Something we ALL need to do - REPOST

Hey! I re-read my post and part of it (the most important part) got chopped off for some reason...right in the middle. This is how the post was SUPPOSED to read... ----- Hi Everyone! I am back to work today. I am completely exhausted but, otherwise, doing okay. I feel better from my surgery and my son seems to be recovering nicely from his. You know...the night I went to the ER, I was not going to call my surgeon. I was home alone with my son and I did not want the hassle of maybe having to go to the ER. And, really, I thought it was gas. Thank GOD I have a friend who had WLS and talked me into calling my surgeon. Today this same friend sent me the following email... ***I am SOOOOO glad that you called me that night and that we went to the hospital. And I'm glad that they (the hospital) did everything RIGHT by you! Look at this memorial below. I love you!!!! Dana Tomberlin's death was very sudden & a shock to everyone. Please let me encourage everyone that if you are experiencing any type of health issues or just not feeling right...Please see your doctor & be persistent on the fact that you want answers as to what's going on. Dana began experiencing severe stomach pains on the evening of May 28, 2003 & was transported to the hospital, where she was told she had severe GAS & then sent home. The Following evening Dana went to sleep & never woke up! According to the autopsy she had a twisted Bowel.*** Jan '06 friends...that is exactly what *I* had. It is overwhelming to think that my story might have had a very different ending had I just ignored my pain and went to sleep. Actually, I am teary-eyed thinking about it. My son NEEDS me! And your families NEED YOU! Each and every one of us needs to take responsibility for our health. If something hurts, do not be ashamed or embarrassed...CALL AND GET HELP! Even if it is minor. On the night of my surgery, on my way to the hospital, I kept telling my friend that I would be SO embarrassed if it was just gas pain. But I am quite sure that she would rather have an embarrassed friend than a dead one. I will be honest here...yesterday morning I had another stomach pain. It was severe. Very similar to the pain I experienced when I went to the ER. My husband kept telling me to call the surgeon but, again, I did not want the hassle. So I took the one remaining Percocet I still had and the feeling passed. Now I feel COMPLETELY foolish for doing that! I SHOULD have called and, if I experience that pain (or ANY pain) again, I will call. I promise. We should ALL make this promise to one another! If you are hurting...get checked out! We need to keep all of us January 2006 OHers safe! Love you all! Jersey ----