December 30 - post 2

Took my second walk to the stop sign today, woo-hoo! Boy am I pooped.

I am posting a picture of Nathan and his family: Dawn, Juniper, and Zeraphin. Aren't they the cutest!

Christmas 2009

Hard to believe the end of 2009 is upon us. It has been a difficult time for me but not for lack of support. Family and friends have been so wonderful! I do realize how blessed I am to have so many wonderful people in my life. I hear from family and friends daily. Many thanks to you all.
I think the difficult part for me right now is the medication changes that have taken place. I had to stop the anti-depressant I was taking as it is time released and I cannot take time release medication. Also, I had to stop my iron supplement as it is in a capsule- I can crush tablets and get them down. Note- do NOT open iron supplement capsule and try to take that way. Big mistake! Lastly, the pain medication I take helps but I am trying not to take it. If I do not take it then the belly and back pain depress me, then it's harder to make myself walk, etc. So. at this point I think it is a matter of finding the right formula for me.
I did venture out to the grocery December 24th with the rest of the community. I started out good but started to feel yucky so we hurried and finished . I will try another adventure soon!

Dec 23

sorry i haven't blogged lately.........too busy shopping and cooking! ha! I think I am getting a bit better every day. The more I walk the better I think I feel ( barb and kacy - not an excuse to get nazi on me!)
been very low key. may go to grocery tomoirrow if any are open to get something special for christmas dinner. hope everyone is well.
love xxoo

Monday Dec 21

Wow1 thanks for all the positive comments and prayers. You are the awesome ones. I am looking forward to feeling a bit better every day. I walked to the end of the driveway and back and it did feel good to know that I did it...plus, I am hoping the neighbors saw my groovy outfit- blue nightgown, red footies, green slippers, pink robe...and a cane! I will try to get a pic to share. I am concentrating on protein and fluids. I did not think it would be that hard to drink but it really is!
I am hoping everyone gets on a flight tomorrow to go skiing as planned. I will look forward to some good stories and video. I hope everyone is having a good holiday and pray for abundant blessings for all.

Sunday December 20

I had some food today and it was great! I had a half cup of cream of potato soup for supper and it was yummy. I have been feeling so weak; having trouble concentrating and just wanting to sleep all the time. Today, Barb came over and I got out some information they had given me as I was leaving the hospital and it said that I should be eating protein. It makes me angry that this was not explained better to me. I was told liquid diet for one week at my initial consult and I was given a pamphlet that stated this as well. I was told all my information was in it....ha! At this point I am not too impressed with my care. Ron has strict instructions never to take me to Atlanta Med Center ever again. It makes me kind of queasy to think of it....
My experience included:
-a scope done on 12-7 that found a polyp; neither Ron nor I was informed of this
-a phone call from the scope doctor AS I WAS LEAVING telling me that the pathology report showed a carcinoid which should be removed
-I never saw a doctor except a resident at 3:00 a.m. checking on me, then another resident that could not tell us anything about the polyp that needed removed
-nice nurses but they gave me double my pain dose ( I found out later)
-no explanation about my diet
I will list more as I think of them but I want it to be written down. It is no wonder I feel so crappy. I am hoping that tomorrow I will turn a corner and have a little more energy. I could not have made it without the love and support of family and friends.
p.s. an incentive spirometer is a device in which the patient is encouraged to take deep inhalations. Also, comments can be posted from the blog. ... a drop down menu allows you to write in your name before it posts.

December 19, 2009

Not a good day. Although, I slept well, the pain seems worse. I am so weak and get short of breath very easily. Also, I get little light headed at times. Thank God for pain medicine as this is what allows me to move. I have been trying to do most things on my own to keep my circulation going. Also, I have been using my incentive spirometer.
I am actually a little hungry and the commercials can look so delicious! I had some broth today that was good and am constantly working on hydration.
I am looking forward to feeling better. Barb, Pat, Kacy, and Mikey came over last night and worked on a puzzle with me. It was fun and Pat now has a new talent! They have been so supportive and kind. I also received a basket of goodies which included decaf flavored international coffee-yum!

post op phase

I'm home!!!!!!!!!!!!!I never want to go to that hospital again. I was so uncomfortable. When I got home I went to bed and fell asleep right away. I was up most ot the time in the hospital. I am glad that all is done and that the sarcoid (?) was found but I never want to feel like this again . I am very weak and really cannot eat anything with protein or nutrients. Just jello, water, broth, and popsicles. So, I am really looking forward to next week when I can have skim milk and cream of wheat!
I can only put a very small amount of food in my tummy at a time. About a shot glass - but no booze. If I take in more than that I feel quite full and uncomfortable.
I will writer more later.........

Update (from barb)

Today's surgery went well. The carcinoid was very small, less that 1 cm. The doctor said it was very unusual to be in her stomach, but they were able to get it laproscopically using one of the original incisions.

They expect her to be able to come home tomorrow.

Right now she is in the recovery room. Will update you again soon!

Thank you,
Barb

Pictures (from kacy)

Here are the pictures I promised....

Libby with a smile and a red-face

(we finally figured out she was allergic to the wash cloth)

Sisterly love!! :)

Aunt Libby and me

The view from her room

The guys watching the helicopter land

Libby went into her second surgery this morning around 9:30. They better take care of EVERYTHING this time. :)

-kacy

Another Update (from kacy)

Hello again,

So...a doctor just came in at 5:30pm to give an update. They are definitely trying to test her patience.

They are going to take her into surgery first thing tomorrow morning.

During the initial surgery, they saw something that looked off, so they did a biopsy and found out that she had a carcinoid tumor in her stomach. During the surgery tomorrow morning, they will put a tube down her food pipe with a camera to look around, and will go in through the same incision sites from her first surgery to do a lastrectomy (I probably spelled that wrong) to cut out anything that needs to be removed. They won't know how much will be cut out until they get in and look around.

She is an incredible person. She is really looking at the bright side of everything....instead of being super frustrated (like we all are), the first thing she said to me was "I am glad they found it now so we can take care of everything at once." She is smiling and talking and even giggled while she was napping....but when she woke up I asked her what she was dreaming about, and she couldn't remember. :)

I took a few pictures today and will post those when I get home.

Thanks again for all the support!
Kacy

Update (from kacy)

Hello all,

I am Libby's neice, Kacy, and just wanted to give a quick update. I know many of you are checking in to see how Libby is doing, and we are so thankful for all of the prayers and well wishes.

The surgery went well, although there was a lot of scar tissue so it took longer than expected. Aunt Libby can tell you more about that.

Today there was a set-back and it looks like she is going to have to go back into surgery for something they found on a biopsy yesterday. I am heading up to the hospital, and will give more details when we get the facts...but please keep praying for her. This won't be a fun day for her. :(

Thank you! - Kacy

surgery update

The doctor's office finally called and I am to report for surgery at 9:30. That most likely means my surgery will not start until quite a bit later. If there are any setbacks from the surgeries before mine then that will push my time back. There will also be registration, then wait, go back to preop then wait, get i.v. started, then wait, talk to the doctor, then wait, talk to anesthesiologist, then wait........etc. So, Ron will spread the word after surgery. Thanks to all my family and friends for their support. And curses to all the food and restaurant commercials...ha!

December 14, 2009

I am one day before surgery and my second day into "clear liquid" diet. I still do not know what time my surgery is scheduled. I find it disappointing that the doctors office is not more considerate about these types of things. They should understand that patients are anxious and need information to calm their fears. Instead they just tell us that they will call the day before or if we do not hear from them by 3:00 p.m. to call the office. I thing they should let the patient know as soon as possible instead of this "wait and see" attitude.
The liquid diet is distracting and uncomfortable. I keep forgetting and think, " I will have some lunch" and then I remember........oh yeah, jello or broth? I am at the point now that juice, jello, and broth are a bit nauseating. I think it is better today (so far) than is was yesterday. It's just that achy feeling in my stomach is uncomfortable and I have a bit of a headache. If Ron eats anything in front of me today I might eat him! He has been good and banishing himself to the other room when he eats.
The first week will continue to be liquids but I do not think it will bother me as much as I should not "feel" hungry. I am sure I will smell something and think it sounds good to eat but I will have to deal with that when I come to it.
I am touched by all the well wishes and prayers. I have heard from all of my family and everyone at work was sweet. I am ready to get on with everything. It seems I have been waiting so long. Well, I have actually been ready since May.
Well, here's looking forward to feeling better, living longer, being healthier!!!

December 11, 2009

I am 4 days pre-op and thinking about my "clear liquid" diet for two days prior to surgery. Would beer be considered a clear liquid? I asked about tea and coffee but did not get a response. I am not a fan of broth or jello but the popsicles should get me through. Also, the coffee is an issue..........I know I can get through it but I do love my coffee..........and the headache.........oh well, if that is the worst of it then no big deal.


Everyone at work was so sweet yesterday and my co-worker made me a big chocolate cake! I received lots of hugs and promises for prayer so it was a good day.


My family is most supportive so I don't know how anyone could do this without good support. I met a support group that seems very friendly and "supportive". They meet once a month so I am looking forward to their advice.


Today is my 10 year wedding anniversary. I had hoped to be on a cruise but maybe that would be a good 11 year anniversary gift.

Well, with the help of my sweet niece, I am adding a "before" picture so all can watch my progress. God bless you all!

First blog

Since I have never "blogged" before I am writing a test to see how this all works. Today was my last day of work for the rest of the month....yeah!! I will be having my surgery in 5 days. I am excited and ready to get on with it. I will write more tomorrow after I see how this looks...