Re: Margie's MGB :0)

[Guest guest]

Margie, what a *great* story!!

Sorry to hear your i.v. infiltrated. That sounds like absolutely no fun

at all.

But I was sure glad to hear when you were up and doing well.

Hugs!

MCypher31@... wrote:

>

> As I sit here and think back to the beginning of my MGB

> journey, I

> have to wonder if it started in 1st grade and noticed my size

> difference, or

> was it when I accidentally came across the clos.net site? Whenever it

> happened, I sure feel privileged to be where I am today. I am Very

> happy.

> I was searching on the internet for the ultimate miracle,

> and I

> don't take that word lightly,because at that point I had given up on

> any diet

> or otherwise useless way to end this battle. My attitude was "

> Everyone has

> to go sometime " ? At 41 I didn't care when that time was for me, it had

> been a

> looong battle. My aches and pains had finally took over. I just flat

> out

> didn't care at all. I was ready.

> Anyways, I clicked on a site and accidently joined the

> e-groups.

> All of the sudden I felt so important because I was immediatly getting

> more

> mail than the president. Not just ordinary mail, but, mail about other

> people

> who felt just exactly like me? I thought me? asupport group? For real?

> Ohhh

> ya it was for real and that's why I am still here. The support people

> were

> giving, the help, the prayers, the answers, and people pouring out

> their

> hearts about this terrible disease that no one else understood like me

>

> " obesity " . Ohhh I hate that word! I hate it all! The contents of the

> mail

> that week was mainly about the MGB and Contacts. As I kept reading I

> learned

> I needed to Download The 1st. So, that, besides joining the

> e-groups,

> was the very first thing I did. Oh and I downloaded 2 just because I

> never

> do 1 of anything. As I read the manuel and lurked on the list I saw

> these

> people mention page 4 of the manuel as a guide to follow in order to

> be

> approved for surgery. So needless to say that is where I went. #1

> Review of

> the Patient Selection Criteria, well OK that was on the next page in

> the

> manuel so I wrote down each subject and how I related to that. Now

> let's see

> #2 well I had lurked long enough to know this one was a bugger! It was

>

> loooong and sometimes it had the nerve to erase just before you

> complete it,

> so I downloaded Stay Online, which I hope is working right now and

> you will

> see why. I then filled out the form and printed it out so I could

> check it

> and I didn't send it because I didn't have a PCP as of yet. This must

> have

> been in Feb., which is when I met a pre-op that was having this

> surgery the

> MGB on Feb. 29th. She lived only 10 min. away from me. She was having

> the MGB

> on the 29th I almost had a heart attack1 I prayed and prayed for her

> and when

> she got home she came to visit. I was totaly at ease with this surgery

>

> because she looked great, felt great, and she was a nurse. I kept in

> touch

> with her and kept reading the manuel, which is #3 READ THE MANUEL!!!

> #4 was

> another story! A letter of support from a PCP who has taken care of me

> only 7

> mo. (I just moved here)? Would he support me? I copied the manuel

> again,

> cause you know, I needed 2 myself. I copied Dr.R's profile, the

> requirements

> I needed from him, and the latest stats, and at that time I think he

> had done

> maybe 313?? And I also sent a patient letter to my PCP similar to

> Dr.R's. I

> put all of this in an envelope and strolled in the office. OK so he

> said let

> me review this stuff and I'll let you know in 3 weeks! I kept my cool,

> and

> truly wasn't worried cause I had alot to do anyhow. Then #5 I had to

> call PA

> to get my abdominal surgery records. I did have 5 surgeries. I had a

> c-section, a D & C and abortion (lost a baby), A Tubal, An explor Lap,

> and last

> but not least Gallbladder!!!! I thought I took care of this in March.

> As for

> #8 The Pictures?? OK I snapped a few and threw them in an enveloped

> hoping to

> Never look at them again!! YUKKKKK!!Although it was a great form of

> Motivation, yep sure was!! Ohhhhhh sorry #7 Contact with Ten Previous

>

> Patients, I had a great time doing that, because I would meet so many

> new

> friends and they would tell me their thoughts and stories. Now, the

> FAMILY

> SUPPORT LETTER? This was the darndest things, all it took was 4 months

> of

> being very nice and a visit from Mr. smith and wesson and

> WaaaaaLaaaaaaa Mr

> Vickers was Very Supportive! Who'd a thunk?:0)

> Bless his heart! he's got a huge one too! Now #10 was Real easy No

> Alcohol!!!! Who wouldn't know that after surgery there can be

> additional

> damage to the liver following Rapid weight loss. Alcohol has a Toxic

> effect

> on the liver and can cause even death! Your body can just no longer

> process

> alcohol. I have seen some NASTY liver diseases and I owned and

> operated a

> nightclub in Pittsburgh (close to it anyways) and I have drank myself

> into

> oblivion, therefore, I don't have any problems obstaining from

> Alcohol. I

> have plenty of ways to have fun without and besides I have fun anyways

> It is

> more fun for me to watch everyone else hehe!!

> OK so I made an apt. for a pap and a mamo and physical. I started my

> Patient

> Letter. I guess I had no problem with any of the steps? I am not

> saying I am

> glad it is all over, because it isn't I will follow up with Dr.R till

> he

> shooo's me away, but, It was all self explanitory.

> OK so I am all done and I knew I had my PCP apt #2 on May 3rd!! I

> waited 3

> weeks just to here " yes I will support you " and he didn't even mention

> my

> surgery!!!!!! Well, He almost got Out The Door and I must admit I was

> teary

> eyed at this point because all I wanted to hear was " YES " and he was

> just

> going to walk out and I think I grabbed him (by the throat) and smiled

> and

> said " Are you going to support me for this surgery " ? He said Oh ya,

> and

> proceeded to leave! I was so happy I flew out of the office, I think i

> paid,

> and went 100mph all the way home to send in my form!1I sent it in I

> think on

> the 9th. In the meantime I moved accross town and 7 days or so later I

>

> received Dr.R's letter he sent to my ins. in the mail and as you will

> see It

> was GREAT!!!!!!OHH even though I knew I had a direct exclusion, I

> thought

> there is No Way they can refuse me!!Wel yes they did, and for 24 hrs.

> I

> booooo hoooo'd on the list and suddenly had 700 people supporting me

> Right

> Now!!!!!! It was so awsome!! Thanks guys!! Ya know you can't keep a

> good

> girl down!! I personally met 2 more girls that live nearby and loads

> from the

> list who picked me up and brushed off my pants!! They prayed there

> guts out

> for me and waaaaaaa Laaaaaaaa I was up and fighting!!well I decided I

> would

> get a loan and self pay and fight later. I figured Have Car/ Have

> loan! Oh OK

> How did I rationalize this with my husband?

> Husband/Harley........Margie/MGB

> even steven woooooo hoooooo How could I lose? LOL It worked LOL How

> could I

> lose?? By this time he knew I breathed and lived for this. In Fact,

> Yesssss

> we did have a quarrel or 10 about the long Hours Dr.R requires us to

> be on

> the internet and I am grateful he REMEMBERED to bring that up in

> clinic!

> Thanks Dr.R. OK so now I am ready to send in my packet and it just

> happens

> to be the week we had a vacation planned for months? OH NOO I called

> my Pcp

> and Begged for his letter! Made up a physical form on the internet(

> well

> someone else did) tee hee I won't use any names to protect the

> innocent1 I

> called PA and Begged for my medical Records they Forgot to send, and

> received

> it all in the mail the day before Vacation!! I Fed Ex'd that baby and

> Off to

> Myrtle Beach I went!!Let's see that was Mon. June 21st On the 29th I

> called

> home from vacation to hear barbara say I was approved by Dr.R and I

> got the

> July 26th date! I had requested this date when I sent in the packet!

> Cool!!!!! OMG I was ESTATIC!!!!!!!! The following Mon. I called

> Barbara who

> is REAL NICE BTW, and confirmed my apt. I had to call anesthesia and

> put a

> downpayment on that. I talked to (919)384-0200, SHE WAS VERY

> NICE. I

> got my 2 cashiers checks from the bank and started packing!! wo

> Hooooooo!

> Well I packed for 1 week and my husband said I could have gone on the

> Survivors show?? Who knew?? Oh well I wont need groceries for months!!

> My

> date was set for 7/26! I was going CRAZY!!!!! I decided to stay at the

> Duke

> Towers. I wasn't sure if my hubby was staying andddd I wanted to have

> my dog

> (which we left home:() and I wanted to be where someone else was

> having the

> MGB? So here it is Mon. the 24th at noon and we are on the road!1

> Holy Cow

> was this exciting! We arrived in Durham at The Duke Towers at 5:35pm

> and

> registered and had the weird lady call Judi and tell her my room #

> cause she

> wouldn't give me hers. when my husband and I got to our door There Was

> Judi

> and Lori waiting to greet us!!!! It was fabulous dawling! It was like

> meeting

> your long lost sisters on the Oprah whinfrey show!! I felt like a

> million

> bucks, even though Trish couldn't bring it upon herself to join them

> she did

> wave to me from the balcony ! LOL My little soup feeder Trish!!LOL We

> all

> went to the cracker barrell and met about 10 other MGBer's and ate

> even

> though Carl Tried to Lose us hehe We found him!! We ate, talked,

> laughed, and

> went home. The next day I was scheduled for the 1:00 clinic and I

> had to go

> to dr.R's office and sign in and pay and then off to the clinic! it is

> just

> around the corner! When we arrived about an hour early, I turned in my

> 2nd

> patient info form and registered (make sure you print 2222222222

> copies of

> this or you will do it again! Then into a room full of US Great

> People!

> needless to say there was endless chatter! debbie was explaining

> packets and

> pictures, Barbara was measuring our waists and all that stuff and

> then dr.R

> came in and introduced himself, had us introduce ourselves and tell

> where and

> how we found him, and then he answered some questions, took the post

> op

> staples out, and began to see us 1 on 1. He reviews your PI form,

> answers any

> questions you or your family have, drinks carbonated beverages and

> makes you

> feel very confident with your decision! Oh and at 3:00 you can call

> the

> hospital and find out your surgery time If your surgery is on wed. BTW

> I was

> Numero UNO!!!! Yep that means 1st one on the gurney and thats the 1st

> belly

> ache I ever did have! LOL I was soo Excited, Happy, Confident, Smiling

> Ear to

> EAR!!!!!!!!!!!! After clinic we all met at the Macaroni Grill! Of

> course I

> had water w/lemon Yummmmmm! As I watched someone to the left of me w/

> appetizer and filet(post-op, and wont give names), and to the right a

> hearty

> bowl of soup! I sipped to practice! hehe I didn't care cause I knew My

> Big

> Day I had Been waiting for was in a matter of HOURS!!!!!! It was so

> Super

> Cooll to meet Judi, Carl, , Lori , Trish, ,

> ,

> , Jane, Jess, Valma! and loads of others! We took a few

> pics and

> left early to go home and shower with dr.R's famous Hibiclens!!! It

> was so

> soft and smooth and silky! LOL Oh How sweet it is!! I already took my

> MOM

> that morning, put my patch on, and took my prevacid I was going to bed

> to get

> some sleep! hehehe Rightttttttttttt I was up at 3:30 to shower and

> ready to

> leave at 4:30 LOL we left at 5:30 picked up from the Fairfield

> and

> she is from Texas! I just Love her, but, Boy can that girl talk!!!

> Bless her

> heart! At first i thought she was nervous but, nope, I think she

> talked Dr.R

> through her surgery!! I still love her I even nicknamed her JJ short

> for

> jibber Jabber!! tee hee! sorry denise! i love ya! But, don't call me!!

>

> LOLJust kiddin! AnywaysWe arrived at Durham Regional at 6:00 sharp! We

> were

> early the employees were LATE!!!!!!! Anyhow I got registered and paid

> them

> and was on my way to the holding area! There Ruth (who is wonderful)

> told me

> to put my birthday suit under a gown so I did! Then she started my IV

> and was

> very good I might add. she informed me she would be putting me to

> sleep so I

> was REAL nice to Ruth!! Then Dr.R came in to say hey and see if I had

> any

> questions, which of course I did not, after all the quizzes?? I had to

> fill

> out a few papers the same ones that are in the back of the manuel. YOU

> WILL

> FILL THOSE OUT ON THE GURNEY! There Is No Back Support!You Will Be

> Glad When

> Done! It Is Very Very Uncomfortable!!You are allowed to copy from the

> ones in

> the manuel, but you Have to rewrite them! Then I was wheeled into the

> OR! I

> was very calm and wide awake!! But, I wasn't worried cause I knew Ruth

> had

> big plans for me! As I looked to my left, Dr.R was playing solitaire

> on the

> computer or something, then they placed some toasty warm blankets on

> me and

> pillows under the legs WOW it was sooo nice! Then ruthy said Ta Ta and

> I was

> off in wonderland! I woke up I only remember my room?? I guess they

> skipped

> the recovery room?I remember my husband standing there I guess I

> pushed the

> pain pump, just for precautionary measures cause I wasn't in any pain

> LOL and

> just after that the nurse I love her VALERIE took my b/p and it was

> Toooooo

> Lowwwwwww ! I always have Low Blood pressure, it runs in my family,

> but, it

> was 96 over 43?? I was REALLY RELAXED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hmmmmmm

> Then They

> immedatley gave me a shot to counteract the pain meds, and it did, I

> was

> nervous about that, but I never did have any pain?? But I thought NO

> PAIN

> MEDS????????? WHassssss up???????????/ I will tell you that Dr.R was

> Right

> there ASAP. So was his nurse and the floor nurses and that kinda made

> me

> nervous, but then again I was soo relaxed!! I don't remember what else

> they

> did, but I was all back to normal by 2:30 Oh I got back to my room at

> 8:30??

> I wasn't aloud up till 2 though! The only discomfort I remember was

> GASSSSSSS YIKESSSS, So I walked alot!! I know they brought in a tray

> of

> liquids and I remember Trish trying to spoon some broth in me and she

> is so

> sweet, and Lori was checking in on me alot!! Thanks guys! I love ya!!

> I

> decided to get some sleep around 10 and BTW I slept on my side and

> tummy?? It

> was Great!! Then around 4:00 I woke up and I thought I was dreaming! I

>

> couldn't move my hand!!!!!!! It was really strange! My hand all the

> way up to

> my elbow was Hard and Sore and BIGGGGG like a mitt! I couldn't move my

>

> fingers! I was scared so I buzzed the nurse, by this time it was

> and

> she said " Oh you are the 2nd one tonight! It has infiltrated! I said

> What's

> That!!!! She said It was when the IV solution goes in your tissues

> instead of

> your vein!!! She took the IV out thank Gawdddddd and put a warm cloth,

> which

> didn't help and that was it?? It finally went down today!! 5 days post

> op!!

> My vein where the IV was is still Very red and Sore!! Finally at 7:30

> Dr.R

> came in to discharge me and ask if I had any questions. I didn't so I

> left

> ASAP and took denise to the drugstore Eckards by the Fairfield, it

> took what

> seemed to be about 2 hours for the poor ol boy to fill em? I thought

> we were

> gonna be lying on the floor!LOL We took to her Hotel and went

> to ours

> and rested and walked the rest of the day trying to get rid of the

> gas. The

> day after Fri. we went to a mall and walked around and then rested.

> sat. we

> were going to attend the support meeting which we did take Judi and

> went,

> but, my hubby was feeling bad, so we left . I did take alot of pics,

> but

> when I went to load them it said they had a Stealth Virus?? So I

> didn't load

> them? We drove home 4 hrs no problem, at all. I made it home and I

> feel real

> good! At first, actually untill today It is very hard to take a deep

> breath,

> burp, or yawn. Yikes! But it dissappears and is normal I guess? I have

> had NO

> REFLUX at all, NO NAUSEA< NO PAIN < My swelled up feet and face is

> GONZO??????? I think Dr.R tricked me cause I feel too good!! But I

> really do

> ! I am about ready to die and I want you all to know that I cannot

> type1 This

> was done with 2 fingers! I think I deserve a standing Ovation!! LOL

> Hey If

> anyone wants to know anything at all you can e-mail me :

> MCypher31@...

> or Call (864)284-6060 I am home most always1 hubby leaves around 8am

> and

> returns anywhere from 4 to 6 We usually hit the sack around 10:00.

> Call

> Whenever! If I can't talk I'll call back! Hey Does anyone have an easy

> way to

> take the protien mix????? YUKKKKKKKKKK It does make a huge difference

> though!

> Oh BTW I love you all! Wish you alllll my best!! And Dr. R.... You

> Sure Got

> It Goin On!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good Luck! Love Margie Vickers

>

>

> The 1st 7/26 post-op

>

>

> Self - Pay

>

>

> Start 232

>

>

> Evaporating!

> PS I am all pooped now I need a back RUBBBBBBB PHILLLLLLLLLLLLLL

> :0)

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