Day 7 - Getting Back To Normal

I'm back at work today. I'm going to try to work for awhile and see how long I can last.

One of the things about the first week of the post-op diet is that I'm not getting any nutrition. That will change in the second week. But there's not much for my body to feed on right now, which leads to extremely low energy levels.

Hopefully that will all change starting tomorrow when I can start pumping protein and other nutrients back into my body via whey, calcium and chewable multi-vitamins. I never thought I'd be so excited to "eat" soup. But after a week of sugar-free popsicles and jello, I'm ready (at least mentally) for something a little heavier.

The mental aspect of this is still a work in progress. You don't realize how many commercials for food are on the air until you're bedridden, can't eat, and television is your only form of entertainment. At this point I'm like a hound dog and can smell food from miles away, it seems. I have been amazed at how my ability to smell has drastically increased. Sometimes it makes me ravenous for food. Other times it makes me nauseous.

I'm not able to be around food at this point. The temptation is so high, as is the consequence. So I just try to sequester myself as much as possible. At dinner time I go to the bedroom. I'm very fortunate in that Jennifer has been very cognizant of this. For example, last night she cooked chicken nuggets, but only cooked small portions for her and the kids so there would be no left-overs. During the pre-op diet, she would cook, eat, and instantly clean the kitchen, leaving no left-overs for me to pick at.

She's been awesome during all this. I've asked for her patience during the next month or so. I'm sure as the nausea subsides, I'll be mighty damn cranky that I can't eat. I'm already going on almost a full month of liquid diet. Five more weeks of liquid and mush seems very intimidating at this point.

Physically, the wounds are healing nicely. I'm dealing with some nerve issues in my right leg that I think were caused by a few days of immobility on my back leading to a pinched nerve. I'm moving at about 85% speed right now.

Weight this morning: 398 (-43lbs)

Regards,
John