July 7, 2024 update.

Originally post to social media July 7, 2024.

"TUBELESS, and not just taking about my bike (Unit 102), but myself as well. For the first time from Nov 17, 2023, to July 4, 2024, 231 days, I don't have any tubes coming out of me, no IV, epidural, catheter, PICC, NG, drain, or NJ feeding tube😊.

The NJ Feeding tube was removed last week, and it feels great. I have been drinking a mix of protein, high calorie drinks, and eating soft foods. Each day I am trying a new food item to see how it goes with digestion. I have to take Viokace, a Pancreatic enzyme, in the pill form now. I am still not sure how many pills I need to take each time. It's hit or miss, trial and error approach. Try something to eat, take a pill, write down when I take it, and if there is any reaction or discomfort. After sometime I will see if there is a pattern to help me figure out how many pills I need. There is a chance my pancreas will work enough so I won't need to take any enzymes, that would be ideal. 🤞🙏

I am feeling better, slowly getting more energy, but have to balance my activity with my energy in take. I still have some abdominal muscle pain, tenderness, and numbness around the incision site.

Along with the biking I have been able to do, I have started stretching, doing light weights, and having random dance parties to help loosen up and strength my core. I have to say the random dance parties are my favorite. 😊

Add some music to your life, things are always better with tunes."

Comments

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I went into the Whipple Surgery , Nov 17, 2023, with the belief that I would be home in 7 days and recovered in 3 months. The surgery it’s self went okay they tell me, but 4 days later I developed a pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ) leak , followed by hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) leak and there were delays in acting on these complications. It got so bad 2 of my close friends had to come in and talk to the medical team to find out why a CT scan ordered on Nov 24, 2023 still wasn’t done 2 days after it was ordered. By the time the CT scan was done things had gotten much worst and it was the start of a very long recovery . This when I started to notice it was very important for me to pay attention, advocate for my self and my health care. Nobody knows your body and how you feel better than you. Unfortunately I didn’t start making notes or taking pictures until I was discharged, Jan 5, 2024, after 50 days in the hospital. I was sent home with 2 drains and a very active leak that was com...

The FAP - Whipple Report

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