How the story goes ("A hospital tale")
Finally have time & energy enough to sit and type out my tales at the computur. (I will have to say that the computer is part of the reasons I haven't done this yet, it's a piece of CRP!!!) Anyway, here goes nothing....
On August 29th I was (amazingly) asleep by 9:30pm, haven't seen sleep that early for a long while, then it was off to the races for my procedure on August 30th. We (mom & I) arrived at the hospital early because she had a test she had to do. At 8:30 am I checked in for my procedure and things progressed faster than I thought from there. I figured it would feel like it was taking forever, it didn't. I got checked in and taken back to surgery prep relatively quickly, the nurses there were quite sweet and caring...very much appreciated! After the prep, I was wheeled into a new OR (a very nice one actually) and Dr. Pettine proceeded to put me at ease. I don't remember anything after our conversation but that is to be expected. He asked me how I was doing, I said fine but that I thought the important question was how was he doing, then.....ZONK! 
That's all she wrote folks, I was out!!!
After the surgery, I don't remember the recovery room or being brought into my room for the duration of my stay. I remember being told that my procedure was a "textbook procedure" and that it was a great one for a student/learning doctor to sit in on. WHOO HOO another stranger watching icky stuff w/my body, oh well....what's done is done!
Of course, day one is when EVERYBODY & their uncle decided to visit, I was definately not in the mood for this, but can't be helped. Not only was I being wakened every 2 hours by the nurses but didn't get to sleep between those visits because of well wishers. Don't get me wrong, I am glad that I had them but ohh...couldn't they have waited until later? ohh well...
The night of surgery I was off & running, actually did the "walk" about 4 or 5 times, I was antsy not being in my own bed and was a bit worried about my daughter at home.
At the beginning of the next day my IV infiltrated and the nurse decided to go ahead and leave it out to see how I would do. Everything was going well, and was more than the nurses apparantly expected. Going into the day I was released (Wednesday) I had an intense headache of migraine proportions....I hadn't gotten enough fluids and had gotten dehydrated (a migraine trigger for me) They had to re-do another IV for me and get some fluids into me. By noon(ish) I was fine and getting bored. I was checked out and on my way home by 3:45pm (phew! what a relief) (not to gross any of you guys out but I also started my cycle, the first in a few months so quite heavy-I normally have irregular ones)
Since then, I have had mostly good moments...except for being tired. Of course on day 1 home, had to sit up and say hello to everyone again...ended up staying up for much longer than I thought I should but ohh well. (did type small note to message board but that was it) Next day was WIPED OUT!! Friday was an exhausting day as well but saturday was great. I am a bit tired today (monday 9/6/04) but that would be because we spent a couple hours meandering through Estes Park Colorado and enjoying the atmosphere of the artist fair/convention that was going on...next weekend I plan to attend the scottish/Irish Highlands festival up there! GONNA BE AWESOME! 
Anyway, my followup appointment is on 9/10 and I have decided not to weigh myself until then, after which I think I will weigh myself 1x per week so as to not get distracted or disappointed when/if I hit a plateau period.
I did speak to Cheryl P during & after my hospital stay, she had her surgery on the same day and I am glad we were able to make a connection! 
B4N and have a great day everyone
That's all she wrote folks, I was out!!!
After the surgery, I don't remember the recovery room or being brought into my room for the duration of my stay. I remember being told that my procedure was a "textbook procedure" and that it was a great one for a student/learning doctor to sit in on. WHOO HOO another stranger watching icky stuff w/my body, oh well....what's done is done!
Of course, day one is when EVERYBODY & their uncle decided to visit, I was definately not in the mood for this, but can't be helped. Not only was I being wakened every 2 hours by the nurses but didn't get to sleep between those visits because of well wishers. Don't get me wrong, I am glad that I had them but ohh...couldn't they have waited until later? ohh well...
The night of surgery I was off & running, actually did the "walk" about 4 or 5 times, I was antsy not being in my own bed and was a bit worried about my daughter at home.
At the beginning of the next day my IV infiltrated and the nurse decided to go ahead and leave it out to see how I would do. Everything was going well, and was more than the nurses apparantly expected. Going into the day I was released (Wednesday) I had an intense headache of migraine proportions....I hadn't gotten enough fluids and had gotten dehydrated (a migraine trigger for me) They had to re-do another IV for me and get some fluids into me. By noon(ish) I was fine and getting bored. I was checked out and on my way home by 3:45pm (phew! what a relief) (not to gross any of you guys out but I also started my cycle, the first in a few months so quite heavy-I normally have irregular ones)
Since then, I have had mostly good moments...except for being tired. Of course on day 1 home, had to sit up and say hello to everyone again...ended up staying up for much longer than I thought I should but ohh well. (did type small note to message board but that was it) Next day was WIPED OUT!! Friday was an exhausting day as well but saturday was great. I am a bit tired today (monday 9/6/04) but that would be because we spent a couple hours meandering through Estes Park Colorado and enjoying the atmosphere of the artist fair/convention that was going on...next weekend I plan to attend the scottish/Irish Highlands festival up there! GONNA BE AWESOME!
Anyway, my followup appointment is on 9/10 and I have decided not to weigh myself until then, after which I think I will weigh myself 1x per week so as to not get distracted or disappointed when/if I hit a plateau period.
I did speak to Cheryl P during & after my hospital stay, she had her surgery on the same day and I am glad we were able to make a connection!
B4N and have a great day everyone
What a great read! Thanks for the detail. I'm trying not to get too excited and/or freaked out about the surgery I will be having later this month, and your recollection of the whole story was very helpful. I really appreciate it!
Thanks again, and please let us know how things are going. I, of course, will be rooting for you to have no issues, etc. But please let us know if things come up that you have to deal with. Not only to get more info for you, but to help all of us learn more.
Paul
Hey there Paul
It sounds like you are doing awesome already, your mind seems to be in the right space and your "will power" is toughening up. I checked out your profile and think to myself, hmm what If I had to do all that you have had to for my surgery. I had a few requirements to meet but not like yours. I think you are doing awesome and will continue to do so.
I can say that during my time of liquid diet, I am going slightly kooky! I keep seeing this commercial for papa johns spinach, chicken, & tomato pizza - ummm it's driving me nuts..hopefully it won't after I am actually able to eat more solid foods. That will hopefully be soon, I go for my followup appointment tomorrow @ 1pm. I have snuck in to weigh myself but my mom's scale is off kilt...don't truly want to trust it yet. According to it the total weight loss is 21lbs....we'll see tomorrow @ the doctors office.
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