One week from now...

I should be awake and maybe even taking a short walk around the hospital...begging for a drink of water, lol! Check in is at 5:30am, and they whisk me away to Dr. Patterson around 9. Little scared, but more than anything I just want to be on the other side of Wednesday. Victoria (my wife) is 100% in support but she's scared as well. No second thoughts yet. Took my old bike apart this week, cleaned, oiled and reassembled. I haven't been able to ride in almost 10 years. Looking forward to that. Did a last minute cardo test this week, 10 minutes of fast walking with no shirt on was a little humiliating, but I just kept telling myself, "this time next year...this time next year"...lol. My wife laughed all day over the "crop circles" they shaved on my chest for the electrodes! I just wanted to thank everyone for all the great info and support I've recieved since last August. You guys are the best. Next time you talk to me I'll be an official loser! LOL, -Perry Perry P. Perkins Author/Novelist Just Past Oysterville: Shoalwater Book One www.perryperkinsbooks.com

Good luck, Perry. We'll be waiting to hear from you. I am just starting "jumping through the hoops." Next week I do the MMPI and see the nutritionist. I couldn't get in to see the doctor for the sleep apnea until June 30 so one of the other folks on this site gave me a name of another person that I can get in to see a little quicker than that. My PCP is stunned that I have to see some of the people on the list, like the cardiologist. I am a diabetic so I have to see one, but thankfully, I have never had any signs of any heart problems. Anyway, hopefully Dr. Patterson will be my doctor, too. I'll be anxious to hear about your experience!

hey perry, congrats your on your upcoming surgery and your book signings.. wow!!! I just looked over your webpage.. I think I might have to get a book or two.... anyway, your gonna do fine in surgery and yes your gonna be begging for something to drink.. hopefully you'll get more than ice chips like I did for the first 4 days.. I was SO thirsty by the time I had to do my leak test I actually ENJOYED the barrium stuff I had to drink for the leak test!!! deprived??? umm just a touch.. LOL Theresa lap RNY 4/16/03 256/151/135

Perry! Wow - time is flying for you. Before you know it you'll be a loser along with the rest of us! Do you have someone who can come post your status here for us? Dina

Thanks guys! I don't really have anyone to post updates while in the hospital, Vic is unfamilar with the site. Does anyone attend the Pots-Op in Beaverton? I'm coming from Woodburn and I think that's the nearest for me. Please send the info if you have it. I will post as soon as I'm home though. I'm an email junky and will be jonesing bad for my computer by that time. Blessings, -Perk Perry P. Perkins Author/Novelist Just Past Oysterville: Shoalwater Book One www.perryperkinsbooks.com

Perry - if she wants to email me javajunqee at aol dot com (if I put the link up spammers programs will snag it), I will post to the board an update. Otherwise we'll look for you to post when you get home! Dina

Perry, I attended the Beaverton meeting this week, for the first time. I am pre-op and don't have a date yet...darn it! The Beaverton meeting is the on the 2nd Wednesday of every month from 7-9pm. It is at the old Beaverton Library (if you're familiar w/Beav. at all). On the corner of Hall and Allen Blvds. From Gervais go N on I-5, take the Hwy. 217 exit and then the Allen Blvd. exit. It's not even a mile off 217...when you get to the cross street of Hall Blvd. it's right there on the left. I moved a year ago from Molalla, I don't envy you the drive from Gervais, but at least it's mostly freeway. Congratulations on your date! BTW...did you used to live in Oysterville too? Love that area! Michele

Michele, Thanks for the info. If I'm up to it, I hope to make the June meeting. I drive to Xerox in Wilsonville every day, so that doesn't seem bad. Never lived in Oysterville, Vic and I discovered the town about three years ago on our anniversary and I feel in love with it. Had the title of the book and a basic outline before we got home. When I finish the first triology, I hope to start another (unrelated) in the same area, but based in the Chinook Indians in the twenty years following Lewis and Clark's arrival on the Oregon Coast. Thanks for the info! Blessings, -Perk