Not pleased with what my tests found

Thank you, Sandra. 

 I only googled to get the meaning of the words atelectasis and epigastrium as I'd never heard the terms before. I shouldn't have mentioned it as it seems to be a big sticking point with everyone, that I looked up two words I didn't understand. It took all of two minutes to find the definitions; I did not do more than that.  People seem to think I am googling away like mad and that's simply not the case.  I have two degrees but neither are in medicine and I simply wanted to know what the words meant. 

My doctor was not at work on Friday and has not seen the results yet. In my email, I was told by the radiologist to go to the ER if I run a fever or become short of breath.  My breathing has been OK but I do get lightheaded when I walk for more than half an hour or climb the stairs, which is not normal for me.  I just assumed it was from the very low calories I've been taking in. I've been doing deep breathing exercises and also singing every day to hopefully re-expand the portion of my left lung that is having trouble.

I knew that clips were commonly used, however I did NOT know that they were commonly left inside people and that scared me because the secretary at my surgeon's office didn't know either and seemed very alarmed to hear that they were in me.  So, do we all have clips inside of us and will they stay there forever? 

I am leaving for Sudbury (a 4 hour drive) for my one month follow up appointment on Monday.  The appointment is at 8 AM Tuesday morning and we're still having snow flurries so it seemed smarter to leave a day early to make sure I"m there on time.  My Dad is driving me, thank goodness. 

I was able to eat some pureed egg salad this morning (1 egg mixed with 1 tbsp low calorie miracle whip and 3 tbsp greek yogurt.) It was very creamy and moist and I had no trouble eating it but couldn't eat the whole portion. I took my time and went very slowly.   It's after 6:30 PM and I haven't had any pain at all since eating this morning, thank goodness.  I may try the baked ricotta for supper; I just went out and bought all of the ingredients.

I also should probably make it clear that I am not stressed out; I don't want people worrying over me for nothing. I was stressed immediately after getting the report, but it lasted an hour or two at most.  Yesterday my friend and I went to the movies.  We couldn't decide what to see so we saw two movies and went for a walk and a cup of tea in between. We spent the whole day and evening together and had a great time.Today I went to the mall with my family, walked around for an hour, and also did some grocery shopping.

Thanks again for your response. I appreciate it.

Take care,

Kathy

Dearest Kathy!

I don't blame you for being worried about a report you read about yourself.  This whole journey comes with it's ups & downs.

I am a Registered Nurse, so I understand the reports.

 It is very hard when you are not feeling well and then get a report that throws all the info at you.

Glad you are feeling better and enjoying the little things that make life better.  I went to the premiere of Fifty Shades Darker with a few of my BFFs and loved it.

We have had unrelenting torrential rain for the last 48 hours and I have just stayed home and got caught up with housework and my PVR'd  shows.

Take care

Sandra.   

Mahalo.  

Hi Sandra,

I guessed that you were a nurse .

So glad you had fun with your BFF's. 

The rain sounds awful; I guess we're better off with snow, but wow, am I sick of it, lol.

Take care,

Kathy

So sorry to hear about your results and really hope you'll get the answers you need soon. I like and agree with what others said to you so far. Thinking of you and please keep us posted.

I know my staples were referred to as "surgical clips" by my doctor.  So if yours are the same they are supposed to be there. 

I actually did ask my surgeon before surgery if he was going to use staples, and he said no, just dissolve-able sutures.  It is possible that he mentioned the clips and I just don't remember.  I didn't sleep well the night before surgery and actually fell asleep while they were prepping me at the nurse's station.  I woke up to the sound of my surgeon laughing.  He jokingly told me I was saving the hospital money by putting myself under, lol.  We talked then, but I was so sleepy I may just not remember the part about the clips. Then I was walking to the operating room, lying down on the table, and next thing I knew it was all over.  He talked to me about the surgery after, and said it went very well with no complications, and took only 90 minutes (I had been told it would take 3 hours). He said a lot of things that I don't remember because I was still so out of it from the painkillers and everything.

He was talking about staples or stitches to close the incisions.  The clips or staples we are talking about are the internal ones that close off the remnant stomach.  Some use staples and others clips so that is what you need to find out.

He meant on the outside.  It is not possible to do a sleeve or bypass without stapling to my knowledge.  They. Used staples on my external scars,  they probably used dissolvable sutures on yours. 

Hey Kathy let us know how your appointment went!!  I know it was today and I've been thinking of you!

Thank you, Odie; how sweet of you to think of me.  I'll post a new topic about it now.  My Dad and I got home a few hours ago but I fell asleep as soon as I sat down and just woke up now, lol.

Kathy