Mel

Life now

Life now 

The past 6 years I have had my ups and downs with food intake but i managed to power thru. The last year has been shit with extra pressures and I started to drink wine again. After having 4 weeks off to commit to my goal I had a glass of wine Thursday and felt fine. The next day I had some very heavy Serbian food started to feel sore. Sunday I had a glass of wine and cray fish…. 

Monday I was admitted to hospital with pancreatitis. After 6 litres or fluid and alot of pain killers I got to go home yesterday.

I poked the bear I am now off to an MRI to make sure my pancreas is ok. 

Now back to the dietician to make sure I’m following my meal plans, no more alcohol and stop stressing out my loved ones. 

Thanks for reading my story and remember don’t ignore the signs :) 

Recovery

My diet consisted off clear broths, soups ensures. I was dying for a steak so I added the juices to my soup. Sounded like a good idea at the time then I was sick the juice was too fatty offcourse and I couldn’t process it. 

I slept a lot and would lay outside in the sun with my morning up and go.. then the up and gos started making me sick. 

I was home bound so Xmas was at our house. I got to have a little bit of mash potatoe and pumpkin tasted amazing then felt so sick my mum had to burp me. The day was amazing even though I couldn’t eat. Didnt think it was going to be my last Xmas with the whole family. I was in a bad head space and started pushing people away. Can’t take things back especially when you’re so medicated and emotional. 

In January I could start eating yoghurt then that made me sick. Had to go see the dietitian I was lactose intolerant, so had to change everything and keep a diary of everything I ate and drank in a day. 

Then I discovered nuggets …. All I wanted was nuggets. Then that made me so sick Renae had to take me to emergency I was having a pancreatic attack. After morphine and getting in trouble by everyone I had to find other foods to eat that were soft. Honestly it was so hard I was in pain and couldn’t eat. It was back to soups. 

This when on for about 6months then I could eat solid meals and not be in discomfort. 

I was able to return to work when I was ready and could drive. I was missing the social aspect of work and the routine. When I returned i was so tired I did half days and then was set up on the laptop to work from home. My boss at the time was amazing when I was sick I laid on the floor so I can burp. Then back to work :) 

If I look back I am so lucky I had help from my family and close mates. It was hard to accept help as I am stubborn but i needed help as I wasn’t allowed stress or be too physical. 

My recovery Was full on doctors appointments, check ups, dietitian and some psych appointments as I needed help with processing everything. So glad I reached out for help. 

Scar

Week 2

It was about day 10 and started feeling more energetic … I asked the surgeon when can my feeding tube come out? 

He looked at my chart and said today… He gets the scissors and tells me to take a breathe and literally pulls it out…The relief was amazing not to have something up my nose I could breathe properly. 

Then I look at Lawrence … he was so excited looked at the feeding tube and how good it looked and how it came out.  It was like watching a kid in a candy shop. 

I got to blow my nose and cough and it was amazing :) 

Then the tea lady came with her trolley … it was my time to shine. I looked at Lawrence and said can I go to the trolley he was like yes u can. I walked on over we looked at what she had (it was like the Harry Potter treat trolley) i was only allowed liquids but I was so excited!! I picked a small chocolate milk and apple juice. Managed a couple sips of each and I was full. I got to have bone broth for my meals it was amazing to be able to taste and smell food.

By the second week I was able to walk from my room which was at the end of the ward all the way to the other end. I made some friends along the way off course and we would all wave when we walked each other doors :) 

There were about 3 nurses desks and my flowers were in each on them made me smile. 

It was nearly xmas and my goal was to be home for Xmas. So I kept up my walking, ate when I was told and got rest. I also had to made sure the rest of my body was working etc  

A couple days before Xmas I got approved to leave and got my results. During surgery they took a biopsy of the tumour and sent to it over east. It came back and I didn’t need chemotherapy the tumour was out and I was in my road to recovery. 

Before I left Lawrence had asked me to pop in to a lady who had just had a whipples. I told her she was in good hands and each day will get better. 

I got sent home with a goody bag offcourse including ensure which is like up and gos but more nutrients, other drinks, medication and wound dressing.

Getting home was such a milestone being in the comfort of my own home and dobby was very excited. 

December 2017 - The view

December 2017 - Day 1 - 5 post op

Day 1 - I got to my room it was like a 5 star hotel. The view was beautiful and some flowers had arrived. I had a feeding tube up my nose, drain coming out of my stomach, fluids, catheter and a line in my neck. 

It was very over whelming. I slept woke up for observations and slept. Ben came to see me and I was throwing up I couldn’t keep my feed down. He was awsum making sure I was ok. I was crying coz I was throwing up and couldn’t stop it and he kept a having to clean me up. The vomiting was hurting my wound too much I was in agony so they changed my feed and I was able to settle. 

Day 2 - I met my physio she was really nice she spoke to me about what my plan was … I had no input of this plan by the way like  I had to do what she said lol. She wanted me to get up out of bed I was so sore. She helped me sit up and that’s all I could do. A nurse gave me a shower was weird having a stranger shower u I was able to clean myself but obviously couldn’t really moved so she whippeed abd changed my gown. 

Day 3 - The physio returned I told her not today it was a bad day. I didn’t want to see outside of the room and see the city. I didn’t want to talk to anyone or reply to texts it was all about much. 

Day 4- I tried to get out of bed and walked to the door and back. I was getting the nutrients I needed thru the feeding tube and starting to get some energy. Each day I started to feel a little bit better. As I started to get energy I wanted to txt my family and friends. I had visitors pop in and drop flowers and gifts off. I had that many flowers I had to share them thru the whole ward the perfume was too strong. 

Renae made me a pillow which came in handy as laying in a bed all day u try to get comfy and when u find a spot u don’t wana move. The nurses were amazing and the tea lady would always pop her head in say hi even though I couldn’t eat or drink. 

Day 5 - I was out of bed and made it half way down the corridor it was a good start! I had to do this atleast 3 times a day. Danielle came and showered me, washed my hair and brushed it. That made me feel a bit more human. I hadn’t washed my hair since the night before surgery using chlorhexidine and it was in plaits and very knotty.

When I got my catheter out I had to get help to get up and go to the bathroom. It was 4 steps away but such a mission. The nurses had to see what I had done to measure I guess was a bit embarrassing but they make it feel normal and not a hassle. 

Mum and dad visited as much as they could while still maintaining their lives. I was very tired so every time someone came to visit I would fall asleep. My niece came to see me and we got to walk up and down the corridor together. She made me laugh and the nurses loved her. Everywhere I went I pushed around my little trolley thing with all the fluid and stuff on it. I walked my drain canister like it was a dog it was hilarious to me coz I couldn’t see dobby so I would pretend we were going on walks. 

It had been a week and the feeding tube started doing my head in. I had to breathe out of my mouth it was super annoying

2017 icu

2017 The big day had come

My pre operation involved tests and scans. I still tried to live a normal life leading up u surgery day. I went to work and trained Georgia how to do my job while I was recovering. I was a contractor and was very lucky to have reassurance that I was going to come back to a job and could log on from home. Every morning we would all meet at Sonias coffee van it was like our morning meeting between WWTP, ARWP and stage 2 of AWRP. Denise Dunja Sarah and Dr Stacey would make me laugh hysterically and Tom would check in having just recovered himself. My boss Glen at the time was amazing his daughter in law rehabilitated kangaroos and he would bring one in for me to baby sit, keep me occupied and focused on positive thoughts while I trained Georgia. The boys I worked with didn’t treat me any different they all gave me shit and stirred me up it really helped. I didn’t want anyone to pitty me or feel like I was different and start being professional and nice to me haha. Our work xmas party was in north bridge on a Friday and I was the designated driver (I was on medication and pre op drinks) The Water corp team were amazing so caring made me laugh and help me stay positive. I left early said good bye to everyone and walked back to my car balling my eyes out thru north bridge. 

I Spent the weekend with the family mum and dad had surprised me and got my brother to fly down from Karratha so we all got to hang out. I was allowed to eat until 7pm and I savoured every moment :) 

Leaving my parents house my mum always tells me not to speed and take it easy. On the way home Sunday night I Literally got flashed on Beeliar drive just as u psss Yangebup and go over the hill. I made everyone promise not to tell me mum. 

Monday morning and off to the hospital we go. Ben Mum Dad Boris were allowed to stay with me in the waiting room but when my name got called my team couldn’t come with me. Mum came with me to the next area where I got changed into a sexy gown and underwear then I had to be by myself in the bed with the nurses. 

I was scared I was alone then my cousin Tanya surprised me and I felt safe. She knew the other nurses off course and gave me a massive hug then it was my turn to go to the theatre. 

I stepped up on to the bed with my legs dangling over and there were lights and machines and monitors everywhere. My gown at the back opened up ready to put the epidural in and then everyone was like omg your tattoo and offcourse I was like Rachel did it she designed it she’s awsum. Then got told they were going to do the epidural snd then put me asleep zzzzzzz

I woke up in post op with a lady next to me and Lawrence one of the surgeons was there and I was yelling Lawrence call everyone tell them I’m alive.

Later that night I got moved to ICU and I woke up and there was everyone at the end of the bed Ben angel Jack mum dad Danielle and Boris. 

I had my special button for pain relief and eating ice chips and one of the first things I said … mum I got flashed speeding Sunday night hahaha