lirri

I live in Tualatin. Going on 1 year and a month post op. Had my surgery at OHSU.

I ran into massive anxiety 6 months ago and was put on a ton of meds. I was so over-stimulated the entire world hurt to experience. Sights, sounds, smells, food, interactions all were too much for me and finally led me to get help. I'm now coming out of it. I found that I didn't really know how to experience the world with my changing body. It gets better and talk therapy is great.

I'm going through the same thing right now. Had my surgery in May 2013 and the world feels like it's hitting me all at once and I feel really exposed. I'm working with my doc through it because I was asked to either get better or leave my job. Out on FMLA right now for the next few weeks while we figure out meds and me coming to grips with things. I agree that this is a new chapter of our lives and we really are struggling to figure out who we are and how we react to the world. I hope you start feeling on the mend soon.

Added a new profile pic because the photo galleries are down. We had to get head shots at my new job for the company website. This isn't the headshot, just me at my desk after they put on makeup, which I never wear. Love the job and love the energy I get from things falling nicely into place. I was awarded the "Spirit" award at work during the month of September for the bike commute challenge at work. I have a 20 mile ride one-way into work each day and I hadn't been on a bike in 20 years! They gave it to me because I embodied the spirit of the challenge and inspired others to ride. What an honor!

I started having this happen about the two month mark and thought it was normal and was something I was doing wrong. I mentioned it in passing at my 2 month checkup and as a precaution, my surgeon ordered an upper GI. I could pass liquids fine, but I couldn't pass the barium pill which was 12 mm in diameter. It turned out I had a stricture -- a totally normal part of the healing process which I wasn't too worried about. It took two EDG's to inflate the area so it would stay and my anastomosis had closed to 3 mm. I'm glad I brought it up and stopped blaming myself for the fact that I was eating wrong - taking too big of bites, not chewing food enough, or eating the wrong foods. Since then I've had no issues and am very happy that we got it taken care of. Good luck to you!

Absolutely fabulous! Congrats

Glad to hear you were finally able to get the EGD. Hopefully you've found some relief now.

Glad to hear that they are finally doing something about it. I just had my stricture dilated this morning and have a follow-up EDG in two weeks to see progress. Clear liquid diet for two days. Annoyed but at least I may be out of the woods for now.

I live in tualatin and had surgery on may 24th. Would love to meet up with ou guys!

Good for you! Congratulations on the progress, you deserve it and look fabulous!

Looking fabulous! Congratulations!

Hiya! I'm looking for a buddy in the Portland, OR metro area. I'm wanting to start doing my couch to 5k running plan, but I'm just not into doing it alone. And it's always nice to have someone to talk to that's been through the same thing. Send me a message if you are interested.

It'll get better. I felt pretty icky at a week out and that first two weeks HATED having to drink my Protein shakes and Water. I couldn't figure out how I was going to get it all in. Then every day got better. Best wishes on a speedy recovery.

I know how you feel! I have been craving salad since I got home from the hospital. At 3 months out they said I can go to my final stage of food and have crunchy things like salads and veggies. Right now I'd kill to just have anything but protein shakes and water. This stricture is really taking the fun out of this.