Here's Tom Pooler!

August 19, 2004

Went down to Oakland Monday, had a nice lunch at Olive Garden on the

way. Saw the movie " Collateral " that evening and then went to

FUdruckers for a burger. Almost chocked on the sauteed onions, they

got caught on my back braces and couldn't get them out of my mouth.

Such a wonderful feeling for a last meal!

Tuesday morning, surgery morning. Went to Kaiser for my 6:30am

appointment. Everything went really smooth. Dr Wong came in before

the surgery and showed me what they had planned, upper forward 8mm

and bottom back 4mm. My big nose would change and I would have a

midline (cheeks!) again. Got something that tasted like bad Koolaid

for any nausea I might have after surgery and some pills to lower my

blood pressure and they said I was a bit excited. No duh! Went

into the OR and got on the table. Got hooked up to everything and

Dr's seemed to be in a very good mood!

That's the last I remember until waking up in recovery. I started

working my mouth immediately to make sure I could talk. Didn't get

sick at all after surgery. My ice pack was my best friend and had

it with me through the night. Dr Poor came in and said a few things

and how everything went well. He said the fit wasn't excellent but

was very good. Had some apple juice through the evening. Got up a

few times and went to the bathroom. Long night and didn't sleep

much. Typical hospital stay where nurses keep coming in to do

something. Oh yeah and did I mention no pain?

Wednesday morning bright and early about 7 ish Dr Wong comes in and

says how good I look and sound. He said that I was difficult because

I have a deep mouth but that everything went well. He said because

everything looked so good together that Dr Poor decided not to even

put in any splint (more good news!). Still no pain, yeah!

Nurse Katy from the class comes in a while later and is amazed at

how good I look and sound! She said that I am really talking well

and then gives me the lowdown about the release procedures. I get

my anti nausea meds before leaving .

I get released about 10:30 and my wife takes me home, about a 2 hour

trip. Trip is fine and don't get sick at all, wearing my ice pack

the whole way. First thing I do is take a shower. Ah!

I get to work clearing my nose with a solution of peroxide and water

with a bit of nose spray thrown in. This will be a part of my

routine the rest of the day. Put a new ice pack on and then go

downstairs to get my first smoothie. All I can say is thank god I

bought the zip and squeeze stuff! It works great for both water and

smoothies. Oh yeah and I bought two of the ice pack wraps through

them too. What a smart purchase as they work great. Buy at least

two or extra ice packs as the ice packs don't last long and while

one is freezing you wear the other ones.

First night was uneventlful went to sleep on the recliner

downstairs. Woke up at midnight and put on a new ice pack, got a

drink of water, worked on my congested nose a bit more with peroxide

and nose spray and back to sleep. Did I say I am still pain free?

Went right back to sleep and woke up about 6 ish which is by normal

wake up time. New ice pack, more peroxide and nose spray and here I

am!

Looking forward to next Thursday when I get unwired!

> Hay buddy,

>

> hope you're out there and ok...thinking of ya.

> write when you can and we'll catch up.

>

> meanwhile...stay calm and just get through the moment one at a

time.

> All the best JO!

August 19, 2004