Rick J.

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Lisa D. 23 years, 2 months ago

Wow! You all need to REMEMBER this - Rick Johnson says a nurse named Jeffrey David or David Jeffrey saved his life this morning. Rick had his surgery Tuesday morning. He STILL has the NG tube in. Yesterday was a rough day, as I posted then: he was having pain and terrible sore throat, dry, dry, dry. They had him up walking around a lot and today he sounds about a thousand percent better. Not having much pain at all now. Anyway, some rotten nurse named Joanne kept telling him all last night that he would never pass his leak test today, because he was still too full of junk and fluid. (What THAT has to do with the integrity of the suture lines I can't imagine). She had him scared to death. Someone should "re-educate" this nurse that it is NOT a good idea to terrify patients who are in the ICU already scared half to death, with ongoing stories about their imminent failure ! This morning Rick passed his leak test - HOORAY !!!! I couldn't be happier if I was his mama and he just made the Dean's list. But the nurse David Jeffrey or Jeffrey David, went above and beyond the call of duty. He not only accompanied Rick to Radiology for the test, but stayed at his side throughout the whole thing. Which he was not required or expected to do. And a good thing he did so, too. The radiology tech wanted Rick to chug down FOUR OUNCES of the radiopaque material. This angelic nurse insisted "NO! He only has a one ounce stomach now, it could do damage to this patient, or at the very least it will all come back up." And thus our Rick was spared further injury to his freshly healing surgery or the pain of barfing up this foul-tasting brew. I told Rick that I thought once he's discharged home, he should send a letter to the administration of the hospital not only commending this nurse for his attention, but also suggesting that the other nurse Joanne be re-educated about what not to say to ICU patients. They need to know when they have excellent nurses who provide superb patient care, and when they don't. Hopefully Rick will have his NG tube out today (4 days postop!) and get out of ICU to a regular hospital room. I sure hope so. Anyway, the reason you all need to remember this is because you may be groggy and drugged up after surgery when they do your leak test. And a lot of hospital personnel are not familiar with WLS patients and the fact that we cannot ingest sugar, or quantities above 1-2 ounces especially just postop. Be sure when you take your leak test that you KNOW how many ounces they are asking you to take in, and refuse to take more than you know your new stomach can handle. You have to be vigilant againstthis widespread inexperience, even when you are in pain or all doped up! Good luck to all of us. Angel signing off....

Lisa D. 23 years, 2 months ago

Hi, all! Talked to Rick Johnson again this morning. His surgery was Tuesday morning. He's still in the ICU. Still pretty doped-up. The problem he was having urinating has passed. Not sure why they are keeping him there still. Maybe for that hospital it is standard procedure. Rick didn't know, either. They have had him up and walking, which is good. He still has the NG tube in, though, and is suffering from a terribly sore throat. Sounds like he's still having considerable pain. In his typical upbeat fashion, he said, "Well, it isn't so bad. It only hurts if I move. So I try not to move." I can hear the pain in his voice, though. I think partly he is just not a complainer, never has been. And partly maybe he doesn't want to scare me, since my surgery is in another month. I just wish there was anything I could do to help him. But there isn't. Other than calling with support and affection and letting you all know how he's doing. He will have his leak test tomorrow, Friday. His surgery was Tuesday, so that seems like a long time in-between to me. I told him there is no way to cram for this test, but if you pass, they'll let you have some ice chips!!! From what the last person I was angel for, Michelle Rennert, told me, those ice chips, when you finally get them, are like manna from heaven. Rick kept saying he was "so dry, so dry...." I hope he gets out of ICU tomorrow after his leak test. I'll be sure to let you know. Please keep all that positive energy flowing his way, okay ? Thanks. Angel signing off....

Lisa D. 23 years, 2 months ago

Hi, all! I talked to Rick Johnson this morning. He is still in the ICU and sounds a bit doped up, but still has his same positive attitude. I posted wrong yesterday. He didn't have his NG tube removed in Recovery, it was the breathing tube. He still has the NG tube. He seems to be tolerating the pain okay on the morphine, but then Rick is no whiner. He says he's having some trouble urinating, but that they tell him this is common. Says his doc and nurses are very attentive (In ICU I would hope so!) and that they are wonderful and he's in good hands. Sometime today they will get him up and have him walk. He hasn't done the leak test yet. I'll let you know more as I find out. He said the heavy breathing and coughing they have you do after surgery are very important and that it really helps clear things out. I didn't want to wear him out, so will talk to him later and let you know. He's on "the other side" now, but please still keep Rick Johnson in your thoughts and prayers. We know God hears them. Angel signing off....

Lisa D. 23 years, 2 months ago

Hooray!! Rick Johnson is out of surgery !! He is now out of the recovery room and up in ICU. NG tube is out. Everything went well. He had open RNY. He is in pain, but in good spirits !! Says his belly hurts, but he's glad it is over now and he's "on the other side". They have him on morphine every 6 minutes. I was so worried that with his diabetes and emphysema he would have a problem and prayed that he didn't. Thank you, all you wonderful AMOS friends, for your prayers for Rick. They were answered. He is doing absolutely FANTASTIC !! Thank you, God. Angel signing off...

Karen Renee 23 years, 2 months ago

Rick, Thinking about you on your special day!! HAPPY, HAPPY NEW LIFE AND G-D BLESS YOU. Many regards.

RODEO CLOWNS S. 23 years, 2 months ago

I wish you all the very best on your surgery.

Kelly H. 23 years, 2 months ago

Rick, Wanted to wish you well on your surgery tomorrow. I am 6 days post op , dont feel all that well but I know its the best thing I could have done for myself. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

M. N. 23 years, 2 months ago

Rick, congradulations on your big day tomorrow. Please know that I will be lifting you up in prayer. I will pray that God guides your surgeon's hands and the entire surgical team. I will pray that you have a safe and sucessful surgery, along with a speedy and comfortable recovery. May God bless you and keep you safe.

Vickie C. 23 years, 2 months ago

Rick, Congratulations on your surgery tomorrow! I hope everything goes great and I wish you good luck and good health with your recovery. The first 2 weeks are the toughest after an open but it gets a little better each day. So hang in there because it is so worth it. A WLS friend

issis 23 years, 2 months ago

Hi Rick, my thoughts and prayers are with you for a safe surgery/Irene