I also have semi-symmetrical scars on my hips from the ECMO device but they venture through my "bathing-suit area" so it's hard to get a good view of them without flashing my cooter to the whole world. The one on the left side is longer and won't heal up as nicely since that was the leg that had an extra emergency cannula put in. They look like exclamation points because I also had a teeny drain in each leg (they call them grenades, they leak and are disgusting) underneath the main incision.
I went to the ER weighing 165 (some of which was probably symptomatic fluid accumulation from the heart failure), woke up weighing about 135 with 30lbs of excess fluids- blood transfusions and IV saline from the surgeries. Once the fluids were off it took me months to put good weight back on because my body was using a ridiculous amount of calories to heal. I was supposed to eat 4,500 calories per day with 95 grams of protein and at my best I hit 80% of that.
When the first took the feeding tube out I was so worried they would put it back in (because the dietician kept threatening me with it) that I would overeat to and immediately barf everything up because my stomach had shrunk after 2 weeks of only getting protein shakes through my nose. I slowly got back to "normal" eating habits, but it was a struggle: I was used to eating salads, drinking water, and having access to fresh fruits and veggies. In the hospital I was chastised for wanting that type of meal because salads are not calorie- or protein- dense. After a while I just gave up and ate mac-n-cheese all day. Right now I'm hovering around 158. My "fightin' weight" is about 150-155 and I think I can get there and maintain it once I find a better activity routine.
I can't wait to start working out again. My bf said he'd do weights with me but we haven't yet as he's usually pretty busy with homework or whatnot. I've already signed up for a few yoga workshops in late March. My plan is to take beginner/intermediate classes until I get the strength/flexibility/confidence back, and work my way up to my normal almost-every-day schedule. My yoga people came to visit me in the hospital, which was nice of them to begin with, and the studio owner said he could offer me a free year or something when I came back. I plan to take full advantage!
9 comments:
OMG you're a fighter!! You went through a heart transplant and you're thinking about doing yoga and getting back on the exercise wagon?! So glad to hear that you're doing well though!
Also, you're a no-reply blogger so I can't reply to your comments! :(
Damn, that's a lot of poking and prodding! Even without the cooter-flashing!
Funny how "eating healthy" isn't what they wanted you to do!
Read your comment on Dr. Ken's blog, laughed and surfed over for a visit.
What an ordeal! You do look like you've been in a sword fight and taken some bad hits. I think physical scars are just like mental scars, they keep getting better as long as you live.
Wow! You have been through so much! I'm so glad you're feeling better and slowly getting back to a more comfortable routine.
I wish you the very best and nothing but good things!
Keep up the workouts and stuff! Go after it!
The worst is behind you, right?
You're amazing. Reading through your story is a little bit terrifying (a lot, actually) but also inspiring. You're so strong to come out the other end of all of that and to have such real, clear goals for yourself.
Thanks for commenting on my blog - I look forward to reading more on yours and getting to know you a little better!
Bad news, girl. TMZ just got a hold of this:
http://p.gr-assets.com/540x540/fit/hostedimages/1379743050/81882.jpg
HOLY COW. Reading your story made me well up with tears. You are one incredibly brave and strong woman. I hope that with time some of your medications can be reduced (side effects can suck). I'm not sure if you've asked your doctors but is there something you can take for sleep, like Melatonin? You poor thing, I hope 2014 is promising for you and that while your health improves, your work and exercise goals can be met :)
Em: I just want to get back to normal, and that for me included LOTS of yoga! I'm going to try and get in the studio in the next week or two, yayy
Os: The diet was so frustrating! Especially since the kitchen never had the right notes and wouldn't let me order certain things because I was calling from the cardiac wing.
David: Thanks for the visit :)
DG: Thanks, girl!
KennyN: Yup, should be. I'm terrified that one day they'll make me go back and get reattached to that godforsaken machine that saved my life, but otherwise this thing should be good for like 25 years
Laurie: All I did was what they asked of me; I don't consider myself inspirational, unless you aspire to be a huge pain in the ass
Hex: I dunno who told you that, but that aint MY cooter
Kelly: They said I can take ZQuil, but I never know that I can't sleep until it's too late.. I don't want to take a sleeping pill at 2am because I don't want to sleep through my 9am pills alarm. I'll figure it out eventually
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