Kaye: Tracheostomy for breathing tube w/Lap RNY -vs- Open RNY on 12/8/05...day after tomorrow! KLJ

I love that you call your partner beloved! That is such a wonderful term of endearment. Please know that I am saying a prayer for you, your spouse, and your family in regard to your father. You're very blessed to have her caring heart by your side during difficult times. Her love and support can make all the difference. Thank you very, very much for your kindness and prayers. Peace, Kaye

Thanks for your kind words, Maureen. I don't know if anything I have could be called grace or courage. Believe me, I don't depend on myself to keep mind and heart in synch. Every step in this journey belongs to Him. Your prayers uplift me, and I appreciate your kindess. Peace, Kaye

Well, once again, things have been side tracked just a bit. As planned, the surgery was set for this past Friday, 11/18. All the doctors and nurses were made aware of the problems with my breathing tube from the last time. They were even able to pull last years chart to refer to. This time they were prepared. I had to undergo nasal intubation while awake, although I was given some of those great meds that kinda make you not really care, along with a few shots to anesthetize my throat area. However, things did get kind of rough. They once again were not able to get the tube in...after trying for a couple of hours. They were however, able to view and discern the problem using a fiberoptic scope. Basically, I have a kink in my trachea, created from the many years of excess fat and flesh around my neck. Dr. Patel, the anesthesiologist, told me they were able to get the breathing tube just past the kink, but the tube then jammed into my windpipe on the other side of the kink,and cut off my air flow completely. (I remember that part very well...they kept telling me to breathe, but no air was coming.) At this writing I've been rescheduled for 12/8.This time around, they will perform a tracheostomy for the insertion of the breathing tube, then proceed with my lap (I hope) RNY. If all goes well, I hope to only have to have the trach for 2 or 3 days. If anyone knows of someone that has had to have a trach for their surgery, please drop me a line. I have to say, I'm a bit more nervous about the idea of a hole at the base of my neckthan I thought I would be. Your input would be greatly appreciated. Peace in Christ, Kaye PS - My partner of 16 years has been by my side every step of the way. She even spent her birthday (11/19) by my bedside in the hospital. I'm really blessed to have her, and thought I'd let the world know how great she is.

Thank you all for your wonderful thoughts, prayers, and positive wishes. I appreciateall the kind words you've posted. Well, once again, things have been side tracked just a bit. As planned, the surgery was set for this past Friday, 11/18. Everyone was made aware of the problems with my breathing tube from the last time. They were even able to pull last years chart to refer to. This time they were prepared. I had to undergo nasal intubation while awake, although I was given some of those great meds that kinda make you not really care, along with a few shots to anesthetize my throat area. However, things did get kind of rough. They once again were not able to get the tube in...after trying for a couple of hours. They were however, able to view and discernthe problem using a fiberoptic scope. Basically, I have a kink in my trachea, created from the many years of excess fat and flesh around my neck. Dr. Patel, the anesthesiologist, told me they were able to get the breathing tube just past the kink, but the tube then jammed into the wall of my windpipe on the other side of the kink, and cut off my air flow completely. (I remember that part very well...they kept telling me to breathe, but no air was coming.) At this writing I've been rescheduled for 12/8. This time around, they will perform a tracheostomy for the insertion of the breathing tube, then proceed with my lap (I hope) RNY. If all goes well, I hope to only have to have the trach for 2 or 3 days. If anyone knows of someonethat has had to have a trach for their surgery, please drop me a line. I have to say, I'm a bit more nervousabout the idea of a hole at the base of my neck than I thought I would be. Your input would be greatly appreciated. Peace in Christ, Kaye PS - My partnerof 16 years has been by my sideevery step of the way. She even spent her birthday last Saturday by my bedside in the hospital. I'm really blessed to have her, and thought I'd let the world know how great she is.

Everyone, Just a reminder! Regarding the Rainbows of Hope Weight Loss Surgery Support group's next meeting... it will be June 1st at 7 p.m., MCC Huntsville, 3015 Sparkman Drive. Rainbows of Hope is for anyone, but most especially for those in the Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Trandgender community (and their partners), who have had, are planning to have, or are thinking about having weight loss surgery/bariatric surgery. We've had such wonderful meetings thus far, that I look forward to them each month. I encourage any of you considering this type surgery to come take part. I especially encourage any of you that have had the surgery, to come by and give support as well as get it. Share your experiences with those who have not had the procedure. Help us be more informed on what to expect. After all, it's all about support, right? That's Tuesday, June 1, 2004, at 7 p.m., at the Metropolitan Community Church of Huntsville. For directions,just call the church office, Tuesday-Friday, 12 noon - meeting time; (256) 489-3714. Hope to see you there!

Big Announcement!! If there are any of our GLBT friends from Huntsville, Alabama or the surrounding areas out there (Decatur, Athens, Cullman, Fayetteville, Tennessee) that have undergone or, like me, are considering undergoing weight loss surgery...boy do we have news for you! Beginning March 2, 2004, Rainbows of Hope WLS Support for GLBT people will begin meeting at the Metropolitan Community Church of Huntsville! Rainbows of Hope will exist to provide a safe place for education and support for Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender persons who have had or are seeking information about the option of weight loss surgery, AND for their spouses, partners or significant others! Rainbows of Hope will provide opportunities to address issues unique to the GLBT community concerning WLS. Our first session will include an introduction to the group process, introduction of members, confidentiality issues, ground rules and other basics of the group process. There will also be a break out session conducted at every meeting, to allow the spouses, partners and significant others time to discuss their concerns away from the potential/post surgical candidates. Future sessions will feature guest speakers, Q & A, tips on important issues and group members' emotional WLS needs. The group will meet on the 1st Tuesday of each month, from 7p.m.-8:30p.m., at the Metropolitan Community Church of Huntsville, 3015 Sparkman Drive NW (35810). If any assistance is needed in finding the church, or if you have any questions or general comments or information, please give us a call at (256) 851-6914. If there is no answer, please leave a message and someone will return your call. Everyone come on out and let's get this ball rolling! Hope to see you all there!

Well, I got started on my "food plan" on Monday. It actually hasn't been too terribly bad. I'm on a 2400 calorie plan that's designed for diabetics, (although I don't have diabetes). I'm eating healthy and smaller portions, which is what I'm going to have to do anyway once I have the surgery. So this is a preparation period for me. I may slip, but I'll just have to get my tail back up and get back to it. Medicaid wants this plan followed and doctor supervised for 6 months before they'll consider me. So I'm just gonna have to get in gear. The rest, we'll have to wait to see what happens. Kaye

As you may have already read in one of my other posts, Dr. Sherer's office told me that Medicaid won't allow me to proceed until I've spent at least 6 months on a doctor supervised diet plan. So my PCP has made me an appointment with their nutritionist. Once the 6 months are up, I'll be able to go to my doc for a recheck. Hopefully we'll be able to proceed from there. 8-l Me and God are gonna make it through this. So I'm gonna do what I have to do until the time comes to take the next step. Peace, Kaye

You certainly will find the support you need here, Kenny. Congratulations and welcome from an old friend and coworker, darlin. We'll keep in touch, for sure. Love, Kaye

Congratulations on successful surgery, Coraly. I'm Kaye and I am just getting started. I'm having my consultation today and we'll see what happens afterwards. People like you are an inspiration to folks like me. Thanks and best of luck for continued loss!