SKIFFIN16 Update~

Well...


I had the Whipple on 4/22/2014.., it's been an adventure for sure..


Mine was for a pre-cancerous cyst, and all ended up being benign.., yay on that..


But I never really regained and appetite, was very nauseaous, and ended up getting an abscess at the incision site, that turned to a fistula.


Ended up back in the hospital during the end of June..


Another 10 days, 13 during the Whipple in April...


NPO and on TPN (no food or water), went home getting nutrition through a PICC line until late August..


My wife was awesome, mixing up the fluids and on the pump for 17 hours each day.., couldn't have made it without her love and support, and excellent care... Shelley.. <3


Then the PICC came out late August, but I was still leaking externally from the fistula site...ugh...


Had an EGD in September to remove a stent that was put in during the Whipple. It had moved from horizontal, to verticle and they thought that was causing the non-closure and it was trying to work its way out of the fistula.


I did feel better after it was removed, and started eating again.. Though that was rough as it was the first time I had to experience the new me and what I could/couldn't eat well.., etc...


Back in the hospital toward the end of December to try and surgically find the leak and close the hole up.., again.., ugh..


Another 5 days in the hospital and again, NPO..


But, this time and so far, so good.., going on 5 weeks and no leaking.., YAY...


They cleaned up the abcessed area, old dead tissue, and put some mesh in for support of the area..


I've lost a total of 97#, which I was 277#, at 6' so that actually allowed me to lose that much and still survive.


I'm just starting to eat well again..


I can eat pretty much anything other than solid meats, steak and such does give me a rougher time digesting, as does salads and some fruits and veggies..


No Creon has been needed, though I tried it.., no other meds, and my blood work has been good other than my red blood counts and hemoglobin are just slightly low..


My hair thinned a lot initially, but after this last surgery, I've been drinking 2-3 Muscle Milks a day, and added protein fruit/veggie smoothies


Not only has my hair thickened quite a lot.., I'm gaining some of my energy back..


I've even gained back a few pounds this past week or so..


But I'll definitely not regain all that I've lost..I plan on staying under 200#....


I'm finally feeling good and doing things I like to do..

Best of all, my wife and I hit up a few Crappie this past week-end..


Thanks for all of the support, thoughts and prayers...




~John

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Awesome News! And I really needed to hear some success stories on health, Praying for your continued healing. Hang in there!!

praise the Lord

GLAD to hear that you have made the 180 degree turn on your health.
Keep us informed. PM if you would feel more comfortable doing.
Let us know when you are ready to attend our functions.:fish

Great news, I been wonderin how you were comin along. Great picture too !!!:highfive:ThumbsUp

Great to hear the good news.....Nice color speckzilla!!:cheers2

Clear to me that there's more for you to do here. Glad to hear you're on the way back to your old self. Prayers continue.

Glad to hear you're doing better John.

Nothing for "blue skies - sunshine" ahead........hard part is over and their is "light
at the end of tunnel & its not a train"

So glad to hear how things have been going since you started your ordeal.....
Most generally it is extemely hard to get out of use of those "picks" - infection and
bodly forming an attachment cause most problems.. The it is hardes i think to weather
on situation as this.

Keep on commin your doing great and hundreds are watch and praying for your full
recovery.

Great to hear you are on the mend and Eating LOL RR

God bless you and your lovely wife sir. Praying for continued better health.:pray

Your one tough dude Skiffin & it sounds like you have one heck of a woman to lean-on, I can't begin to imagine what you've been through, but glad to hear your moving toward recovery. Patience & Prayer are very powerful things !