Elena's Friends

Elena's Page

At 3:19am on October 30, 2008, Louise from the UK said…: Elena, how are you doing? Your surgery sounds really scary and I'm not surprised you were so upset with everything that went on. Have you now made a complete and full recovery?

Big hugs to you.

Lou x

At 4:56pm on May 5, 2008, Bill Ritchotte said…: Hey Elana...

I wasn't sure of your status at work, I was hoping it wasn't true...that's bull____!!!! I'm glad it's getting better (slowly) I can't even imagine what it was like, but don't tell your surgeion I told you, but I've bee enjoying diet soda for a while now, with now ill effects, I'm approaching 100lbs.

So maybe "off limits forever" might not be so much.. :)

I'll talk to you soon
Bill

At 9:16pm on May 4, 2008, Bill Ritchotte said…: Elena!!! I wish you would have e'd me with all your troubles. I'm so sorry it went so badly, how are you right now, are you feeling any better? Will you need additional surgery? We all miss you at bz,
please fill me in!!!!

Bill

At 3:55pm on April 28, 2008, Karen Phillips said…: OMG Elena you have been in the wars sorry to hear about all your problems. Look on the postive side summer's coming!! It's been 11 weeks i'm down 204 from 252, i've had a few niggles but nothing like you. I started the gym nice and slow last week. I guess you've been put back around 8 weeks. I to wished i'd never had it done in the beginning but there's no stopping me now. Would love to hear off you again. Karen x

At 10:07pm on April 13, 2008, Nat said…: Well, I'm glad you came back Elena! I'm only a few days away from having it done and you didn't scare me off! *LOL* Keep in touch and feel better! I think Virginia's "slush" idea sounds great and I'm going to give it a try myself! I think I'll freeze some crystal light , blend it up and pretend that I'm having an Italian Ice by the ocean while on vacation! :)

~Nat

At 11:55pm on April 12, 2008, Virginia Fleming said…: Hi Elena,
Couple of things. Are you having acid stomach? When I was recovering, I needed a strong antacid, like Protonix, and it helped with the nausea. Also, to get my liquids in, i would put ice cubes in the blender and eat the slush. Somehow I seemed to be able to get more in that way at least some of the time. I also liked something with some flavor better than water, and somehow it upset my tummy less... I drank a lot of crystal light, but only the one in the bottle because it's sweetened with splenda and nutrisweet can cause gastric problems.
Good luck!
Virginia

At 11:56am on April 12, 2008, Elena said…: Thanks Nat,
You have no idea how much the encouragement means to me!
My biggest issue is the bouts of nausea. They come out of nowhere and really knock me on my a*s.II find drinking that much fluid really difficult. I was never a water drinker, so getting myself to consume that much fluid is a real chore (now if it were beer, I'd have had no problem! But that was the old me!). I took a really small sip of my husband's ginger ale last night, just to see, and I'll never do that again! There is absolutely no where for the fizz to go! It was actually painful!
I'm open to any and all alternate suggestions to drinking plain water. I vow to try something new every day.
Oh, and by the way, I hope I haven't frightened any body with my story. That was not my intention! In fact, I hesitated even coming back to this site. Every one is so positive and supportive, I didn't want to bring every body down. But I figured, "information is power", and the truth needs to be shared, so maybe, just maybe, as I seek out answers for myself, I might be able to help some one else...

At 10:15pm on April 11, 2008, Nat said…: Hi Elena!
I'm so sorry that things have been such a mess for you. Know that you're in my prayers and that we're all pulling for you to feel better! :) I'm having my surgery next week, but I've been told by many women in my surgeon's support group that when you get sick /dump/ feel queasy to go back to the previous food steps and slowly move up again (i.e. liquids to puree to soft solid to introducing solids you know didn't bother you before) over a week or so. As I said, I'm still pre-op but it sounds like a logical thing to try. My surgeon also said, at that same meeting, that the MOST important thing was to make sure that 64 oz of fluid are taken in daily.....and to drink broth if needed to help with protein intake. I hope this may help you! Feel better soon and keep us posted as to your recovery!
~Nat

At 11:28am on April 11, 2008, Elena said…: Hey guys,
Does any one have any advice on how to combat nausea? It seems every time and every thing I eat makes me queasy. I can't stand it! I'm becoming paranoid about eating because I'm afraid I'm going to get sick. Thanks in advance! Elena

At 11:55pm on April 10, 2008, Jerri Calvert said…: wow, elena. sorry to hear about all of your surgical complications. I certainly can't imagine how you must feel after all you've gone through. keep your chin up, I'm sure the worst is behind you, and the best is yet to come. I didn't have any complications and it was at least 2 months before I felt "normal" again. hang in there! if there's anything i can do...feel free to let me know!