The road to success ia always under construction winter '13

I have closed the Summer of 2012 thread and started a new one for 2013.

Here is a link to the Summer 2012 thread
www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=2463160

Bill

Posted by opnwhl4

Joy-

Sounds like you are having a good time, good to hear!

I made it through pre op today and already got my 2 wrist bands for surgery tomorrow. Here is a puzzle for you. They said to go a head and take a shower tomorrow morning, but don't get the blood type wrist band wet or the writing will come off. Ummmmm I am trying to figure this one out still.
Oh well, I will be hitting the road at 7am. Got to be thereat 9 am for an 11am surgery. The teaching nurse asked if I was nervous. I told her nope, excited! A chance to no longer have this dang rib pain, whooooo hooooo!

Take care,
Bill

Posted by Dencha

yeah yeah yeah Good luck, Bill! yeah yeah yeah
Hope everything goes well for you! Let us know!

Hi all

I had to stay a couple extra nights due to pain, but I am home now. They had to do the surgery with me awake. They tried twilight first, but was moving around too much and they had to wake me up. Removing bone from my spine and making the pocket for the battery was very painful. After the surgery all was good as long as I didn't move. Move one inch and instant 10!
My surgeon made the decision to keep me the extra couple nights and made sure the nurses knew to not let my pain get out of control. Found out that is tough to do when you have been on pain meds for over 5 years. The night nurses were great though. They could just look at me and tell when I needed something for pain. The day nurse wanted me to go home the next day and was trying to convince the surgeon I should. He put a stop to that real quick. He told her I would be there at least 2 more nights. I don't think that made her happy because she kept telling him I was only scheduled as an outpatient. He told her that no longer applied and he had admitted me for as long as it takes.

Take care,
Bill

Denise-

I am very lucky to have had a great surgeon, anesthesiologist, and night nurses. I couldn't have asked for better care. My anesthesiologist told me on the way to recovery that he had ordered lots of good drugs for me since I went through the surgery awake. He also said I am one tough bugger. He said he wouldn't have that surgery awake.
They had my PM doctor come up the day after surgery to get her ideas for pain control. When she read I did it awake she told me she would order a good combination of meds so I would be comfortable. The doctors and nurses worked very well together and didn't allow me to stay above a 4.
I had to tell my story of the esophagus hole to many different people there too. When someone would ask about what started my rib pain They would go get some other people to hear it to. Apparently most people with this don't do well with an esophagus tear. They all kept saying I looked really good for having gone through that and were amazed I can eat anything I want to.

Guess I am lucky to have had an excellent surgeon for that.

The night nurses I had have dealt with spine surgery patients for a long time and told me they could tell right away I wasn't going home for a few days. They even asked if I was a sleep if it was ok to give me the IV meds without waking me up....ummm yeah! even though my sleep was in about 10 to 20 minute bursts. I finally got 4 hours straight the night before I went home. Since my room was right across from the nurse's desk I didn't have to wait more than 30 seconds after calling them

Take care,
Bill

Hi all-

Today it has been 2 weeks since my SCS surgery. Can't wait until tomorrow, I get the staples out. Those things are itching.

Most of the swelling has done down now and I can feel the wires going to the battery, weird. Still quite sore from the surgery though. Since I can't see the incisions I tend to forget about them and move too much or lift something to heavy and am reminded very quickly they are back there .

We for some rain, freezing rain, and an inch or 2 of snow yesterday. Calling for a few inches Thursday too. It is going to be interesting if the snow does hit. I will have to break up my plowing into short sessions I guess.

Hope everyone is doing well and had a good weekend.

Take care,
Bill

MMM,

Sorry to hear you're struggling with nausea. Going to work is no picnic when you're feeling sick. I hope it gets better very soon.

You are so right about the fact that reading Kitt's chemo blog puts all of our little issues into perspective. I keep Kitt in my thoughts and prayers daily, and like you, I recommend that we all do! She's getting there, though...just three more! The light at the end of the tunnel is finally visible. Love you Kitt!♥♥

Feel better, one and all!
Denise

Hi MMM,

Absolutely! My stomach hates antibiotics, and when it gets going it takes far too long to calm down. Prior to my surgery, whenever I'd get gastritis (often from antibiotics) I'd end up with esophagitis and asthma issues.

It's such a struggle, I know.
Best of luck getting it straightened around!
Denise

Thanks everyone. That's reassuring Denise - I've not had antibiotics but had to take a lot of ventolin last week and up the steroid inhaler. I think my stomach doesn't like it however!

MMM

Hi Denise,

I did try Carafate last year but it made me feel very very sick! I tried it last thing at night. Daytime I couldn't find a way to take it as I eat every couple of hours and on weekdays I have breakfast 30 mins after rising. I was looking forward to trying it - not sure why it made the nausea worse!!

MMM

Hello everyone

Sorry I have not been around recently.. I have been so tired from my work.. I work at the Clerks office in our county and I get the distinct privilege to sell foreclosures.. don't know if you all have seen the stats but Florida was #1 for foreclosures last year and in December my county was #1 in Florida. I am up to my ears in work... I am so thankful that (knock on wood) my health problems are minimal at this point.. almost 6 months since the ablation and almost 2 years now since the Nissen. I am doing well still after the Nissen. There are a couple things I still can't eat, bread and beef roast... it hasn't hurt though because I have not gained anything back from what I have lost. So happy...

I hope the spring and summer bring you all everything you have ever dreamed of!!!!

thanks for all of your support over these last couple of years, I couldn't have made it without you all.

Rainbows are right around the bend!!!!!
Sandi

I'll join you MMM in welcoming our Kitt back!

We missed you Kitt!

Take care,
Bill

Good to have you back, Kitt!