Thanks

I am finally home and certainly there is no place like it. 
I'd like to take a moment to thank Kelli for keeping you all updated here on the blog while I was in the hospital.  Not to mention all the visits she paid to me while I was there, even though I can't say I completely remember all of them.

I had some major pain issues in the beginning of the week and to be quite honest most of it is a blur to me.   As Kelli mentioned my biggest complaint was the NG tube.  I would not wish it on my worst enemy.  Once they finally took it out on Thursday I felt like a new person.  I was also able to get my foley out on Thursday so it was a pretty big day for me.  I was left with only one IV leash which they then removed on Friday. 

It's great to be home but also a little scary.  I have a long road ahead of me, and to be honest it is going to be a lot tougher than I originally thought.  Right now my diet consists of clear liquids and some full liquids (milk, pudding, etc.).  So far I'm doing OK with this.  You don't realize how much your life revolves around food until you can't have it.  It's tough as a family when one out of three can't eat, I feel bad for my husband because I know he feels bad eating around me, but he has to.  The big goal right now is to remain hydrated which sounds a lot easier then it really is but I'm trying.  Follow up appointment with Surgeon on Thursday and I'll also be meeting with a dietitian that day as well to help me when I'm able to move forward with my diet.  Need to get my strength up for my next round of chemo.  

I'll do my best to keep you all updated.  Thanks again for all the love and support.

Barbara

The Penthouse Suite

Just got home from another visit to the penthouse suite at MGH. Barbara is hangin' in there but still having some pain issues. Now, after having your stomach removed, one would understand a certain amount of pain but Barbara's biggest complaint is the pain in her throat not in her stomach. During surgery it is common to be on a breathing tube. After you wake up you usually start eating ice chips or sipping water right away so most people have a slight sore throat that goes away quickly. In Barbara's case she is not allowed to have fluids right away plus she has an NG Tube that is irritating her throat too. Both of these factors are contributing to the pain. Luckily, when we were leaving tonight, the nurse had just been cleared to bring Barbara a throat spray and some lozenges that should help. Barbara met with her surgeon today and the surgeon agreed that as long as no fever arises they will remove the tube on Thursday. I pity the fever that gets in the way of taking that tube out. There will be one pissed of patient in the penthouse suite!


Your Guest Blogger,
Kelli G.

Diamonds & Tiaras

This afternoon I went to visit Barbara. She had just woke up from a little nap. Well earned I must say because she had been up and walking this morning. The nurses told Barbara it would be good for her to walk in her room, to see if she could make it from the bed to the door. Barbara walked all the way to the nurses' station. After her nap she sat up in a chair for a while and she and I and Randi had a nice visit. After we had been there for a little while Barbara told us to close our eyes. When she told us to open them Barbara was sporting a tiara, complete with a star that lights up in the middle!


Your Guest Blogger,
Kelli G.

Opening Day: Barbara 1, Cancer 0

If you are someone who follows this blog regularly then you have probably been waiting patiently for news about Barbara today. It is my great pleasure to give you some good news. Barbara made it through her surgery today like a trooper. The surgeon removed her stomach and reported that there was very little residual tumor after chemo. All in all things could not have gone better. They are now trying to make Barbara comfortable and settle her in for the night. Barbara and her family would like to make sure you all know how much they appreciate all the prayers and support.


Your guest blogger,
Kelli G.

Opening Day...

Takes on a totally different meaning when you opening your abdomen to take our stomach out.  So today is the day.  Am I scared you better believe it but I'm going to act like I'm not and get through this like a Kelley girl, minus the tears.  I am ready for this and have been waiting for it since the day I was diagnosed but it's a bit scary now that it is here. 
I will do my best to update my blog while I'm in the hospital to keep everyone informed as to what is going on during the next week or so.  Might even have some "GUEST" bloggers to help me out and keep you posted.  So until the next time know how much I love your love and support.  I'll be thinking of all of you and how lucky I am to have so much support. 
Look out MGH....here I come....

Hospital Stay

I'm actually looking forward to surgery and getting this thing out of my body.  After completing clinicals I think I'm more nervous for my time there afterwards.  Sometimes I wish this had happened before I went to nursing school.  How silly is it that I'm already starting to think what I should bring with me. The only time I've ever stayed in the hospital is when I had my son, talk about two different extremes.

I had my pre-op appointment last week and it went well.  I have to be in for surgery on Friday the 8th at 11:30am.  Opening Day...lucky me.  If I remember correctly from my laparoscopy, they have you come in super early for your appointment.   All the usual...can't eat after midnight the night before but then I guess I can't eat or drink for 5 days after the surgery.  Yeah pretty much I think that might suck.  Perhaps I should use it as training and apply for Survivor after this. 

I'll try and post again before Friday, going to try and have someone update my blog for me while I'm incapable but then hope to have my laptop with me.  I'm sure I'll have great stories from the hospital.

XOXOXO
Barbara