Sabrina A.

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juderulz 21 years, 1 month ago

Sabrina, I just read your update on the surgery, I am so sorry for all the complications that you incurred, I sure hope that your recovery is coming along well. Let us know how your journey on the other side is going :) I am a fellow Coloradoan here in Aurora, in the same boat... I was going to go with Dr Tillquist, switched to Dr Brown, but because of insurance going back to Dr T. (My first consult is in September 2, 2003) Long wait, and I KNOW you've been there!! Hope all is well with you!

Tami D. 21 years, 3 months ago

Sabrina, I just read your post from your surgery experience. WOW! I also had / have Doctor Brown. Blessfully my surgery went well and I had no complications. I am glad you are doing better now. Sounds like the holidays were a rough ride for you. Hopefully now, you are well and quickly getting better.God Bless Tami

1800Bev 21 years, 3 months ago

Sabrina, I'm so glad to hear you are better and on your way to better health. Best wishes.

heidid 21 years, 3 months ago

sabrina, sorry to hear about your complications. it makes us all remember how risky this surgery is and helps us to not forget that it is all real. i wish you the best of luck now that you are home, and i'll keep you in my prayers! GOD bless..

Sabrina A. 21 years, 3 months ago

1-7-03 Where do I start? I had the surgery. I don't remember waking up. I know that I couldn't have anything but ice chips for 8 days. I had the catheter, oxygen, I/V, the booties, and a morphine pump that you have to wait 8 minutes between presses - at times this was a hard wait... 11-19-02 Possible Leak. Had to have that horrible 'table X-ray dealy' PLUS drink the extra-horrible Barium crap. 11-20-02 2nd drainage put in. This hurt like nothing I've experienced before. The doctor cutting into me would give it a go then they'd check with the C/T scan to see if it was in the right place. This took 4 hours. The technicians/nurses? were great, they brought me through the pain with breath basically. 11/23/02 Nothing much happened until today when I drank this green Barium stuff which tasted kind of like lemonade and since I hadn't had anything to drink for 6 days so far, it tasted like something they make you drink in Heaven, I had no problems getting most of it down. Went for the X-rays and C/T scan - long journey on the gurney - and I couldn't really move myself into the position the technician wanted me in for the CAT. I ended up in tears and screaming at her because she would not help me. Later in this hospital process I saw her again and apologized, she understood the pain I was in and apologized to me too (!) 11-24-02 More tests. One breathing, one leg ultrasound. I was so out of it, I didn't understand a lot of what they were doing or why. 11-25-02 Finally get to start a clear liquid diet. My tongue hurt from only ice for so long. My white blood cell (WBC) count is elevated. 11-26-02 Had to have an abcess on my lung (?) drained today. Was supposed to go have this done on the 27th but they came and got me early, I was in tears cause I thought it would be like when they put the 2nd drain in. They brought me down to the C/T and I talked to the doctor going to do it, this time I said I was afraid of the pain and asked him how long it would take! He estimated 45 minutes but the good part was they hooked me up to morphine this time and asked me lots during the process how I was doing. It still took 2 hours and it was quite painful. The same process, 'chop' then check the C/T to see if it worked... Started this inhaler thingy today to help my lungs - you breathe in this steroid stuff. WBC count still up. 11-27-02 Got the catheter removed today. Lots of pain from the pleuralsy (water on the lungs. 11-28-02 Another X-ray today, what's new?! Lots of visits from family and friends since it was Turkey day! Had 'most' of the fluid removed from my lungs today, didn't hurt too much, lots of shots of lidocaine (that was the part that hurt!). The doctor got out about 650 milliliters of fluid and it was 'cranberry' colored when you expect it to be yellowish. Had to have a C/T (yes again!) to see if I had blood clots in my lungs due to the color of that fluid. Didn't. Got to have an actual shower today. Also got an extension on the breathing tube so I could use the 'big girl potty' instead of the stupid 'comode' anymore. 11-29-02 Walked 26 minutes today! They brought me a non sugar free meal today, so I drank some of the apple juice. Tired of just water. Had a little diarrhea probably cause of the juice. Started FULL liquid diet. Pain is still bad when I inhale. 11-30-02 My boyfriend brought me Crystal Light - Thank the Lord!!! The nurse tried to remove the drain but it hurt way too much so she decided to let the doctor do it. 16 minute walk today. 12-1-02 Drain out, doctor took it out FAST, still hurt, felt better right away though, less pressure. Drainage at the site - infection? Took cultures. Got C/T (yep another one), couldn't drink all that nasty stuff they wanted me too though, they used the old I/V line from the 28th for the iodine injection which worked just fine. 12/2/02 X-ray this morning. Stomach where drain taken out looks good. I threw up this morning, just clear, felt better afterwards. Begged my surgeon to let me go home, WBC count still elevated so he wanted me to stay. Took the oxygen off and my levels without it was fine. So I only had the I/V left (for all those anti-biotics I was getting for all those infections) as far as being attached to anything goes. He let me go!!!!!!!!!!!! After 14 days when it was supposed to be 2-3 (for a lap. procedure), I was ready. I had to go see my doctor in 2 days and they left the I/V in me.

Sabrina A. 21 years, 3 months ago

1-7-03 FINALLY! An update. I haven't had any computer access until now that I'm back at work. Unfortunately I was among the 5% with complications, and boy were they ever...

Terry Lynn W. 21 years, 5 months ago

Hi. I am your neighbor in Arvada. Glad this part is behind you. Take care of yourself and just get better. Terry

Disa G. 21 years, 5 months ago

Best wishes on your big day tomorrow. You deserve this! See you on the other side!

Kimberly G. 21 years, 5 months ago

Best wishes as you start your journey to a new and exciting place. This is the greatest gift you can give yourself, and you deserve it. See you on the other side!!

swtp2nia1 21 years, 5 months ago

Congratulations on getting your surgery!! You’re about to fly to the losing side. May your healing be quick and your pain meds GREAT!! :) Wishing you all the luck and success we all deserve. Please get back here as soon as possible and let us all know how you’re doing. May God bless you and your surgeon’s magical hands.