After preparing for a full year, I had the surgery on 01/07/15. I was feeling great until 6 days out when I began to have excruciating pain in my left shoulder that radiated down to my back. My surgeon told me to come back to the ER (a 1.5 hour journey for me). So, on 01/14/15, I was admitted to the hospital with a leak in my stomach. I was in the hospital for a week. Kaiser decided that a stent was the way to go, so on 01/16/15, I had a stent placed in my esophagus and stomach. I also had a PICC line placed in my arm. I was released to home on 01/23/15 and placed on TPN (total parental nutrition - basically nutrition from a bag through the PICC line in my arm). They tried to remove the stent on 02/20/15 but wouldn't you know it, the stent had gotten stuck to my esophagus! They had to put a smaller stent inside the first stent to try and break the adhesion. Boy, if anything could go wrong, it seems it did for me. I have an appointment this Friday, the 13th (thank goodness I am not superstitious) for both stents to be removed. I will be so relieved when I won't have to feel the pressure of the stent pushing out on my esophagus anymore. When I will be able to actually eat something, a pleasure which I have not enjoyed since 12/31/2014. I hope when all this is said and done, that I made the right decision for myself in getting this surgery. I am a 46 year old woman with five children and all I want is to be healthy so that I can enjoy the time spent with my children. I want to be medicine free, no more Metformin, no more high blood pressure. Let's hope that Friday's removal of the stent is successful and I can get back on the road to a healthier me.

I'm not just hoping, I'M PRAYING!!! Let us know how it goes, we're here for you....

Wow that's a lot of complications to endure. Praying for a speedy recovery from here on out and I have always found Friday the 13 th to be lucky. Prayers. Sent!

Good luck on your appoinment coming up. I am doing this also do get of most of myy meds and to lose a lot of weight. My surgery is schedule for the 1st of April. I have been warned about the pitfalls and the things can happen because of my health problems. it is the only part that scares me. Good luck and continue success.

I'm so sorry that you've had to go through all of that! I'll be praying for you on Friday. Please post an update when you can.

For all that you have been thru, you seem to have a remarkable attitude. I am sure this will take you far. I am praying for your full recovery. Keep us posted.

Wishing you all the best for a wonderful healthy,happy future!

Wishing you a speedy recovery so you can start to live the life you've done all this for:)

Well, maybe the third try will be the charm. Unfortunately, the 2nd attempt to remove the stent was unsuccessful. I woke up coughing up blood because the stent was so strongly adhered to my esophagus that they could not get it out. We have scheduled another try on 03/27/2015. I honestly don't know what will happen if the third try is unsuccessful. I certainly cannot live with this stent inside of me. It causes constant pain and pressure on my chest. Yesterday morning I was in such excruciating pain that my daughter had to take me to urgent care. They took blood and did xrays and everything checked out ok. They said I was in so much pain because the numbing agent they had used when they were trying to get the stent out had worn off. All they could do is give me a prescription for liquid morphine because I still can't have anything solid so that means on pills. I tried to take it when I got home but it was almost instantly rejected by my body and I threw it right up. Yesterday was really bad. It hurt to lay down, in any position. I tried to fall asleep sitting up with nothing touching my chest or my back but that was not very comfortable. I pray that the 3rd attempt scheduled in 2 weeks will be the last and successful. I'll let you all know how it goes.

So sorry you're having such a rough time!

Good thoughts for 3rd times the charm and you fully heal!

Please finish your story, how did the 3rd attempt go? How are you doing now?

The third attempt was successful. It has now been 2.5 years from the surgery. I feel awesome. I have so much more energy, no longer require medication for high blood pressure or diabetes. I have gained some of the weight back. Chocolate is my best friend and nemesis at the same time.

The third attempt was successful. It has now been 2.5 years from the surgery. I feel awesome. I have so much more energy, no longer require medication for high blood pressure or diabetes. I have gained some of the weight back. Chocolate is my best friend and nemesis at the same time.

Thank you so much for your reply. So, the stent did cute the leak. That is awesome.

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