Re: Over to the otherside...

May 21, 2000

Goodmorning everyone-

I entered into the otherside on the 19th around 11:00. All went very well.

I guess I will go through the process, I always waited to hear back from the

others who crossed over.

My family and myself stayed at Duke Towers Thursday night. We were surprised

at the inside, because the outside looked questionable. I think it has been

there for years. But it was a straight shot down Duke St. to the Hospital.

For my last REAL meal, we ate at TRIPP's near the mall. I rate it a 9 as far

as last meals go. I had pork chops and salad, and what seems like 20 loaves

of fresh warm bread. ( what I will miss the most) Even our waitress, Britt,

was very friendly. We looked around for a place to find the Hibliclens. No

luck. There is no place like an Eckerds, CVS, or all night grocery store to

purchase this. I advise you to get this before you go. Carolyn Deal and her

family stayed at the Towers too. I approached her husband and child in the

parking lot after dinner, and asked if they were Carolyns family. I knew

that Carolyn was bringing her 10 year old daughter, and this looked to fit

the family description in my mind.

They were her family, and I told them to come visit when they had time.

My two children, who normally hit the hay around 9 or so, finally passed out

around midnight. Carolyn and her daughter did come visit. Carolyn and I

bonded, as did our girls. That is great. My daughter told me that while

they were in the back bedrooms, they talked about being scared and excited.

I am glad they had eachother, like Carolyn and I did. Pretty neat!

Carolyn let me borrow a bit of her Hibliclens to bathe with. Thanks again

Carolyn. Did not sleep much to speak of. I would close my eyes and open

them only to stare at the clock. We set the clock for 5 :00 am (which never

went off)

but I had really never been deep asleep.

My mother and me left around 6:10 to be at the hospital by 6:30am. We made

it in time, and the waiting area was really busy. The girl that did the

admitting process was really nice. I had good feelings from this moment on.

She told me we would go to the pediatrics floor, where she said the nurses

are the nicest there. (happy to hear) My first nurse was Reilly,

with red hair. My first thought was, what a real Irish women this was. She

was nice, no since of humor, but nice. I had been having chest pains since I

woke up, and told her I needed to have my EKG. I knew it was anxiety, but

would feel better once I had the test. Everything came back normal. Just as

I began to fill out the paper work, they brought in the stretcher to get me

to wheel me down to 3rd floor for surgery prep. There they put me up against

the wall and one by one everyone that would be assisting came by to introduce

themselves to me. Nice people.

Names I remember were, Mckenzie(cutie) Sheila(sweetie pie) and I think his

name was Ken( funny), and Nell, a nice little lady that brought me last

kisses from my mom. I had to finish up all of my paperwork sitting up in the

crib like stretcher. Not an easy task. I don't remember much from there. I

know I prayed until the last moments. I was a little scared like a lot of

others. I couldn't help my fears. But I had faith.

The first thing I remember was them calling my name, trying to wake me up.

Everything from there is a little sketchy.

My family was in the room waiting on my with flowers and balloons. My girls

were glad to see me. I can remember my 3 yr. old trying to pull on my IV and

my 11 yr. old reprimanding her. FUNNY! They stayed for awhile, then my

mother took them with her back to Charlotte. My wonderful husband stayed

with me in my room. They told me that Dr. R came out to tell them that the

surgery took 40 minutes(5 holes) and all of my organs looked great. I feel

great knowing that. For the next few hours I slept, had my blood pressure

and temp taken, and taking meds until I went home. Let me just say that

every one of my nurses and aides were nothing but the best. Margaret was

wonderful, Jeff and I bonded, and (night nurse) was a sweet young lady

that was just great.

I had to wear the blow up boots on my legs, the stockings were not big enough

for my chubby legs(darn it, oh how I love to wear stockings, NOT!) I enjoyed

the boot things, they filled up with air like a blood pressure cuff, and

were temp. controlled. I had a fear of clots because of the veins that stick

out on my legs already, so this was good for me. My husband made friends

with everyone on the block. Donna Breckenridge(sp) (if you are out there,

please call, would love to hear how you are feeling) was in the room next to

me. She coughed a lot, not sure what was wrong. But her friend and my

husband went out to dinner together. Dee Dee was on the otherside of me. We

talked later. Diane was down the hall, and Carolyn Deal was 2 doors

down. I think you have heard about Dee. Please keep her in your prayers.

What a beautiful lady. She is a little scared. I pray that her insides heal

quickly. Carolyn Deal did great. She is not leaving Durham until Monday. I

guess she thinks she is on vacation! haha

I feel so fortunate to have had no major problems. I only have the pain in

my chest that feels like I have been hit or something. I am not hungry. My

family had Mcdonalds for breakfast. (love pancakes) I had some jello.

(yeah!)

Thanks to Della for keeping you updated on my progress. She will be there

next week, and I will do the same for her!

If you have any questions, feel free to write. I think I could close my eyes

for a while.

Love and Peace to everyone, and thanks for the prayers, they were felt!

Kim Cook

MGB 5.19.2000

May 21, 2000

In a message dated 5/21/2000 12:02:32 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

KDRAGONFLYGIRL@... writes:

<< If you have any questions, feel free to write. I think I could close my

eyes

for a while.

Love and Peace to everyone, and thanks for the prayers, they were felt!

Kim Cook

MGB 5.19.2000 >>

Kim,

I am so glad that you did so well and had the companionship of you're

family and littermates. I will be praying for Dee Dee and for you also that

you're recovery keeps going smoothly. Oh and about you're tears, don't worry

about it, when I get to have MGB done I'm sure right before surgery I'll be

bawling like a baby!!!!!!! LOL LOL

Wanting

to be on the other side,

Cathy in Lenoir, NC

Patient Info Emailed on 5/2/00

BMI 42

" A Journey Of A Thousand Miles Begins With A Single Step! "

May 21, 2000

In a message dated 5/21/2000 12:02:32 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

KDRAGONFLYGIRL@... writes:

<< If you have any questions, feel free to write. I think I could close my

eyes

for a while.

Love and Peace to everyone, and thanks for the prayers, they were felt!

Kim Cook

MGB 5.19.2000 >>

Kim,

I am so glad that you did so well and had the companionship of you're

family and littermates. I will be praying for Dee Dee and for you also that

you're recovery keeps going smoothly. Oh and about you're tears, don't worry

about it, when I get to have MGB done I'm sure right before surgery I'll be

bawling like a baby!!!!!!! LOL LOL

Wanting

to be on the other side,

Cathy in Lenoir, NC

Patient Info Emailed on 5/2/00

BMI 42

" A Journey Of A Thousand Miles Begins With A Single Step! "

May 21, 2000

In a message dated 5/21/2000 12:02:32 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

KDRAGONFLYGIRL@... writes:

<< If you have any questions, feel free to write. I think I could close my

eyes

for a while.

Love and Peace to everyone, and thanks for the prayers, they were felt!

Kim Cook

MGB 5.19.2000 >>

Kim,

I am so glad that you did so well and had the companionship of you're

family and littermates. I will be praying for Dee Dee and for you also that

you're recovery keeps going smoothly. Oh and about you're tears, don't worry

about it, when I get to have MGB done I'm sure right before surgery I'll be

bawling like a baby!!!!!!! LOL LOL

Wanting

to be on the other side,

Cathy in Lenoir, NC

Patient Info Emailed on 5/2/00

BMI 42

" A Journey Of A Thousand Miles Begins With A Single Step! "

May 21, 2000

Kim, I am so glad to hear that you are out and doing well. How blessed you

are to begin down the pathway to a healthier, and hopefully happier life

style. We both know how much large people are discriminated against. And,

we both know the devasting affect of being overweight. I can't wait to join

you.

Della

May 21, 2000

Kim, your story was wonderful. im so happy it was a good experience!! Glad

your back just 10 days i will be in that sam spot,,yippee..I look forward to

hearing your progress!

Trisha Lanman

Littermate June 1, 2000

packing, yippee

Las Vegas NV

May 21, 2000

Kim:

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us. It really helps us

pre-ops so much to know exactly what to expect. Glad to hear you are doing

so well.

Jackie in DE

3 days and counting...

May 21, 2000

Kim,

Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm scheduled for 6/2 and this helps

alot. I'm glad you are doing so well. Keep in touch.

Love,

Genz

KDRAGONFLYGIRL@... wrote:

> Goodmorning everyone-

> I entered into the otherside on the 19th around 11:00. All went very well.

> I guess I will go through the process, I always waited to hear back from the

> others who crossed over.

> My family and myself stayed at Duke Towers Thursday night. We were surprised

> at the inside, because the outside looked questionable. I think it has been

> there for years. But it was a straight shot down Duke St. to the Hospital.

> For my last REAL meal, we ate at TRIPP's near the mall. I rate it a 9 as far

> as last meals go. I had pork chops and salad, and what seems like 20 loaves

> of fresh warm bread. ( what I will miss the most) Even our waitress, Britt,

> was very friendly. We looked around for a place to find the Hibliclens. No

> luck. There is no place like an Eckerds, CVS, or all night grocery store to

> purchase this. I advise you to get this before you go. Carolyn Deal and her

> family stayed at the Towers too. I approached her husband and child in the

> parking lot after dinner, and asked if they were Carolyns family. I knew

> that Carolyn was bringing her 10 year old daughter, and this looked to fit

> the family description in my mind.

> They were her family, and I told them to come visit when they had time.

> My two children, who normally hit the hay around 9 or so, finally passed out

> around midnight. Carolyn and her daughter did come visit. Carolyn and I

> bonded, as did our girls. That is great. My daughter told me that while

> they were in the back bedrooms, they talked about being scared and excited.

> I am glad they had eachother, like Carolyn and I did. Pretty neat!

> Carolyn let me borrow a bit of her Hibliclens to bathe with. Thanks again

> Carolyn. Did not sleep much to speak of. I would close my eyes and open

> them only to stare at the clock. We set the clock for 5 :00 am (which never

> went off)

> but I had really never been deep asleep.

> My mother and me left around 6:10 to be at the hospital by 6:30am. We made

> it in time, and the waiting area was really busy. The girl that did the

> admitting process was really nice. I had good feelings from this moment on.

> She told me we would go to the pediatrics floor, where she said the nurses

> are the nicest there. (happy to hear) My first nurse was Reilly,

> with red hair. My first thought was, what a real Irish women this was. She

> was nice, no since of humor, but nice. I had been having chest pains since I

> woke up, and told her I needed to have my EKG. I knew it was anxiety, but

> would feel better once I had the test. Everything came back normal. Just as

> I began to fill out the paper work, they brought in the stretcher to get me

> to wheel me down to 3rd floor for surgery prep. There they put me up against

> the wall and one by one everyone that would be assisting came by to introduce

> themselves to me. Nice people.

> Names I remember were, Mckenzie(cutie) Sheila(sweetie pie) and I think his

> name was Ken( funny), and Nell, a nice little lady that brought me last

> kisses from my mom. I had to finish up all of my paperwork sitting up in the

> crib like stretcher. Not an easy task. I don't remember much from there. I

> know I prayed until the last moments. I was a little scared like a lot of

> others. I couldn't help my fears. But I had faith.

> The first thing I remember was them calling my name, trying to wake me up.

> Everything from there is a little sketchy.

> My family was in the room waiting on my with flowers and balloons. My girls

> were glad to see me. I can remember my 3 yr. old trying to pull on my IV and

> my 11 yr. old reprimanding her. FUNNY! They stayed for awhile, then my

> mother took them with her back to Charlotte. My wonderful husband stayed

> with me in my room. They told me that Dr. R came out to tell them that the

> surgery took 40 minutes(5 holes) and all of my organs looked great. I feel

> great knowing that. For the next few hours I slept, had my blood pressure

> and temp taken, and taking meds until I went home. Let me just say that

> every one of my nurses and aides were nothing but the best. Margaret was

> wonderful, Jeff and I bonded, and (night nurse) was a sweet young lady

> that was just great.

> I had to wear the blow up boots on my legs, the stockings were not big enough

> for my chubby legs(darn it, oh how I love to wear stockings, NOT!) I enjoyed

> the boot things, they filled up with air like a blood pressure cuff, and

> were temp. controlled. I had a fear of clots because of the veins that stick

> out on my legs already, so this was good for me. My husband made friends

> with everyone on the block. Donna Breckenridge(sp) (if you are out there,

> please call, would love to hear how you are feeling) was in the room next to

> me. She coughed a lot, not sure what was wrong. But her friend and my

> husband went out to dinner together. Dee Dee was on the otherside of me. We

> talked later. Diane was down the hall, and Carolyn Deal was 2 doors

> down. I think you have heard about Dee. Please keep her in your prayers.

> What a beautiful lady. She is a little scared. I pray that her insides heal

> quickly. Carolyn Deal did great. She is not leaving Durham until Monday. I

> guess she thinks she is on vacation! haha

> I feel so fortunate to have had no major problems. I only have the pain in

> my chest that feels like I have been hit or something. I am not hungry. My

> family had Mcdonalds for breakfast. (love pancakes) I had some jello.

> (yeah!)

> Thanks to Della for keeping you updated on my progress. She will be there

> next week, and I will do the same for her!

> If you have any questions, feel free to write. I think I could close my eyes

> for a while.

> Love and Peace to everyone, and thanks for the prayers, they were felt!

>

> Kim Cook

> MGB 5.19.2000

>

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May 21, 2000