Any one in NW WA

[Wenjea 1]

Mer- I am so sorry I didn't see your post till just now. sue came and picked me up and we walked very, very,very slowly around the lake (1 mile) then I had to come home and rest for a couple of hours. Getting out of the car was the toughest part. I felt a little light headed but kept putting one foot in front of the other I have an appointment at 10:15 on Friday with Dr. oh but I could walk after that . . . .slowly. let me know.<br /> <br /> pinenut - guess what? i had a poo! not very big but I am so proud of myself. I can't believe you are working. I spent as much time as possible being vertical today but I am exhausted. I'm sneaking a Protein tomorrow before I faint. I think sitting is the hardest thing. A half hour is about my max. I'm wearing a bra today for the first time since surgery and it is okay. All that walking sent the gas racing to my shoulder and that just takes your breath away with sharp pain, first day I have had that.<br /> <br /> O2bethin- I gave up on my insurance and did self-pay when they said it was under 'no exceptions'. Don't forget to add in travel cost when looking into Mexico. At 12,800 Dr. Oh isn't that much more then Mexico plus traveling expenses. Boy, the last thing I would of wanted to do this week is get on a plane and sit.

[singandsew 0]

Hey Wendy adn Sue. Glad to hear you got out. You are brave, Wendy. I didn't go out walking hardly at all, except pushing a cart at Target, for a good couple weeks. The fresh air was probably fabulous for you. Maybe it will help get the anesthesia, and gas etc. out of your system faster. Rachel and I went to Ft. Steilacoom and looked for you guys for a while around 2. Didn't see either of your cars or you. SO, since I'd never been there before and I'm always nervous about places I don't know.....we headed over to the Mall and walked quite a bit (in between trying on new summer outfits...LOL) I DID find a dandy sun-dress for Jonathan's graduation. A little small, but I have 3 weeks. Found some SHOES, too. Yummy. We got home about 6, and after I had a Protein Drink Becca and I went and walked the Harbor. I feel good.

So excited for you, Sue. I hope seeing Wendy in pain hasn't made you worry or anything. You will do just fine. And, really, it's over soon and you have a new life to look forward to. It's a rebirth of sorts.

Praying for you all.

Merrillee

[dawneb 0]

Wenjea and Pinenut- I'm very glad that you are both doing well. Wenjea, it sounds like you're getting better and better every day. I'm starting to get kind of nervous now, my surgery is June 12 at St. Francis.

Today's bandsters, my thoughts and prayers are with you!

Question - some of you have talked about shoulder pain. Why shoulder pain? Should I invest in a heating pad for after surgery?

[cindy11670 0]

I used a heating pad it was nice. I never had shoulder pain ever one is different. The shoulder pain is from the gas in your tummy tring to get out. Just make sure you get up and walk right away.........................

[Evilah 1]

ljuht, how did your surgery go?

o2bethin... I'm sorry about all of your insurance troubles... I am approved but the surgery date has been delayed. At first I just wanted to eat like wild... you know... last ride sort of thing. Now I'm taking the opportunity to teach myself to eat the way I will after the band and also to practice the liquid diet. It's hard but I practice chewing well, small bites, one bite per minute and not drinking with meals, eating Protein first and excercising everyday. If I find the strength in me to change and do this on my own before the surgery comes, maybe I won't do it. But right now, I'm just taking the opportunity to work on myself, and am still planning on having surgery.

Evilah

[Wenjea 1]

Mer - sorry we missed you. We drive all the way to the back on the left side of the fields when you drive in, by the dog park, and there is a gravel lot with a paved path that leads around a lake. we can hook up Friday if you want to. Sue definately won't be there. Maybe I can come to the Harbor.

Dawneb - I really liked the heating pad for my tummy too. I think it helps your scars heal better. Heat brings blood to an area and causes any infection to rise to the top. Laying down with a heating pad is very comforting and they don't cost that much. I think it's worth it.

Evilah - When I decided to have surgery I managed to eat on about 10 pounds from the 'last supper' syndrom. I think a lot of us do it and you will get it together and it will come off quickly. Mine came off when I had to do Clear Liquids for my pre-op scope tests.

[sue11 0]

Thanks for your thougts and prayer!!! tomorrow is my day! I figure if I can watch Wendy go through her first week (the worst of it all) and I'm still not scared away, then it must be something I really want.

did anybody else "nest" before surgery? I cleaned my office at work yesterday then came home and worked until 11:30 cleaning and re-arranging my spare room/office. It will be my hide-away when I need a quiet spot away from the business of the house. I've got everyting arranged and ready to go! I was still wound up so I watched my TIVO'ed "Dancing With the Stars"...way to go Apolo!

Merrillee...so sad we missed you yesterday, that would have been so much fun.

[singandsew 0]

Hey girls,

Doing good today. Praying for Sue. Good girl. You go for it! Wendy, you've lost a LOT of weight now! Wow, I'm jealous. It has taken me much longer than you to get to that 30 lb. point. I guess we're all on our own journey with all our own issues.

OK, well I'm off to the fabric store....heh heh. We're in the midst of designing a few new items and we need some stuff.

Merrillee

[Wenjea 1]

Mer - I was looking for medical ID tags for my wrist and I couldn't remember where you said you got yours from. Everything I found was pricey. Can you tell me again. Please . . . .

[dawneb 0]

ljuht - I hope everything went well for you. Let us know how you're doing when you get a chance.

Sue - good luck tomorrow.

[sue11 0]

Thanks all for the encouragement!!!

Merrillee...

I'm tempeted to try to make it to your party tonight, got to make sure everything is calm and ready at home first, so really not sure. I'm interested in your dog clothes, do you have a show coming up soon?

Wendy...

I found several sources for braclets & charms, I'll show you sometime.

[singandsew 0]

Wendy,

I got my Bracelet tag at the diabetic drug store

Standard & Designer Medical Identification Jewelry | Diabetic Drugstore

for $9.98 and made all my own bracelet attachments. I can make you some attachments and/or I can show you how. It's easy.

Sue! Come! I'm not in a show for a while....thinking about doing the GH Farmers market. I just sent in an application. BUt you can come and look at what we have here anytime. We also do custom, so if you want something special to match you or your house......fun, fun, fun. I'd LOVE for you to meet my friends....Rachel in particular. Bring Wendy! We'll set her up with a heating pad and popcycles.

REALLY....I AM leaving now for the fabric store.....REALLY!

Merrillee

[Wenjea 1]

Have you gone to the store yet!!!!!

Can I bring my little dog to try stuff on?

Thanks for the ID info Mer. You are the best! Wanna walk tomorrow?

[PineNut 0]

Thank goodness it is my Friday today. I thought I would catch up on my hours by working tomorrow, but NO. I am tired. Too much here to do now that I am feeling better. It was strange, I woke up yesterday andfelt really good. THe tightness was lower across my tummy and today I am even better. Just Aleve yesterday and once today. I do like the liquid at night since I have slept so good with it. (I finally figured out that my tightness felt like- a braxton hicks contraction but in a strip or band rather than the whole belly. And I have had a couple feelings similar to a small hand or foot running along the inside of my belly....strange how they feel similar) For those who have been trying to relate the pain to a C section, having had 2 in 18 mo. , I think they were definitely more painful, but they were a low pain where as this is less, but higher. I have found it just uncomfortable and not really "painful".

I think the heating pad is a must. The shoulder pain is sometimes referred pain or from gas. It is really a DULL ache that is greatly helped by a heating pad and some gas X. For $15 I would definitely have gotten one.

Worse than pain is the thought of not pooping for a week. Yea wenjea. Me too! After 3 swigs of MOM and 1 pill I was about to have to take drastic measures.......but around lunchtime..voila. Haven't been this happy since Ryann pooped in the potty and no more diapers!

[PineNut 0]

Audreyg: I did not feel like it was a cattle call in any way. You are assigned a time to be there 1 hour prior to your surgery. I went in and filled out some consent papers and then was given a cool tote bag and gown,GIANT robe, socks and told to change. THen I waited in an area with my Mom in one of those hospital recliners. THe Dr. came and chatted, then the Anesthesiologist came and gave me a patch for behind my ear and started the IV. Oh, I got a shot of Heperin in the leg from a nurse before that. That stung, but eh, whatever. Then I was escorted to the OR....but I made another pitstop (3rd since changing!) and we went in and I layed down on the table and commented on the music...Fleetwood Mac TUSK.....and I was breathing into a mask and the Anesth. was shooting something in....I blinked 3 times and was out. Next I remember was my Mom sitting beside me and I was holding her finger. And telling her it was really sore at the top of my tummy. The nurse was right there and I got some Delaudin...wonderful...and was dozing for about another hour. I worked on waking up for about another 15 min. and then was up and walking. Making the rounds of the nurse's station accompanied by my nurse. A couple laps and I sat back down and then I bet it was about 20 min til I was dressed and in the car headed home.

The nurses were very attentive and I don't think the Dr. came back out since he was in surgery when I left. I was told that I was about the last to leave from the morning surgeries. I went in the OR at 8:40 and came out at 9:20 and remember it was 11 when I got up and walked. I know we were in the car at 12:20 so it was relatively quick. I never felt rushed even though I was told (by my Mom) that about 3 or 4 people cycled through while I was "resting".

I was given paperwork to call 24 hours with any questions. I got a call from a nurse the next day checking on me and asked if I had any other questions. They have all been so nice and I am going back on Friday for my post op appointment. I guess I will make a fill appointment at that time too.

Anytihng else you think of, just ask.