I'm having surgery tomorrow morning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Guest guest]

Hello to all, sending my thoughts and prayers for our country, people working

on rescue/recovery, and everyone suffering a personal loss during this sad time

in our history. I live in Nassau County, Long Island and the funerals are

beginning for the fallen fire fighters and others in my area/town. Part of the

Southern State Pkwy. was closed down earlier today for the funeral procession of

a fireman from Bellmore, where I live. It seems like everyone knows someone who

has been affected first hand by this trajedy. My brother-in-law's best friend

was on the 103rd floor of tower #1 at the time of the crash. They spoke moments

before about how he was unhappy with his job and wanted to move on to another

company. He has indeed moved on.

On another note, I'm having surgery tomorrow morning at Staten Island University

Hospital with Dr. Macura. The phone lines at the hospital have been down since

last Tuesday, so I made 4 trips in 4 days getting pre op tests and last minute

paperwork to the office. I was on my way there the morning of the attacks, and

got as far as the bridge right after they shut it down. I'll never forget

looking to my right and seeing one , then both of the towers aflame... then the

ash and dust that blew into Brooklyn...

But I'm really excited about tomorrow, I've waited so long for this! I've lost

35 lbs since June due to an angry gallbladder, so now I'm 220 (at 5'3 " ). My

family and friends are suggesting I not go through with the surgery since I've

lost some weight, to just have my gallbladder removed, but I know I'll gain

everything back plus more if I do that. I'm FINALLY here and NOT turning back!!

I know I haven't posted much, but I've read just about every post and have

gotten so much info from this list. I've got piles of helpful posts , and plan

on organizing them in a binder after the surgery. I'll post everything about my

hospital experience soon after I get home, and I'm sure I'll have plenty of

questions, and eventually suggestions to contribute.

I'm definately feeling nervous, and of course, have tons of last minute stuff to

do!! I keep thinking that I can leave some things for after surgery, like in a

week I'll be able to do whatever running around I put off today!!

Anyway, THANKS TO ALL!!! Talk with you later, Beth

BTW, I'm having open DS with cholecystectomy and appendectomy. They'll be two

other surgeons assisting in the OR, Dr. Nicastro and someone else. Dr. Macura

said that they will assist with suturing. I'm not thrilled about this but he

said he never looks away. He uses sutures AND staples . Common channel length

is NOT a one size fits all 100 cm. It's determined by each Pt's measurements.

He does not do a leak test, he goes by the amt. and color of the liquid in the

JP drain. I might go home with 2 of them, they'll be removed after 1 week,

(hopefully!). He said I'll probably have a 4 " incision. We'll see! Well,

I've probably put most of you to sleep by now, so I'll control my urge to add

anymore to this. Beth (31 yo)

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