Re: Hey Steve....

[Guest guest]

> How you holding up? Give us an update, homeboy. says Hi. =)

A little fatigued and my back is kinda sore from my immobile sleeping

position. I *know* I've got a heating pad around this dump somewhere!

I dozed most of today, but I think I'm going to take a stroll in a few

minutes.

Medically:

As some of you may remember, I have a kidney problem that causes me to

recover more slowly from anemia than normal folk. This is because I'm

slightly deficient in erythropoetin, a substance produced by the

kidneys which signals bone marrow to increase red blood cell

production. I had tried unsuccessfully to get CIGNA to authorize

preoperative treatment with Procrit®, which is synthetic

erythropoetin. CIGNA declined to authorize it, even though this use is

sanctioned by the FDA (gotta love those insurance companies!). Anyway,

the " good " news is that, as a result of my longer-than-expected

surgery and concomitant excessive blood loss, I am *SO* anemic that

CIGNA will actually let me get a course of Procrit®. I had my first

of four weekly shots today, so I expect to be feeling somewhat perkier

in a week or two. Unfortunately, this is too late to keep me from

getting a unit of blood bank packed cells my last day at LAOH. My

hemoglobin was so low (a little over 7, normal for a male is 13-18)

they wouldn't release me to travel. You can imagine how excited

Antonia was about that! ;-) Anyway, the risk of HIV transmission from

bank blood in the US is pretty low (1/500,000 to 1/1,000,000), but I'm

still not going to relax until I get definitive test results in 6 months.

I *HATE* CIGNA.

Other than that, I'm walking around pretty comfortably. This morning,

while fixing breakfast, I found that I quite unconsciously turned and

stepped from counter to counter without my crutches. I don't intend to

make a regular practice of it, but it was interesting that it

happened. 3 or 4 days ago, I wouldn't have been able to do it.

Steve

[Guest guest]

Steve,

I wanted to share with you that I felt like my strength

increased far more between week 2 and 3 than it did in the first two

weeks combined. I hope this proves true for you too, my friend. And

it's funny you'd mention it...but thats right about when I started

my " solo " missions from counter to counter in the kitchen too. Also,

that's right about when I could roll over on the surgery side. Not

comfortably, mind you, but for a half hour or so at a time. You, of

course, will need the wedgie between your knees no matter which way

you roll. I sure hope you can round up a big ling " body " pillow. It

supports your top leg all the way to the ankle. That yellow wedgie

they gave me never suited me. Plus, you need to strap into it, which

could mean disaster if you wake up with your teeth floating.

I'm pulling for you bro, and when wer'e solid again, you and I

can march into Cigna headquarters and break off a little kung-fu on

those M'er F'ers! Or maybe we should just hook up down here in San

Diego County and go jump in the water and then grub on some Thai

food! Anyway, I admire you Nad's for going Bi-lateral, & I have to

wonder how you deal with your TED's all alone. Maybe that dog of

yours is really well trained. Hang tough, bearded one, and keep in

touch. Remember, I've got free long distance on my cell phone on the

weekends, & would be happy to bust off a call.

Roche C+ 4 days ahead of you. =p

> > How you holding up? Give us an update, homeboy. says Hi. =)

>

> A little fatigued and my back is kinda sore from my immobile

sleeping

> position. I *know* I've got a heating pad around this dump

somewhere!

>

> I dozed most of today, but I think I'm going to take a stroll in a

few

> minutes.

>

> Medically:

>

> As some of you may remember, I have a kidney problem that causes

me to

> recover more slowly from anemia than normal folk. This is because

I'm

> slightly deficient in erythropoetin, a substance produced by the

> kidneys which signals bone marrow to increase red blood cell

> production. I had tried unsuccessfully to get CIGNA to authorize

> preoperative treatment with Procrit®, which is synthetic

> erythropoetin. CIGNA declined to authorize it, even though this

use is

> sanctioned by the FDA (gotta love those insurance companies!).

Anyway,

> the " good " news is that, as a result of my longer-than-expected

> surgery and concomitant excessive blood loss, I am *SO* anemic that

> CIGNA will actually let me get a course of Procrit®. I had my

first

> of four weekly shots today, so I expect to be feeling somewhat

perkier

> in a week or two. Unfortunately, this is too late to keep me from

> getting a unit of blood bank packed cells my last day at LAOH. My

> hemoglobin was so low (a little over 7, normal for a male is 13-18)

> they wouldn't release me to travel. You can imagine how excited

> Antonia was about that! ;-) Anyway, the risk of HIV transmission

from

> bank blood in the US is pretty low (1/500,000 to 1/1,000,000), but

I'm

> still not going to relax until I get definitive test results in 6

months.

>

>

> I *HATE* CIGNA.

>

> Other than that, I'm walking around pretty comfortably. This

morning,

> while fixing breakfast, I found that I quite unconsciously turned

and

> stepped from counter to counter without my crutches. I don't

intend to

> make a regular practice of it, but it was interesting that it

> happened. 3 or 4 days ago, I wouldn't have been able to do it.

>

> Steve

[Guest guest]

> Steve,

> I wanted to share with you that I felt like my strength

> increased far more between week 2 and 3 than it did in the first two

> weeks combined.

Cool! I increased my walk distance by 50% today. I just hope I don't

regret it tomorrow.

>I hope this proves true for you too, my friend. And

> it's funny you'd mention it...but thats right about when I started

> my " solo " missions from counter to counter in the kitchen too. Also,

> that's right about when I could roll over on the surgery side.

No way I'm doing that anytime soon. I just don't want to risk it with

the bilateral.

> Not

> comfortably, mind you, but for a half hour or so at a time. You, of

> course, will need the wedgie between your knees no matter which way

> you roll. I sure hope you can round up a big ling " body " pillow.

I already expressed my body pillow thoughts in a private email ;-).

> It

> supports your top leg all the way to the ankle. That yellow wedgie

> they gave me never suited me. Plus, you need to strap into it

I haven't used the straps since 2 days after the surgery. There's no

way I can fasten or unfasten them without violating the bending

restrictions.

>, which

> could mean disaster if you wake up with your teeth floating.

> I'm pulling for you bro, and when wer'e solid again, you and I

> can march into Cigna headquarters and break off a little kung-fu on

> those M'er F'ers!

You *do* recall that I've trained karate for 32 years, don't you?

>Or maybe we should just hook up down here in San

> Diego County and go jump in the water and then grub on some Thai

> food!

That sounds like a much better alternative. Since I'm in the metal

ions study, I've got to go to LAOH for blood tests in July or August.

Maybe we should just have a SoCal surfacehippy gathering?

> Anyway, I admire you Nad's for going Bi-lateral, & I have to

> wonder how you deal with your TED's all alone.

I have friends come by in the morning and evening. There's just no way

I could get those suckers on and off by myself. It's like wrestling

with an anaconda.

> Maybe that dog of

> yours is really well trained. Hang tough, bearded one, and keep in

> touch. Remember, I've got free long distance on my cell phone on the

> weekends, & would be happy to bust off a call.

> Roche C+ 4 days ahead of you. =p

But only half as " hip " ! ;-)

Steve

[Guest guest]

YOU TWO ARE HILARIOUS HOW YOU BANTER BACK AND FORTH! I TYPICALLY

LAUGH OUT LOUD WHEN I READ YOUR POSTS! I ESPECIALLY LIKED THE PART

ABOUT YOUR TEDs AND HOW IT'S LIKE WRESTLING WITH A ANACONDA! )

HEY, AND I'M GAME FOR THE SOCAL SURF HIPPY GATHERING! THOUGH I

SHOULD PROBABLY GET MY HIP DONE FIRST, HUH?

AND ERIC...I'M STILLLL SHOOUUUUTTTTINNG! I JUST FIND IT'S EASIER TO

SEE WHAT'S DIFFERENT...TOO BAD WE CAN'T PLAY W/ FONT COLORS!!!

LAURA

> > Steve,

> > I wanted to share with you that I felt like my strength

> > increased far more between week 2 and 3 than it did in the first

two

> > weeks combined.

>

> Cool! I increased my walk distance by 50% today. I just hope I don't

> regret it tomorrow.

>

> >I hope this proves true for you too, my friend. And

> > it's funny you'd mention it...but thats right about when I

started

> > my " solo " missions from counter to counter in the kitchen too.

Also,

> > that's right about when I could roll over on the surgery side.

>

> No way I'm doing that anytime soon. I just don't want to risk it

with

> the bilateral.

>

> > Not

> > comfortably, mind you, but for a half hour or so at a time. You,

of

> > course, will need the wedgie between your knees no matter which

way

> > you roll. I sure hope you can round up a big ling " body " pillow.

>

> I already expressed my body pillow thoughts in a private email ;-).

>

> > It

> > supports your top leg all the way to the ankle. That yellow

wedgie

> > they gave me never suited me. Plus, you need to strap into it

>

> I haven't used the straps since 2 days after the surgery. There's no

> way I can fasten or unfasten them without violating the bending

> restrictions.

>

> >, which

> > could mean disaster if you wake up with your teeth floating.

> > I'm pulling for you bro, and when wer'e solid again, you and

I

> > can march into Cigna headquarters and break off a little kung-fu

on

> > those M'er F'ers!

>

> You *do* recall that I've trained karate for 32 years, don't you?

>

> >Or maybe we should just hook up down here in San

> > Diego County and go jump in the water and then grub on some Thai

> > food!

>

> That sounds like a much better alternative. Since I'm in the metal

> ions study, I've got to go to LAOH for blood tests in July or

August.

> Maybe we should just have a SoCal surfacehippy gathering?

>

> > Anyway, I admire you Nad's for going Bi-lateral, & I have to

> > wonder how you deal with your TED's all alone.

>

> I have friends come by in the morning and evening. There's just no

way

> I could get those suckers on and off by myself. It's like wrestling

> with an anaconda.

>

> > Maybe that dog of

> > yours is really well trained. Hang tough, bearded one, and keep

in

> > touch. Remember, I've got free long distance on my cell phone on

the

> > weekends, & would be happy to bust off a call.

> > Roche C+ 4 days ahead of you. =p

>

> But only half as " hip " ! ;-)

>

> Steve

[Guest guest]

YOU TWO ARE HILARIOUS HOW YOU BANTER BACK AND FORTH! I TYPICALLY

LAUGH OUT LOUD WHEN I READ YOUR POSTS! I ESPECIALLY LIKED THE PART

ABOUT YOUR TEDs AND HOW IT'S LIKE WRESTLING WITH A ANACONDA! )

HEY, AND I'M GAME FOR THE SOCAL SURF HIPPY GATHERING! THOUGH I

SHOULD PROBABLY GET MY HIP DONE FIRST, HUH?

AND ERIC...I'M STILLLL SHOOUUUUTTTTINNG! I JUST FIND IT'S EASIER TO

SEE WHAT'S DIFFERENT...TOO BAD WE CAN'T PLAY W/ FONT COLORS!!!

LAURA

> > Steve,

> > I wanted to share with you that I felt like my strength

> > increased far more between week 2 and 3 than it did in the first

two

> > weeks combined.

>

> Cool! I increased my walk distance by 50% today. I just hope I don't

> regret it tomorrow.

>

> >I hope this proves true for you too, my friend. And

> > it's funny you'd mention it...but thats right about when I

started

> > my " solo " missions from counter to counter in the kitchen too.

Also,

> > that's right about when I could roll over on the surgery side.

>

> No way I'm doing that anytime soon. I just don't want to risk it

with

> the bilateral.

>

> > Not

> > comfortably, mind you, but for a half hour or so at a time. You,

of

> > course, will need the wedgie between your knees no matter which

way

> > you roll. I sure hope you can round up a big ling " body " pillow.

>

> I already expressed my body pillow thoughts in a private email ;-).

>

> > It

> > supports your top leg all the way to the ankle. That yellow

wedgie

> > they gave me never suited me. Plus, you need to strap into it

>

> I haven't used the straps since 2 days after the surgery. There's no

> way I can fasten or unfasten them without violating the bending

> restrictions.

>

> >, which

> > could mean disaster if you wake up with your teeth floating.

> > I'm pulling for you bro, and when wer'e solid again, you and

I

> > can march into Cigna headquarters and break off a little kung-fu

on

> > those M'er F'ers!

>

> You *do* recall that I've trained karate for 32 years, don't you?

>

> >Or maybe we should just hook up down here in San

> > Diego County and go jump in the water and then grub on some Thai

> > food!

>

> That sounds like a much better alternative. Since I'm in the metal

> ions study, I've got to go to LAOH for blood tests in July or

August.

> Maybe we should just have a SoCal surfacehippy gathering?

>

> > Anyway, I admire you Nad's for going Bi-lateral, & I have to

> > wonder how you deal with your TED's all alone.

>

> I have friends come by in the morning and evening. There's just no

way

> I could get those suckers on and off by myself. It's like wrestling

> with an anaconda.

>

> > Maybe that dog of

> > yours is really well trained. Hang tough, bearded one, and keep

in

> > touch. Remember, I've got free long distance on my cell phone on

the

> > weekends, & would be happy to bust off a call.

> > Roche C+ 4 days ahead of you. =p

>

> But only half as " hip " ! ;-)

>

> Steve

[Guest guest]

Sog1927 sog@...> wrote :

Hospitals are notoriously noisy, and LAOH is plagued by

> some neighborhood drug dealer whose car horn plays " La Cucaracha " at about

5000 decibels at

> intervals through the night.

Dr. Boyd did my surgeries at Salem Hospital. I had a private room, cable tv

(which I did not have at home at that time), and decent food that could be

ordered most hours--no getting your meal when *they* decided it was time for you

to eat. Instead, it was delivered to order. My first room looked out onto the

side of another building. I commented that when I came back in a month, it

would be nice to have a room with a view of the river. Guess what view I got

the second time around. Didn't even have to ask twice! I made sure I thanked

the nurse in charge.

SO glad I don't live in L.A. anymore....

Cindy

C+ 5/25/01 and 6/28/01

___________________________________

NOCC, http://nocc.sourceforge.net

[Guest guest]

Sog1927 sog@...> wrote :

Hospitals are notoriously noisy, and LAOH is plagued by

> some neighborhood drug dealer whose car horn plays " La Cucaracha " at about

5000 decibels at

> intervals through the night.

Dr. Boyd did my surgeries at Salem Hospital. I had a private room, cable tv

(which I did not have at home at that time), and decent food that could be

ordered most hours--no getting your meal when *they* decided it was time for you

to eat. Instead, it was delivered to order. My first room looked out onto the

side of another building. I commented that when I came back in a month, it

would be nice to have a room with a view of the river. Guess what view I got

the second time around. Didn't even have to ask twice! I made sure I thanked

the nurse in charge.

SO glad I don't live in L.A. anymore....

Cindy

C+ 5/25/01 and 6/28/01

___________________________________

NOCC, http://nocc.sourceforge.net

[Guest guest]

:

No problem, I'll keep my earplugs handy!

:-)

RC2K Dr. Gross 3/24/04

> > > Steve,

> > > I wanted to share with you that I felt like my strength

> > > increased far more between week 2 and 3 than it did in the first

> two

> > > weeks combined.

> >

> > Cool! I increased my walk distance by 50% today. I just hope I don't

> > regret it tomorrow.

> >

> > >I hope this proves true for you too, my friend. And

> > > it's funny you'd mention it...but thats right about when I

> started

> > > my " solo " missions from counter to counter in the kitchen too.

> Also,

> > > that's right about when I could roll over on the surgery side.

> >

> > No way I'm doing that anytime soon. I just don't want to risk it

> with

> > the bilateral.

> >

> > > Not

> > > comfortably, mind you, but for a half hour or so at a time. You,

> of

> > > course, will need the wedgie between your knees no matter which

> way

> > > you roll. I sure hope you can round up a big ling " body " pillow.

> >

> > I already expressed my body pillow thoughts in a private email ;-).

> >

> > > It

> > > supports your top leg all the way to the ankle. That yellow

> wedgie

> > > they gave me never suited me. Plus, you need to strap into it

> >

> > I haven't used the straps since 2 days after the surgery. There's no

> > way I can fasten or unfasten them without violating the bending

> > restrictions.

> >

> > >, which

> > > could mean disaster if you wake up with your teeth floating.

> > > I'm pulling for you bro, and when wer'e solid again, you and

> I

> > > can march into Cigna headquarters and break off a little kung-fu

> on

> > > those M'er F'ers!

> >

> > You *do* recall that I've trained karate for 32 years, don't you?

> >

> > >Or maybe we should just hook up down here in San

> > > Diego County and go jump in the water and then grub on some Thai

> > > food!

> >

> > That sounds like a much better alternative. Since I'm in the metal

> > ions study, I've got to go to LAOH for blood tests in July or

> August.

> > Maybe we should just have a SoCal surfacehippy gathering?

> >

> > > Anyway, I admire you Nad's for going Bi-lateral, & I have to

> > > wonder how you deal with your TED's all alone.

> >

> > I have friends come by in the morning and evening. There's just no

> way

> > I could get those suckers on and off by myself. It's like wrestling

> > with an anaconda.

> >

> > > Maybe that dog of

> > > yours is really well trained. Hang tough, bearded one, and keep

> in

> > > touch. Remember, I've got free long distance on my cell phone on

> the

> > > weekends, & would be happy to bust off a call.

> > > Roche C+ 4 days ahead of you. =p

> >

> > But only half as " hip " ! ;-)

> >

> > Steve

[Guest guest]

> :

>

> No problem, I'll keep my earplugs handy!

Speaking of which, that's another item you might consider bringing to

the hospital. Hospitals are notoriously noisy, and LAOH is plagued by

some neighborhood drug dealer (at least that's what Harold the nurse's

aide, who is by the way the nicest human being who ever lived, said it

was) whose car horn plays " La Cucaracha " at about 5000 decibels at

intervals through the night. Anyway, they might help you sleed. I

bought a big package of earplugs before I left for LA and then

thoughtfully left them on the kitchen table when I departed for the

airport. Incipient senility is *such* an ugly thing. ;-)

Steve (bilateral C+ 4/20/04, Amstutz)

[Guest guest]

I thought that the " La cucaracha " was the worlds busiest catering

truck.

And I thought that Harold was the nicest guy in the world too untill

he pulled out my

cathedor.

Chris

> > :

> >

> > No problem, I'll keep my earplugs handy!

>

> Speaking of which, that's another item you might consider bringing

to

> the hospital. Hospitals are notoriously noisy, and LAOH is plagued

by

> some neighborhood drug dealer (at least that's what Harold the

nurse's

> aide, who is by the way the nicest human being who ever lived,

said it

> was) whose car horn plays " La Cucaracha " at about 5000 decibels at

> intervals through the night. Anyway, they might help you sleed. I

> bought a big package of earplugs before I left for LA and then

> thoughtfully left them on the kitchen table when I departed for the

> airport. Incipient senility is *such* an ugly thing. ;-)

>

> Steve (bilateral C+ 4/20/04, Amstutz)

[Guest guest]

Steve:

Good point. Two of the minor aggravations I had were the noises - one

the pump for the polar care and the other the pump for the compression

booties. I was able to get them to swap out the pump on the polar

care (it's basically an aquarium pump) with a quieter one and the pump

for the booties I was able to convince them to move it off the end of

the bed and put it under the bed on the floor. But earplugs would

have come in handy.

RC2K Dr. Gross 3/24/04

> > :

> >

> > No problem, I'll keep my earplugs handy!

>

> Speaking of which, that's another item you might consider bringing to

> the hospital. Hospitals are notoriously noisy, and LAOH is plagued by

> some neighborhood drug dealer (at least that's what Harold the nurse's

> aide, who is by the way the nicest human being who ever lived, said it

> was) whose car horn plays " La Cucaracha " at about 5000 decibels at

> intervals through the night. Anyway, they might help you sleed. I

> bought a big package of earplugs before I left for LA and then

> thoughtfully left them on the kitchen table when I departed for the

> airport. Incipient senility is *such* an ugly thing. ;-)

>

> Steve (bilateral C+ 4/20/04, Amstutz)