Hackett 21 years, 5 months ago

12/04 11:45 AM SUSAN HACKETT - saw you email about missing your dear friend Ginger - i lost my sister last February (not due to WLS) and it is so painful even now. However, you must continue on this journey as Ginger would have wanted you to, im sure. - as you probably would if you had been in her place. May God bless you "My plan for your future has always been filled with hope" - Jeremiah 29:11 kind regards Bernadette Reynolds -- Bernadette Reynolds

Elle R. 21 years, 6 months ago

My wls was one week prior to Ginger’s. So easily my success could have been Ginger’s… and her loss of life, mine. I know that you are missed Ginger. When I look into your beautiful eyes, I know that it is this world’s loss that you are gone. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten by me. Elle

mari C. 21 years, 7 months ago

Susan Ginger was fortunate to have a good friend like you. The same thing could have happened to me. I weigh 300 pounds and will probably have surgery in late November. Prior to my consult with my surgeon I took home a sleep monitor as I have a friend who works in a sleep clinic. I monitored my sleep for two nights. Prior to getting the results of my home sleep test I had my consult with the surgeon and completed all his paperwork which included questions regarding sleep. Some of my answers were positive, however he did not say anything about sleep apnea. I forgot to tell him that I had the test, but no results yet. Well they came back positive for sleep apnea and I am having my sleep study Saturday night. I wonder what would have happened to me???? I have elected to have surgery with this physician, howeverif I were not this far along in the process I would change surgeons. He is an excellent surgeon, and at this point I need him to do the surgery. I think when I have my pre-surgery consult with him I am going to discuss this with him. He should not have missed this, and I could have ended up dead. Anyway thanks for your being vigilant regarding this issue. I am certain that Ginger is smiling at your persistance this very moment. Mari Seattle

Kamillah 21 years, 8 months ago

Hello. I'm saddened by this story of your loss. I pray that God continues to stregthen you and Ginger's family.

denisel 21 years, 8 months ago

Dear Susan, I am so sorry for your loss of your dear friend. You have really done such a service, because my surgeon had said that I have questionable sleep apnea, but nothing was ever said about seeing a pulmonologist. I was worried about this and had planned to ask my Dr. on my next pre-op visit, but now I will question him tomorrow. Thank you so much. If I had not read this I just may have taken for granted that Dr.'s know what they are doing, but obviously they don't always. Thank you so very much.

Melanie D. 21 years, 9 months ago

Dear Susan, Thank you so much for your post about Ginger. I am so sorry for your loss. I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea last month. I have been on a CPAP. My pulmonologist already told me that I will be in ICU after surgery. I feel so lucky that my surgeon required a pulmonologist exam. I never knew I had sleep apnea. I thought I was tired and out of energy because of my obesity. I am scheduled to have my surgery on August 8th. Thank you again for educating us on sleep apnea. Melanie

LORRAINE K. 21 years, 9 months ago

Dear Susan~~~~You have done such a great service to folks who might have Sleep Apnea and are unaware of the great risk they are at if they have their surgery and their apnea is untreated.In the midst of all this information, the love you had and still have for Ginger is so very apparent. I am so sorry Ginger lost her life to what is a very treatable condition. I had severe Sleep Apnea before my surgery. I did not know it until my surgeon insisted that I see a pulmonologist prior to surgery to be screened for apnea. The screening was thorough and I had to be on CPAP for three months and then be re-evaluated by the pulmonologist before I could be cleared for surgery. I was very grateful that I was diagnosed and treated; the change in me within 48 hours was remarkable. It disturbs me greatly that Ginger did not have that opportunity. Thank you again for posting this. I will keep you and Ginger's family in my prayers. Be well, Be blessed.

karmiausnic 21 years, 9 months ago

Susan & Ginger's family- It just breaks my heart. You read of people passing from waiting for their surgeries and from complications due to surgery. But when I hear of a situation like this- where highly educated physicians are not doing all they can to secure a patient's health, it angers me to no end. Ginger should be here today. I wish I knew more about her than a short story about her death. She deserves to be remembered for who she was- obviously, a great friend to you, Susan. Thank you for letting us know about dear Ginger. It's just such an incredible tragedy.

Danmark 21 years, 9 months ago

Susan, thank you for posting this on Ginger. It was such a tragedy. I've been through many medical things that didn't need to be as bad as they were and as a consequence, I no longer have faith in the medical community. And I know of others who have had some bad experiences too. It is sad that here in America, we probably have the best medical care in the world, yet I have seen it go downhill FAST in my lifetime. I think much of it is the HMO's and cutting costs. Sometimes they do not want to pay for tests that are really needed. I do not know if that was the case with the sleep study not being done. But in any case, I feel deeply sorry for Ginger's family and friends, and for the life that she SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HAVE. This is one of life's mysteries.
About Me
Woodbridge, VA
Location
60.9
BMI
RNY
Surgery
02/13/2002
Surgery Date
Surgeon
Jul 22, 2002
Member Since

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