Just want to put my story of how I lost my band out here... It will probably be a little long ... so sorry about that. OnSept 30th I went to my Regular Doctor with severe flu symptoms my stomach was killing me. Walking into the building I collapsed my knees just gave out. The Dr took my blood pressure and it was very very low. He called 911 and had me moved to the er. after being treated for dehydration and trying to get my bp up. (which is strange because i have highblood pressure). I was then admitted. After being in my hospital room for about 20 minutes I drank a couple of little juice things that have in there and out of no where i broke out into cold sweats and the room started to swirls around me.... my bp had dropped really bad and reall fast..... they very quickly moved me to icu and tried to figure out what was going on.. being a stuborn man i am i fought with them on putting a central line iv in my neck ... they knocked me out and i woke up four days later by puling the breathing tube out of my own throat at 2 am. While i was out. 3 arteries around my colon burst and dumped 8 out of the 10 pints of blood in my body into my stomach. I dont know all the details but and dont realy want to, but i do know the dr had to do 2 surgeries to fix it .. in between the surgeries they had me iced down. They removed my band ( they say to limit the change of infection.) I belive because they didnt know what else to do to fix the problem. ( the surgeon is a lap band doctor as well as the hospitals top gi surgeon). Today marks 1 month since i walked into the dr office and today, I havebeen home for a week and have been told by most nurses and doctors involved I am lucky to be here and progresses as far and fast as i have. My home care nurse said it will be about a year before i am 100%. I can walk from my bedroom to the bathroom kitchen or living room but thats about it. i had dialysis for 2 weeks because with the blood loss my kidneys shut down thatkfully They are working about 50% and the dr thinks they will come back more in time. So now all i have to do is get strength back and in 3 month go back for another surgery to reverse the colostomy they gave me...... well sorry for making this so long but i needed to type it... oh and by the way i would have had my band for 1 year nov 18th and i lost 95 pounds.

Joe

Joe: my wishes to you for a speedy recovery, my God bless you and keep you healthy and safe. just maybe when your stronger you can have your little buddy back..

keep you in my prayers

Rita-Ann

JCJSTL: What a life changing experiences! I believe that things happen for a reason. I sounds like you are discovering the reasons. This weekend while we were out of town our home was robbed. My 27 year old son drove up to our home while the thieves were carrying stuff out. He chased one of them down and the other guy pulled out a gun and shot at him! Fortunately, my son was not shot. I guess that I'm sharing this story because even though we lost alot of our stuff, we're grateful that our son is alive. Our family feels a lot closer to each other and we're counting our blessings. I wish you the best!

Gosh Joe! You will be in my prayers. I hope you feel better! *hugs*

~Raynie ps Remember........ God is good, all the time!

Well J,,, here is good to be found in every situation,,, your a very special person to have seen the good in this one,, not every one would have. Best wishes to you.