First Steps Meeting

Last night I went and sat through a first steps class for my surgery.  I'm not going to say I didn't learn a thing or two, but most of it was actually going over what we discussed the first meeting.  I did learn a lot about the protein shakes that will be a major part of my life for a year or so.  I also learned about the different vitamins I will need and how to go about getting those in chewable or liquid form for the first few months after surgery. 

I also discovered where to NEVER sit in the meeting room.  In the same exact place where at the first meeting there was a total welfare junkie, all tattooed up, greasy hair and full of a million STUPID questions... (and I am a firm believer that there are no STUPID questions) she asked the dumbest shit and really took up a ton of time when all that girl needed was some one on one, and she more than likely will never complete the program because she won't pass the shrink evaluation.  Anyways in that very same seat was another stereotypical slacker.  She looked the part of a real winner.  Greasy hair, dirty clothes, very unclean appearance, gawdy makeup.  So throughout the meeting she winds up asking all these dumb ass questions that were basic common sense, but she sure didn't look like she had any, which is why she was asking all these questions.  She ends up spitting out that she's bipolar, she is on welfare and that she isn't sure she can go on a liquid diet with her anti psychotics.  This makes me wonder if she will pass the shrink evaluation?  There are all kinds that make up this world, but she sure took the cake.  I am NEVER sitting in that seat come hell or high water! 

Next up is my shrink appointment.  This is a lengthy discussion with him to determine if I am mentally able to withstand the life long changes that will take place with this surgery.  He will be the one that decides my fate and if I am able to be awarded a surgery date.  The Dr's office will be calling me within the next week or two to set up that appointment, then it is supposed to be 1-3 weeks after I see him that if he deems me fit, the Dr calls and gives me a surgery date, which I am told is usually 8 weeks away.  This makes me think that surgery will not happen for me till after the first of the year, more than likely sometime the end of January, or Feb? 

I was told that they have revised some of the program within the last few months.  One, is getting your labs done sooner, so you can build up your stores and recover from surgery faster.  Another is trying to get started on a high protein diet now, so that the protein is on board so I will heal faster after surgery.  The other thing is that during the 5 days of clear liquids, they want you to start taking 3 protein shakes a day to help with energy levels and brain function.  I guess they realized people were mentally breaking down in those 5 days because of lack of protein in their diets and not only was their liver shrinking, but it was affecting vision, heart and kidney function.  This seems to be the key. Clear liquids for 5 days, 3 protein shakes a day, then surgery.  Clear liquids for another 3 days after surgery, then full liquids for 2 weeks, then 3 weeks of pureed food, the start on solids. 

It's sounding pretty complicated actually and it's all a science to get it all in I'm sure.  I was told that you HAVE to drink 70 oz. of water a day after surgery to keep from dehydrating.  24 oz. of that will come from the 3- 8oz protein shakes I will have to drink a day.  You can't drink normal anymore either, they say no gulping, cause it will KILL you with pain, so you have to sip. Then you have multivitamins you have to take twice a day, plus a handful of other vitamins to choke down.  On top of that eating 3 meals a day that consist of 2 oz. portions each meal.  No eating or drinking 30 minutes before a meal, eat for 30 minutes, then no drinking for 30 minutes after a meal.  Whew... I am sure I will have a notebook and it will be my best friend for awhile till I get it all down and learn to get it all in! 

I am so excited for the next step to keep this process going!  I am thinking about traveling to Galesburg to the support meeting there once a month.  It's closer and should be not hard to find, it's at a church. 

Tonight's cub scouts so I have to get supper cooked so we have something to eat when we get home.  I also have to make sure homework's done and get my dishes done.  Busy busy night!