A Minor Bump in the Road.... - ThinnerTimes

Claire-in-Texas · 08-31-2007, 06:09 AM

Although others might, I don't really think what happened to me was a complication.....just one of those things that had to be taken care of....a bump in the road.

A few weeks ago I noticed that I wasn't able to eat as much as I had been. And immediately after that, my precious little dog, Wesley, went to the Rainbow Bridge. I thought surely that was the reason for my lack of appetite. Immediately after that, I began to have symptoms I recognized of yet another urinary tract infection (which turned out to be the worst one ever).

I was worried that the meds that my pcp prescribed may not be the best, given my rny, so I called my surgeon. In that process, and with lots of questions and answers, the surgeon came to the conclusion that I probably have a stricture, and scheduled an endoscopy for this past Wednesday. He also said that the urinary tract infection (UTI) meds were appropriate, but to make sure I took them on a "full" stomach. Yeah, right, not easy with a stricture.

My overall symptoms were that I was always slightly nauseated, and had no appetite. I had to force myself to eat, and to smile. Was I a little bit scared? Sure! But when I felt fear rear its ugly head, I forced myself to smile.

Having said all of the above, I now will get to the POINT of this post. I viewed this as a bump in the road of a miraculous surgery that gave me back my quality of life. No back pain. Cholesteral normal. And much more. I knew this complication was fixable, and I smiled through my nausea assuring myself that it would all be fine - a bump in the road.

I had the endoscopy. There was a stricture. The surgeon fixed it. Because of my UTI meds, the surgeon also found gastritis in my pouch (redness, also causing nausea, lack of appetite, etc.), and a daily Nexium fixes that right up.

I came home from the hospital, still smiling. And oh yes, by the way, I asked that my husband stop for a cheeseburger for me - I was FAMISHED!

And now, please forgive me as I wax a bit philosophical....after all, I'm the VERY senior member here agewise ----- for me, life is all about not just surviving, but THRIVING, not just enduring but SOARING. So what if I had a little bump in the road, a complication (that could be fixed). So what if I had a little discomfort. It's all about attitude, in my opinion. It's all about being positive and throwing out that positive energy, because that's what will come back to you.

We must keep things in proper perspective. There are those who do have some serious complications and discomfort, and my heart goes out to them. However, those incidents are rare. I am not addressing those, I am addressing those of you who will have the bumps in the road like I did, the discomforts that are fixable.

It's not a perfect journey. But life isn't perfect. It IS, however, as perfect as our attitudes toward our lives in general make it.

Even through those days when I felt like crap, I smiled. I knew there would be an end to it, and there was. And now I don't have to force myself to smile anymore - it comes naturally. I'm so proud of my journey. So what if there are bumps in the road called fixable complications.

I might also add here that I know what it's like to be dreadfully sick. I had a terminal illness, I've had countless and serious surgeries. But you know what? I always smiled. I always believed in sending out positive energy, AND IT CAME BACK TO ME. I'm here to tell the tale, which is truly a miracle.

Eric, Lynda, Patrick and Corrine, thank you for your loving support. You made my smile brighter through it all.

Toony · 08-31-2007, 06:15 AM

Claire... what a touching post! And you're so right about the journey. I'm glad you're on the mend now... hugs from me!

--toony

OsoDelDesierto · 08-31-2007, 06:58 AM

Claire, as you know, I think the world of you! You are a delight and I am always inspired by your courage, compassion, and joyous outlook. I'm so glad that you're feeling better now and can eat again.

I'm also glad that you've shared this "bump in the road" with the rest of the Forum - it's important to know that these things (by whatever term we choose to describe them) DO happen, even to very good people who are following their pouch rules, staying upbeat, and finding joy wherever they can, and it's even more important to know that we can still get through them with our spiritual flags flying. Thank you for being a part of my journey!

Claire-in-Texas · 08-31-2007, 07:04 AM

Eric, you so frequently bring tears to my eyes. Thank you for all that you are to me. <<<<<< Eric >>>>>>

And Toony, thank you for your comments. I enjoy your posts very much! Hugs to you, toooooo!

paige52 · 08-31-2007, 07:58 AM

Claire I'm gald you have the ability to smile through all of this.....

LyndasRoom · 08-31-2007, 08:07 AM

I'm so glad you're feeling better Claire. I've missed your smiling presence around here!

Cat_Lover · 08-31-2007, 09:20 AM

Hi Claire,

Glad you're feeling better. What is the meaning of LIFE? - Bumps in the road.

Regards,

Cat_lover

Duckie · 08-31-2007, 11:04 AM

Claire, You ROCK hon! I'm glad you are feeling better.

Claire-in-Texas · 08-31-2007, 11:30 AM

Cat Lover, I have always told my children during their ups, and particularly their downs, that life is a test, and only the strong survive and thrive. They, now in their 40s, remind me of that every so often!

And that was, of course, a point that I was making in my original post. It is not realistic to expect that everything will go perfectly - whether it be a marriage, a new job, a new friendship - or GBS. So if you embrace it in its imperfections, then you won't be thrown for a loop should little bumps in the road appear before you.

Thank you, my friends, for all your loving support.

I had a wonderful lunch today. Mmmmm, really enjoyed it. It was a salad (lettuce and stuff) with chicken salad on it. I ate every bit of that chicken salad, and a good portion of the green stuff. Sure went down nice. Felt so good. I am so happy! Funny how the basic things in life can be so joyful! LOL

But the truth is that is the first time I have been able to eat that way, and I'm almost 5 months post op. Warning to post ops - if you find that you are unable to eat what the nutritionist has laid out for you at whatever stage you are in, and that intake becomes less, CALL YOUR SURGEON'S OFFICE! Don't put your head in denial as I did, and wait so long as to really not feel well. I don't blame myself totally - it isn't about blame. It's just about awareness, which brings me back to the reason I posted.

Awareness, reality, understanding, love, fearlessness, personal power, sense of humor, courage, belief, strength -- you've got it, FLAUNT IT! The bumps in the road of life will be just that - mere bumps in the road.

paige52 · 08-31-2007, 12:12 PM

Bumps? Having a complication that requires surgery isn't a "bump".

It's not about this sugery not going perfectly for some of us... it's about it ruining our health, possibly killing us, long term nutritional deficets..

You know what I'm goign to stop now because obviously we all just have a different perspective.....