SIX MONTHS POST-TG!!!

SIX MONTHS!!!!!

TODAY is SIX MONTHS since I had my ENTIRE stomach removed to avoid that 83% chance of getting stomach cancer….the same stomach cancer that killed my mom and grandpa.

So, how do I feel SIX months post-TG (total gastrectomy)?  AMAZING!!!  I can hardly believe it’s been six months….it feels like WAY longer than that and that must be a good thing that I haven’t had a TON of complications that have made this process creep by.

What have I learned??

I’ve learned to keep up on my snacks and meals.  It’s almost just a habit, now, to pretty much just eat ALL…..DAY….LONG, but that’s ok and it doesn’t really bother me that much.  Just when I finish a snack, it seems like not long after I’m ready for another snack or meal.  In the beginning, I was very cautious as to what I would try, but within the last few months I’ve just been trying whatever comes to mind.  Steak, pop, etc.  I (KNOCK ON WOOD) haven’t had anything get stuck in a VERY long time and for that I’m very thankful.  I feel like I’ve figured out what needs to be chewed a little more than my new normal (meats, breads, veggies). 

I’ve learned that I cannot go without my digestive enzyme, yet, but am really hoping one day I can ditch it.  The beginning of January I stopped taking my Creon as it seemed like I would get a gut ache after each snack or meal.  It seemed to go pretty good for about 2 weeks or so and I thought MAYBE my body figured out how to absorb fat a little more.  NOPE….not the case….grease galore.  So, I’m back on my Creon, but mainly only take it with things I know are going to be super greasy or something that has quite a bit of fat (fast food, pizza, etc.).  I still hope that ONE DAY I can go off of taking these ESPECAILLY after finding out today that when I’m ready for a refill that my out of pocket will be $360!!!!  My jaw dropped….DANG!  Come on, body….figure this fat malabsorption out!!!  My pocketbook would rather put that $360 multiple times a year towards OTHER things….more FUN things!  I did NOT expect that.

I’ve learned that the week I’m due for my B-12 shot, I can definitely tell.  TODAY was the day I was due and I was MORE than ready to get this shot DONE!  I have been whooped ALL week long.  Paige helped me out with it and such a great little nurse.  I think I’m going to attempt some kind of B-12 vitamin either sublingually or maybe a tablet and see if that helps.  You can’t OD on B-12, so what will it hurt to try?

I’ve learned that although I feel FANTASTIC, I am only 6 months out from having this HUGE surgery and I’m still recovering.  I try to work out pretty often as I would REALLY love to regain my strength, but my muscle under my incision on the upper left still hurts like the dickens.  I have to be very careful what I choose to do as far as working out because that pain can knock me straight down and make me be completely done with my workout.  I have lost 85lbs as of today and since taking the digestive enzymes, this seems to have steadied out a little more which is good not to lose SO much SO quick.  *REMINDER- I did gain a LOT of extra weight before surgery ON PURPOSE…..I didn’t want a feeding tube and I TOTALLY took advantage of having my stomach and having an extra this or that when I could since I knew I’d never be able to eat like that again.

I’ve learned that this blog has been a huge healing agent for me.  When I first started this blog, I did it for 2 reasons.  1. To keep my family & friends up to date on this whole journey 2. To at least help ONE other person who is going through this craziness.  If I was able to do both of those, then I would feel like my purpose is complete.  I am happy to say that #1 is a given and have had such a huge amount of support that has really helped me get through all of this.  I’m extra happy to say that #2 has definitely been accomplished, also.  I am so happy that I’ve had others on this crazy little ride comfortable enough to reach out to me and ask questions they have in mind or needing just a little encouragement.  I know when I was going through this journey, reading others blogs is what helped me the absolute most.  The doctors can only tell you so much, but hearing it straight from someone on the same path helped me to have a heads up of all to come.  I was hoping I could be that help that I found for someone!  I have had quite a few people reach out to me and I hope that I have helped them just as much as reading blogs helped me!

Overall, SIX MONTHS post-TG and I feel great!  I’m definitely further along in my recovery than I expected to be and for that I am SO thankful and SO blessed.  The BEST part about this whole journey is that I will NEVER have to deal with the same awful cancer that took my mom and grandpa.  I don’t wish that on anyone and I’m so happy that I will have a much better chance at being able to stick around for Sean and to watch Paige grow and be there for all of her accomplishments.  I’m one lucky girl!

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…..Is it really elective surgery if the alternative is cancer?