HAS ANYONE HEARD FROM KATHY?????

Just getting a little worried.  Have not heard from Kathy since her surgery.  Has any one heard from her, or know how we can get in touch with her?

You know I haven't.  There is a DHMC support group next Tue. and I'm hoping to see her there.  I know she said she might not be up to going though. 

Lisa

Hi Lisa,
I'm feeling much better (see my post below), but I am not able to make the meeting tonight.  Actually, isn't it next week?  If so, I can probably plan to go to it then. 

Haven't heard anything.  Hope you're OK Kathy.  T

Hi everyone - here I am.  Sorry, this is my first time on the computer since my surgery last Monday.  Thanks for all your concern.  Everything went really well, and the pain was a lot less than I expected - yay!  I did hit a couple of walls though last week and really took it easy.  Even today, I'm not sure how long I'll be on-line as I just took a couple of percusset (sp?).  The doc took 6 lbs of skin off of my body.  I saw him yesterday, and he removed 4 of the 7 drains that I had.  Those are a real pain in the butt, but I guess necessary.  The surgery lasted about 7 hours.  The only discomfort I felt at first was my armpits felt like a bad sunburn, and my abs felt like I did way too many crunches.  I really had no other discomfort.  I did end up with an allergic reaction to the pain meds I was on (the push pump).  I came home last Tuesday evening with a new prescription for pain meds (dilaudin), which I ended up also being allergic to.  Unfortunately, the doctor could only call in a two day supply of pain meds to replace those because they're a narcotic, so they needed to be done by a paper prescription.  So he called in what he thought I'd need until I received a paper copy of the script in the mail.  Well, I didn't get the script by Saturday and was out of pills.  I ended up being able to get the surgical resident to call in another emergency prescription to get me to yesterday.  So all of last week, I was taking them only when I really needed them, so I felt like I was always behind the pain instead of  being out in front of it.  Then I got constipated, and so bad that I couldn't urinate either.  I guess the urination issue was bigger than the constipation issue so I almost had to go to the ED, but I was able to urinate a little just before I left the house, so I didn't go.  I also took a stool softener, laxative and Holly (poor kid) gave me an enema. None of that worked so I then drank a whole bottle of magnesium citrate.  That worked.  Problem is that it worked and worked and worked - if you know what I mean!  I had uncontrollable diarrhea for 2 days.  But given the choice, I'd take the diarrhea over the constipation any day.  (Sorry this is probably TMI).  Sunday night, I couldn't sleep, and then got really down in the dumps.  My hubby stayed home with me yesterday, which he hadn't originally planned to do, but it meant so much to me.  My Mom is coming down today to stay until Thursday.  I'm feeling much better today.  I don't need to keep my arms wrapped anymore.  I will wear the abdominal binder for the next six weeks.  I have no regrets about having had the surgery.  Well, getting tired already.  I'll probably read a couple of posts and then head off for a nap.  Talk to you all soon!

Hi Kathy!

I'm SO glad to hear everything went well and you're on the mend.  Too bad about the few little gliches, but they seem to be under control now.  6lbs of skin is A LOT!  Wow!  Thanks for checking in with us.  I'm thinking I will need some work done on my lower body so it's good to know someone who went through it.  The DHMC meeting is next Tue, 4/7th, I believe.  If you're up to making it, that would be great!  Also, if you need anything, I'm sure I'm not too far from you.  Please don't hesitate to ask, ok?  
Welcome home!  

Lisa 

Hi Kathy,

So glad to hear you are well.  Sorry you had such a bad time of it, but it sounds like you are getting the upper hand now.  Hope the rest of your recovery is uneventful.  I am glad that you shared what you did so that others who are thinking will know what COULD happen.  More times than not we only hear the rosey good things!  Keep in touch though, but rest is important.  For some reason, I received an email from your Court address to my home address, so you might have my email.  Very strange.  Let me know if you need anything, and I will do what I can.  Stay well my friend.

Hi Kathy,

It's so good to hear from you. We are concerned and thinking of you the whole way. I'm glad you are feeling better today and that your mom will be here to keep you company. Just think - you have come full circle!! You are an inspiration to us all - very brave I might add. Remember to take it easy and try to stay ahead of your pain. Get lots of rest and let yourself be taken care of.
Can't wait for the day when we actually meet each other!!

Rosemary