Julie Gray

Hi sweetie, I really feel bad that you have had a rotten time of it. I can't relate to your surgery yet, but I know what it feels like to try and pass 2 stones, one from each kidney at the same time. That's the worst pain I have even encountered. I know I will have to have mine open. I won't be coming your way until Sept. 18 -21. I have a feeling by the time we get to meet, you will be up and being a loser, and really happy at the weight loss. I wish we all could make it all better for you, but we don't hold that kind of power. Only God does, and sweetie, He's on your side 24/7. I know after I had major thyroid surgery, I felt a calm come over me in the OR, just before they put me to sleep. I have to be put to sleep first then have an IV put in. My veins are so small... But I just asked God to guide Dr. Wolf's hands and to keep them steady. The Dr. had to cut real close to the left main juggler vein, remove an inch size nodule off on of the nerves to the voice box, and a goiter which had a tumor pressing on another nerve. I went for my 2nd week checkup, had to have 40 stitches removed, by the 4th week, you couldn't even tell I had had surgery. That calmness swept over me that God was listening. He's been with me ever since and I know he's with you. Walk around your home, after that, do it outside and each time go just a little farther. When I see you, in Sept. I want to see how far you can walk. Right now because of my wheelchair, I can only muster maybe 4 steps, before pain hits my body and also I become breathless. You can do this, I know it, and so does everyone else on the board. Listen to them, walk, fluids, rest, walk. You had to have a lot of blood given to you, you don't want to end up with a blood clot. I want to meet Julie Gray, not deceased Julie Gray. Promise me, you will try a little more each day. Call your Doctor, and keep her informed about the pain. Love you honey, see u soon, Kathy

Julie, This is all natural. The surgery is different for everyone and our individual bodies and minds react differently too. When I was in recovery they could not get me to begin breathing on my own and I awoke in ICU with a tube down my throat hook up to a respirator. I looked up at my mother who came in to visit and made tugging motions at the tube as if to say "just pull it all out, I am done". But somehow knowing it would get better I got through and it will for you too. The walking is VERY important, you must do it as you are not out of the woods in terms of blood clots and this is the ONLY way to help mitigate the immediate risk of these. I was fortunate and had a very positive nurse (CoCo) and tech (Mac) who got me up the second day and made me walk. I was still on oxygen in the room and could not sleep in the bed as my throat would feel like it closed up from the placement of the tube for so long. I basically sat (and occasionally nodded off) in a chair for about 48 hours straight. My first walk lasted maybe 10 feet and I had to come right back and begin inhaling oxygen at a level of 9 (which is a pretty good bit according to staff). My parents, the nurses and more importantly my own self made me walk even though it was tough, I had difficulty breathing and had to take it slow. I worked up to about 4-5 times a day down past the nurses station and back to my room toting my IV stand along with me. Another thing that helped motivate me was a really nice lady who was back in the hospital as she had not walked and done what she needed and she told me it would get easier but that I had to try. This is where it starts and it will get easier and it will get better. I felt that way too. I didn't realize that surgery would take so mch out of me physically and emotionally. I did not allow any visitors to come see me as I was basically a nervous wreck for a while as my body took such a punding it felt. But I can tell you know (3 months out and 103 lbs down) that it has been a wonderful thing for me and has allowed me to begin doing things again that I once loved to do. But it's going to take your commitment as it is going to be bad and painful and will be hard for a while but it will get better as you progress, you've just got to do it as it is so important to your success. Hang in their kiddo, listen to your body, talk to others when you have questions or need to and make sure that you follow the doctors orders and let him know if anything feels out of whack. You can do it!!!

Julie, This is all natural. The surgery is different for everyone and our individual bodies and minds react differently too. When I was in recovery they could not get me to begin breathing on my own and I awoke in ICU with a tube down my throat hook up to a respirator. I looked up at my mother who came in to visit and made tugging motions at the tube as if to say "just pull it all out, I am done". But somehow knowing it would get better I got through and it will for you too. The walking is VERY important, you must do it as you are not out of the woods in terms of blood clots and this is the ONLY way to help mitigate the immediate risk of these. I was fortunate and had a very positive nurse (CoCo) and tech (Mac) who got me up the second day and made me walk. I was still on oxygen in the room and could not sleep in the bed as my throat would feel like it closed up from the placement of the tube for so long. I basically sat (and occasionally nodded off) in a chair for about 48 hours straight. My first walk lasted maybe 10 feet and I had to come right back and begin inhaling oxygen at a level of 9 (which is a pretty good bit according to staff). My parents, the nurses and more importantly my own self made me walk even though it was tough, I had difficulty breathing and had to take it slow. I worked up to about 4-5 times a day down past the nurses station and back to my room toting my IV stand along with me. Another thing that helped motivate me was a really nice lady who was back in the hospital as she had not walked and done what she needed and she told me it would get easier but that I had to try. This is where it starts and it will get easier and it will get better. I felt that way too. I didn't realize that surgery would take so mch out of me physically and emotionally. I did not allow any visitors to come see me as I was basically a nervous wreck for a while as my body took such a punding it felt. But I can tell you know (3 months out and 103 lbs down) that it has been a wonderful thing for me and has allowed me to begin doing things again that I once loved to do. But it's going to take your commitment as it is going to be bad and painful and will be hard for a while but it will get better as you progress, you've just got to do it as it is so important to your success. Hang in their kiddo, listen to your body, talk to others when you have questions or need to and make sure that you follow the doctors orders and let him know if anything feels out of whack. You can do it!!!

Julie, This is all natural. The surgery is different for everyone and our individual bodies and minds react differently too. When I was in recovery they could not get me to begin breathing on my own and I awoke in ICU with a tube down my throat hook up to a respirator. I looked up at my mother who came in to visit and made tugging motions at the tube as if to say "just pull it all out, I am done". But somehow knowing it would get better I got through and it will for you too. The walking is VERY important, you must do it as you are not out of the woods in terms of blood clots and this is the ONLY way to help mitigate the immediate risk of these. I was fortunate and had a very positive nurse (CoCo) and tech (Mac) who got me up the second day and made me walk. I was still on oxygen in the room and could not sleep in the bed as my throat would feel like it closed up from the placement of the tube for so long. I basically sat (and occasionally nodded off) in a chair for about 48 hours straight. My first walk lasted maybe 10 feet and I had to come right back and begin inhaling oxygen at a level of 9 (which is a pretty good bit according to staff). My parents, the nurses and more importantly my own self made me walk even though it was tough, I had difficulty breathing and had to take it slow. I worked up to about 4-5 times a day down past the nurses station and back to my room toting my IV stand along with me. Another thing that helped motivate me was a really nice lady who was back in the hospital as she had not walked and done what she needed and she told me it would get easier but that I had to try. This is where it starts and it will get easier and it will get better. I felt that way too. I didn't realize that surgery would take so mch out of me physically and emotionally. I did not allow any visitors to come see me as I was basically a nervous wreck for a while as my body took such a punding it felt. But I can tell you know (3 months out and 103 lbs down) that it has been a wonderful thing for me and has allowed me to begin doing things again that I once loved to do. But it's going to take your commitment as it is going to be bad and painful and will be hard for a while but it will get better as you progress, you've just got to do it as it is so important to your success. Hang in their kiddo, listen to your body, talk to others when you have questions or need to and make sure that you follow the doctors orders and let him know if anything feels out of whack. You can do it!!!

Julie hang in ther hon. If you feel like crying then let it all out it will make you feel some better. If the meds are not working then call DR Hruska amd let her know, she is there to help you. and walk some around the house it will take time but it will get better. ( so I have been told) It will all be worth it when you step on the scales and realize that you are on the losing side. I am praying for you a speedy and pain free recovery, Take care!! Tammy