Justin M.

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Today was a better day! I went to Save Mart to get my lime jello cups and saw some of my friends who work there, then off to Food-4-Less to buy some more jello and s/f popsicles and then to Target to get some liquid Tylenol so I could relieve my pain without being drowsy and to exchange some sheets. I got some walking in. Karen Waters called me while I was in Target because I e-mailed her about the OH event at Starbucks in Ceres that Sara Giannosa put together. I wanted to go and meet some new people. Since I don’t drive I didn’t have a way to get there. Since Karen was going she was going to come by and pick me up. I took a nap this afternoon and after I got up my mom and I fought about me going because she didn’t want me to be exposed to germs. I didn’t see an issue. She was like how can I support somebody who isn’t going to listen. I took a shower and put on some jeans and a polo shirt and was ready for when Karen came. We went and it was a lot of fun!! I had to a grande and a venti S/F Passion Iced Tea with Sugar Free Vanilla. Man it was good. I was also ate 2 jello cups while I was there. Let me say that Stephanie Simmons is a major hottie!!!! I had never seen her before pix so I didn’t know what she looked like. She showed me some last nite and I couldn’t believe that was her. I got to see Dave and Bev and meet Jill Olson , Jim, Summer, Sara, Chris in Turlock, and some other people I don’t remember their names (SORRY!!). We had fun. The room was freezing. They said that it was just me so I put my jacket on and was fine. Got home around 10:30 and got ready for bed about 11 PM. I slept good.

I got woke up around 12:05 am to have my vital signs taken by my CNA Janice. Everything was fine and I finally farted!!!!! Everybody gave me a high-5 because I had been trying. I didn’t think it would ever happen but it did. I told one of the other nurses when I was out walking that watch I would probably fart right after midnight to celebrate the New Year, sure enough that happened!!! Carolyn the charge nurse came in to talk to me about the flu and stuff letting me know that I have to be careful in watching myself in the event I get sick. I talked with Dave and Bev on the phone to wish them a happy new year and I talked to my mom, who pissed me off because she couldn’t find a damn bowl, I hung up on her because I felt I was going to go off on here. I called her back a few minutes later. I finally then went to sleep. I woke up about 6:30 and went for a walk and to the bathroom. I met my urine output so everything was good. I gave my RN Aundrea and CNA Janet a hug and thanked them for everything. I then got a new RN for the day, Janice and a new CNA Surlatta. They were nice but Surlatta pissed me off and I reported her to the charge nurse Ruth. The patient in the room next to mine was contagious and everybody who entered in there and to put a mask and gown on. Well I watched Surlatta go in and out without doing so. I sure in the hell didn’t want her to bring his germs to me. I had breakfast. Dr. Coirin came in and saw me around 9:30 and checked on me and discharged me…It took a couple of hours to go home. Janice had to get my discharge paperwork together, she came and took my IV out (I was finally a free man) and then took me to go and take a shower. After the shower, she came in and went over the discharge instructions and took my staples out (which didn’t really hurt) and put on my steri-strips. My mom and dad came. Before I left Janice checked my blood sugar and it was a little high so she gave me some insulin so I had to stay and have some lunch before leaving and she also gave me Lortab for pain, it made me drowsy. Janice wheeled me downstairs about 1:15 with my mom and I got to home. After leaving the hospital we stopped at Walgreens on McHenry to get my Lortab and Protnix medications filled. I was really drowsy. I feel asleep on the way home. When we got home I took a nap for awhile. Billy and Mary some family friends came over to see me. I wanted to drink my liquids in peace and I was a little rude in hinting that I wanted them to leave. My dad had the TV on full blast too. My mom and I were arguing about me eating in peace and she was being difficult. I must say so was I. I went to bed about 9 and slept until 10 in the morning.

Saturday was a good day. At 5 AM Aundrea took my catheter out and I was finally able to pee in a urinal. It wasn’t that bad…man I was more fearful than anything. I was sitting down when she did it and I did tense up a little bit she thought I was going to hit her in the face because she said I was clenching my fists. I told her I wouldn’t do that. At about 8 AM I was brought my first liquid breakfast, orange s/f jello (I didn’t like it), some beef broth, herbal tea, water and crystal light. I didn’t eat much and I didn’t eat any broth. At 9 AM, Melanie came in and took out my constant Morphine drip and started giving me Lortab, which tasted nasty like Southern Comfort. While I was eating, Lee Smith came to visit me. He is going to have his surgery on 1/25. We’ve never met before. He was a really nice guy and we both have computers in common. He brought me some Sylvester Stallone high-protein pudding that he got at GNC. I will be able to try it when I go on my soft food stage, I’m looking forward to it. He visited for about an hour which was cool. It was good to be able to share my experience with him, I wish I would have visited somebody before my surgery then it probably would have put my fears at ease. They finally transferred the roommate from hell to Dameron today, HELL YA!!! I got the room to myself and finally was able to sleep. My mom and dad came to visit and while they were there the Physical Therapist came in to go over the isometric exercises and had me do some, I think they made me sick because my stomach started to hurt and they had to give me some Lortab. After my parents left Dr. Coates came into check on me. He told me that he had second thoughts about doing my surgery due to the fact that I freaked out on Tuesday at their office. He said he discussed it with Monica and they were like well how did he get this far if he didn’t want it. They figured it was nerves and that I was still young and could handle the surgery. So he checked me out and everything sounded fine. Becky, one of my co-workers, came to visit me. She is like the Princess Di of my job, she is so compassionated and thoughtful. She brought me this little Lego-Man keychain that she got from when went on vacation over the week stopped at Lego-Land. I was happy to see her. I got my same liquid dinner and walked a little bit and then my RN came me some Lortab and I fell asleep around 9:30.

OMG...I can't believe that my day is finally here....it's 5:25 AM in the morning and I have to get ready here so I leave for the hospital by 6:30 AM. They told me that I need to be there by 7:30 AM. I can't believe that I actually slept...I went to bed at 1 AM and got up at 5:15...I didn't think that I would get any sleep...TODAY IS MY BIG DAY!!!! (no pun intended). Man I can't believe that it's here! I know that everything is going to be OK!!! Everybody pray for me! I'm going to become a BIG LOSER today!!! Thank you everybody for all of your love, support, and encouragement!! I will post when I come home. My angels Dave and Bev will post to my surgery update page to let everybody know my progress.

I got the hospital and was brought back about 7:15 AM. I got to go the bed 19 in the pre-admitting area. I put my gown and had my vitals taken and given my IV by the nurse Terri. I got a little pissed off at the staff back here, all these other patients around me were allowed to have their family around them and I couldn’t have mine until I had my IV inserted. I finally tracked down a nurse and told her I wanted my family with me. She went out and got them…for a while there I felt discriminated against. My mom and dad came back and were with me. Then Paula and Arnie some family friends came back to see me. They were still here when Dr. Coates came out to talk to me, they went to go get my mom and dad. So we all finally met Dr. Coates and his PA Monica, who was really funny, she put me at ease. I wasn’t that nervous when I went in. Dr. Betz, the anesthesiologist also came out and introduced himself. I remember them wheeling me away into the surgical room, boy was it bright. They transferred me from the gurney to the surgical table and strapped me in. I remember talking with Monica about the staples because I was concerned about what kind they were in case I needed to ever have an MRI…I found out that they are titanium and don’t affect MRI’s. She showed the stapling tool, I actually got to hold the package…it was sealed. I remember them making me drink this nasty stuff through a straw that was sour and salty and then the mask was put on me and that was the last I remember. I remember waking up in recovery and having Joanna and Urlata taking care of me…Man my mouth felt hella dry…they gave me one ice chip. I was somewhat alert…they had to give some blood pressure medication because it was extremely high. I threw up some blood too due to the fact they stuck a tube down my throat during surgery. They gave me some more morphine and an anti-nausea medicine. I got wheeled into my room around 2 PM. I was in room 325B. I had the window view of the new patient tower structure that they were building. I was pissed that my mom and dad were nowhere to be found. They went shopping at the mall. I couldn’t call them because they have Stockton numbers and the phone required a calling card. My RN Melanie let me use her phone (Melanie was awesome, she took great care of me!!!). Still couldn’t get an answer. They came about I think 3 PM and brought my stuff too me…I really needed my glasses because I couldn’t see well and my cell phone (my savior). Once I got my cell phone I talked on the phone most of the day. My throat was sore. I called some of my co-workers and friends to let them know how I was. Dave and Bev and Dave’s daughter Kelsey came to visit me. I finally got to walk while they were there. I ripped my IV out before I even walked. I refused to walk in that ugly a$$ hospital gown so I changed into my own clothes, a pair of shorts and a Big Daddy t-shirt. They had to help me position the catheter. (The catheter didn’t hurt much expect for when my CNA Olga stepped on it a couple of times.). So I walked with Dave and Bev. I felt good. I did have severe gas pain…I walked a lot all night long since I had the roommate from hell who snored all damn night. My night RN Aundrea and my night CNA Rene were awesome. Rene took good care of me…I knew I was being impatient sometimes but he was always pleasant and helpful. Aundrea was funny too she made stay enjoyable. I slept off and on through the night.

It's 3:40 in the afternoon and my surgery is less than 24 hours away. I took the magnesium citrate...I got the cherry kind it didn't taste so bad...it reminded me of sour gummy bears. I did fine at first and then my stomach and head both started to hurt. So I've been busy riding the little white bus on and off today. I've just been busy sipping my broth and doing household chores to get everything ready. I think im gonna go and lie down for a while.

Ok so it's 11:55 pm and i probably should take my ass to bed...i didnt go to the bathroom too much today so i dont if that was good or bad....I got all my stuff packed...i'm sure everything will go ok. I need to be up by 5 am so I can get ready and be out of the house by 6:30 am to make it to the hospital in time. Just wanted to update real quick. I will hopefully update before I go to the hospital.

I went to my pre-op visit at Dr. Coates' office and saw Daryl. When I first got there I started having second thoughts about the surgery. I even went up to the front window and told them that I wanted to back out. They looked at me like I was crazy. They told me that their office would charge me $250 along with whatever the hospital would charge. I've feeling kind of depressed lately. I went ahead and talked with Sonja about my feelings and she said if I feel pressured and unsure then I shouldn't have the surgery. I just feel confused because I see other people from Dr. Coates' office on here who are having the surgery in 2006 and also have Blue Cross PPO, I was told that my provider wouldn't cover Memorial after 12/31 due to the fact that they are not a COE provider. Blue Cross and Memorial couldn't provide me with any documentation to verify the validity of this claim. I got on the scale today and weigh 328. I talked Daryl and he told me some interesting stuff...like I probably wouldn't absorb any protein from protein shakes and that sugar free popsicles have sugar in them...can u say issues??? I buy s/f popsicles now and they don't have sugar in them. They're sweetened with NutraSweet. I have my 1 week pre-op visit next Thursday with Don so I will ask about about some of the stuff that Daryl told me about. I went to Memorial for my pre-admittance and found out that my surgery is going to be at 9:30 am this Friday. So I have to be at the hospital at 7:30. I also got my bowel prep instructions. Dave told me to drink the magnesium citrate cold. They did my blood work and gave me a mini tour of the surgery area. I didn't get an EKG as I had one two weeks ago at my PCP's office and everything was OK so they'll get the results from her. I went to the LiveWell store and got some unflavored Unjury along with some sample packets of the different flavors and a bottle of Vitamin B1. My mom and I then went to El Rosal on Pelandale and had dinner, she wanted Mexican, I didn't think that this place was good, but then again I don't really care for Mexican food...a mexican who doesnt' like mexican food...give me chinese anyday!! lol :-D After that we went to Costco so that way I could get my glasses adjusted, they were rubbing really bad behind my right ear. We came home and then I talked with my angel Dave E. That made me feel better. He and Bev are going to come and see me in the hospital. I think i'm going to go and lay down and finish watching Rebound with Martin Lawrence. Talk to everybody soon

It's been a couple of days since I last posted. I am so GLAD that Christmas is now over!!!! Saturday was my last day of work. My co-workers got me a get well card...bless them. I can't believe that my surgery is this Friday? Christmas was good, I drank some wine, had turkey and ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes and some chocolate and pumpkin pie...my "last" supper. Tomorrow I go to my pre-op appt. at Dr. Coates' office and then to Memorial for my pre-op blood work. Just so much to do this week.

OK so it's been a week since i've updated. I've been having a hard time with this pre-op diet. I did ok on Friday and Saturday, but Sunday I kinda blew it. I started the day good...I went to go visit family in Madera so before I left the house I made myself a protein shake and brought it with me. After visiting family we went to the mall in Fresno and it was lunch time. I found GNC thinking that I would grab me an Isopure Alpine Punch liquid supplement, but this GNC doesn't carry them. The guy did tell that there was another nutrition store in the mall, luckily they carried them and they had them cold...so I got me a Pineapple, Orange , Banana one. It was good. After fighting the crowd at the mall my dad wanted to go the Chukchansi Gold casino in Coarsegold. I have never been to a casino in my life so this was my first time. It was very nice there and a pretty scenery. I gambled $20 and left with $63 so I did OK for the first time, not as good as my dad who left with $400. We had to eat, so I chose the buffet...big mistake. I ate everything. I had pizza, mac n cheese, egg rolls, cake...you know the good stuff! I kept telling myself that this is like going to be the last time I'm going to eat this. I felt kind of guilty. Then on Monday I had some pizza and on Tuesday some KFC. I didn't have a lot though, but still I felt like if i can't even do the pre-op diet then what am I going to do once I have the surgery. My mind has also been playing games with me, the inner fat person in me has been telling me that I am going to be a failure once I have the surgery. Memorial called today to pre-admit me over the phone and schedule me for an appt. to have my blood work done. So next Tuesday I have my appt. with Dr. Coates' office and then after that I have my blood work. I posted my fears on OH and got some feedback, thank you all for your help (((HUGS))). I felt good today too when Dave and Bev volunteered to be my angels (I didn't have an angel). Thanks Dave and Bev. So I feel better now like things are looking up. Hopefully OH will fix my surgery support page so everybody can post to it...i did report the problem.

Went to see my PCP today to get the results of my MRI for Multiple Sclerosis...I don't have it...thank god! Also got the results back from my blood work that she sent me to have done for my diabetes...everything is ok, my A1C is 6.5 and my cholesterol is normal. They also did an EKG on me today, everything is OK, my ticker is workin just fine. I can't believe that after this week I only have one more left and work and then I will be off for about 7 weeks to deal with the surgery.