update...
Dec 17, 2008
Well, here I am - almost a homeowner for a full year, a dog owner that goes from wanting to strangle her in love to strangle her in complete frustration, and holding steady at basically 150 for 6 months now. I occassionally drop down to 147-148 for a day or two, then back up to 150. Higher than I'd like, especially as a lot of my pants from last year don't fit, but I'm dealing with it. I walk my dog usually for 45 minutes 5 days a week so I'm sure that's one of the reasons I'm maintaining. I've tried to go back to no snacks, etc. to lose 5-10 lbs but it's not easy any longer.
An update on my stomach pain. Well, I took a Prednisone towards the end of the 6-week Maalox treatment and had an attack w/i 20 minutes so I made a follow-up appt for theTuesday before Thanksgiving and took Maalox for an additional 10 days or so. Had no more attacks so cancelled the appt and of course had a minor one the night before I was supposed to have gone. No more after that until last week. I had one about 30 minutes after eating roasted chicken and califlower & corn then the mid-back pain the next day mid-morning and one that lasted for almost 30 minutes from start to finish on Monday RIGHT after finishing eating - actually thought I had eaten too much and that the pain was from that until it continued and spiked. Was stumbling up to the office for someone to take me to the ER when it finally eased off. So - went back to my classroom and immediately called my surgeon's office. Saw him this afternoon. He's a little confused about the lack of consistency (me too) but still thinks it's an ucler so prescribed a different drug that's supposed to help w/ acid and healing for me to use for 2 months. Did some blood work to see if I had whatever is in your blood that shows you have an ulcer and said if it's still occuring after that he'll ask for a CT scan. Time will obviously tell.
While waiting there was a woman waiting for her first consult and asked if I thought it was worth it. Said immediately that I would it again tomorrow. Meant it - just wish I could get to the bottom of this latest issue.
I see my primary tomorrow for pain in my wrist, my permanent PMS, and a throat/ear that I think is heading for an infection. Maybe if I can stop flipping out in anger over nothing that will help the stomach.
Merry Christmas all and Happy New Years!
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An update on my stomach pain. Well, I took a Prednisone towards the end of the 6-week Maalox treatment and had an attack w/i 20 minutes so I made a follow-up appt for theTuesday before Thanksgiving and took Maalox for an additional 10 days or so. Had no more attacks so cancelled the appt and of course had a minor one the night before I was supposed to have gone. No more after that until last week. I had one about 30 minutes after eating roasted chicken and califlower & corn then the mid-back pain the next day mid-morning and one that lasted for almost 30 minutes from start to finish on Monday RIGHT after finishing eating - actually thought I had eaten too much and that the pain was from that until it continued and spiked. Was stumbling up to the office for someone to take me to the ER when it finally eased off. So - went back to my classroom and immediately called my surgeon's office. Saw him this afternoon. He's a little confused about the lack of consistency (me too) but still thinks it's an ucler so prescribed a different drug that's supposed to help w/ acid and healing for me to use for 2 months. Did some blood work to see if I had whatever is in your blood that shows you have an ulcer and said if it's still occuring after that he'll ask for a CT scan. Time will obviously tell.
While waiting there was a woman waiting for her first consult and asked if I thought it was worth it. Said immediately that I would it again tomorrow. Meant it - just wish I could get to the bottom of this latest issue.
I see my primary tomorrow for pain in my wrist, my permanent PMS, and a throat/ear that I think is heading for an infection. Maybe if I can stop flipping out in anger over nothing that will help the stomach.
Merry Christmas all and Happy New Years!
Abdominal pain...
Sep 11, 2008
I started experiencing SEVERE abdominal pain during the night - one episode was so bad that it brought me to my knees. I had one experience with back pain, but didn't connect it to the abdominal pain until this last week when I had another one. Asked for info from here - only idea I got was that I may have issues with the bile duct from the pancreas. Called the nurse in charge of the program here, she suggested esophegeal spasms. Saw my PCP Aug. 13th - acid related and prescribed Protonix - had an attack more nights than not - stopped that. Saw Dr. Nichols for my 3 year annual and his diagnosis - an ulcer. The cause - probably the dark chocolate I tend to eat too much of. The cure - 6 weeks of no chocolate and 4 servings of liquid Maalox a day. If that doesn't take care of it - scope city here I come.
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Happy 3rd Anniversary!
Aug 02, 2008
Well, here it is, 3 years post-op and overall I'm doing great. My dad asked me while I was visiting them a week ago if I would still do the surgery knowing all the post-op qwirks and I said, "YES!" I hang around 143-147 and I would prefer 140-145, but not bad. Over a year ago I figured out that my body didn't like 130's so upped my goal weight to 140-145. My lowest weight was 132 and lowest size a size 4. My highest weight in the last 2 years was 150 and my size is now a size 8/Medium with some 6's and smalls thrown in. When I had gotten to 150, one week of following plan dropped 7 lbs so the tool still works when used properly. The question is, do you ever stop celebrating post-op anniversaries or is like surviving cancer - it's always there in the back of your mind???
Life in general...
Apr 20, 2008
Well, here it is, a month after having the gallbladder yanked and the intestinal track isn't quite with it yet. I have at least another month before Dr. Nichols says 90% of the healing will be done and the quirks calm down.
Still seeing the trainer weekly at the gym and sure wish I could continue indefinitely as I enjoy the challenge and accountability she provides. I gained about 4 pounds more than I am comfortable so put myself back on plan last Monday and managed to lose ~6 lbs so I'm back at the low end of my 5 lb window. Yeah!! Bad side effect is I way upped my water to counter the desire to munch so I've been getting 64-80 oz of water in a day and my legs/feet are cramping! Not cool!!
The school year is winding down so it's been busy getting kids ready for state testing, assemblies, field trips, Sat. Schools, and added to that sitting on the interview board for a new site principal. Yeesh...
Still working on my house, but at least most of the big jobs are done. Bought a lawnmower (my first) and promptly put the oil where the gasoline goes! Hate when the blond roots show.
My pond got full of brown fluffy algae and so I've spent the last week working very diligently to get it cleaned up. Looking much better and all of my fish have survived! Still can't get the pH levels correct... but the water's clear.
I'm getting an Irish setter puppy - have a couple possibilities lined up so I'm very excited. I will be forced to walk/run/bike at least twice a day if I want to keep a house and yard that isn't destroyed!
Still seeing the trainer weekly at the gym and sure wish I could continue indefinitely as I enjoy the challenge and accountability she provides. I gained about 4 pounds more than I am comfortable so put myself back on plan last Monday and managed to lose ~6 lbs so I'm back at the low end of my 5 lb window. Yeah!! Bad side effect is I way upped my water to counter the desire to munch so I've been getting 64-80 oz of water in a day and my legs/feet are cramping! Not cool!!
The school year is winding down so it's been busy getting kids ready for state testing, assemblies, field trips, Sat. Schools, and added to that sitting on the interview board for a new site principal. Yeesh...
Still working on my house, but at least most of the big jobs are done. Bought a lawnmower (my first) and promptly put the oil where the gasoline goes! Hate when the blond roots show.
My pond got full of brown fluffy algae and so I've spent the last week working very diligently to get it cleaned up. Looking much better and all of my fish have survived! Still can't get the pH levels correct... but the water's clear.I'm getting an Irish setter puppy - have a couple possibilities lined up so I'm very excited. I will be forced to walk/run/bike at least twice a day if I want to keep a house and yard that isn't destroyed!
Gallbladder surgery
Mar 22, 2008
Surgery went fine on Thursday. Was home by noon. Felt good. Worse things I guess was a they took a piece of skin off my eyelid where they taped them shut and as I was using the bathroom one last time before leaving my arm starting bleeding all over from where they had the IV. Probably did too much when I got home - like climbing through my entertainment system to work on my speakers with my dad. Yesterday wasn't in too much pain, but just didn't feel good. Last night I managed to sleep for 10 hours and that made today a lot better. I'm just glad I'll be able to go to church tomorrow.
So far nothing is bothering me eating, which I'll be surprised if it does happen though. Since my system wasn't getting the big burst of bile anyway when I ate fat/protein it shouldn't be missing it now.
Yesterday wasn't in too much pain, but just didn't feel good. Last night I managed to sleep for 10 hours and that made today a lot better. I'm just glad I'll be able to go to church tomorrow. So far nothing is bothering me eating, which I'll be surprised if it does happen though. Since my system wasn't getting the big burst of bile anyway when I ate fat/protein it shouldn't be missing it now.
Gallbladder
Feb 10, 2008
Well, my gallbladder managed to get rid of a whole whopping 21% of the dye when 50% or less is bad. I guess I finally got the proof that I needed that it was my gallbladder and not my pancreas or a stomach blockage. It's coming out on March 20th and the surgeon that did my bypass is doing that as well so I'm content with that.
I managed to get a debt consolidation loan/extra money so I paid for 12 sessions with the trainer. Yeah!!
I managed to get a debt consolidation loan/extra money so I paid for 12 sessions with the trainer. Yeah!!
Trainer and Gallbladder
Jan 31, 2008
Well, met with the trainer on Tuesday. I would love to figure out how to pay for more sessions. Really learned a lot in just that 1st hour - almost too much as I couldn't quite remember all the exercises yesterday when I went in. Our goal is variety and lots of reps to pull up all the underlying muscles to help pull up the saggy skin and tone the muscles. I'd like to lose at least an inch all over, w/o losing weight. Now THAT'S something I thought I'd never say. 
On a less positive note, I'm off to see my surgeon next week for possible gallbladder surgery (that's his 1st speciality). I've had about 6 abdomidal attacks, starting 3 weeks post-op, every 6 months or so. As noted, my last one was about 3-4 weeks ago. Since then I've had an ultrasound - again negative for gallstones, but positive for kidney stones. Then my PCP ordered a gallbladder function test. Well, to quote the nurse "my gallbladder isn't working well." I'll find out how not well next week.
On a less positive note, I'm off to see my surgeon next week for possible gallbladder surgery (that's his 1st speciality). I've had about 6 abdomidal attacks, starting 3 weeks post-op, every 6 months or so. As noted, my last one was about 3-4 weeks ago. Since then I've had an ultrasound - again negative for gallstones, but positive for kidney stones. Then my PCP ordered a gallbladder function test. Well, to quote the nurse "my gallbladder isn't working well." I'll find out how not well next week.
The Gym...
Jan 23, 2008
New Year - New Exercise goals... well, I've joined a gym to try and tone up. I was able to sign up on a month-to-month so if I end up not driving into town for it I can cancel. I really wanted to get a treadmill, but I need the toning more than the cardio so I also signed up with a trainer so that I can get a program going to lose at least an inch all over. We'll see how it goes...
Traveling via United Airlines
Jan 21, 2008
Well, air travel can be very interesting to say the least. I just had a business/pleasure trip to Las Vegas that was anything but smooth in the travel department. I live in a community that has a small airport with puddle jumper planes to get to San Francisco. On Thursday I got notification that my flight was delayed meaning that I would miss my connection flight, but if I got to the airport in 30 minutes United could get me on an earlier flight and all would be good. Got folks to cover my last 2 classes and off I dashed. The Las Vegas piece was fun - saw two different shows (one for free - the other for 1/2 price) and got a $3000 return on a slot machine, but didn't get to keep it as it was on a $50 free play credit and I had to get at least $4000 to be able to keep the cash. Arrived at the airport to return home on Sunday and again, my first flight was delayed so I wouldn't be able to make my connection flight. Now United advertises that they will contact you in such a situation - they didn't. Because it was due to crew issues, they put me up in a hotel for the night - had to get up at 3:30AM to get to the airport this morning - to get my new flight. Check in, head for security, and get told that the airline had selected me for extra security checking. Payback for a comp room - or concern that I would be so annoyed I would do something stupid??? Got to San Francisco w/o further mishap. In the 2 hour layover I heard at least 10 different flight have their departure gate changed - and that was just w/i my 10 gate wing. Mine was changed 7 minutes before we were due to board. Right after our gate is changed we're told we'll be leaving a bit late as the plane landed about 10 minutes late and then needed to have minor maintenance done. THEN we're told that there was a weather warning for Redding meaning that we may get rerouted to Sacramento! Now, San Francisco is 3 hours southwest from Redding, Sacramento is 2 hours south, so whoopee. When I asked what would happen if we did get rerouted and I was told that we would be put a plane back to San Francisco and then again on a plane to Redding! Yiesh! We ended up arriving safely in Redding about 25 minutes late. What a trip!
About Me
Anderson, CA
Location
24.0
BMI
Surgery
08/01/2005
Surgery Date
Apr 10, 2005
Member Since
Before & After
rollover to see after photo
<b>mid-July 2006, pre-op
<b>258lbs
<b>GOAL!! - 5/15/06
<b>135lbs
