I'm finally home.
Hello all. Man do I have a story to tell but first I would like to personally thank everyone that kept me in their thoughts and prayers and asked the angles to keep a special eye on me. Something told Julie to call and check up on me once more after she left me Wednesday night and I was doing fine. She had no reason to suspect anything but something told her to anyway. I was in trouble and her call was what triggered someone to check on me. This part I must admit I have to allow Julie to tell because the last thing I remember was the anesthesiologist saying they were going to administer an amnesia drug and that I would not remember anything that happened. He was absolutely correct. It worked just as it should have, and maybe even lasted a little longer than expected because I went to sleep in preop and the next thing I can remember is seeing ceiling tiles flying by as I was being rushed to ICU. I remember being scared and asking what happened, what’s wrong and where are you taking me? I remember being tapped in the face and someone I had no idea who he was saying “Stay with me, I need you to stay with me.” That’s not what you want to hear coming into your first conscious memory after surgery.
For the following two days it seemed to be a never ending borage of blood tests, vitals, x-rays, blood tests and vitals, leak tests, tests that I can’t begin to pronounce, blood tests and vitals, sensors, wires, IV’s, blood tests and vitals, and Oh yeah, did I mention blood tests and vitals about every 30 minutes. Try and rest with that going on. I think they had to give me blood because they were pulling it out of me faster than my body could produce it. It’s kind of funny actually. The operation was on my belly, but my arms and wrists are what look like hell. I think every vein I have pulled back as deep as it could under my skin just because they were tired of getting stuck so much.
I know this sounds really bad and that I am being nothing but negative, but the truth is, what I remember is allowing me to count my blessings. 5 days in the hospital and I am completely exhausted and I can say that there could not have been a better place for me to have had this surgery. They left absolutely nothing to chance and nothing unchecked. My nurses – the ones I can remember - in the ICU and in my room were all phenomenal. I even got the chance to meet the nurse (which regrettably I have no memory of) that received me after leaving recovery and all I can say to her is Honey, I am truly sorry. I really don’t want to share those details, but I can tell you that I must have been quite a handful. And how many people can say that their surgeon personally carried their C-pap machine to ICU and was in to check on them several times, on his own time, to make sure they were doing better? I can. Dr. Dean Mikami I just can’t say enough about. The memories are sketchy, but I remember him coming in to check on me several times, conferring with the GB staff and exchanging details with the ICU staff. He made it his personal mission to see that I got the best care possible and what more could you ask of your surgeon.
I had friends stop in to see me even while I was in ICU, my kids got to come to my room to watch the OSU game with me on Saturday –sorry Son, after 4 days of nothing to eat, the mashed potatoes and gravy on my tray were mine – and my wife, even having medical procedures of her own done spent as much time with me as she could. More I think than she should have considering the cir****tances, but as much as she could.
My eye lids are getting really heavy and spending more time closed now than open, so I will cut this short. But I can tell you that this is only the tip of the iceberg. The story is much bigger than this, and maybe someday it will all be told.
Most important of all was to say thank you to all of my friends and family that have given, and continue to give me support in this new life chapter.
Greg.
For the following two days it seemed to be a never ending borage of blood tests, vitals, x-rays, blood tests and vitals, leak tests, tests that I can’t begin to pronounce, blood tests and vitals, sensors, wires, IV’s, blood tests and vitals, and Oh yeah, did I mention blood tests and vitals about every 30 minutes. Try and rest with that going on. I think they had to give me blood because they were pulling it out of me faster than my body could produce it. It’s kind of funny actually. The operation was on my belly, but my arms and wrists are what look like hell. I think every vein I have pulled back as deep as it could under my skin just because they were tired of getting stuck so much.
I know this sounds really bad and that I am being nothing but negative, but the truth is, what I remember is allowing me to count my blessings. 5 days in the hospital and I am completely exhausted and I can say that there could not have been a better place for me to have had this surgery. They left absolutely nothing to chance and nothing unchecked. My nurses – the ones I can remember - in the ICU and in my room were all phenomenal. I even got the chance to meet the nurse (which regrettably I have no memory of) that received me after leaving recovery and all I can say to her is Honey, I am truly sorry. I really don’t want to share those details, but I can tell you that I must have been quite a handful. And how many people can say that their surgeon personally carried their C-pap machine to ICU and was in to check on them several times, on his own time, to make sure they were doing better? I can. Dr. Dean Mikami I just can’t say enough about. The memories are sketchy, but I remember him coming in to check on me several times, conferring with the GB staff and exchanging details with the ICU staff. He made it his personal mission to see that I got the best care possible and what more could you ask of your surgeon.
I had friends stop in to see me even while I was in ICU, my kids got to come to my room to watch the OSU game with me on Saturday –sorry Son, after 4 days of nothing to eat, the mashed potatoes and gravy on my tray were mine – and my wife, even having medical procedures of her own done spent as much time with me as she could. More I think than she should have considering the cir****tances, but as much as she could.
My eye lids are getting really heavy and spending more time closed now than open, so I will cut this short. But I can tell you that this is only the tip of the iceberg. The story is much bigger than this, and maybe someday it will all be told.
Most important of all was to say thank you to all of my friends and family that have given, and continue to give me support in this new life chapter.
Greg.
Hi Greg,
I'm so glad to hear you're home and doing well. It must have been scary for you and for your family. Well....probably more for your family since you were pretty much out of it with all the good drugs they gave you!!
I wanna hear all about those fantabulous weight losses you're about to experience!
I'm so glad to hear you're home and doing well. It must have been scary for you and for your family. Well....probably more for your family since you were pretty much out of it with all the good drugs they gave you!!
I wanna hear all about those fantabulous weight losses you're about to experience!
~*Chris*~
When one door of happiness closes, another opens:
but often we look so long at the closed door that
we do not see the one which has been opened for us.
Helen Keller
Thanks Chris. Yes it scared the hell out of me to wake up that way, but time has a way of taking the edge off of things and even though I am extremely sore, and tired, I am doing so much better now.
As for the good drugs, man have I got stories about that. I think Tim Burton and I could get together and make some movies even more bizar than then ones he already has.
As for the good drugs, man have I got stories about that. I think Tim Burton and I could get together and make some movies even more bizar than then ones he already has.
Hey Momma Vicki. How you doin hun?
It took me 2-1/2 yrs to make up my mind to do this and one of the biggest obstacles was that me a surgeries just do not get along. If 1 out of 1000 people would have a problem, it seemed like I was that 1. Nice to know some things will forever remain constant in the universe.
It's only been a week since the surgery and I think I am coming along very well. My blood pressure and sugar need to be watched and I go from freezing cold to instant sweating - normally about time for the pain meds - but it has only been a week.
Keep in touch hun.
Greg.
It took me 2-1/2 yrs to make up my mind to do this and one of the biggest obstacles was that me a surgeries just do not get along. If 1 out of 1000 people would have a problem, it seemed like I was that 1. Nice to know some things will forever remain constant in the universe.
It's only been a week since the surgery and I think I am coming along very well. My blood pressure and sugar need to be watched and I go from freezing cold to instant sweating - normally about time for the pain meds - but it has only been a week.
Keep in touch hun.
Greg.
Greg is HOME!
I'm so glad to hear that you are finally home. I was worried about you but you have the greatest SUPPORT on your side and that is JULIE.
Take care my FRIEND, I will be here if you need me.
Hug's
Jeannie
I'm so glad to hear that you are finally home. I was worried about you but you have the greatest SUPPORT on your side and that is JULIE.
Take care my FRIEND, I will be here if you need me.
Hug's
Jeannie
Jeannie Armstrong
OH Support Group Leader
RNY 07/27/06
sw358/ cw 175/ qw 175 to 160
I have been blessed with God's Help!
For those in GEORGIA come and join us at PEDMONT HENRY MEDICAL CENTER in the EDUCATIONAL BUILDING in Foundation Board room the 4th TUESDAY of each month at 6:30pm.
http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/jeannie4759_group/tab,0/page,1/#my_groups_main:1
OH Support Group Leader
RNY 07/27/06
sw358/ cw 175/ qw 175 to 160
I have been blessed with God's Help!
For those in GEORGIA come and join us at PEDMONT HENRY MEDICAL CENTER in the EDUCATIONAL BUILDING in Foundation Board room the 4th TUESDAY of each month at 6:30pm.
http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/jeannie4759_group/tab,0/page,1/#my_groups_main:1