Tess

[Guest guest]

Tess,

So good to hear from you! I am glad you are recovering well. Sorry to hear

your RA has come out of its mini remission. I was hoping for your sake it

would last longer!

I also experienced a depressed weepy time. It happened around 4 days post op

and lasted for two days. This was also the same time I had a rough few days

post op.

Does your doctor have a post-op pysch support and support group? Please

ask..you will find most are going through the same thing around the same time

post

op. I think its the weight lost and big chemical upheaval it causes. Hang

in there. I think recognizing that its happening is more than half the battle

of getting past the depression.

I know I have a mandatory group support I have to attend at least 3 times

during my first year post op and one mandatory individual session with the

pyschologist. Its nice to know that I have a pychologist a phone call away to

talk

to for free if I run into a bump in the road.

I called the nutritionist last week cause I thought I was able to drink far

too much at one time so early (remember I am only 11 days post-op) She

reassured me this is normal and just my stomach settling down. She also gave me

some

tips and welcomed future calls as I go on this journey.

I have really been impressed with my docs pre- and post op care program. I

have a nurse, nutritionist, physical therapist, pyschologist and physical

therapist at my disposal any time I need and for as often as it takes to make me

sucessful!

I start my soft solid food next week Tuesday and I look forward to trying one

of those Adult happy meals soon. All I want is the pedometer!!!! I am also

shopping for a Tony Little Gazelle rider. With RA my doc recommeds swimming

but there is no pool here for lap swimming. I have six weeks post op recovery

that he will not release me to workout in a Gym or Curves . So I am stuck

with walking, bicycling or cross country ski machine. All have to be very low

impact to no impact on the joints.

As far as my RA is concerned, so far I am still in remission and on no RA

meds. Still taking Heperin injections 3 times daily, plus meds for stomach

motility, Nexium, and acitigall for my gall bladder. I can't wait until I get

21

days post-op so I can stop the Heperin injections. They hurt!!!

Toni

In a message dated 5/21/04 8:36:02 AM Central Daylight Time,

writes:

> From: tess_northwest@...

> Subject: just me

>

> Hi Sweet People...My surgery recovery is going pretty well. It was

> awfully rough the first few weeks. My RA stuck it's ugly nose in my

> business again, so I am back on weekly Humira injs. I am grateful just

> to have it.

>

> I am dealing with quite a bit of depression, I think both chemical and

> situational. Several friends who have had the same bariatric surgery as

> I have had to have their depression meds increased, decreased, or

> changed entirely after surgery. So I made an appt with my pdoc. I've

> been so weepy, and hopeless thoughts have crept in. But, I am

> recognizing that for what it is and am dealing with it.

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Tess,

You have been on my mind quite a lot over the last several weeks; wondering how

you were. I tried

to call you once when you were still in the hospital and once after you checked

out. I read that

you have lost over 40 lbs. Way to go! I am sure that it has taken a lot of

courage and I know that

you are up to the challenge especially when you see such fabulous results like

being able to walk

in the store. I am sorry that you have had a rough day and hope that each day

will get a little

easier.

Thanks for the info; I will call the state office tommorrow for the particulars.

In the meantime,

's insurance isn't all that expensive and I am grateful for it.

How is Em doing with her new living arrangement and how are you doing without

her there? I am sure

that your girls have taken excellent care of you.

My brother is still in Washington. It seems as though everytime he decides to

move back down this

way, something delays it. Maybe I will be able to visit him before he moves. I

think that it will

be at least 6 months to a year. So, you never know when a internet friend will

turn up.

Are you still writing your poetry? It would be wonderful to read about your

weight loss

experiences. Words do so inspire us.

Take care of yourself...you fabulous, wonderfully sweet, most excellent friend!

Iris

tess_northwest@... wrote:

> Dear Iris...usually when you are given SSD you are eligible for Medicare

> in 2 years...however in some cases you are awarded Medicare sooner.

>

> I have missed you greatly. I'm doing really well generally, but feeling

> a little rough today. You & yours are always in my heart & in my

> prayers, dear Iris.

>

> Love always...

>

> Tess

>

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