Achalasia

So let me start off by telling you that I did not take any pictures of myself in the hospital.  I brought the camera, and I did think about it, but I didn't want people seeing me in that state.  I have to say first that my doctor was amazing, and the University of Utah hospital is a fantastic place.  It was very nice and I was well taken care of.  My only gripe is that they took my water, but I will explain that later.

Chad and I went down the day before my surgery and had a lovely dinner of mashed potatoes (OK that is what I had because I was on the liquid diet).  Then we were able to sit in the hot tub and just relax.  It was nice.  I can honestly say that I was not nervous, until I got into the preop room and they told me I couldn't wear anything under my gown.  Yes I was a little worried because I knew that they would knock me out, and I was naked!!  Oh well, I don't remember a thing once they rolled me into the operating room.  Apparently there were a lot of doctors/students in the room.  I think I was visited by 5 different people after my surgery.  I know that is rare and everything, but I didn't know that it would be a show.  My favorite part was when one of the doctors thanked me for being skinny (I thanked him for telling me I was skinny!).  I have to say having Achalasia should make anyone skinny!!  According to the doctor the surgery was a success.  I was very tired after the medicine started wearing off, and had to wait 6 hours in recovery for a room to become available.  In the recovery area they were letting me have ice chips and water.  I was sooo thirsty that once they got me to my room I begged them for some water.  The one nurse brought me some ice chips, and then my main nurse came and took them away from me.  I cried.  I was a mess.  Then they explained to me that I couldn't drink anything for up to 8 hours after surgery.  I calmed down, and was so grateful when they finally brought me something.  I stayed one night in the hospital, and I was flipping out around 9 so I called Chad to come back.  He was so kind to leave his nice bed at the hotel and stay with me until 5 in the morning.  I just didn't feel right.  My mom said it was the anesthesia.  I don't want that ever again. 

I left the hospital with 5 little holes in my body, and I am happy to say I walked out of there all by myself.  A little slow, and Chad helped me, but no wheelchair.  I went home to rest and after about a week my scars didn't hurt very much, and I was back to normal.  Except for the liquid diet.  A week after surgery the doctor said I could move to soft foods, and now I am able to try almost anything.  I will always have the problem of things getting stuck, and I noticed that yesterday after eating bread for the first time that it got stuck.  I guess there are worse things to not be able to eat because bread isn't that good for me anyway.  I am feeling great, and looking forward to a hamburger on the 4th of July.