Paluma0268

Thank you so much for this! My husband lost his job in October, so I wasn't even sure my surgery was going to happen! Thankfully we were able to pay for COBRA coverage and keep our deductible we had met. He has never been unemployed in the 27 years we've been together, and this is putting a strain on us mentally and financially. We have two adult sons and our daughter is a senior in high school. College is taken care of thanks to the El Dorado Promise (and his former employer), but day to day it is a struggle. I am working, and was able to go back 8 days post-op thankfully. We have been so blessed I know God has something special for us - the waiting is hard though.

I sipped on a watermelon slush all afternoon and it tasted awesome. It took me years to get off sodas and artificial sweeteners and I am not about to start back with them again! Everything in moderation.

@@idahoteacher My surgery was laprascopic using the DaVinci Robotic equipment. My surgeon chooses to leave in a drain for a week. I just happen to be unlucky enough to be susceptible to staph. ???? I'm also allergic to penicillin, so finding an antibiotic to treat me is always a joy. I guess it wasn't available in liquid so I'm left to break open capsules and make the best of it. "This too shall pass..."

I am 12 days out and have bent the rules a little at a time. I developed a secondary infection at my drain site and have had to find creative ways to get my antibiotic down. One involves a concoction with applesauce. I tried to drink a Protein shake today and gagged. I've been on them since November 30 and feel like if I see another I will vomit. So I have tried other ways to get my protein in without it being a complete solid. It's been interesting.

Oh no - don't freak out!! I feel better every day. But I do find it comforting to hear others struggling with the same things as me and knowing I'm not alone! So many have had great tips I have used. Trust me, I don't regret this at all.

Hello from another 12/14 sleever! I am struggling with Water. Just.Don't.Like.It. Tea should count...and being from the south sweet is basically the only option (lol), but I've adjusted ok with that. What I'm struggling with, besides water, is crushing pills and opening capsules. There should just be all liquid options for everything. I can't stop taking any of my pre-op meds, so that's my option. I did brew some hot tea this morning, added a smidge of honey and dissolved my non-liquid meds in a medicine cup. Went down better but not the best. On top of it all, I ended up with an infection at my drain site - wasn't found until I had it removed yesterday. So once that is under control I should be a-ok. All I want is some scrambled eggs...

I just want some flavor other than chocolate, strawberry or vanilla! I live near Louisiana so our food is good...lots of flavor...tex-mex is also a fave. If I could just spice things up a bit...but it took a while for me to get this way and it will take a while to fix me as well. PATIENCE GRASSHOPPER!!

Has anyone who was released with a drain had issues with pain near the drain site? So far that is my worst pain. Well, that and gas that I seem to keep dealing with. I am 5 days post-op and this is not my first lap surgery (I had a tubal and complete hysterectomy in '98 and '03), but my first performed robotically.

New favorite phrase - "struggle bus". It's good, because we are on a journey!

Day 4 pre-op and it's been a struggle. I pulled up to Sonic for my daily 1/2 and 1/2 tea (baby steps...plus this location near my office doesn't know what SWEET tea is anyway, so it's more like 1/4 sweet 3/4 unsweetened!), and I saw the sign advertising their boneless wings. I did not want the chicken, just the sweet Asian chili sauce they put on them!!! My mouth is watering at the thought. Then it occurred to me how weird it would sound if I asked them for an order of wings, hold the wings, add extra sauce. But it's liquid so it should be ok, right? Humor helps me get through the day! Every day is one day closer to surgery, so I just cross off the days with a red pen. 4 down, 8 to go (next Sunday will be Clear liquids only - I will probably be a hermit in the house that whole day #netflixandsleep)

Surgery scheduled for 12/14 - started my liquid diet this week. The struggle is REAL! I don't mind the taste of the shakes but they are like sludge or Quikrete concrete mix! I've tried adding more liquid but that doesn't seem to help. And I'm not 100% sure if I should be drinking any Soups but by the time dinner rolls around, and I'm in the house with eaters, the Soup seems to help me not feel so isolated from my family and offers me a change of pace. I have another pre-op appointment with my surgeon Monday so I will clarify but on his instructions it said 4-5 shakes per day....I can barely choke down 3. The only other alternative I was given was to add the Protein powder to a packet of regular instant oatmeal - I don't know how well that would go down but thought maybe it would work better texture-wise for me in some Cream of Wheat. Just looking for variety and counting down the days!