Katie Sundgren

I have been hesitant to formally say this with the world in such distraught and emotional state until it was confirmed m: But I indeed want to share a major surgical procedure and allow a way to set up a way to update those who want to know, in the know.
I’ve been hesitant to ever ask or allow others to support us as it’s a pride and stigma issue I personally am working on. 


I’ve learned from my team that I have to communicate and share my journey in order to all others to have insight and allow to receive and share my journey.

I’m Katie and I’m 32 with a husband and 6yr old and almost died through a rare medical emergency, that was a perforated ulcer that caused me to be in septic shock. After a 10 week recovery; I got angry with my life and god. Through this time I had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had multiple traumatic medical experiences. Shortly after Christmas I had a breakdown because of this terminal illness and diagnosis. Having 6 year old daughter and husband  to think of and being only 32. I was having suicidal ideation and something pulled me away, I can only see that now as god pointing me to a bigger and better plan for my life. That night I called my doctor and checked into a 15 mental health program voluntary for myself. I had a spiritual counselor in treatment and something clicked. Im in such a better life and place.

Unfortunately we are still fight for the SSD benefits I have earned through working credits. The process has gotten expedited by Congress due to the role the financial burden and worries takes on a family for two years. Which this August 11th surgery, I certainly didn’t think being high risk and a major abdominal surgery gastric y bypass with a 6 day inpatient stay was possible. But of course My luck, it’s needed badly. I’m critically low on nutrients that affect my cardiovascular system with anesthesia. It’s not a easy situation to walk into. But I’m grateful and blessed it’s not worse . I don’t know what we will need, but if we get any donations, know that it’s towards Utilities grocery’s and medical supplies. I completely tapped out of resources after two years. And if we get nothing, this is an incredibly hard time for everyone not just me. I don’t expect or want anyone to give from a place of guilt. It’s hard to be authentic and transparent but I gotta just put it out there, the rest I can figure out and always do. I appreciate everyone and the massive emotional support and empathy!


Katie has been living with a rare genetic condition, She had a Perforated Ulcer in 2018, which lead to Septic Shock, due to continued ulcers and risk of perforation again, Katie's nutrition, including Potassium, and Vitamin D and dehydration are constantly unstable.


Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, vascular type, can weaken your heart's largest artery (aorta), as well as the arteries to other regions of your body. A rupture of any of these larger blood vessels can be fatal. The vascular type can also weaken the walls of the uterus or large intestines — which also may rupture.
Causes

Different types of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome are associated with a variety of genetic causes, some of which are inherited and passed on from parent to child. If you have the most common varieties of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, there's a 50 percent chance that you'll pass on the gene to each of your children.
Complications

Complications depend on the types of signs and symptoms you have. For example, overly flexible joints can result in joint dislocations and early-onset arthritis. Fragile skin may develop prominent scarring.
People who have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, vascular type, are at risk of often fatal ruptures of major blood vessels. Some organs, such as the uterus and intestines, also may rupture. Pregnancy can increase these risks.
Prevention

If you have a personal or family history of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and you're thinking about starting a family, you may benefit from talking to a genetic counselor — a health care professional trained to assess the risk of inherited disorders. Genetic counseling can help you understand the inheritance pattern of the type of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome that affects you and the risks it poses for your children.
Diagnosis & treatment

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, vascular type, can weaken your heart's largest artery (aorta), as well as the arteries to other regions of your body. A rupture of any of these larger blood vessels can be fatal. The vascular type can also weaken the walls of the uterus or large intestines — which also may rupture.
Causes

Different types of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome are associated with a variety of genetic causes, some of which are inherited and passed on from parent to child. If you have the most common varieties of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, there's a 50 percent chance that you'll pass on the gene to each of your children.
Complications

Complications depend on the types of signs and symptoms you have. For example, overly flexible joints can result in joint dislocations and early-onset arthritis. Fragile skin may develop prominent scarring.
People who have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, vascular type, are at risk of often fatal ruptures of major blood vessels. Some organs, such as the uterus and intestines, also may rupture. Pregnancy can increase these risks.


August 11th A Gastric Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy will be preformed at Mercy followed by a week inpatient
 

Background
Antrectomy (distal gastrectomy) is a procedure in which the distal third of the stomach (the gastric or pyloric antrum) is excised. Gastrectomies are further defined by the type of reconstruction used to reestablish gastrointestinal (GI) continuity. A Billroth II or gastrojejunostomy reconstruction is usually fashioned in an end-to-side manner. 
From

The vagus nerve trunk splits into branches that go to different parts of the stomach. Stimulation from these branches causes the stomach to produce acid. Too much stomach acid leads to ulcers that may eventually bleed and create an emergency situation.
A vagotomy is performed when acid production in the stomach can not be reduced by other means. The purpose of the procedure is to disable the acid-producing capacity of the stomach. It is used when ulcers in the stomach and duodenum do not respond to medication and changes in diet. It is an appropriate surgery when there are ulcer complications, such as obstruction of digestive flow, bleeding, or perforation. The frequency with which elective vagotomy is performed has decreased in the past 20 years as it has become clear that the primary cause of ulcers is an infection by a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori. Drugs have become increasingly effective in treating ulcers. However, the number of vagotomies performed in emergency situations has remained about the same.
Aftercare
Patients who have had a vagotomy stay in the hospital for about seven days. Nasogastric suctioning is required for the first three or four days. A tube is inserted through the nose and into the stomach. The stomach contents are then suctioned out. Patients eat a clear liquid diet until the gastrointestinal tract regains function. When patients return to a regular diet, spicy and acidic foods should be avoided.
It takes about six weeks to fully recover from the surgery. The sutures that close the skin can be removed in seven to 10 days. Patients are encouraged to move around soon after the operation to prevent the formation of deep vein blood clots. Pain medication, stool softeners, and antibiotics may be prescribed following the operation.