January 2007
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December
Cindy
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Cindy's Story
as told in her own words
I became ill when I began vomiting severely without a clue to
what it was.
After repeated visits to the ER, the doctor classified me as
having the stomach flu. It wasn't until I went to the ER only
after leaving 10 hours. At that point I demanded to stay until
my internist could evaluate my symptoms. He ordered an
Upper/Lower GI series, which could only be done by inserting an
NG tube.
The x-rays showed pseudo-obstruction (congenital) bowel
obstruction making it necessary for an emergency surgery to
elevate the pressure. After enduring several surgeries, a
diagnosis of Gastroparesis joined my increasing arsenal of
diseases. From 2000-2003 I was idle.sick but able to do minor
task. Then in the spring of that same year (2003), I couldn't
stop vomiting. The doctors ordered an UGI/LGI series to find
that I had another obstruction. So, I topped out at 244lbs with
a 'fatty' liver, the doctor recommended that with Gastroparesis
I could 'cut out' the bad part and lose weight to save myself
from a transplant and a possible diabetes situation. Ok, so I
had gastric bypass surgery and colon surgery at the same time.
Then to make matters worse my stomach started to collapse on
itself requiring EGD with dilation every three weeks to allow
for fluids. Unable to eat solid food, I needed a feeding tube
once my weight started to fall to 105lbs. I remained on this
feeding schedule for 2 ½ years during which I had to continue
the dilation every other month to allow fluids to reach my
stomach.
I've had multiple blood transfusions to treat the anemia, liver
function test to prevent a need for transplant, PICC lines (IV
line for home care) in order to administer medications and
feeding supplements.
In January 2006, I was admitted as an emergency surgery for I
was bleeding internally from vomiting too much. They found I had
not one but three separate obstructions and my stomach again
collapsed. The surgeon made the decision to reverse the gastric
bypass and pulled a nerve from another part of my body to insert
into my intestines so that some motility would function between
my paralysis stomach and intestines fighting the food. I was
kept until the early part of March so that my weight was
stabilized. Over all I can eat.but I do get sick, not as often
but I have also gained weight which has me fit-to-be-tied. I'm
so disgusted with food it's frustrating.
My doctors are idle for now; I have botox treatment scheduled
for January (next available). I've only been asked for 9 months.
I was in the hospital in August for another obstruction.the
doctors have said that I will always deal with obstructions.
There is not a treatment or surgery that will help, for it folds
in half at different points only aggravating the Gastroparesis.
I because so dehydrated with continued vomiting and severe pain
that I was taken back to the ER. After x-rays and CT scans
comfirmed that the obstruction is still present, it is still not
blocked enough to chance another surgery just now. My Urinary
tract infection went untreated too long and now I have a severe
kidney infection. Still unable to retain fuilds the doctors are
debating the best direction for my treatment. I still have a
nurse that comes to my home while my husband has to take care of
me (upstairs) and his mom (down stairs). He too needs prayer.
