Re: and doctors that are fools

[Guest guest]

Well, I have had some stupid doctors too. Like the one who told my

Mom that she caused my underbite. The doctor was an Oral Surgeon that

my parents took me to when I was a teenager, to get his opinion about

my underbite. He told my Mom that she caused my underbite because she

must've dropped me on my head when I was an infant; my Mom told him

she NEVER dropped me. We never went back to him; he didn't know how

to fix my underbite anyway: he thought he'd do a mandibular body

osteotomy (a procedure replaced by the BSSO) but wasn't sure. The

only intelligent things he said were that it was MY decision, and I

would have to wait until my jaw stopped growing. / Diane

> > > Hi all, this is my first post post-op. Well I survived surgery

> amd

> > made

> > > it back home in record time! Surgery started at 1pm yesterday

and

> > ended

> > > at 6:30pm and I was back home today by 2:30pm. Thank god

because

> I

> > had

> > > to spend the whole night in the recovering unit as there were

no

> > beds

> > > left in LIJ hospital. What's more they put me in the mens

section

> > in

> > > the recovering unit which wouldn't have been so bad if the guy

> next

> > > door to me hadn't insisted on telling jokes all night, ones

that

> I

> > did

> > > not find amusing:-( On the plus side it meant that I had a

nurse

> > > checking in one me pretty much every hour which was reassuring.

> > >

> > > Surgery details: I had an upper leforte 1. My palet was

dissected

> > into

> > > three pieces and expanded. I can feel a little cut in the

middle

> of

> > my

> > > palet from where they cut it but it has already started healing

> > which

> > > is good news. They removed only my two upper bicuspids and not

my

> > three

> > > wisdom teeth as my doctors claimed I would have been in major

> pain

> > > today. My upper jaw was moved up and they removed a piece of

bone

> > above

> > > my gum line to allow for this. My lower jaw swung right into

> place

> > > perfectly. My mouth is now banded shut with only two VERY tight

> > elastic

> > > bands which actually feel like four bands because they are

> wrapped

> > > around my hooks in a box shape. I have a splint which by the

> looks

> > of

> > > it is not that big but boy does it feel clunky. Eating, or

rather

> > > getting liquids in, as well as talking is proving a nightmare

but

> I

> > am

> > > confident I will get there eventually.

> > >

> > > When I woke up post-surgery I still had the nasal gastric tube

in

> > my

> > > nose. Let me tell all you pre-oppers this. This tube is your

> friend

> > > even if it looks grosse! I had a lot of blood in my stomach and

> > thanks

> > > to this tube I was able to get all the blood out of my stomach

> and

> > not

> > > vomit once. It also helped me breathe very well. Surprisingly

> when

> > I

> > > woke up I was breathing totally from my nose without

struggling.

> A

> > > first for me as I am a mouth breather. When they removed the

tube

> > it

> > > hurt a little but nothing major. Unfortunately my sinuses are

> very

> > sore

> > > right now. I am using ice packs to desensitize them and it

seems

> to

> > be

> > > working. What else. Ah yes, the catherer. Well I had two. One

in

> my

> > arm

> > > and one for down there, you know where. The 'toilet' catherer I

> was

> > > very thankful for because there is no way I would have been

able

> to

> > get

> > > up to go to the bathroom until this morning. I was already

asleep

> > when

> > > they put the catherer in so no embarassment there. When they

took

> > out

> > > the catherer it took less than 3 seconds and didn't hurt at

all.

> It

> > > also did not hurt after to go the the bathroom. Sorry about the

> > details.

> > >

> > > The catherer in my arm on the other hand hurt like hell.

> > Unfortunately

> > > this catherer is essential because this is where they

> administered

> > my

> > > IV. I know from previous operations that this catherer has

always

> > hurt

> > > me at times but today it really hurt bad! Unfortunately it was

> the

> > > first time my mother left me on my own for 30 mins post-

surgery.

> > She

> > > left me in the recovering unit under the supposed watchful eye

of

> > the

> > > nurses. The problem was that suddenly the catherer and IV

started

> > to

> > > really hurt. SO much so that I started crying. A first

throughout

> > the

> > > whole surgery procedure. NO ONE NOTICED or they chose to ignore

> me

> > > which got me even more frustrated and I suspect worsened the

pain

> > in my

> > > mind. I had to start waving my other arm and bang the side of

the

> > bed

> > > with my wipe-board to get someones attention. Eventually a

nurse

> > came

> > > over and said, " there's no reason it should be hurting you, "

and

> > > promptly went back to her desk to gossip with her colleague.

Such

> > was

> > > my first encounter with not being able to talk back clearly and

> > tell

> > > someone to shove it up you know where. Eventually my nurse

showed

> > up

> > > and blocked the IV.

> > >

> > > That I have to say was my only bad surgery experience. I was up

> and

> > > walking as of this morning at 8am. I had my last morphine shot

at

> > 5am

> > > this morning. The next pain killer dose I took was this evening

> at

> > 6pm

> > > once I was at home. This was tylenol and codene which put me

> nicely

> > to

> > > sleep. I've not in major pain. More than anything it's my

sinuses

> > and

> > > my joints feel really stiff, as if they are being forced into

> their

> > new

> > > position which is exactly what's happening. As soon as I woke

up

> > this

> > > mroning I remembered to do my breathing exercises and to cough

as

> > much

> > > as possible. I had quite a bit of phlem built up in my lungs

from

> > the

> > > anesthesia but nothing to worry about. I have to say, taking

deep

> > > breaths and walking around the ward, as well as going to the

> > bathroom

> > > did a lot for me not just physically in terms of getting the

> > anethesia

> > > out of my system but also in terms of my mental state. I felt

> > better

> > > and positive about my recovery.

> > >

> > > Doctor Scwartz came in to see me this morning at 8am and

removed

> my

> > > bandages that were wrapped around my head. He was amazed by how

> > little

> > > swelling I had. In fact, Dr Sachs who came in to see right

before

> I

> > was

> > > discharged at 1:30pm and all the nurses kept on saying that I

> > looked

> > > amazing for someone who just had a leforte. I put it down to

the

> > arnica

> > > pills I took on Sunday night and the MLD massage I had. I still

> > think I

> > > look swollen and I'm sure it will get worse over the next 48

> hours

> > but

> > > at least I haven't bruised badly immediately. I'll post a post-

op

> > 24

> > > hour picture for all of you.

> > >

> > > The weirdest part has been getting used to the new me. First of

> all

> > I

> > > hav a chin, which is really weird. My lips are wider and my

nose

> is

> > > also slightly wider. I'm still not sure I like what I see but

> I've

> > > decided not to make any final judgements for at least 3 weeks.

> > >

> > > Well, that's enough of my rambling for now. Throughout the

whole

> > > procedure I kept on saying to myself, oh I need to tell the

group

> > about

> > > this. It was a huge comfort. And I can honestly say now from

the

> > other

> > > side that while not one of the most enjoyable activities I have

> > ever

> > > been through, the surgery is not that bad. The best part was

> > getting it

> > > over with. Now I'm going to go through the other posts to see

how

> > > Shiloh and Jae did and to see how Jen and Becky are getting

along

> > in

> > > preparing for their surgery.

> > >

> > > It's good to be back.

> > >

> > > Sara

[Guest guest]

i, too, have had a foolish dr. experience.

i have to go to these cleft conferences - where there's like 20 drs in

the room sitting in chairs facing you (i started making jokes cause i

thougt i'd finally got my chance at standup. they weren't amused).

anyway - at one - the surgeon (or as joey and i like to call him

" god's gift to medicine " ) was discussing why the lefort would be a

good idea. he said - " you have a pancake-like shape to your face.

see - it's concanve. i mean - it might not bother you - you seem to

have found a mate despite your concavity. "

jeez - thanks a lot buddy. i made some joke about me liking joey

despite the size of his nose...and then went home later and cried. it

took me 24 yrs to like the look of my face...and in two seconds he

made me feel like a monster all over again.

sometimes they just don't know how to say things the right way )

-becky

> > > > Hi all, this is my first post post-op. Well I survived surgery

> > amd

> > > made

> > > > it back home in record time! Surgery started at 1pm yesterday

> and

> > > ended

> > > > at 6:30pm and I was back home today by 2:30pm. Thank god

> because

> > I

> > > had

> > > > to spend the whole night in the recovering unit as there were

> no

> > > beds

> > > > left in LIJ hospital. What's more they put me in the mens

> section

> > > in

> > > > the recovering unit which wouldn't have been so bad if the guy

> > next

> > > > door to me hadn't insisted on telling jokes all night, ones

> that

> > I

> > > did

> > > > not find amusing:-( On the plus side it meant that I had a

> nurse

> > > > checking in one me pretty much every hour which was reassuring.

> > > >

> > > > Surgery details: I had an upper leforte 1. My palet was

> dissected

> > > into

> > > > three pieces and expanded. I can feel a little cut in the

> middle

> > of

> > > my

> > > > palet from where they cut it but it has already started healing

> > > which

> > > > is good news. They removed only my two upper bicuspids and not

> my

> > > three

> > > > wisdom teeth as my doctors claimed I would have been in major

> > pain

> > > > today. My upper jaw was moved up and they removed a piece of

> bone

> > > above

> > > > my gum line to allow for this. My lower jaw swung right into

> > place

> > > > perfectly. My mouth is now banded shut with only two VERY tight

> > > elastic

> > > > bands which actually feel like four bands because they are

> > wrapped

> > > > around my hooks in a box shape. I have a splint which by the

> > looks

> > > of

> > > > it is not that big but boy does it feel clunky. Eating, or

> rather

> > > > getting liquids in, as well as talking is proving a nightmare

> but

> > I

> > > am

> > > > confident I will get there eventually.

> > > >

> > > > When I woke up post-surgery I still had the nasal gastric tube

> in

> > > my

> > > > nose. Let me tell all you pre-oppers this. This tube is your

> > friend

> > > > even if it looks grosse! I had a lot of blood in my stomach and

> > > thanks

> > > > to this tube I was able to get all the blood out of my stomach

> > and

> > > not

> > > > vomit once. It also helped me breathe very well. Surprisingly

> > when

> > > I

> > > > woke up I was breathing totally from my nose without

> struggling.

> > A

> > > > first for me as I am a mouth breather. When they removed the

> tube

> > > it

> > > > hurt a little but nothing major. Unfortunately my sinuses are

> > very

> > > sore

> > > > right now. I am using ice packs to desensitize them and it

> seems

> > to

> > > be

> > > > working. What else. Ah yes, the catherer. Well I had two. One

> in

> > my

> > > arm

> > > > and one for down there, you know where. The 'toilet' catherer I

> > was

> > > > very thankful for because there is no way I would have been

> able

> > to

> > > get

> > > > up to go to the bathroom until this morning. I was already

> asleep

> > > when

> > > > they put the catherer in so no embarassment there. When they

> took

> > > out

> > > > the catherer it took less than 3 seconds and didn't hurt at

> all.

> > It

> > > > also did not hurt after to go the the bathroom. Sorry about the

> > > details.

> > > >

> > > > The catherer in my arm on the other hand hurt like hell.

> > > Unfortunately

> > > > this catherer is essential because this is where they

> > administered

> > > my

> > > > IV. I know from previous operations that this catherer has

> always

> > > hurt

> > > > me at times but today it really hurt bad! Unfortunately it was

> > the

> > > > first time my mother left me on my own for 30 mins post-

> surgery.

> > > She

> > > > left me in the recovering unit under the supposed watchful eye

> of

> > > the

> > > > nurses. The problem was that suddenly the catherer and IV

> started

> > > to

> > > > really hurt. SO much so that I started crying. A first

> throughout

> > > the

> > > > whole surgery procedure. NO ONE NOTICED or they chose to ignore

> > me

> > > > which got me even more frustrated and I suspect worsened the

> pain

> > > in my

> > > > mind. I had to start waving my other arm and bang the side of

> the

> > > bed

> > > > with my wipe-board to get someones attention. Eventually a

> nurse

> > > came

> > > > over and said, " there's no reason it should be hurting you, "

> and

> > > > promptly went back to her desk to gossip with her colleague.

> Such

> > > was

> > > > my first encounter with not being able to talk back clearly and

> > > tell

> > > > someone to shove it up you know where. Eventually my nurse

> showed

> > > up

> > > > and blocked the IV.

> > > >

> > > > That I have to say was my only bad surgery experience. I was up

> > and

> > > > walking as of this morning at 8am. I had my last morphine shot

> at

> > > 5am

> > > > this morning. The next pain killer dose I took was this evening

> > at

> > > 6pm

> > > > once I was at home. This was tylenol and codene which put me

> > nicely

> > > to

> > > > sleep. I've not in major pain. More than anything it's my

> sinuses

> > > and

> > > > my joints feel really stiff, as if they are being forced into

> > their

> > > new

> > > > position which is exactly what's happening. As soon as I woke

> up

> > > this

> > > > mroning I remembered to do my breathing exercises and to cough

> as

> > > much

> > > > as possible. I had quite a bit of phlem built up in my lungs

> from

> > > the

> > > > anesthesia but nothing to worry about. I have to say, taking

> deep

> > > > breaths and walking around the ward, as well as going to the

> > > bathroom

> > > > did a lot for me not just physically in terms of getting the

> > > anethesia

> > > > out of my system but also in terms of my mental state. I felt

> > > better

> > > > and positive about my recovery.

> > > >

> > > > Doctor Scwartz came in to see me this morning at 8am and

> removed

> > my

> > > > bandages that were wrapped around my head. He was amazed by how

> > > little

> > > > swelling I had. In fact, Dr Sachs who came in to see right

> before

> > I

> > > was

> > > > discharged at 1:30pm and all the nurses kept on saying that I

> > > looked

> > > > amazing for someone who just had a leforte. I put it down to

> the

> > > arnica

> > > > pills I took on Sunday night and the MLD massage I had. I still

> > > think I

> > > > look swollen and I'm sure it will get worse over the next 48

> > hours

> > > but

> > > > at least I haven't bruised badly immediately. I'll post a post-

> op

> > > 24

> > > > hour picture for all of you.

> > > >

> > > > The weirdest part has been getting used to the new me. First of

> > all

> > > I

> > > > hav a chin, which is really weird. My lips are wider and my

> nose

> > is

> > > > also slightly wider. I'm still not sure I like what I see but

> > I've

> > > > decided not to make any final judgements for at least 3 weeks.

> > > >

> > > > Well, that's enough of my rambling for now. Throughout the

> whole

> > > > procedure I kept on saying to myself, oh I need to tell the

> group

> > > about

> > > > this. It was a huge comfort. And I can honestly say now from

> the

> > > other

> > > > side that while not one of the most enjoyable activities I have

> > > ever

> > > > been through, the surgery is not that bad. The best part was

> > > getting it

> > > > over with. Now I'm going to go through the other posts to see

> how

> > > > Shiloh and Jae did and to see how Jen and Becky are getting

> along

> > > in

> > > > preparing for their surgery.

> > > >

> > > > It's good to be back.

> > > >

> > > > Sara

[Guest guest]

pardon me, but what a jerk! who lets these people into the medical

profession?! It seems to me they should add a required course on how

to treat patients humanely and with care before allowing doctors to

graduate, much as you have ethics in business these days. Becky,

you'r probably on your way to hospital right now already but I am

thinking of you!!!

Sara

> > > > > Hi all, this is my first post post-op. Well I survived

surgery

> > > amd

> > > > made

> > > > > it back home in record time! Surgery started at 1pm

yesterday

> > and

> > > > ended

> > > > > at 6:30pm and I was back home today by 2:30pm. Thank god

> > because

> > > I

> > > > had

> > > > > to spend the whole night in the recovering unit as there

were

> > no

> > > > beds

> > > > > left in LIJ hospital. What's more they put me in the mens

> > section

> > > > in

> > > > > the recovering unit which wouldn't have been so bad if the

guy

> > > next

> > > > > door to me hadn't insisted on telling jokes all night, ones

> > that

> > > I

> > > > did

> > > > > not find amusing:-( On the plus side it meant that I had a

> > nurse

> > > > > checking in one me pretty much every hour which was

reassuring.

> > > > >

> > > > > Surgery details: I had an upper leforte 1. My palet was

> > dissected

> > > > into

> > > > > three pieces and expanded. I can feel a little cut in the

> > middle

> > > of

> > > > my

> > > > > palet from where they cut it but it has already started

healing

> > > > which

> > > > > is good news. They removed only my two upper bicuspids and

not

> > my

> > > > three

> > > > > wisdom teeth as my doctors claimed I would have been in

major

> > > pain

> > > > > today. My upper jaw was moved up and they removed a piece

of

> > bone

> > > > above

> > > > > my gum line to allow for this. My lower jaw swung right

into

> > > place

> > > > > perfectly. My mouth is now banded shut with only two VERY

tight

> > > > elastic

> > > > > bands which actually feel like four bands because they are

> > > wrapped

> > > > > around my hooks in a box shape. I have a splint which by

the

> > > looks

> > > > of

> > > > > it is not that big but boy does it feel clunky. Eating, or

> > rather

> > > > > getting liquids in, as well as talking is proving a

nightmare

> > but

> > > I

> > > > am

> > > > > confident I will get there eventually.

> > > > >

> > > > > When I woke up post-surgery I still had the nasal gastric

tube

> > in

> > > > my

> > > > > nose. Let me tell all you pre-oppers this. This tube is

your

> > > friend

> > > > > even if it looks grosse! I had a lot of blood in my stomach

and

> > > > thanks

> > > > > to this tube I was able to get all the blood out of my

stomach

> > > and

> > > > not

> > > > > vomit once. It also helped me breathe very well.

Surprisingly

> > > when

> > > > I

> > > > > woke up I was breathing totally from my nose without

> > struggling.

> > > A

> > > > > first for me as I am a mouth breather. When they removed

the

> > tube

> > > > it

> > > > > hurt a little but nothing major. Unfortunately my sinuses

are

> > > very

> > > > sore

> > > > > right now. I am using ice packs to desensitize them and it

> > seems

> > > to

> > > > be

> > > > > working. What else. Ah yes, the catherer. Well I had two.

One

> > in

> > > my

> > > > arm

> > > > > and one for down there, you know where. The 'toilet'

catherer I

> > > was

> > > > > very thankful for because there is no way I would have been

> > able

> > > to

> > > > get

> > > > > up to go to the bathroom until this morning. I was already

> > asleep

> > > > when

> > > > > they put the catherer in so no embarassment there. When

they

> > took

> > > > out

> > > > > the catherer it took less than 3 seconds and didn't hurt at

> > all.

> > > It

> > > > > also did not hurt after to go the the bathroom. Sorry about

the

> > > > details.

> > > > >

> > > > > The catherer in my arm on the other hand hurt like hell.

> > > > Unfortunately

> > > > > this catherer is essential because this is where they

> > > administered

> > > > my

> > > > > IV. I know from previous operations that this catherer has

> > always

> > > > hurt

> > > > > me at times but today it really hurt bad! Unfortunately it

was

> > > the

> > > > > first time my mother left me on my own for 30 mins post-

> > surgery.

> > > > She

> > > > > left me in the recovering unit under the supposed watchful

eye

> > of

> > > > the

> > > > > nurses. The problem was that suddenly the catherer and IV

> > started

> > > > to

> > > > > really hurt. SO much so that I started crying. A first

> > throughout

> > > > the

> > > > > whole surgery procedure. NO ONE NOTICED or they chose to

ignore

> > > me

> > > > > which got me even more frustrated and I suspect worsened

the

> > pain

> > > > in my

> > > > > mind. I had to start waving my other arm and bang the side

of

> > the

> > > > bed

> > > > > with my wipe-board to get someones attention. Eventually a

> > nurse

> > > > came

> > > > > over and said, " there's no reason it should be hurting

you, "

> > and

> > > > > promptly went back to her desk to gossip with her

colleague.

> > Such

> > > > was

> > > > > my first encounter with not being able to talk back clearly

and

> > > > tell

> > > > > someone to shove it up you know where. Eventually my nurse

> > showed

> > > > up

> > > > > and blocked the IV.

> > > > >

> > > > > That I have to say was my only bad surgery experience. I

was up

> > > and

> > > > > walking as of this morning at 8am. I had my last morphine

shot

> > at

> > > > 5am

> > > > > this morning. The next pain killer dose I took was this

evening

> > > at

> > > > 6pm

> > > > > once I was at home. This was tylenol and codene which put

me

> > > nicely

> > > > to

> > > > > sleep. I've not in major pain. More than anything it's my

> > sinuses

> > > > and

> > > > > my joints feel really stiff, as if they are being forced

into

> > > their

> > > > new

> > > > > position which is exactly what's happening. As soon as I

woke

> > up

> > > > this

> > > > > mroning I remembered to do my breathing exercises and to

cough

> > as

> > > > much

> > > > > as possible. I had quite a bit of phlem built up in my

lungs

> > from

> > > > the

> > > > > anesthesia but nothing to worry about. I have to say,

taking

> > deep

> > > > > breaths and walking around the ward, as well as going to

the

> > > > bathroom

> > > > > did a lot for me not just physically in terms of getting

the

> > > > anethesia

> > > > > out of my system but also in terms of my mental state. I

felt

> > > > better

> > > > > and positive about my recovery.

> > > > >

> > > > > Doctor Scwartz came in to see me this morning at 8am and

> > removed

> > > my

> > > > > bandages that were wrapped around my head. He was amazed by

how

> > > > little

> > > > > swelling I had. In fact, Dr Sachs who came in to see right

> > before

> > > I

> > > > was

> > > > > discharged at 1:30pm and all the nurses kept on saying that

I

> > > > looked

> > > > > amazing for someone who just had a leforte. I put it down

to

> > the

> > > > arnica

> > > > > pills I took on Sunday night and the MLD massage I had. I

still

> > > > think I

> > > > > look swollen and I'm sure it will get worse over the next

48

> > > hours

> > > > but

> > > > > at least I haven't bruised badly immediately. I'll post a

post-

> > op

> > > > 24

> > > > > hour picture for all of you.

> > > > >

> > > > > The weirdest part has been getting used to the new me.

First of

> > > all

> > > > I

> > > > > hav a chin, which is really weird. My lips are wider and my

> > nose

> > > is

> > > > > also slightly wider. I'm still not sure I like what I see

but

> > > I've

> > > > > decided not to make any final judgements for at least 3

weeks.

> > > > >

> > > > > Well, that's enough of my rambling for now. Throughout the

> > whole

> > > > > procedure I kept on saying to myself, oh I need to tell the

> > group

> > > > about

> > > > > this. It was a huge comfort. And I can honestly say now

from

> > the

> > > > other

> > > > > side that while not one of the most enjoyable activities I

have

> > > > ever

> > > > > been through, the surgery is not that bad. The best part

was

> > > > getting it

> > > > > over with. Now I'm going to go through the other posts to

see

> > how

> > > > > Shiloh and Jae did and to see how Jen and Becky are getting

> > along

> > > > in

> > > > > preparing for their surgery.

> > > > >

> > > > > It's good to be back.

> > > > >

> > > > > Sara

[Guest guest]

Diane,

It seems to me that someone must have dropped HIM on his head -

causing a bit of brain damage!

Carol

> > > > Hi all, this is my first post post-op. Well I survived

surgery

> > amd

> > > made

> > > > it back home in record time! Surgery started at 1pm yesterday

> and

> > > ended

> > > > at 6:30pm and I was back home today by 2:30pm. Thank god

> because

> > I

> > > had

> > > > to spend the whole night in the recovering unit as there were

> no

> > > beds

> > > > left in LIJ hospital. What's more they put me in the mens

> section

> > > in

> > > > the recovering unit which wouldn't have been so bad if the

guy

> > next

> > > > door to me hadn't insisted on telling jokes all night, ones

> that

> > I

> > > did

> > > > not find amusing:-( On the plus side it meant that I had a

> nurse

> > > > checking in one me pretty much every hour which was

reassuring.

> > > >

> > > > Surgery details: I had an upper leforte 1. My palet was

> dissected

> > > into

> > > > three pieces and expanded. I can feel a little cut in the

> middle

> > of

> > > my

> > > > palet from where they cut it but it has already started

healing

> > > which

> > > > is good news. They removed only my two upper bicuspids and

not

> my

> > > three

> > > > wisdom teeth as my doctors claimed I would have been in major

> > pain

> > > > today. My upper jaw was moved up and they removed a piece of

> bone

> > > above

> > > > my gum line to allow for this. My lower jaw swung right into

> > place

> > > > perfectly. My mouth is now banded shut with only two VERY

tight

> > > elastic

> > > > bands which actually feel like four bands because they are

> > wrapped

> > > > around my hooks in a box shape. I have a splint which by the

> > looks

> > > of

> > > > it is not that big but boy does it feel clunky. Eating, or

> rather

> > > > getting liquids in, as well as talking is proving a nightmare

> but

> > I

> > > am

> > > > confident I will get there eventually.

> > > >

> > > > When I woke up post-surgery I still had the nasal gastric

tube

> in

> > > my

> > > > nose. Let me tell all you pre-oppers this. This tube is your

> > friend

> > > > even if it looks grosse! I had a lot of blood in my stomach

and

> > > thanks

> > > > to this tube I was able to get all the blood out of my

stomach

> > and

> > > not

> > > > vomit once. It also helped me breathe very well. Surprisingly

> > when

> > > I

> > > > woke up I was breathing totally from my nose without

> struggling.

> > A

> > > > first for me as I am a mouth breather. When they removed the

> tube

> > > it

> > > > hurt a little but nothing major. Unfortunately my sinuses are

> > very

> > > sore

> > > > right now. I am using ice packs to desensitize them and it

> seems

> > to

> > > be

> > > > working. What else. Ah yes, the catherer. Well I had two. One

> in

> > my

> > > arm

> > > > and one for down there, you know where. The 'toilet' catherer

I

> > was

> > > > very thankful for because there is no way I would have been

> able

> > to

> > > get

> > > > up to go to the bathroom until this morning. I was already

> asleep

> > > when

> > > > they put the catherer in so no embarassment there. When they

> took

> > > out

> > > > the catherer it took less than 3 seconds and didn't hurt at

> all.

> > It

> > > > also did not hurt after to go the the bathroom. Sorry about

the

> > > details.

> > > >

> > > > The catherer in my arm on the other hand hurt like hell.

> > > Unfortunately

> > > > this catherer is essential because this is where they

> > administered

> > > my

> > > > IV. I know from previous operations that this catherer has

> always

> > > hurt

> > > > me at times but today it really hurt bad! Unfortunately it

was

> > the

> > > > first time my mother left me on my own for 30 mins post-

> surgery.

> > > She

> > > > left me in the recovering unit under the supposed watchful

eye

> of

> > > the

> > > > nurses. The problem was that suddenly the catherer and IV

> started

> > > to

> > > > really hurt. SO much so that I started crying. A first

> throughout

> > > the

> > > > whole surgery procedure. NO ONE NOTICED or they chose to

ignore

> > me

> > > > which got me even more frustrated and I suspect worsened the

> pain

> > > in my

> > > > mind. I had to start waving my other arm and bang the side of

> the

> > > bed

> > > > with my wipe-board to get someones attention. Eventually a

> nurse

> > > came

> > > > over and said, " there's no reason it should be hurting you, "

> and

> > > > promptly went back to her desk to gossip with her colleague.

> Such

> > > was

> > > > my first encounter with not being able to talk back clearly

and

> > > tell

> > > > someone to shove it up you know where. Eventually my nurse

> showed

> > > up

> > > > and blocked the IV.

> > > >

> > > > That I have to say was my only bad surgery experience. I was

up

> > and

> > > > walking as of this morning at 8am. I had my last morphine

shot

> at

> > > 5am

> > > > this morning. The next pain killer dose I took was this

evening

> > at

> > > 6pm

> > > > once I was at home. This was tylenol and codene which put me

> > nicely

> > > to

> > > > sleep. I've not in major pain. More than anything it's my

> sinuses

> > > and

> > > > my joints feel really stiff, as if they are being forced into

> > their

> > > new

> > > > position which is exactly what's happening. As soon as I woke

> up

> > > this

> > > > mroning I remembered to do my breathing exercises and to

cough

> as

> > > much

> > > > as possible. I had quite a bit of phlem built up in my lungs

> from

> > > the

> > > > anesthesia but nothing to worry about. I have to say, taking

> deep

> > > > breaths and walking around the ward, as well as going to the

> > > bathroom

> > > > did a lot for me not just physically in terms of getting the

> > > anethesia

> > > > out of my system but also in terms of my mental state. I felt

> > > better

> > > > and positive about my recovery.

> > > >

> > > > Doctor Scwartz came in to see me this morning at 8am and

> removed

> > my

> > > > bandages that were wrapped around my head. He was amazed by

how

> > > little

> > > > swelling I had. In fact, Dr Sachs who came in to see right

> before

> > I

> > > was

> > > > discharged at 1:30pm and all the nurses kept on saying that I

> > > looked

> > > > amazing for someone who just had a leforte. I put it down to

> the

> > > arnica

> > > > pills I took on Sunday night and the MLD massage I had. I

still

> > > think I

> > > > look swollen and I'm sure it will get worse over the next 48

> > hours

> > > but

> > > > at least I haven't bruised badly immediately. I'll post a

post-

> op

> > > 24

> > > > hour picture for all of you.

> > > >

> > > > The weirdest part has been getting used to the new me. First

of

> > all

> > > I

> > > > hav a chin, which is really weird. My lips are wider and my

> nose

> > is

> > > > also slightly wider. I'm still not sure I like what I see but

> > I've

> > > > decided not to make any final judgements for at least 3 weeks.

> > > >

> > > > Well, that's enough of my rambling for now. Throughout the

> whole

> > > > procedure I kept on saying to myself, oh I need to tell the

> group

> > > about

> > > > this. It was a huge comfort. And I can honestly say now from

> the

> > > other

> > > > side that while not one of the most enjoyable activities I

have

> > > ever

> > > > been through, the surgery is not that bad. The best part was

> > > getting it

> > > > over with. Now I'm going to go through the other posts to see

> how

> > > > Shiloh and Jae did and to see how Jen and Becky are getting

> along

> > > in

> > > > preparing for their surgery.

> > > >

> > > > It's good to be back.

> > > >

> > > > Sara

[Guest guest]

Becky,

Kudos to you for such a mature and refined response. I think I would

have punched him right in the nose! I'm sure Joey would agree when I

say that he's lucky to have you!

Grrr ... doctor's like that make me so angry!!!

Carol

> > > > WAY TO GO SARA!!

> > > >

> > > > I am so proud of you!! Sounds like a little scary experience

> > with

> > > > that caterer. The worst part of all my other surgeries has

> > always

> > > > been that darn caterer in the arm. It really bothers me and

> > hurts

> > > > like heck. So it was about a 5.5 hour surgery, which is what

> > they

> > > > are predicting for mine. You know it probably wouldn't of

been

> > bad

> > > > if you were stuck in a room with good looking men..(haha)

> > > >

> > > > This week just seems to be dragging by...For some reason I

keep

> > > > thinking about that letter that my first surgeon wrote me

stating

> > > > that with my dental history this surgery was to complex for

him

> > to

> > > > handle and felt that I would end up with major complications

> > after

> > > > the surgery. I know get it out of the head and keep my

positive

> > > > thoughts..(haha)

> > > >

> > > > Anyway, let me know how that bungee works on Mt. Everest..

(haha)

> > I

> > > > will write you a little later today. I am at work here

thinking

> > > > about nothing but the surgery..(haha)

> > > >

> > > >