Carrie's Story - Page 90 - ThinnerTimes

chilmoe · 08-23-2007, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdgrrl

I had problems with my gall bladder before I had the RNY. Normal liver enzymes are 10-14, and mine were like 450....it hurt a lot...having the lap cholecystectomy was a no brainer, but I was really nauseous and felt crappy for about 3 weeks after...they said that's how long it takes to get the toxins out.

When the gall bladder is gone, there is no bile to break down the fats, so they tend to "run through" us quicker. The liver detoxes us, so it means more work for the liver. And we post GBS patients tend to have higher liver enzymes anyway due to the malabsorption issues.

One big problem with gall bladder issues is if the gall bladder obstructs or sends a stone out into the common bile duct, the liver and the pancreas can get involved. Pancreatitis makes for one sick patient!! It used to be if you got pancreatitis, you could count on a good 3 month hospital stay, and if you were lucky you got to go home and not to the morgue. Michelle chose to be 'tough' about the pain she had on and off, increasingly on for 5 years!

When she finally took people's advice and drove herself to the ER, her liver enzymes were 4500!!! I can't even imagine how much pain she must have been in--I couldn't have stood 10x more pain than I had. They had to dope her up for a week to get her liver calmed down enough to have the surgery. Once they got in there, they found that not only was her gall bladder calcified, but also 1/4 of her pancreas had been destroyed by the obstruction. So they had to cut a bunch of it out, leaving her with chronic pancreatitis. When she gets an attack, she looks just awful, I know it's gotta hurt. Even though it seems like such an "accessory" organ, our gall bladders play an important role in our bodies and shouldn't be taken lightly. They can do a lot of damage if they're messed up.

Carrie, when your body heals from this assault and detoxes some of the garbage out, you will feel SOOOO much better--take heart! When they do labs on you, find out what your liver enzymes are and remember 10-14 is the normal range. Then you'll have an idea of how well you're doing liver-wise. It will get better, it simply must!

thanks donna, as usual you are full of information and great experience, love ya girl

chilmoe · 08-23-2007, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlabamaChick

Carrie, I had pain with mine where my gallbladder was. It was BURNING pain! I thought I would die before it stopped. The doc told me there was no way he could take all the pain away. I would get on my couch on my elbows and knees and rock back and forth and put pressure in my side to try and make it stop. It lasted about a week, if I remember correctly. I hope it subsides for you soon. It was horrible for me.

i have that burning pain in my back, good to know its part of the surgery and it should go away soon....yea so happy for that, hugs trina - i miss you.

Duckie · 08-23-2007, 11:27 PM

just sending my wub! {{{{{{{{{{{{{Carrie}}}}}}}}}}}}}

AlabamaChick · 08-24-2007, 05:23 AM

Awwwwww honey, I miss you too. And just so you know, the burning pain was in my back too, high up, as if under the lower part of my rib cage. I hope you feel better when you get those staples out. Your body is fighting them also and that takes some out of you. I'm thinking of you!

chilmoe · 08-26-2007, 08:07 AM

got my staples out- cant believe how much better i feel since then

got a ride to the hat to get my van - was able to drive home, a few bumps in the road got me on the way home - they really need to fix our roads..lol

but the best news of all I CAN EAT, no problems - still have surgery pain, but i can tell the difference between the pain in my body now that i am healing - can you believe its been two weeks tomorrow since i had my gallbladder out? crazy how time flies.

i went back to work monday and i have been crazy shopping, getting kids ready for back to school - that is how i know my body is already on the mend - i get tired due to surgery - but i am able to push through to go go go - eating often right now - worries me a little - but my portion sizes are 1/4 - 1/2 cup at a time so to get what my body needs i eat what it needs as i need it - i still count calories/fat/protein/etc to make sure i dont over do it - i dont want to get stuck with this "grazing" thing, but i am just going to do what i need to do - amazing the mind games still at this stage - wow what we do to ourselves.

so in a nutshell i am progressing to the full healing side - i wish paige and janie, van and trina and all others struggling could join me there.

again thank you to everyone - i could not walk this alone.

LisaBoston · 08-26-2007, 08:24 AM

(kick in the butt from me!) TAKE IT EASY....you are a non-stop girl, but you are still healing! Love you and don't want you to over due it!

I AM THRILLED that you are eating..your body needs it so bad. Trust me on this...EAT!!!!! I have eaten so much food in the past 2 weeks and haven't gained a oz. My body is asking for the food as it needs it and wow has it made me feel so much better. We have to get you eating a cup or so and this may take some time, but we are on the gain weight program right now...right!!!!

You don't know how worried we have all been about you...(well maybe you know!) but truly, so glad you are on the mend and eating without pain.

Take Care sweetie and SO glad to read your positive update!

chilmoe · 08-26-2007, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LisaBoston

(kick in the butt from me!) TAKE IT EASY....you are a non-stop girl, but you are still healing! Love you and don't want you to over due it!

I AM THRILLED that you are eating..your body needs it so bad. Trust me on this...EAT!!!!! I have eaten so much food in the past 2 weeks and haven't gained a oz. My body is asking for the food as it needs it and wow has it made me feel so much better. We have to get you eating a cup or so and this may take some time, but we are on the gain weight program right now...right!!!!

You don't know how worried we have all been about you...(well maybe you know!) but truly, so glad you are on the mend and eating without pain.

Take Care sweetie and SO glad to read your positive update!

i totally trust you on this one - and so i eat

but i know you of all people understand when i say this, and so i say it - even though i am not at a healthy weight - i am scared to gain - i want to be able to go back to the gym so bad - cuz then i could gain muscle not weight by eating - as for you not gaining - i am up 2 pounds this week - so freaky - but i know its necessary - but again mind games

i wont overdue it - not lifting anything - not pushing the shopping cart - my kids are great, very helpful and leah has helped me a GREAT deal - so thankful for her......things are looking up - and im so glad they are for you too - sending you my healing strength - your turn to be 100% - love you

MiladyB · 08-26-2007, 08:58 AM

Carrie, I am thrilled to read your post. I have to tell you I have little goosebumps down my arms right now and I heaved a really big sigh of relief. I am SO HAPPY that you are finally on the road in the right direction.

Now to echo Lisa's words....TAKE IT EASY!! I know you are feeling better but you don't want to overdue it.

The eating more is normal, expected and needed. Your body has been without so many nutrients for months on end and it is screaming to be fed. You do need it to keep healing. I know you are afraid of the weight gain but if you keep an eye on it I know you will be ok. Once you are back up to a healthy weight I know that you will get back into the pattern of eating to maintain that weight.

So happy for you, sweetie.

sdgrrl · 08-26-2007, 09:10 AM

Carrie,
Yeah, what LisaB said! I do understand the worry of asking your body to put weight on, but not too much, and the panic when weight gain does happen. Just keep feeding the machine whenever your body asks for it, and try to make it healthy fuel. But, if your body craves it, it needs it!

Soooo glad you're able to eat without 'the PAIN'...you've been in the hearts of many of us for a long time, Carrie....and we're so glad you're on the mend.

Keep taking good care of you, Carrie! I know it's hard with school starting to take the time you need to rest, but you must! Your family has had to make do without your strength for too long, and they need you to take the time to get strong again.

You are so strong, Grrl!

Duckie · 08-26-2007, 11:34 AM

I AM SO HAPPY!!! I have been wondering how you have been doing but didn't want to bug you. I wub you sweets! Take it easy and eat, eat EAT! YEAH! Carrie is back!