Guest guest Posted August 24, 2000 Report Share Posted August 24, 2000 WOW..what a GREAT story! I was mesmerized by your detail! Thanks so much for taking the time to write it for us! See you on Saturday!! Holly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2000 Report Share Posted August 24, 2000 In a message dated 8/24/2000 3:17:09 PM Eastern Daylight Time, DebLaMan@... writes: << Miracles DO happen, friends-- BELIEVE! Regards, Debbie in IL MGB 8/10 Cigna approved as " in network " >> Oh Debbie, your story was so wonderful. I laughed and laughed (about stockings) and felt like I was there too. You write so well, I was just so engrossed reading it that I seemed to lose all track of time. If you ever write a book, please let me know. I'm not a good writer, but reading is a passion of mine. I hope you and keep doing well and that your colon problem gets better!!!!!!! Cathy Morrow in Lenoir, NC BMI 42 A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2000 Report Share Posted August 24, 2000 What a great story. I am so happy for u both. I think that u are a wonderful writer and I couldnt help but send this to my sister so she could read it and not worry about me. I am getting so excited I can hardly wait. hugs marg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2000 Report Share Posted August 24, 2000 In a message dated 8/24/00 1:34:31 PM Pacific Daylight Time, dnjester@... writes: << Debbie-- What a fantastic story! I'm sure all pre-ops will find it very interesting and educational! I know you mentioned in Part One that post-ops may not be as interested--I disagree (and I was there)! Your writing truly captures the essence of each moment! Have you thought of becoming a professional writer? You certainly have the talent. Thanks for sharing! Your friend, Dawn Thanks Girlfriend! Yes, I have actually " retired " from teaching to pursue a writing career and have several things in the works, but have not gotten very far because of my obsession with my weight. Now that all of that will soon be behind me, maybe I can get busy!!! Regards, Debbie in IL MGB 8/10 Cigna approved as " in network " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2000 Report Share Posted August 24, 2000 In a message dated 8/24/00 1:58:13 PM Pacific Daylight Time, happygirl0925@... writes: << WOW..what a GREAT story! I was mesmerized by your detail! Thanks so much for taking the time to write it for us! See you on Saturday!! Holly >> Thanks, Holly, sweetie! Can't wait to meet you! Regards, Debbie in IL MGB 8/10 Cigna approved as " in network " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2000 Report Share Posted August 24, 2000 In a message dated 8/24/00 2:04:23 PM Pacific Daylight Time, rosemarylocklear@... writes: << This is sooooo good! Maybe a book in the making! The easiest way to go from Fat to Fabulous as a title????? Waiting for chapter 3! Rosemary >> Creative title, Rosemary! Maybe I have found an agent? lol Regards, Debbie in IL MGB 8/10 Cigna approved as " in network " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2000 Report Share Posted August 24, 2000 In a message dated 8/24/00 2:48:54 PM Pacific Daylight Time, CMo6331945@... writes: << Oh Debbie, your story was so wonderful. I laughed and laughed (about stockings) and felt like I was there too. You write so well, I was just so engrossed reading it that I seemed to lose all track of time. If you ever write a book, please let me know. I'm not a good writer, but reading is a passion of mine. I hope you and keep doing well and that your colon problem gets better!!!!!!! Cathy Morrow in Lenoir, NC >> Thanks, Cathy. I had to laugh when you said, " I lost all track of time-- because that means it was loooooong!! LOL And as for your feeling like you were there, too-- we need to get you there! I think I speak for the whole group when I say that your day is LONG overdue!! I admire your spirit, girl! Now, as for my crazy bowels, I'm still; struggling in that department, but am hopeful that things are going to work themselves out. More on that later! Regards, Debbie in IL MGB 8/10 Cigna approved as " in network " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2000 Report Share Posted August 24, 2000 In a message dated 8/24/00 3:04:05 PM Pacific Daylight Time, mmhammy@... writes: << What a great story. I am so happy for u both. I think that u are a wonderful writer and I couldnt help but send this to my sister so she could read it and not worry about me. I am getting so excited I can hardly wait. hugs marg - >> Thanks, Marg. I will be praying that you have as wonderful an experience as I did! Regards, Debbie in IL MGB 8/10 Cigna approved as " in network " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2000 Report Share Posted August 24, 2000 Hi Debbie, The lady beside you is JaneLynn.I don't feel comfortable saying her last name on here without permission,since she is not on egroups,but God will know.Her scar was from a sugery done at 27 years old repairing a pediatric surgery.When I spoke to her,she was glad she went,or at least tried,but she felt very hopeless.It had never occurred to her that this was even a possibility,she never thought anything about that scar until DrR looked at it and said " HMMMMMM you'll go last " .But as devastated as we get,when you are turned down by ins, or your weight is over the limit.We have control,change ins,lose wt,etc.Now,I am definitely not trying to diminish anyones despair,the emotions in each situation are real.But I keep trying to imagine waking up and Dr R says he didn't do it and he is SERIOUS. Anyway,please remember her in your prayers,she is a lovely person and she really needs them.There but for the grace ........ Janet >From: DebLaMan@... >Reply-To: MiniGastricBypass (AT) egroups (DOT) com >To: MiniGastricBypass (AT) egroups (DOT) com >Subject: Durham Days--Part Two >Date: Thu, 24 Aug 2000 15:15:55 EDT > >Debbie and Daughter's Durham Days, Part Two > >in surgery for hours with the lady whose room was right next to ours, and >that he tried for 2 hours to do the surgery lap, and then for 2 hrs to do >it >open, and that there was no way he could. It seems she had too much scar >tissue from surgery she'd had as a child, and her liver was married to her >stomach, so to speak. I felt so awful (this has to be devastating) and >still >am praying for her. (She is not on the list.) She will have to recover >from >major, open surgery and then have nothing to show for it. How sad. > > ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2000 Report Share Posted August 24, 2000 In a message dated 8/24/00 3:37:14 PM Pacific Daylight Time, judith98101@... writes: << Maybe you and RR could co-author it. >> Yeah. in his spare time! LOL Or maybe I could run around chasing him in between surgeries. Tee hee! Regards, Debbie in IL MGB 8/10 Cigna approved as " in network " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2000 Report Share Posted August 24, 2000 Marjory, I am so glad you won't have to postpone.Good Luck,I hope you have a very successful surgery, & that your liver looks so good DrR takes the max.LOL Janet >From: sumlinsr@... >Reply-To: MiniGastricBypass (AT) egroups (DOT) com >To: MiniGastricBypass (AT) egroups (DOT) com >Subject: Re: Durham Days--Part Two >Date: Thu, 24 Aug 2000 22:42:27 -0000 > > > > Debbie and Daughter's Durham Days, Part Two > > >Hi Debbie, your experience was written in such a wonderful way! You >certainly have a way with words. Some of what you said about right >before and after surgery, sounds a lot like the guided imagery cd >that my insurance co. sent for me to listen to at least 4 times >before surgery. I hope it helps me to feel as calm as you did. >I went to my PCP today and was told that my lungs were perfectly >clear, and my cold will likely be gone by my surgery date, next wed. >So Monday I'm flying to Durham to do the dance with the Dr. >How are you feeling now? I think we all want the installments to keep >coming, so we will be waiting for part 3. You might as well keep >practicing writing, now that you are going to be a pro, what better >topic than one your already obsessed with. >Thank You So Much >Marjory from Ca >8/30/00 > > ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2000 Report Share Posted August 24, 2000 In a message dated 8/24/00 4:01:43 PM Pacific Daylight Time, sdarrow@... writes: << hanks for this posting Debbie and Janet. It sure gives me some questions to ask Dr. R and some things to think about. I guess anyone who has had previous open surgery should think about the possibility that the MGB might work and that it might turn into an open surgery. Its best to know all the risks and have all those questions answered before going into this. I would hate waking up getting that message - I'd rather go into it knowing it was a possiblilty rather than going into it not having thought about this possible outcome. It's good for us pre-ops to hear about the successes, but it's also important to hear about the possible problems. >> Hey, , Didn't mean to scare you! The chances are greater that everything will turn out OK, but you are right in talking to Dr R. He will tell you which surgeries are more likely to pose a problem. " Female " surgery does not generally affect MGB-- other surgeries (in the abdomen) sometimes can. He will not take patients who have had certain operations, though I'm not sure which those are. It is always best to talk to him before proceeding. See ya' Saturday! Regards, Debbie in IL MGB 8/10 Cigna approved as " in network " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2000 Report Share Posted August 24, 2000 In a message dated 8/24/2000 7:07:54 PM Eastern Daylight Time, sumlinsr@... writes: << I think we all want the installments to keep coming, so we will be waiting for part 3. >> Ditto!!!!!!!!!!!! Cathy Morrow in Lenoir, NC BMI 42 A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2000 Report Share Posted August 24, 2000 In a message dated 8/24/2000 7:09:54 PM Eastern Daylight Time, redbug555@... writes: << There but for the grace ........ Janet >> AMEN!!!!!!!!!! Cathy Morrow in Lenoir, NC BMI 42 A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2000 Report Share Posted August 24, 2000 Bravo Debbie...I am so inspired by you and Chris's stories. I am ready to do the dance myself. Can you believe you had life saving surgery and NO PAIN??? OMG what is the likelihood of that. Dr. Rutledge really does perform miracles. {{{{{{{{{{{{{{BIG HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} to you and Chris. Be well and keep us posted With Love, Lara M. Akin (BMI 61) Getting my weight down to do the dance with Dr. Rutledge. 423/417/413 Waist 51/45 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2000 Report Share Posted August 24, 2000 > Debbie and Daughter's Durham Days, Part Two Debbie-- What a fantastic story! I'm sure all pre-ops will find it very interesting and educational! I know you mentioned in Part One that post-ops may not be as interested--I disagree (and I was there)! Your writing truly captures the essence of each moment! Have you thought of becoming a professional writer? You certainly have the talent. Thanks for sharing! Your friend, Dawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2000 Report Share Posted August 24, 2000 In a message dated 8/24/00 5:02:43 PM Pacific Daylight Time, LaraAkin033100@... writes: << Bravo Debbie...I am so inspired by you and Chris's stories. I am ready to do the dance myself. Can you believe you had life saving surgery and NO PAIN??? OMG what is the likelihood of that. Dr. Rutledge really does perform miracles. {{{{{{{{{{{{{{BIG HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} to you and Chris. Be well and keep us posted With Love, Lara M. Akin (BMI 61) >> Thanks, Lara. I have been following your progress, and wish you all the best! You CAN do it!! Regards, Debbie in IL MGB 8/10 Cigna approved as " in network " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2000 Report Share Posted August 24, 2000 Thanks Debbie--I need all the prayers I can get With Love, Lara M. Akin (BMI 61) Getting my weight down to do the dance with Dr. Rutledge. 423/417/413 Waist 51/45 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2000 Report Share Posted August 24, 2000 Maybe you and RR could co-author it. Re: Durham Days--Part Two > In a message dated 8/24/00 2:04:23 PM Pacific Daylight Time, > rosemarylocklear@... writes: > > << This is sooooo good! Maybe a book in the making! The easiest way to go > from Fat to Fabulous as a title????? > Waiting for chapter 3! > Rosemary > >> > Creative title, Rosemary! Maybe I have found an agent? lol > > Regards, > Debbie in IL > MGB 8/10 Cigna approved as " in network " > > > This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com > Please visit our web site at http://clos.net > Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm > > To Unsubscribe Send and Email to: MiniGastricBypass-unsubscribe (AT) egroups (DOT) com > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2000 Report Share Posted August 24, 2000 Thanks for this posting Debbie and Janet. It sure gives me some questions to ask Dr. R and some things to think about. I guess anyone who has had previous open surgery should think about the possibility that the MGB might work and that it might turn into an open surgery. Its best to know all the risks and have all those questions answered before going into this. I would hate waking up getting that message - I'd rather go into it knowing it was a possiblilty rather than going into it not having thought about this possible outcome. It's good for us pre-ops to hear about the successes, but it's also important to hear about the possible problems. - waiting in Chicago Durham Days--Part Two >Date: Thu, 24 Aug 2000 15:15:55 EDT > >Debbie and Daughter's Durham Days, Part Two > >in surgery for hours with the lady whose room was right next to ours, and >that he tried for 2 hours to do the surgery lap, and then for 2 hrs to do >it >open, and that there was no way he could. It seems she had too much scar >tissue from surgery she'd had as a child, and her liver was married to her >stomach, so to speak. I felt so awful (this has to be devastating) and >still >am praying for her. (She is not on the list.) She will have to recover >from >major, open surgery and then have nothing to show for it. How sad. > > ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com Please visit our web site at http://clos.net Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm To Unsubscribe Send and Email to: MiniGastricBypass-unsubscribe (AT) egroups (DOT) com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2000 Report Share Posted August 24, 2000 > Debbie and Daughter's Durham Days, Part Two > Hi Debbie, your experience was written in such a wonderful way! You certainly have a way with words. Some of what you said about right before and after surgery, sounds a lot like the guided imagery cd that my insurance co. sent for me to listen to at least 4 times before surgery. I hope it helps me to feel as calm as you did. I went to my PCP today and was told that my lungs were perfectly clear, and my cold will likely be gone by my surgery date, next wed. So Monday I'm flying to Durham to do the dance with the Dr. How are you feeling now? I think we all want the installments to keep coming, so we will be waiting for part 3. You might as well keep practicing writing, now that you are going to be a pro, what better topic than one your already obsessed with. Thank You So Much Marjory from Ca 8/30/00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2000 Report Share Posted August 24, 2000 Actually it would be very simple. We'd get you a pair of roller blades AND we'd tie a gurney to his leg to slow him down. And therein hangs the tale.... Re: Durham Days--Part Two > In a message dated 8/24/00 3:37:14 PM Pacific Daylight Time, > judith98101@... writes: > > << Maybe you and RR could co-author it. >> > Yeah. in his spare time! LOL Or maybe I could run around chasing him in > between surgeries. Tee hee! > > Regards, > Debbie in IL > MGB 8/10 Cigna approved as " in network " > > > This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com > Please visit our web site at http://clos.net > Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm > > To Unsubscribe Send and Email to: MiniGastricBypass-unsubscribe (AT) egroups (DOT) com > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2000 Report Share Posted August 24, 2000 Hi Debbie, I've had open gallbladder surgery with a scar on my upper right abdomen. I've contacted several people who have had successful MGB's after this type of surgery and know that it can be done. Some have been very successful. I had thought of asking him what would happen if he found too much scaring - and whether he eve went into an open depending on what he found. But I really hadn't thought much about if I want to move on to opne if he found too many adhesions. The MGB is so appealing because of all its great outcome measures - shorter surgery time, quicker recovery time, high success rates, etc. Thinking about all the possibilities is really important so I know I am going into it with my eyes wide open - if I get approved. By the way, I really enjoyed both parts 1 and 2 and have printed them both off. I'm sure I'll read them many times over before I find out if I get to do the dance! Looking forward to meeting you Saturday - is it at 12:30 or 1:00? - waiting in Chicago Re: Durham Days--Part Two In a message dated 8/24/00 4:01:43 PM Pacific Daylight Time, sdarrow@... writes: << hanks for this posting Debbie and Janet. It sure gives me some questions to ask Dr. R and some things to think about. I guess anyone who has had previous open surgery should think about the possibility that the MGB might work and that it might turn into an open surgery. Its best to know all the risks and have all those questions answered before going into this. I would hate waking up getting that message - I'd rather go into it knowing it was a possiblilty rather than going into it not having thought about this possible outcome. It's good for us pre-ops to hear about the successes, but it's also important to hear about the possible problems. >> Hey, , Didn't mean to scare you! The chances are greater that everything will turn out OK, but you are right in talking to Dr R. He will tell you which surgeries are more likely to pose a problem. " Female " surgery does not generally affect MGB-- other surgeries (in the abdomen) sometimes can. He will not take patients who have had certain operations, though I'm not sure which those are. It is always best to talk to him before proceeding. See ya' Saturday! Regards, Debbie in IL MGB 8/10 Cigna approved as " in network " ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com Please visit our web site at http://clos.net Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm To Unsubscribe Send and Email to: MiniGastricBypass-unsubscribe (AT) egroups (DOT) com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2000 Report Share Posted August 24, 2000 This is sooooo good! Maybe a book in the making! The easiest way to go from Fat to Fabulous as a title????? Waiting for chapter 3! Rosemary Durham Days--Part Two > Debbie and Daughter's Durham Days, Part Two > > ...Woke up early the next day, Thursday, the10th, as it was my surgery day > and I didn't want to miss my Hibiclens shower! (It wasn't as bad as I > thought-lol-and didn't mess up my hair at all.) When I returned, > towel-turban atop head, who should be outside Chris' room but Dr R. Yes, I > said, we ARE roomies. He thought that was pretty cool. He gave a great > report on Chris--naturally her 16-yr-old organs looked wonderful, including > the all-important liver (Dr R had told us at clinic that he will not do the > bypass if he gets in and finds a bad-condition liver--it is just too > dangerous). > > I forgot to tell you that the night before at 10:30 when I was returning to > my room from the shower, I heard a nurse on the phone saying, " Dr Rutledge! > You're just finishing up now? " I knew that was strange as he only had 2 > cases after Chris. > > Well, I asked him about that in the morning and he told me that he had been > in surgery for hours with the lady whose room was right next to ours, and > that he tried for 2 hours to do the surgery lap, and then for 2 hrs to do it > open, and that there was no way he could. It seems she had too much scar > tissue from surgery she'd had as a child, and her liver was married to her > stomach, so to speak. I felt so awful (this has to be devastating) and still > am praying for her. (She is not on the list.) She will have to recover from > major, open surgery and then have nothing to show for it. How sad. > > Went downstairs to register and was among the first. They sent me up to the > 5th floor (from whence I came- Ha) and I checked in at the same day surgery > desk, reminding them that I was back in Chris' room. They said I could just > hang out back there, as Dr R was of course at that AM and wouldn't get > to the hospital until later. > > The lovely nurse that had was also to be mine, which was great. She > pointed out where my " getting prepped " room was and left my gown and tights > there on the bed for later. I felt kinda special having 2 rooms. (:0) I > took the long paperwork/release form back to room #1 and filled out my little > essays, which took a long time because kept wanting to chat. I > reminded her of when she was hospitalized in 3rd grade for a week (with an > awful asthma attack) and how she was chatty then, too. She smiled and said > she'd forgotten about that. We decided that hospitals make her very > talkative. She said she LOVED being in the hospital-- go figure! > > Got up to walk and then she napped while I cruised the halls. > Michele's mom, Joyce, told me that Michele was still vomiting and nauseous. > She had come out of surgery throwing up, it seems. I think the anesthesia is > harder on some. Anyway, she looked pretty miserable, poor baby. I went down > one hall looking for Dawn but she wasn't in her room. Later, when I checked > on Michele and Dawn again, they both were snoozing, with oxygen masks on, so > I tiptoed away. I was surprised that who has asthma, didn't have to > go on oxygen, but her levels always tested fine. > > Just as I was going to look for the others, in popped Blair, Michele, and > Susie from NJ (not on the list). They were out cruising the halls and looked > pretty good, though Susie was sore between the ribs, and Michele was still > fighting nausea. While at the hospital I also met Blair's super nice hubby, > Carlton, and Blair was already talking about getting together when everyone > was " sprung. " She is a great organizer, and a very nice person. > > The only complaint I have is that Dr R's use of the Center on Thursday > mornings means that littermates are split up. It would have been great to > have Sherry, and Tricia with us! I never did get to meet Sherry or > :0( But then again, they had a great experience there, so I guess I > shouldn't be so selfish-- haha. Luckily Tricia (and her friend ) were at > the Hawthorne, too, so I did get to see them again. > > Sometime in the early afternoon a beautiful blonde young lady popped into our > room saying her mom had sent her to find us. Turned out to be 's sweet > daughter, . Funny thing, I kept going to the waiting room trying to > locate Beth and , but never did find them there. > > led me and Steph to the " getting ready room " that they were in, and > Steph and I had a great visit with them. is a darling girl and a > great big sister. Found out that Beth would be going first (after the 3 at > ), and that I would be after who would be second. Another > (don't know her) would be after me. Never did find Beth! I figured it was > time to get ready, so I went behind door number 2 and claimed my lovely, > breezy gown and oh-so-slimming hose. Darned things kept rolling down my legs > as I walked, which for some reason I found pretty funny. Walk, pull up hose, > they roll down. Walk, pull up hose, they roll down. Pull up the right, down > goes the left. Yank on the left, there goes the right. Too funny! > > The nurse snagged me in the hall saying that the anesthesiology department > was in room #2 looking for me, so off I went, hose rolling down with each > step. I didn't bother pulling them up and thus arrived with what looked like > 2 donuts around my calves. > > A very nice young woman asked me all the questions that had been asked > in the holding area on the 3rd floor. It seems there was a lull in the > action roght then, so she was able to do the little pre-screening on the > early side. I told her that the IV was my only concern (have had some bad > ones) and she said she hoped they would get it right the first time. She > said she had a patient the day before who had the same last name. Yeah, my > roommate, I told her. She thought it was cool when she found out that Chris > was my daughter. Also said that she would not be my Dr during the procedure, > though, as she was assigned to different cases. > > The nurse returned to ask me about what meds I take, have taken, took the > last 2 days, etc. She said I could go back to room #1 and be with my family > until they were ready for me. In no time there was a knock on the door and > my chariot awaited! Tom walked me down and I noticed the same misty eyes > that I had seen the day before when he left at the OR. " I'll be FINE, " > I assured him. > > From there I went to the holding area, which was not at all crowded. In the > other bed was an elderly woman who was very nervous about her surgery, so > lots of people were around her, reassuring her. Me, I felt strangely at > ease. Never did get anything to " calm " me, I think they knew I was very > copacetic. (Don't worry, be happy...) I can't tell you how long I was > there, but for me it was a serene and enjoyable time. Heard the chit chat of > the staff, as they went about their work day, the bustle of people in white, > blue and green, hustling here and there. > > One of the blue was a young man named Kip, who was to start my IV. What a > good looking guy! I made the mistake of telling him my IV history and I > think I jinxed him because he couldn't get it started on my right hand. > (Where was Sheila, I half-wondered?) I told him I must have jinxed him as I > gave him my left hand. We had been chatting about where he was from in > Florida (color me curious, I didn't detect a southern accent and wondered > where he was from). Thankfully he had better luck on that side and got it > started relatively quickly, though it hurt a bit. > > The apprehensive lady was being wheeled away, fears allayed by a calming > female voice who followed along after her, and then someone else was wheeled > in her place. Like clockwork, bing-bang-boom. Reassuring. > > Not long thereafter, my anesthesiologist, Dr , came over to chat, and > then someone pointed out that Dr R was nearby. " Hey Doc, " I said, getting > his attention. He came over and said, " Well, I just finished with > GoofyGrits. She did great! " > > " And you did " TooEnable " before her, " I added. > > " TooEnable? I thought she was Gerry (sp?) Oh, she's TooEnable! I can't > keep you all straight! " he laughed. He sounded as calm as I was feeling. A > good match, I thought, smiling to myself. > > The next thing I knew, my dance partner was ready for little old me and it > was all hands on deck! Reassuring voices attached to self-assured > professionals took over, wheeling me into the refrigerator, er, um, I mean > the OR. So many questions, directions. People helping me slide onto the OR > table, one on each arm and one for the legs, getting me straight, my arms > out, slipping me out of my arm sleeves, covering me in sheets and blankets. > A gentle feminine voice directing the others. People shuffling behind me. > > Boy, all this attention for me, I thought. Pretty neat. Worth every penny > Cigna is paying for me. LOL More serene peace flowing through my pores. I > craned to look around, to take in all I could before I would go off to sleepy > land. > > A voice from behind. " You know Dr , don't you? " someone asked. > > " Who? " What a time to have a senior moment! " Oh. yeah... " > > But before I could state that I did INDEED know him, the forgotten Dr in > question piped up, " Oh, I guess I'm not too memorable... " Titters all around. > > " Oh, yes... " I started to say, wanting to reassure all that he had INDEED > done his duty in meeting me before surgery! LOL > > Too late... > > The next thing I knew I was in an area that looked a lot like the holding > area, but I knew it had to be the recovery room. I woke up as gently and > peacefully as I had gone in. The strangest thing, I felt like I was floating > in my own little insulated bubble, safe and protected. Never had a bit of > pain, never felt anything but calm and contented. Once I was awake, I was > awake, and stayed that way until I left the room. The only thing I felt was > thirsty. And happy. Very happy. Downright giddy, in actual fact. > > Back in the room I looked for Tom. We had had a deal before surgery that > revolved around the acronym ALL. He was to remember that what I wanted to > know the second he saw me was ALL-- A- were there Adhesions? (I was very > worried about this as I'd had previous surgery--though all in the lower > regions, including a hysterectomy, L- how was my Liver (Tricia and I were > both worried about this), and L- what Length of intestine did he take? > > He answered these questions quickly, as I had instructed (what a good boy!). > Adhesions, a few, but only encountered through the lowest port, and not a big > deal. Liver, very good condition. Not perfect, but only a little bit fatty. > Length, 6', just as he'd planned. At 226#, he wanted to make sure that I > wouldn't lose too much (what a problem to have! LOL). My surgery was 30 > minutes (same as Chris) and I had come through it all just fine and dandy. > Yep, your right, I thought. > > Looked over to see that had dressed and moved over to the recliner, as > she was checked out already. > > " Poor baby, " I said. " You get to sit in that old thing? Whatever you do, > don't go backwards! " We laughed at the inside joke. > > I looked at the clock and it was around 7PM--the same time that had > come back. Synchronicity. > > Nurse Jeff popped in. " Hey, you switched places! Cool! " > > He showed me the pain pump and asked, " From one to ten, with ten being the > worst, how would you rate your pain? " > > " One, or can I say zero? " > > " Great, but you probably should hit the pain button, to keep it that way. " > > " Okay. " I obliged. I chatted with my family awhile and then drifted off to > sleep. When I woke up I wanted to use the bathroom and walk but felt > nauseous so I couldn't go very far. wanted to spend the night and look > after me, as I done her, which I thought was so sweet, but I told her > absolutely not, she needed a good night's sleep. Besides, I was feeling > great. I hit the pain button again, just to be safe, though. > > I insisted that Tom get the kids back to the hotel so could get to bed > and they left around 9. I tried walking again, but got another wave of > nausea, so didn't get very far. This time I decided that it could be the > Demerol, so I vowed to leave the pump alone. I wasn't feeling any pain, > anyway. > > The next time I got up to walk I was fine and managed to do " the loop " with > no problem. How can I be feeling this good, I wondered? I had a great > night's sleep and talked with the overnight nurse about how all the rain was > killing her tomatoes. She said they had not had constant rain like that for > years. Life goes on, I thought, comforted by the simple things in life and a > nurse who takes care of others while the rest of the world sleeps. > > I welcomed her each time she woke me to check my vital signs. It was a great > night. Once when she helped me out of my leg-blower-uppers, we stood by my > window together, watching the electric cracks of lightning illuminate the > night sky over the stadium outside my window. Booming thunder accompanied > the bolts, and I stood there mesmerized by the irony-- God was wreaking havoc > across the sky, while holding me in his protective hands inside my little > room. > > Storms, surgery, and tomatoes... I slept like a baby. > > The next morning I woke up feeling wonderful, inside and out, through and > through. Dr R came to chat and I said I only had one question. " When's my > surgery? " > > He laughed, saying that's what he liked to hear. He pretty much repeated > what Tom had told me, and then apologized saying he had to scoot--busy day, > or something. :0) Dawn and Max came by (aren't they sweet?) and got to say > a quick hello to the good doc before he hurried off. Dawn said she felt > great and had found that she could drink quite a lot. I was glad to hear > that because I am a big water drinker, myself. > > I spent the rest of my morning cruising the halls and went up and down what I > thought was every corridor on the 5th floor trying to find everyone. Never > did find Beth ANYWHERE. Did she really have the surgery? lol By the time I > located 's room, it was unoccupied, and then later she was already gone. > > Tom picked me up after he tracked down all the medicines for me and Chris > (had to go to various drug stores to do this-- it might be wise to get your > drugs before going to Durham). After I arrived at the hotel, Steph and I > went down to visit Tricia and while napped. Tricia related her > experience at , which was wonderful. Sounds like a great place! > > I felt really good the whole time we were in NC. We took the girls to the > movies the next day (Sat) to see " The Nutty Professor, " and we went shopping > and exploring on Sunday. Monday morning we left for home, both of us feeling > great. Except for 10 tiny slits in our tummies (5 apiece), you'd never know > we had anything done at all. Excessive hunger and cravings are no longer a > problem--at last we feel " normal. " Miracles DO happen, friends-- BELIEVE! > > Regards, > Debbie in IL > MGB 8/10 Cigna approved as " in network " > > > This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com > Please visit our web site at http://clos.net > Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm > > To Unsubscribe Send and Email to: MiniGastricBypass-unsubscribe (AT) egroups (DOT) com > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 28, 2000 Report Share Posted August 28, 2000 Hi Debbie, (in IL) I keep reading all these comments on your great writing. I must have missed it during all my recent travels between DC and Miami. Can you send it to me please? My email is Rikaya31@.... Thanks, Ruqayya Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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