Made it Through the Stomach Wrap

We arrived in Durham on Tuesday night around 7:45pm. We stayed at the Hamptons where we lived while we stayed in Durham for the transplant. Wednesday we were at clinic from 8am to 3pm for clinic and preop appointments. On Thursday we got to the hospital at 11:15am for the surgery at 1:15pm, and the place was super busy, overflow I might say. Alan did not get taken back till 1:45pm, and he had not eaten, checked his gloucose levels, or had insulin. He was trembling. They did not do the surgery till 4p - 6pm. After surgery, I did not get to go back and see him till 9pm. There were no rooms available, so he had to spend the night in the post op recovery room which was not the best of circumstances. I stayed until about 10:30pm, and was back by 7:30am. He was so frustrated, because the nurses were not familiar with his meds, the doctor had said he could have liquids for breakfast, and ice chips before that. They would not give him anything. He was starved, and they would not pursue it for him. He was very agitated, and said he was checking out of the hospital. I called our transplant coordinator, and she came over, talked to him, and got the nurses on the right track. It seems we got caught between 2 schools of thought, the old and the new. It used to be that when you had a stomach wrap you didn't get anything for the first 24 hours, and then clear liquids for a few days, and then on to soft foods. With the new laproscopy (spelling ?) surgery, they don't give them anything right after surgery, but then the next day they can have liquids, and some mechanical soft food. The debate continued until we checked out to come home. Alan of course wanted to eat.

We didn't get a room until Friday around 3p, and they let us come home Saturday around 2p. Alan has had considerable pain and swelling. He is very tired and sleeps a lot.

We are very glad to be home, and thank you once again for your continued prayers. I know I am not as good at staying in touch. Going back to work and balancing everything else has drained me. but we hold you all close in heart. Judy & Alan