MsCathyV
Crossing the line. My trip from pre-op to post-op RNY surgery
Jan 13, 2009
During this process, the beginning of my journey to a healthier life, I kept waiting for the ball to drop -- for something to go wrong. Like a delay of my surgery date because of some freak situation, or a health complication or whatever. With a little apprehension, I proceeded with the liquid prep-diet (apprehension because I've never been a milk drinker and wasn't quite sure how I would "survive" on the protein drinks alone for 10 days). Surprisingly, they kept my hunger at bay and by keeping myself busy and organized, the time went relatively quickly. I could tell during the process, however (which fell over the New Years holiday) that I was losing weight already, AND more importantly my diabetes blood sugars were well under control. On Monday (4 days before my surgery) I received a call that my brother had died quite unexpectedly from a massive heart attack at his home in Iowa. Out of 5 siblings, that only leaves myself and 1 other survivor. It was important that I be there for myself, out of respect to my brother and sister-in-law, but primarily to support my remaining brother who was not taking the passing of his brother and best friend well. I managed to catch a flight out of Minneapolis on Tuesday afternoon, arriving in Omaha by early evening. I learned upon my arrival that the visitation was scheduled for Wednesday evening, the funeral on Thursday morning. Keep in mind, that Thursday is my prep day . . . the one where you survive on clear liquids, drink the nasty stuff and then park in the bathroom for infinity. I was clearly stressed because I could not let myself walk away from this surgery date . . . I was so prepared mentally and had already endured my 10 day pre-op diet. Also, given what had caused my brother's untimely death (he was 65) was only more motivation to seek the RNY tool to improve my health. Perhaps his death was a message to me to "go for it" and not look back. To make a long story short, it all worked out. I attended the visitation on Wednesday, the funeral on Thursday and managed to put the beginning phases of closure on our loss.
My son and daughter-in-law were already scheduled to drive up on Thursday evening to be with me during my recovery, so I just hitched a ride back home with them. We left at 1:00, which put us arriving in the TC around 7:00. Knowing that certainly wasn't the scheduled time to begin my prep, I pressed on -- drinking the nasty stuff down in flash and then spending the entire night on the thrown. By time to leave for the hospital, I was exhausted but cleaned out and ready to get the show on the road. It amazed me that when I checked in at the hospital and relayed to the surgical nursing team what I had done, they didn't seem concerned. As long as the prep was done they felt I should be good to go. And it went off without a hitch. It just goes to show you that if you really want something badly enough, you can endure alot and see yourself through more than you ever thought you could.
