My experience

[akwitham72 72]

Hi everyone. I am just now posting because it is the first coherent moment to do so. So I am going to give my experience and it is not pretty and I didn't want Paigers to read it before she came. 1. Dr.Ponce, his team of doctors, Trish, and all of the nurses are AMAZING.

2. This has been the worst hell I have ever been through. I came out of surgery with the most pain I have ever felt in my life. The gas was so bad I couldn't move. I dry heaved all night long over and over until most of the next day. My drain tube leaked throughout my bandages and everywhere with blood about ten times and had to get changed while in such pain and they had to tell me to not walk or get up anymore except to use the bathroom.

I got up to use the b-room around 5:00 last night and I totally passes out taking down a nurse with me and she went out in a wheel chair (sorry!) my friend thought I had a stroke because when I woke up my mouth sagged and no coherent words would come out. 6 doctors and 5 nurses came rushing in. I got to the bed and all of my words were slurred. The cardiologist and Dr. Ponces assistant came in to do an EKG immediately. They thought I had internal bleeding and were going to do a scope on me through the drain tube hole.

Dr. Ponce got up hear ASAP, as he was in surgery but they were consulting him. He checked me out even sticking his finger into the drain tube hole (ouch). They decided to do a blue die test with a scan the next morning to really determine if a scope was needed.

I slept really good last night. The pain is better and nausea is gone. I am still leaking through my tube which isn't normal and going to just do the regular leak test soon.

So right now I would say I would never do this ever again or anything like it, but I know in a couple months this will all past and I will be very happy. It is just going to take time.

The "HOT" Doctor just came in and told me I have to get some blood because I have lost to much which probably contributed to my pass out yesterday. I also have to stay another night in the hospital until I leave for my flight later tonight to be monitored. I am very glad about that just in case. I also want to look out for Paigers.

So there it is not so pretty, but I am alive and I will get better thanks to the awesome staff. Thank you all for the support you ROCK. Angie

[akwitham72 72]

I am feeling so much better since the blood transfusion and plasma. They won't let me walk so I still have some gas in my lower tummy. I have had some sips of tea and apple juice. I am also sucking on ice chips every half hour. I am staying for sure another night. I think I scared the crap out of everyone. They all come to check on me all night and day. Dr. Ponce came from home last night after basically just seeing me because I leaked through the dressing of my tube again. He changed it himself. I leaked through it again about a half hour after he left and the ER doctor came right in. They are so awesome here and Trish went to Cosco to buy me new panties because I bled through every pair of mine. I am feeling good now though. Thank you all for your thoughts and will keep updating you.

[akwitham72 72]

I am feeling so much better since the blood transfusion and plasma. They won't let me walk so I still have some gas in my lower tummy. I have had some sips of tea and apple juice. I am also sucking on ice chips every half hour. I am staying for sure another night. I think I scared the crap out of everyone. They all come to check on me all night and day. Dr. Ponce came from home last night after basically just seeing me because I leaked through the dressing of my tube again. He changed it himself. I leaked through it again about a half hour after he left and the ER doctor came right in. They are so awesome here and Trish went to Cosco to buy me new panties because I bled through every pair of mine. I am feeling good now though. Thank you all for your thoughts and will keep updating you.

[partofme! 36]

OMG that is very scary. I am happy t ohear you are doing better. Yes, please keep updating!!!

[akwitham72 72]

Well Doctor Ponce just left my room and I will be here 2 more days. My blood levels have lowered even from when I passed out. I am still leaking out old blood and not clotting. They think I have some kind of blood disorder. I will not be able to fly home until the 27th making my friend and I miss Christmas with our families. They are stumped by me and have never had this happen before. Paigers is doing great though and I am happy with that. Keep you posted.

[partofme! 36]

I am so sorry to hear this...hang in there! Have you spoken with your family doctor about this as well? Maybe just to get a second opinion?

[jen1211 203]

Wow, that is definitely scary! I hope they figure out what is going on and get you better and home soon!

[notime 340]

You have an amazingly good attitude about all of this. I admire your spirit. Hopefully they'll get it sorted out tomorrow and soon you will be back home snug in your own bed with your family.

[sexyjimenez 23]

Wow this is so sad... I'm sorry you are going through is and I do t even know you... But I wouldn't want anyone to suffer such pain... I will pray for you and your speedy recovery. God bless you

[atelux17 135]

I had a similar experience& got 4 units of blood. I work on the surgical unIt& I'm the 1st with complications. My surgeon said it may have been that the staple line or a lap site keeps bleeding because the vessels don't clot off. I got better. I hope you get better& thrive! & btw you are a class act for being nice to that nurse. We appreciate it. & I agree attitude is everything & yours is golden!!!

[altagirl 127]

My thoughts are with you - I am so glad you have a friend there to help you out. I went to MX for surgery and I think I would not have handled this as well as you are.

Keep us posted and I am sorry that you are missing Christmas with your family. I am worried about you and will keep you in my prayers to get better very soon.

[akwitham72 72]

Well they gave me a six hour regimen of coagulating medicine all last night and drained and measured the tube every hour and guess what I am still draining. I have been begging to get home and leave on another airline today at 2:55. I am not real sure what they will do at the point since it hasn't stopped. I know they want me here two mores days, but I really want to go home even if it is with the tube and I get to my doctor. I don't want to do anything stupid either since I have been receiving such great care here.

Paigers it was so nice tosee you yesterday and I am glad you are doing well. I will try to see you later today if I can. I get really weak fast even just a trip down the hall and back I am ready to sleep awhile,

O.T.R. I think the hospital is incurring the cost since this is happening while I am here after their surgery. Dr. Morales (Ponce's assistant) was upstairs researching my problem until 11 last night and came down himself later to look at the tube and drain it himself. They really are so awesome here and I would tell anyone who comes to Mexico for this surgery that this is the surgeon and staff to have.

I am still holding out hope to leave before Christmas since my friend does have MVP status with Alaska Airlines through her job. Will post later. Thanks again for all the support. It is calming and better than dealing with my worried family. Angie

[partofme! 36]

I have been worried about you since last night and unsure if you have spoken with your GP yet, but please call the office if you haven't and tell them what is going on-even though it sounds like the hospital you are at is wonderful, if you have a unique situation that needs to be handled, you need to know exactly what you are up against, and possible outcomes-and how urgent you need to get to a facility that knows how to treat you. Do you possible have internal bleeding? A leak? Have they done a ultrasound? Leak test? Anything? Just worried about you-I flew to TJ to have my surgery on my own and this is not normal, you are definitely a rare case and if you are not getting the answers you need, call your own doc or get advice from a hospital in your area-something...

[akwitham72 72]

Good news-aim going home today unfortunately probably with the drain tube. My hemoglobins did come up this morning. I am going to see my PCP office tomorrow for follow up. So no missing Christmas thank goodness. Just reallywish I knew what was going on with me and the draining.

[partofme! 36]

Hey, how are you doing today?