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I'm finally home!



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Hi all,

For those who don't know me, I live in Sydney and was banded on 15th January. 1 week after surgery, I had a stroke. Nobody knows whether it was related to my surgery or not, given that I have a problem heart and a clotting disorder. I have been in hospital ever since, but finally came home yesterday after spending 2 months in rehab. I can walk with a walking stick, but have lost the use of my left arm. I can move it, but my fingers don't work at the moment and I can't do anything useful with it. I don't want to scare anyone out of banding, it probably wasn't the cause of my stroke. I've lost 22kg and I'm prepared to make the most of my life. I don't regret my operation - don't get me wrong, there were times I wondered what I had done, but there is no clear reason for what happened.

Please pray for my arm to come back, it's the only thing holding me back now -I can't drive anymore, have to go back to my L's and get a new car that is automatic.

So good to be home!

Jen:confused_smile:

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Jen:

So sorry to hear about your troubles. I'll pray for you and your arm. I hope that it all comes back.

It sounds like you've got a good outlook and positive thoughts. I think that is half the battle.

Good wishes to you and your recovery.

Sue

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Wow greeneyez, that's pretty intense. I'm really sorry. I'm assuming you'll be doing therapy to work on your arm/hand etc... so hopefully in time you start getting some movement. Keep us posted and best of luck to you brandyII.

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I am sooo glad to hear you are home. I really hope your recovery is full and you get back to a normal life soon. Hope to see you around here more often. Great to see you have still lost weight throughout your ordeal. Wont be long and we will be shopping in the front of the stores not up the back in the corner!!!!:biggrin2::biggrin2:

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Hugs. What an ordeal..one that will test you. I am sending ***good arm vibes*** your way in the hope it will awaken those lazy nerve endings....Stay positive. Your loss is also an inspiration.

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Thanks everyone, I don't feel alone at home anymore, now that I have all of you back in my life.

I still have to go back to the hospital weekly for further therapy. It is easy to lose weight in hospital - no access to junk food, calorie controlled diet and nurses who dob on you when you do the wrong thing. And a dietician who springs you opening a packet of biscuits!

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Dearr Jen,

Good to see you are home now..

What a test you have been through - My mum had several strokes and the first one affected her left side - she worked very hard for 12 months and got the left arm moving again.

Lots of prayer, lost of patience thats the key.

Great weight loss ur have had - very inspiring.

I was banded 18th feb 2008. Have also had infections around the port incision which was a bit of a challenge - but it is getting better now.

Glad to have u back.

kind regards

M:rolleyes2:

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Hi Jen, I'm so sorry you have had such a hard time.... I've just sent you a whole bunch of positive thoughts to help you get better !!

I've joined here just in the past few weeks - was banded 7 April in Sydney.

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Hi Jen,

So glad to see you are back home and sounding in high spirits! I am away on business this week, but next week when I am home we will catch up on MSN.

Take care and stay well,

Josh.

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:)

Glad you are back on the board, and of course home again Jen.

What an ordeal you and your family have been through. I guess it will be a slower road for you than the rest of us.

I am sure you have had a really limited diet in hospital and rehab, so I'm sure the odd treat will be more beneficial than detrimental.

I find I need the odd thing, and that the best part is that I have control now and don't eat the whole packet.

Hope your rehab goes well, and you soon have some more movement and freedom, not to mention peace of mind.

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Just want to add my best wishes for you Jen - I am glad you are home.

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bless God for you...and thanks for sharing your ordeal, you havent scared me at all you have brote another light on the things that can happen i am due to be banded on the 1st of May and i am still praying about it. on most days i really feel that it is the right thing for me to do then on some days like today i have second thughts...then third thoughts!

May the Lord continue to strenght you and your family!

May you continue to be heal and blessed by your weight lost!

Something Wonderful always comes out of something tragic!

you Will use your arm again!

God Bless

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My 3 year old niece said the other day, to my Nanna, Aunty Jen's arm will work again soon and she won't have to wear that stupid sticky thing (my sling) and she will be able to take me out in her car". I can't drive anymore and my car was parked out the front. She didn't know whose car it was. Maybe she knows something that nobody else does. Here's hoping she is one of God's angels!

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Jen so glad you are back home and at least doing well with the band even if the rest of you is a bit challenged. We have missed you and waiting to hear good news for you. Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

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      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
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      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

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        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

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