Cockatoo_Cristy
I posted this yesterday at RainbowBridge.org
Nov 06, 2007
Today my beloved best friend of 13 years passed over the rainbow bridge. She'd been through hell and back with me over that time. Three years ago she was diagnosed with Addison's Disease. She pulled through that with the help of medications and a lot of love. The last few days she's been not herself. She was confused, walking into corners around the house and staring into nothing, confused, distraught, and having spasms in her back and back legs. We took her to the vet first thing this morning and after many x-rays and blood tests, it was determined that she had gone blind over the last two days. It was found to be neurological, possibly a tumor that had spread through her brain. We made the hardest decision I'd ever made in my life. At 4:30 pm this afternoon, we cuddled her on a blanket on the floor as our vet allowed us to say our goodbyes. We were with her in her last moments, holding her.. loving her. I talked to her wishing her a safe passage over the bridge, and promised I'd meet her there someday.
My Sasha was the sweetest, most loving babygirl I'd ever had and my heart is torn into a million pieces right now. I know she can never be replaced, and I am sad beyond words. My girl was the most special daughter I'd ever had and the 13 years with her I am extremely grateful for. My heart and soul will never forget her. She'll always be a part of me, and I hope and pray that she knew in the end that I love her, cherish her, and will miss her beyond belief. Rest easy girl, you are loved and are leaving a hole in our hearts and lives that can't be imagined.
(Her picture is amongst the pictures I'd posted to my profile.)
12 Days Post-Op
Oct 16, 2007
I saw Dr. Robinson for my 2 week post op appointment today. He's very happy with my progress so far! (Since the entire beginning of all this, I've dropped a total of 27 pounds!) My ticker states pounds lost since surgery, which stands now at 11!
My hospital stay was MOSTLY fine, my nurses were fantastic, and most everyone else was wonderful to me. My BIGGEST complaint (yep..gonna vent here!).. was the Radiology nurses. OMG .. WTF were they trained to do, roughhouse with wild animals?
When I was taken down for my nasty little drink of radioactive chemicals (contrast guk), I was slammed through a door, yanked up off my seat, pushed this way and that until they were happy with how I was standing, and made to drink the most vile tasting liquid that's ever passed a humans lips. After the nausea I fought with forever, I was yanked BACK into my wheelchair, literally slammed into a doorway.. (the IV machine was hooked to the side, and the stupid ass nurse took it upon herself to NOT figure out why we couldn't fit through as the thing swung back and forth, bruising the hell out of my arm while I sat there dazed, gasping, and saying ow ow ow ow) She finally squeezed it all through and then went on to complain that the doorways weren't wide enough!
After that much fun I didn't think I could take anymore, but then she began telling me how AWFUL the contrast liquid was, and she was glad nurses didn't have to try it.. (but dr.s do), and she wouldn't taste it for the world. Meanwhile, my stomach is doing flip flops and somersaults and I get to ride the whiplash elevator BACK up 15 floors. Goddess help me.
That was truly the only BAD experience of my stay. I was unlucky enough to garner the worst dang nurse I've ever met. (Wait until I'm healed, I'm going back there to kick her in the shins!)
Everyone else was wonderful though! My caregivers were kind, and compassionate. I fought with nausea so badly I had to stay an extra day because I couldn't even stand for more than a minute or so without feeling so sick and dizzy I thought I was gonna die. Once I was off the pump meds they'd given me, and on liquid percocet, I began to get better. That and the anti-nausea meds made a world of difference. By Saturday I was up, took a small shower, and was ready to go home by noon.
I've been holding pretty steady with my protein and fluid intake. Only a couple of days went by that I haven't met my protein goal, so I don't think that's too bad. I'm still tired quite a bit, but I'm resting when I have to. Walking is ok, but I get sore at the port site after about 15-20 minutes and need to sit and rest.
My mom flies in today, which I'm SO excited about! First time I've seen my momma in 7 years!!! It's going to be a great week, with mom here, and knowing I'm healing and getting healthier every single day! Hope all of my fellow bandsters and surgery veterans are doing well! (..and best of luck to all those patiently awaiting their surgery dates!) Catch up with you all soon! (My first fill is scheduled for November 13!!!) Will let y'all know how it goes!
My hospital stay was MOSTLY fine, my nurses were fantastic, and most everyone else was wonderful to me. My BIGGEST complaint (yep..gonna vent here!).. was the Radiology nurses. OMG .. WTF were they trained to do, roughhouse with wild animals?
When I was taken down for my nasty little drink of radioactive chemicals (contrast guk), I was slammed through a door, yanked up off my seat, pushed this way and that until they were happy with how I was standing, and made to drink the most vile tasting liquid that's ever passed a humans lips. After the nausea I fought with forever, I was yanked BACK into my wheelchair, literally slammed into a doorway.. (the IV machine was hooked to the side, and the stupid ass nurse took it upon herself to NOT figure out why we couldn't fit through as the thing swung back and forth, bruising the hell out of my arm while I sat there dazed, gasping, and saying ow ow ow ow) She finally squeezed it all through and then went on to complain that the doorways weren't wide enough!
After that much fun I didn't think I could take anymore, but then she began telling me how AWFUL the contrast liquid was, and she was glad nurses didn't have to try it.. (but dr.s do), and she wouldn't taste it for the world. Meanwhile, my stomach is doing flip flops and somersaults and I get to ride the whiplash elevator BACK up 15 floors. Goddess help me.That was truly the only BAD experience of my stay. I was unlucky enough to garner the worst dang nurse I've ever met. (Wait until I'm healed, I'm going back there to kick her in the shins!)
Everyone else was wonderful though! My caregivers were kind, and compassionate. I fought with nausea so badly I had to stay an extra day because I couldn't even stand for more than a minute or so without feeling so sick and dizzy I thought I was gonna die. Once I was off the pump meds they'd given me, and on liquid percocet, I began to get better. That and the anti-nausea meds made a world of difference. By Saturday I was up, took a small shower, and was ready to go home by noon.
I've been holding pretty steady with my protein and fluid intake. Only a couple of days went by that I haven't met my protein goal, so I don't think that's too bad. I'm still tired quite a bit, but I'm resting when I have to. Walking is ok, but I get sore at the port site after about 15-20 minutes and need to sit and rest.
My mom flies in today, which I'm SO excited about! First time I've seen my momma in 7 years!!! It's going to be a great week, with mom here, and knowing I'm healing and getting healthier every single day! Hope all of my fellow bandsters and surgery veterans are doing well! (..and best of luck to all those patiently awaiting their surgery dates!) Catch up with you all soon! (My first fill is scheduled for November 13!!!) Will let y'all know how it goes!
New ticker & small note...
Oct 06, 2007
Ok... so I'll sit and type out my surgery story when I have a bit more energy. I am home, the surgery went very smoothly, and I'm exhausted. I promise, as soon as I can, I'll let y'all know how it went. :)
Make some room on the loser's bench, cuz I'mma takin' my seat!
Make some room on the loser's bench, cuz I'mma takin' my seat!
My new life begins tomorrow morning!
Oct 03, 2007
Whew! I didn't think I'd survive the wait. (Patience isn't my strongest suit.) ...but tomorrow by this time, I'll be BANDED! :: cheers ::
I am excited, nervous, thrilled, scared, psyched, and anxious all at the same time. (Please tell me I'm not alone in feeling this way!) I have the strangest feeling that I'll be in the recovery room wondering just what the hell I did to myself. It shouldn't seem this surreal, seeing as I've been preparing and readying myself for this for a YEAR now, but it is. Strange.
A buddy of mine has had her RNY surgery yesterday. She lives two towns over, and will be on the same floor as I am when I get my room! Nice to know I'll be able to go bug someone who's going through something similar and equally life changing! :) ***Hope you're doing well, Karri!***
Well, I'm leaving the house around 6:00 am or so, so I probably won't be on here before I leave in the morning. I hope and pray it goes as smoothly as everyone's saying it will. (Dr. Robinson even told me.. "We'll take good care of you." I told him I'm holding him to that. Wish me luck! My new life begins tomorrow!
I am excited, nervous, thrilled, scared, psyched, and anxious all at the same time. (Please tell me I'm not alone in feeling this way!) I have the strangest feeling that I'll be in the recovery room wondering just what the hell I did to myself. It shouldn't seem this surreal, seeing as I've been preparing and readying myself for this for a YEAR now, but it is. Strange.
A buddy of mine has had her RNY surgery yesterday. She lives two towns over, and will be on the same floor as I am when I get my room! Nice to know I'll be able to go bug someone who's going through something similar and equally life changing! :) ***Hope you're doing well, Karri!***
Well, I'm leaving the house around 6:00 am or so, so I probably won't be on here before I leave in the morning. I hope and pray it goes as smoothly as everyone's saying it will. (Dr. Robinson even told me.. "We'll take good care of you." I told him I'm holding him to that. Wish me luck! My new life begins tomorrow!
Ack!
Sep 25, 2007
My surgery date has changed! I saw my surgeon today, and also went through the Pre-Op procedure, so I'm all set there for next week. HOWEVER!... I found out today that I have a small hiatal hernia that they're going to repair while I'm under. (Nifty!) After calling his office, Jennifer told me that yes, indeed, my date has been moved to Oct. 4.. and get this.. instead of having to be there at 9:30 for an 11:30 surgery, now I have to be there are 7:30 for a 9:30 surgery! OMG.. that means I'll be on the 5:30 am train. UGHHHH! Knowing myself, I won't even be all the way awake by the time they're putting me out. hehe That's the news for now..I'll keep ya updated as/if things change.
*10* Days to GO!
Sep 23, 2007
Whoa! 10 days and counting! I go for pre-op on Tuesday. I am SO excited! I've been kinda 'nesting' around the house. Getting things in order for when I get home. I really and truly can't wait for the waiting part to be over with. (Waiting around makes me antsy, yanno?)
Ah well.. I'll let y'all know how things have gone after Tuesday.
Ah well.. I'll let y'all know how things have gone after Tuesday.
Getting my mind around it.
Sep 10, 2007
Hmm. I've been working hard at getting my mind around the fact that my surgery is coming up so soon. It's really strange... I'm SO looking forward to it being DONE, but I'm still amazed at how fast the last year has gone.
I'm on day 4 of my self-imposed 'restrictive' diet. (I'm doing the 2 week pre-op diet from now until surgery.. I think I mentioned that before.. not sure.) They say that after 2 or three days you're not really feeling like you're 'starving' anymore. Guess what.. it's TRUE! I've been doing my fiber-water (FiberSure & Fruit 2o) in the morning, followed by a protein shake. Then another shake around noon, then a small meal. I haven't been obsessing as much about food during the day as I was before. (Now it's just in my head about food AFTER the surgery... choosing it, buying it, preparing it, etc.) I don't feel deprived like I did on Friday or Saturday.
I had a dream last night that I'd gone through the surgery and was home. I was checking out my incisions and port site while smiling and sort of giggling to myself because I was so happy. (No.. really.. you can't tell I'm excited?)
I think my daily calorie intake has been around 1000-1200, protein has been about 60, and water/fluid has been somewhere near 100+ oz.
C'mon October 3!!!!!!!!!!
I'm on day 4 of my self-imposed 'restrictive' diet. (I'm doing the 2 week pre-op diet from now until surgery.. I think I mentioned that before.. not sure.) They say that after 2 or three days you're not really feeling like you're 'starving' anymore. Guess what.. it's TRUE! I've been doing my fiber-water (FiberSure & Fruit 2o) in the morning, followed by a protein shake. Then another shake around noon, then a small meal. I haven't been obsessing as much about food during the day as I was before. (Now it's just in my head about food AFTER the surgery... choosing it, buying it, preparing it, etc.) I don't feel deprived like I did on Friday or Saturday.
I had a dream last night that I'd gone through the surgery and was home. I was checking out my incisions and port site while smiling and sort of giggling to myself because I was so happy. (No.. really.. you can't tell I'm excited?)
I think my daily calorie intake has been around 1000-1200, protein has been about 60, and water/fluid has been somewhere near 100+ oz.
C'mon October 3!!!!!!!!!!
Testing new exercise ticker.
Sep 10, 2007
Less than a month until surgery!!!
Sep 05, 2007
OMG, I can't believe it's come already! I know... the wait to get here seemed like it took forever, but now that I'm looking at less than a month away, I'm amazed!
I'm totally stressing out about losing/having lost enough weight for the surgery. I see my Dr. for my pre-op visit on the 25th, and the anesthesiologist the same day. I'm planning to do a system cleanse from GNC next week. I'm figuring it'll do a nice job of finishing up for me cleansing out my system and getting me all nice and ready for major surgery, plus it should also aid in shrinking my liver... (which is in good shape, but I want to be sure!)
Maybe everyone goes through this as the date draws closer. I'm sure I'm not the only one! I've been looking at my eating habits a bunch. I'm keeping it out of my head that "this is the last time I'll have this"... because after I'm recovered, I should be able to have a taste of what I want. It's not about depriving, it's about limiting and being sensible and careful about what I eat. I wonder if everyone goes through this merry-go-round with their mind on food nearly all the time. Dammit...
My official surgery date and time (so long as all goes well with post-op) is October 3, 2007, 11:30 am at Brigham and Women's hospital in Boston, MA. If any of y'all have had lap-band surgery there, I'd sure appreciate any input on your experience!
I'm totally stressing out about losing/having lost enough weight for the surgery. I see my Dr. for my pre-op visit on the 25th, and the anesthesiologist the same day. I'm planning to do a system cleanse from GNC next week. I'm figuring it'll do a nice job of finishing up for me cleansing out my system and getting me all nice and ready for major surgery, plus it should also aid in shrinking my liver... (which is in good shape, but I want to be sure!)
Maybe everyone goes through this as the date draws closer. I'm sure I'm not the only one! I've been looking at my eating habits a bunch. I'm keeping it out of my head that "this is the last time I'll have this"... because after I'm recovered, I should be able to have a taste of what I want. It's not about depriving, it's about limiting and being sensible and careful about what I eat. I wonder if everyone goes through this merry-go-round with their mind on food nearly all the time. Dammit...
My official surgery date and time (so long as all goes well with post-op) is October 3, 2007, 11:30 am at Brigham and Women's hospital in Boston, MA. If any of y'all have had lap-band surgery there, I'd sure appreciate any input on your experience!
My Ticker
Jul 03, 2007
About Me
Haverhill, MA
Location
48.4
BMI
Surgery
10/04/2007
Surgery Date
Mar 13, 2007
Member Since
