The Days After...On Your Own

Let me start this by saying that you will really start to hate things after surgery, and others you will love. Just do your best. :)

Once I got home, I was sipping things when I wasn't sleeping, and eventually, I got so sick of apple juice and cranberry juice that I just couldn't get them down. This is normal. Don't be afraid to change it up.

I will tell you, I never touched the protein shakes. I couldn't do it, literally. It's been 10 months and I STILL don't really go for them. They sit in my cupboard waiting for me to forget the nausea of consuming them day in and day out for two weeks. It is what it is.

My mother found juice boxes for kids..mixed fruit and veggies - and they were tiny. About 4oz. Perfect size! Apple with carrot and some other mix. I drank those, ate fudge popsicles, ate regular popsicles (TONS OF THEM), drank hot chocolate and apple cider...I didn't care what it was as long as I could get it down and not get sick from it.

I think they kind of scare you about making sure you're eating and drinking, but it is so important. Write down the things you're eating and what time so you remember, especially when you are sleeping so much at first and might forget. Same with your meds.

You will notice your tastes changing in those first few days...chicken broth tastes like heaven, and that you will only be able to manage nibbles of super soft foods once you get the OK. For probably your first month, you will feel like you aren't eating anything, and you won't want to. It is quite the adjustment to see the slight amount of food in front of you and realize that it's all the nourishment you need. You might throw up. You might throw up a few times in the first few months..even the first year. You have to trust yourself and your body.

What questions do you have for me? I'd love to know and answer them.

I am going to talk about 'food funerals' next, and the transition to eating and drinking normally again. Something we can all appreciate. :)

I want to apologize for the long wait...I'm back in class again and things are hectic.

Oh, and I will be posting a picture of what I look like now eventually. :) See my previous posts for the 'before' picture!

In love and light,
Jenn