2001Mikelly

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 Mike took me to the hospital at 6:00 this morning.  The pre-op nurse took blood and gave me an iv on the inside (the tender side) of my arm.  That was extremely painful.  The anesthesiologist came in, put a patch behind my ear for nausea, and then put Versed in my iv.  I remember saying, "wow, that works fast" and feeling like I was being pulled ot the bed.  The next thing I knew, I was in my room in a lot of pain.  I don't remember anything about the operating room or recovery.  My throat was kind of sore from the tube they had down it.  I had a pain pump filled with Fentenol, but the drug wasn't working.  I was in so much pain. The nurse made me get up and walk about 10 hours after surgery.  That sucked.  

 I had 2 drains in me. One was the Jackson Pratt that has to stay in for 10 days.  The other one was small and only in for 2 days.  When Dr. Podany pulled the small drain out, there was a 1" gash in my side that was 4" deep.  He didn't put stitches in it.  He said that it would heal up on it's own.  The J.P. drain is held in place by 2 stitches.  It is the diameter of a pencil and is very painful at the site.  The dr. wanted the catheder pulled out on Tuesday so I would have to get up to go to the bathroom.  I did start to walk more around the nurses station.

11/02/06-  I got the results of yesterday's blood work and urinalysis.  My urinalysis came back okay, but my white blood cells were slightly elevated.  The lab uses like 4-10.5 as their normal range.  My levels were 10.8.  They are just barely over the limit.  My nurse said that getting my hair colored or even having a pimple could elevate them.  she said that Dr. Podany would probably want to have them checked again Monday morning prior to surgery to see if they have changed. 

11/01/06-  I had to go in for more blood work today.  The surgeon wants to make sure that my white blood cells aren't elevated, I'm not anemic, and make sure that I don't have any type of infection.  If the results come back showing my WBC's are high or if there is an infection, then they will postpone the surgery.  I pray that the blood work comes back perfect!

My surgery is less than a week away.  Getting a little nervous. I had a ton of questions for the nurse today.  I am just feeling very overwhelmed right now.  I just keep praying that the Lord will comfort me and remove my anxiety.  I have to go in to the hospital on Wednesday or Thursday to have some more blood work done to make sure that I'm not anemic or have elevated white blood cells.  I have been so doped up on Zicam, vitamin C, and Airborne.  I have been washing my hands like crazy.  I am even rubbing hand sanitizer on all my stuff at work (walkie talkie, palm pilot, keys, etc.)  People at work think I have lost my mind.

10/24/06- I had my pre-op with Dr. Podany today.  I feel like I spaced it in his office.  Felt kinda overwhelmed I guess.  I finally did my H.Pylori today.  Thank God it was negative.  If it would have been positive they would have had to reschedule my surgery.  He explained the basicsof the surgery with me.  I filled out my pre-admission stuff at the hospital today as well.  It's getting closer and I'm getting more nervous.  I keep asking myself am I doing the right thing.  I know that I have significant health concerns and something has to be done.  I have tried so many times to lose weight and have failed.  I guess I am just trying to convince myself that I am doing the right thing.

10/23/06-  I am kinda worried about getting my protein and fluids in after surgery.  It sure seems like a lot to drink.  I barely get 32 oz. of water in right now.  My nutritionist said that I will have to get in 64 oz. of liquids and 60-70 grams of protein.  That sure sounds like a lot.  It wouldn't be so bad if I would be able to gulp it down, but she said that I am going to have to sip it all day long.  Hubby and I went to get some protein powders on Saturday.  The Bioplex natural flavored isn't too bad.  I added it to some Raspberry Crystal Light and could barely taste it.  I haven't attempted to add it to water yet.  Sounds kinda gross.  I am getting a little nervous.  I just have two more weeks until the big day.

3/16/06- Initial consult with Dr. Podany
3/22/06- Start 6 month diet and exercise with dietician
3/30/06- Visit with Dr. Lilljenquist to supervise my d&E
8/17/06- Passed psychiatric evaluation
10/03/06- Submitted to insurance- paperwork lost!
10/10/06- Paperwork re-submitted to insurance company, APPROVED 
                   THAT SAME DAY!
10/16/06- EKG, gallbladder ultrasound, upper GI, blood work
10/23/06- Start "liver shrinking" diet
10/24/06- Pre-op appt. with Podany
11/06/06- Surgery!

03/30/06- 
I had an appointment with Dr. John Lilljenquist to have him as my PCP to supervise my 6 month d&e.  He did a test on me and said that I have neuropathy in my feet.  He said that with me having severe insulin resistance that I would have to be a "triathlete" to be able to lose any weight.  He said that the insulin resistance will not allow me to lose weight.  The way I understand it is, when I eat, my pancreas kicks out a ton of insulin.  The insulin then takes the sugar to the cells.  The cells won't open up and use the sugar as energy so it is then stored as fat.  My liver sends out a signal that it's not getting any sugar so it tells the pancreas to make more insulin to carry sugar to the cells.  In the meantime, my fat cells are sending out hormones to get sugar.  it is a vicious cycle.  I have been on Metformin and Actos and have seen no results.

03/22/06-  Today was my first appointment with Ronda (registered dietician) to get officially started on my 6 month d&E. 

03/16/06- 
Today was my first consult with Dr. Podany.  He said I was a good candidate and discussed some of the basics with me.  Lori Hughs (insurance coordinator for Dr. Podany) then told me what I needed to do.  She said that my insurance company requires a 6 month physician supervised diet and exercise program with monthly visits.  She said I would need to visit with a physical therapist and a psychologist for a psychiatric evaluation.  After approval from insurane company, I would need an H. Pylori test to check for ulcers, an EKG, gall bladder ultrasound, and an upper GI.