One last hoop to jump through. . .

Today was completely consumed by pre-op appointments: pulmonary screen, chest x-ray, pre-op teaching at the surgeon's office, pre-op labs, including a glucose tolerance test and arterial blood gases, consult with the OR nurse, financial, history and physical with my PCP, EKG. All was 100% A++ until we got to the EKG. There was a "minor change" since the last EKG was done (a year ago maybe?) so I have to see a cardiologist tomorrow afternoon at 3pm in order to get final clearance for surgery on Monday. And it dawned on me this evening, that I was on Vioxx for about a year until recently when it was discontinued. So I wonder if that had an effect on me that I was not aware of until now? I plan on mentioning it to the cardio guy tomorrow. I'm happy to do whatever it takes to make sure there are no surprises awaiting my surgeon on Monday. I am BEAT after all the poking and prodding and filling my brain with things to remember post-op. Tomorrow will be my last day of wor****il the new year rolls around. New Year - New ME! Time to catch some

Hi Molly, Will be thinking of you today! The were talking on World News last night about Vioxx then about Celebrex which I was on also. Know what? Nothing is safe to take anymore! Good luck today & keep us posted. Carolyn

Whoa... Carolyn, what's wrong with Celebrex (besides the price)? That's what keeps me moving. Please don't tell me they are taking it off the market too. I have to take Prilosec along with it to protect my tummy but at least I don't have pain. Dixie

Hi Dixie, They were talking about Celebrex wondering if it's going to cause the same problems as Vioxx. But who knows, seems like there isn't anything that's safe for us to take. Might be able to see what they said on MSNBC, was on Tom Brokaw's watch. Carolyn

Congrats on all the great test results.....I will be wishing you well with the EKG....having abnormal or different EKG results is pretty common, hopefully it will turn out to be nothing......The hoops suck, but they are worth it in the end!!! You are absolutely right.....better safe than sorry with your surgery on Monday....it is important to be in top shape!!! Take Care and good luck!!!! JEsi

ALL SYSTEMS ARE GO! The cardiologist said my EKG is completely normal. He doesn't know what worried my PCP, but he said I have no risk factors and the readout is normal, so I'll be in surgery bright and early Monday morning! Yay me! Thank you all for your words of support and encouragement. I can't believe the time is actually here! Today and tomorrow will be spent getting my body ready for surgery. I had a nice meal last night at an old favorite place. Today is eating light, no milk products, no pastas, rice, etc. tomorrow will be a light breakfast, then clear liquids the rest of the day and the "cleaner outer" in the afternoon. Then Monday will be my new Birthday.

Molly, I am posting this now because I probably won't get a chance to get online tomorrow. Just wanted to let you know that I will keep you in my prayers Monday. I'm glad that your tests turned out normal and that your surgery is a "go". Be sure to do something good for yourself tomorrow. Read a good book and relax. In case you haven't "heard" me tell others, take a relaxing bath tomorrow, too. It serves several purposes - 1st, it relaxes your nerves - 2nd, it serves as a measuring tool for your weight loss (how you fit now, compared to how you fit further down the line - I LOVE baths now!) - and 3rd, it soothes the sore bottom! For your "cleaner outer", I wish that I would have taken some preventative measures and used vaseline or something soothing BEFORE getting overly sore. Hindsight is 20/20 right? May God bless you with a peaceful weekend, successful surgery and swift recovery! God bless, Andrea