iserene17
so once again...
Apr 26, 2008
i get to amend the surgery date on my profile...
instead of 4/28/08, it now says 5/5/08.
i suppose i should be happy that the danged thing hasn't been cancelled altogether, but really, what can i possibly think, at this point??
my faith in God is strong, but my faith in people - doctors in particular - has sunk to a new low.
no one is doing anything evil to me, other than making me wait. i'm just, WAAAAH!!
some good news - i began an online class at the university of phoenix. i have begun my mba in human resources management. i'm psyched, but afraid. the mini-stroke in 8/08 left me with a bit of memory loss. i already find myself searching for words to use. usually, the ones that come out are long ones. i know the meanings, but the words kind of make my writing seem stilted. oh well, what the jolly hell. as long as i get good grades, what should i care, right?
instead of 4/28/08, it now says 5/5/08.
i suppose i should be happy that the danged thing hasn't been cancelled altogether, but really, what can i possibly think, at this point??
my faith in God is strong, but my faith in people - doctors in particular - has sunk to a new low.
no one is doing anything evil to me, other than making me wait. i'm just, WAAAAH!!
some good news - i began an online class at the university of phoenix. i have begun my mba in human resources management. i'm psyched, but afraid. the mini-stroke in 8/08 left me with a bit of memory loss. i already find myself searching for words to use. usually, the ones that come out are long ones. i know the meanings, but the words kind of make my writing seem stilted. oh well, what the jolly hell. as long as i get good grades, what should i care, right?
sigh...!
Apr 24, 2008
when mary gave me my tentative surgery date, 4/28, i was happy, but not excited. i just got a feeling that it wasn't going to happen 4/28. and i was right.
she called me last night to say that dr sapala had heard nothing from the head of anaesthesia - a dr wagner. he is the one we're waiting on now. despite the fact that dr sapala is at the hospital every day, or so mary tells me, he stll hasn't heard anything from thi doctor, and this is troubling.
so, it's no wonder i didn't get all happy and post a new surgery date. i DID change the info in my profile, but i just KNEW it wouldn't happen. since dr sapala only operates on mondays and wednesdays, my next chance is wednesday 4/30.
sigh!
i just pray i can remain patient. i've always said that patience has never been one of my virtues...
**********************************************
just called lutheran medical center. dr wagner is on vacation, until next week. wonder why dr sapala didn't tell me this??? he won't be back from vacation until monday. that means i won't be able to have the surgery until 5/5 the earliest. this is so frustrating!!!
**********************************************
just spoke to mary, told her dr wagner is on vacation.
she's going to call met life to advise of the changes in date, and see if met life will reinstitute my payments. maybe this can turn back into a good thing after all.
i'm so sad right now.
she called me last night to say that dr sapala had heard nothing from the head of anaesthesia - a dr wagner. he is the one we're waiting on now. despite the fact that dr sapala is at the hospital every day, or so mary tells me, he stll hasn't heard anything from thi doctor, and this is troubling.
so, it's no wonder i didn't get all happy and post a new surgery date. i DID change the info in my profile, but i just KNEW it wouldn't happen. since dr sapala only operates on mondays and wednesdays, my next chance is wednesday 4/30.
sigh!
i just pray i can remain patient. i've always said that patience has never been one of my virtues...
**********************************************
just called lutheran medical center. dr wagner is on vacation, until next week. wonder why dr sapala didn't tell me this??? he won't be back from vacation until monday. that means i won't be able to have the surgery until 5/5 the earliest. this is so frustrating!!!
**********************************************
just spoke to mary, told her dr wagner is on vacation.
she's going to call met life to advise of the changes in date, and see if met life will reinstitute my payments. maybe this can turn back into a good thing after all.
i'm so sad right now.
darkest before the dawn...
Apr 21, 2008
i have always prided myself on having only the barest minimum of drama in my life, but this journey has already had so many ups and downs that i've had to numb myself and let go - just BE. not so easy for a self-described perfectionist and control freak...
so far this morning, i've gotten 2 calls from mary at dr sapala's office. it seems we have gotten over our 'war of the personalities' and have gone back to being mutually cordial. thank goodness - she is NOT someone you want as an adversary, and she IS very good at what she does - as anally thorough as i am in mine. poor us!
anyway, she received the letter from dr hoyek's office, and she also sent out a letter to my db carrier about why i remain out of work. that is TWO huge sighs of relief for me. my new tentative date is 4/28 - next monday. while i am thrilled, i do realize that this new date may change. there is a possibility that the head of anaesthesia may now want to see me. however, because both the past and curent heads of cardio have already cleared me, an actual visit may not be necessary. there is still time for me to stop the plavix in time for a 4/28 procedure, so i'm not really that worried. i am now placid enough to consider that what will be has already been decided. above all, i know that HE can do all things.
this whole situation has given me a deeper appreciation for the positives in my life, and a greater desire to be patient with things and situations i cannot control. patience has ALWAYS been one of my short-comings, although i can say, it usually takes me longer to get really angry than most. as long as i perceive that a person is NOT purposefully placing obstacles in my way, i'm ok. i can ALWAYS change lanes to get out of someone's way. BUT - the minute i feel personally attacked, OH BOY, it's on.
so... these are just my thoughts this sunshiney morning. things don't seem quite as dark. i begin to see the light at the end of this convoluted tunnel. and it is sweet.
so far this morning, i've gotten 2 calls from mary at dr sapala's office. it seems we have gotten over our 'war of the personalities' and have gone back to being mutually cordial. thank goodness - she is NOT someone you want as an adversary, and she IS very good at what she does - as anally thorough as i am in mine. poor us!
anyway, she received the letter from dr hoyek's office, and she also sent out a letter to my db carrier about why i remain out of work. that is TWO huge sighs of relief for me. my new tentative date is 4/28 - next monday. while i am thrilled, i do realize that this new date may change. there is a possibility that the head of anaesthesia may now want to see me. however, because both the past and curent heads of cardio have already cleared me, an actual visit may not be necessary. there is still time for me to stop the plavix in time for a 4/28 procedure, so i'm not really that worried. i am now placid enough to consider that what will be has already been decided. above all, i know that HE can do all things.
this whole situation has given me a deeper appreciation for the positives in my life, and a greater desire to be patient with things and situations i cannot control. patience has ALWAYS been one of my short-comings, although i can say, it usually takes me longer to get really angry than most. as long as i perceive that a person is NOT purposefully placing obstacles in my way, i'm ok. i can ALWAYS change lanes to get out of someone's way. BUT - the minute i feel personally attacked, OH BOY, it's on.
so... these are just my thoughts this sunshiney morning. things don't seem quite as dark. i begin to see the light at the end of this convoluted tunnel. and it is sweet.
today is my birthday...
Apr 16, 2008
and already the drama starteth!
i got an email saying my db claim had been suspended - my supervisor told me it had been extended, and that the prior unpaid period would be paid retroactively. that is true, and it has been done, but they also suspended the claim, effective 4/15!!! i don't get that... additionally, i had been using personal days which were paid at full pay for the previously unpaid/denied period. now that the db has picked up, they took back the extra money they paid, and put me back on half pay for that period. so... instead of regular half pay, tomorrow i will get $85. ain't that great??? of course, the good thing is that they did restore my time. but $85 on your birthday weekend? sheesh!
so my plans for today are as follows: 10am parent teacher conferences with my son's teachers, 1pm parent teacher conference with my daughter's teacher. after, i need to go see my pcp, so he can update my medical for the db company. maybe he can also straighten out this crap at the db company.
i will be so glad once the surgery has been rescheduled.
i will be so glad once the surgery has been performed - afterwards, there will be a specific healing period. hopefully, within 8 weeks, i can be cleared to return to work. i just found out that not only must i be healed from the surgery, but my cardiologist has to give me clearance, and the pcp must also agree. the pcp is no problem, but i guess i'll just have to see if dr hoyek will take me on as a new patient. if so, i'm almost positive he'll give me the green light to rtw. dr chokshi would most probably give me a hard time, saying i'd need another 6 months without cardiac incident. whatever - i won't be returning to him any time soon.
i have been out of work since 8/9/07 when i had the stroke, and on half-pay all the while. my bills are MOSTLY paid, but not this month. the db company and my job have been sticking it to me since february, so i'm just trying to hold on. i've been so anal about paying my bills, and i'm trying to learn moderation. the only problem is that i get scared shit will get turned off!
anyway, happy birthday to me.
i know when i look back on this period i'm gonna laugh, and say whew! what was all THAT about. boy, i can't wait until then...
i got an email saying my db claim had been suspended - my supervisor told me it had been extended, and that the prior unpaid period would be paid retroactively. that is true, and it has been done, but they also suspended the claim, effective 4/15!!! i don't get that... additionally, i had been using personal days which were paid at full pay for the previously unpaid/denied period. now that the db has picked up, they took back the extra money they paid, and put me back on half pay for that period. so... instead of regular half pay, tomorrow i will get $85. ain't that great??? of course, the good thing is that they did restore my time. but $85 on your birthday weekend? sheesh!
so my plans for today are as follows: 10am parent teacher conferences with my son's teachers, 1pm parent teacher conference with my daughter's teacher. after, i need to go see my pcp, so he can update my medical for the db company. maybe he can also straighten out this crap at the db company.
i will be so glad once the surgery has been rescheduled.
i will be so glad once the surgery has been performed - afterwards, there will be a specific healing period. hopefully, within 8 weeks, i can be cleared to return to work. i just found out that not only must i be healed from the surgery, but my cardiologist has to give me clearance, and the pcp must also agree. the pcp is no problem, but i guess i'll just have to see if dr hoyek will take me on as a new patient. if so, i'm almost positive he'll give me the green light to rtw. dr chokshi would most probably give me a hard time, saying i'd need another 6 months without cardiac incident. whatever - i won't be returning to him any time soon.
i have been out of work since 8/9/07 when i had the stroke, and on half-pay all the while. my bills are MOSTLY paid, but not this month. the db company and my job have been sticking it to me since february, so i'm just trying to hold on. i've been so anal about paying my bills, and i'm trying to learn moderation. the only problem is that i get scared shit will get turned off!
anyway, happy birthday to me.
i know when i look back on this period i'm gonna laugh, and say whew! what was all THAT about. boy, i can't wait until then...
it was more important...
Apr 16, 2008
for me to personally thank those who posted and pm'ed me good wishes last night, than to update here. i take prayer, encouragement and support so very seriously. anyone who took the time out to send me a little positivity, 
. and that's on the REAL. of course, after all that cussin' fuss over at r&r, my fingers are REALLY worn out!
BUT...
dr hoyek has become one of the lights in my own personal heaven! not only did he agree that i should definitely HAVE the surgery, he stated in his clearance letter that i should be processed as an intermediate rush! i DO NOT have to go through another 14 day round of twice a day lovenox shots, all i have to do is stop the plavix ONLY, for 5 days. this translates into surgery much sooner than i had ever hoped, theoretically, as soon as monday! he was SO nice, so understanding, and his staff - ultra professional. dr hoyek assured me he would be there the day of my surgery, and made sure to tell me he would check in with me after my procedure, to monitor my progress. so i feel another change coming - either dr hoyek or dr acinapura is getting a new patient - if they'll have me! my first choice is dr hoyek, but only because he specializes in cardiovascular surgery and interventional cardiology. for a girl with 4 stents, that's as close to perfection in a cardiologist as they COME. dr acinapura is a VERY close second.
to think, i NEVER would have been referred to either of these two quality physicians if i hadn't researched and chosen dr sapala, over the initial referral of my pcp. he truly is my medical savior. i was on the phone with his office manager mary this morning, gushing about that.
which brings me back down to earth, and reality...
of COURSE, dr sapala is booked up for next week. so, i doubt i WILL be scheduled as early as theoretically possible. mary has confirmed my high-priority status, but of course, i would never want to bump anyone who's already got a date - i KNOW how that feels. so, i'm waiting for a callback. mary is NOTHING is not efficient. i know she'll perform with all due diligence, and get back to me with the soonest date she can. of course it took just a tinge of the shine off, but nothing can shake my swag. now that all the doctors are in line, i can try to be more patient - i know it will happen. He is definitely at work in my life, and even though i have NO PLANS to step foot in a church any time soon, i feel His presence so very deeply these days. He holds me, and i'm just laying back in the cut to recharge and regroup.
these last few weeks have played havoc with me - my emotional state has fluctuated so much. of course, my health is at stake, so some emotional stress is to be expected, but i'm not sure i can take much more. i always saw myself as healthy - i eat right, make sure my kids eat right, and i get a little exercise in every day. that heart attack last year threw me, but in some ways, i took it in stride. i mean, it could happen to anybody, right? then, they said i had high blood pressure, as well as scary high cholesterol - 568. even that really didn't rock my world too much. but when they told me i had diabetes, and kicked my med count up to 9, THAT shook me. i could DIE. and leave my babies, the best things i ever did??? oh HELL no, and i swore i would do everything they told me in order to get my shit straight. and it hasn't been easy. right now, i'm up to 11 meds, and my diet is the healthiest it's ever been - better even than when i was in the army. but i'm still worn, and sometimes so scared. i try not to think about it, but i'm young, and i feel i have so much ahead of me - even if it's only being a nana. i don't care HOW much weight i lose, just as long as this thing prolongs my life. after all this, i do feel in my soul that this procedure will help me do that. i'm not really a crier, but i have shed some TEARS over this. in the end, i know HE will have His way over me. and you know what?
AMEN.
. and that's on the REAL. of course, after all that cussin' fuss over at r&r, my fingers are REALLY worn out!BUT...
dr hoyek has become one of the lights in my own personal heaven! not only did he agree that i should definitely HAVE the surgery, he stated in his clearance letter that i should be processed as an intermediate rush! i DO NOT have to go through another 14 day round of twice a day lovenox shots, all i have to do is stop the plavix ONLY, for 5 days. this translates into surgery much sooner than i had ever hoped, theoretically, as soon as monday! he was SO nice, so understanding, and his staff - ultra professional. dr hoyek assured me he would be there the day of my surgery, and made sure to tell me he would check in with me after my procedure, to monitor my progress. so i feel another change coming - either dr hoyek or dr acinapura is getting a new patient - if they'll have me! my first choice is dr hoyek, but only because he specializes in cardiovascular surgery and interventional cardiology. for a girl with 4 stents, that's as close to perfection in a cardiologist as they COME. dr acinapura is a VERY close second.
to think, i NEVER would have been referred to either of these two quality physicians if i hadn't researched and chosen dr sapala, over the initial referral of my pcp. he truly is my medical savior. i was on the phone with his office manager mary this morning, gushing about that.
which brings me back down to earth, and reality...
of COURSE, dr sapala is booked up for next week. so, i doubt i WILL be scheduled as early as theoretically possible. mary has confirmed my high-priority status, but of course, i would never want to bump anyone who's already got a date - i KNOW how that feels. so, i'm waiting for a callback. mary is NOTHING is not efficient. i know she'll perform with all due diligence, and get back to me with the soonest date she can. of course it took just a tinge of the shine off, but nothing can shake my swag. now that all the doctors are in line, i can try to be more patient - i know it will happen. He is definitely at work in my life, and even though i have NO PLANS to step foot in a church any time soon, i feel His presence so very deeply these days. He holds me, and i'm just laying back in the cut to recharge and regroup.
these last few weeks have played havoc with me - my emotional state has fluctuated so much. of course, my health is at stake, so some emotional stress is to be expected, but i'm not sure i can take much more. i always saw myself as healthy - i eat right, make sure my kids eat right, and i get a little exercise in every day. that heart attack last year threw me, but in some ways, i took it in stride. i mean, it could happen to anybody, right? then, they said i had high blood pressure, as well as scary high cholesterol - 568. even that really didn't rock my world too much. but when they told me i had diabetes, and kicked my med count up to 9, THAT shook me. i could DIE. and leave my babies, the best things i ever did??? oh HELL no, and i swore i would do everything they told me in order to get my shit straight. and it hasn't been easy. right now, i'm up to 11 meds, and my diet is the healthiest it's ever been - better even than when i was in the army. but i'm still worn, and sometimes so scared. i try not to think about it, but i'm young, and i feel i have so much ahead of me - even if it's only being a nana. i don't care HOW much weight i lose, just as long as this thing prolongs my life. after all this, i do feel in my soul that this procedure will help me do that. i'm not really a crier, but i have shed some TEARS over this. in the end, i know HE will have His way over me. and you know what?
AMEN.
plum tuckered out...
Apr 15, 2008
them chicks on the r&r forum had me so exhausted - trying to keep up with SO MANY of them, i had to bow out gracefully.
can you believ, some of them are STILL at it! i refuse to answer them, cuz i'm DONE.
anyway...
tonight at 5:30 pm, i have a very important appointment with a dr wissam hoyek. he's head of cardiology at lutheran medical center, but he's also a vascular surgeon. i'm SO glad dr sapala referred me to him - he also specializes in interventional cardiology, so i'm sure he'll understand my MEDICAL urgency, as well as the mental and emotional urgency.
if he gives me an answer tonight, i will call mary to advise - whatever the answer is. if it's positive, mary will have me back on my lovenox as soon as she can, and then my surgery can HAPPEN!!! i don't know if i have to go through another full 14 days of those shots, but my guess is yes. no matter - what ever they tell me to do, i will DO.
i am so freaking restless... and hopeful... and prayerful...
can you believ, some of them are STILL at it! i refuse to answer them, cuz i'm DONE.
anyway...
tonight at 5:30 pm, i have a very important appointment with a dr wissam hoyek. he's head of cardiology at lutheran medical center, but he's also a vascular surgeon. i'm SO glad dr sapala referred me to him - he also specializes in interventional cardiology, so i'm sure he'll understand my MEDICAL urgency, as well as the mental and emotional urgency.
if he gives me an answer tonight, i will call mary to advise - whatever the answer is. if it's positive, mary will have me back on my lovenox as soon as she can, and then my surgery can HAPPEN!!! i don't know if i have to go through another full 14 days of those shots, but my guess is yes. no matter - what ever they tell me to do, i will DO.
i am so freaking restless... and hopeful... and prayerful...
funny...
Apr 13, 2008
for the past day and a half, i have been having a cyber-argument with some people on the rants and raves board. it all started because some silly little girl tried to give me unbidden advice on vitamins. if she only knew - i have about $300 worth of protein and supplements sitting here on my dresser...
how frustrating it is when people gang up on you. it is obvious to me that these females (because it is indeed MOUTHY females) have NO lives. i have made it my business to not get involved in other people's arguments, but these women just HAVE to jump in, even when they have no idea what started it. i've had people impugn my doctor, tell me where i DIDN'T go to college, tell me i need to get a ged, all SORTS of stuff, because i cursed this one chick out. and believe me, if that bitch answers me again, i will let loose again. another one had the temerity to send me a pm. THAT my dear friends is below the belt, and a bit intrusive. so i cussed that bitch out too.
now, i can be nice. in fact, most people tell me i'm too nice - that is, until they fuck with me. (oops - somebody ELSE told me i need anger management.) it tickles me, that when someone provokes you and gets stung, the first thing out of their mouth is, "you need anger management". no, i think you need to stop fucking with people because you might get jacked up. EVERYONE gets angry. especially when something as intensely emotional as their health is concerned.
these women condescend to everyone except their friends, assuming that because they have already had their procedures, they know more. and perhaps they do - about themselves. but they can't POSSIBLY know about the journey anyone else walks, and how they got there. some people have been researching this procedure for YEARS! and there are people like my friend the ol' plickety cat who are research fiends. but, these women jump to the conclusion that everyone wants their advice. i don't. when i want advice, i ask the BAF and lightweight boards. the RR board is for just that - ranting and raving. and if those bitches keep coming at me, i will continue to slam those asses.
now, let's all play together and be nice...
how frustrating it is when people gang up on you. it is obvious to me that these females (because it is indeed MOUTHY females) have NO lives. i have made it my business to not get involved in other people's arguments, but these women just HAVE to jump in, even when they have no idea what started it. i've had people impugn my doctor, tell me where i DIDN'T go to college, tell me i need to get a ged, all SORTS of stuff, because i cursed this one chick out. and believe me, if that bitch answers me again, i will let loose again. another one had the temerity to send me a pm. THAT my dear friends is below the belt, and a bit intrusive. so i cussed that bitch out too.
now, i can be nice. in fact, most people tell me i'm too nice - that is, until they fuck with me. (oops - somebody ELSE told me i need anger management.) it tickles me, that when someone provokes you and gets stung, the first thing out of their mouth is, "you need anger management". no, i think you need to stop fucking with people because you might get jacked up. EVERYONE gets angry. especially when something as intensely emotional as their health is concerned.
these women condescend to everyone except their friends, assuming that because they have already had their procedures, they know more. and perhaps they do - about themselves. but they can't POSSIBLY know about the journey anyone else walks, and how they got there. some people have been researching this procedure for YEARS! and there are people like my friend the ol' plickety cat who are research fiends. but, these women jump to the conclusion that everyone wants their advice. i don't. when i want advice, i ask the BAF and lightweight boards. the RR board is for just that - ranting and raving. and if those bitches keep coming at me, i will continue to slam those asses.
now, let's all play together and be nice...
update...
Apr 11, 2008
i just got a call from my surgeon's office. they know dr chokshi didn't say i shouldn't have my surgery, but just in case the next AN says he doesn't want to do my surgery, they want me to see the head of CARDIOLOGY (corrected - not AN) at lutheran hospital.
my appointment is 4/15 - 2 days before my birthday. so, at the least, my surgery will be about 2 weeks after that. i hate waiting, but there it is. YOU KNOW WHO is in control, not me.
more good news... my db company had denied any continuing db because i had been approved for the RNY (chile, that's another looooong story...) today, they approved continuing db going forward, and retro'd the past unapproved time.
things are once again starting to look up for me. i just wanted to thank you all for all the kind words of encouragement and good wishes. you guys sure helped me get through this day, and many of you helped me put this in it's proper perspective.
my appointment is 4/15 - 2 days before my birthday. so, at the least, my surgery will be about 2 weeks after that. i hate waiting, but there it is. YOU KNOW WHO is in control, not me.
more good news... my db company had denied any continuing db because i had been approved for the RNY (chile, that's another looooong story...) today, they approved continuing db going forward, and retro'd the past unapproved time.
things are once again starting to look up for me. i just wanted to thank you all for all the kind words of encouragement and good wishes. you guys sure helped me get through this day, and many of you helped me put this in it's proper perspective.
no freakin' way!!!!!!!!!!!
Apr 10, 2008
so i take the kids to school, come back and think to myself, it's too early to call anybody... just then, i get a call. it's dr chokshi, my cardiologist. he says, what happened, you didn't have the surgery? i take a breath and try to be calm. i ask him what happened yesterday, didn't he speak to the anesthesiologist? he says he spoke to the guy yesterday, yes, while he was at st vincent's. i asked what he said to him. he said he told him to make sure i had been successfully bridged from the plavix to the lovenox. if i had, then he should proceed quickly with the surgery, so i can get back to the plavix. i asked him to repeat that twice. he did. i told him the AN told everyone that HE (dr chokshi) had said we needed to wait 6 months, and not to proceed. he said, why would i say that when i already cleared you? he said, you saw me write out the clearance, right? i said yes. he said right. so even my cardiologist has no idea what's going on.
i spoke to mary at dr sapala's office. i told her what dr chokshi told me. she assures me dr sapala is still very willing to perform my surgery, and was extremely upset by what happened yesterday. this i knew, because he made sure to let me know he was definitely in my corner, and understood exactly what the stakes were in my case. we'll see what happens. at first dr sapala told me i might have to see another cardio for a third opinion, but in light of what dr chokshi has said, i think it would probably be best if the 3 dr's - sapala, chokshi and acinapura - got together and decided what best to do. i did ask mary to see if dr sapala can get a better qualified AN on board, one with more experience. i can understand the other's reluctance to take my case - it is a bit complicated. but the way he handled this is just downright wrong!
i just called the administration office at lutheran, and asked that they perform an investigation into the actions of the AN yesterday. i have been assured that someone will look into it, and get back to me very soon. if no one calls before 4, i'll call back and ask for a status update.
I AM NOT TRYING TO PLAY!!!
i spoke to mary at dr sapala's office. i told her what dr chokshi told me. she assures me dr sapala is still very willing to perform my surgery, and was extremely upset by what happened yesterday. this i knew, because he made sure to let me know he was definitely in my corner, and understood exactly what the stakes were in my case. we'll see what happens. at first dr sapala told me i might have to see another cardio for a third opinion, but in light of what dr chokshi has said, i think it would probably be best if the 3 dr's - sapala, chokshi and acinapura - got together and decided what best to do. i did ask mary to see if dr sapala can get a better qualified AN on board, one with more experience. i can understand the other's reluctance to take my case - it is a bit complicated. but the way he handled this is just downright wrong!
i just called the administration office at lutheran, and asked that they perform an investigation into the actions of the AN yesterday. i have been assured that someone will look into it, and get back to me very soon. if no one calls before 4, i'll call back and ask for a status update.
I AM NOT TRYING TO PLAY!!!
ready, set.....PSYCH!
Apr 09, 2008
so i'm on the operating table this afternoon at 2:30pm, covered with warm blankets and the compression boots have been revved up. i lay there, arms outstretched, thinking, here we go! then the anaesthesiologist asks to speak to the surgeon. they go out of the or and i remark, oh, i can't hear?
about 15 minutes later, they come back in and the surgeon's face is beet red. he starts talking some gobbledy gook i can't really get, but i'm saying, ok, ok.
finally, i ask - are you trying to tell me you're sending me home? he says yes, this isn't a life saving surgery, so you have to wait 6 months. i'm like WHAT??????? after all these tests these doctors made me take and all these hoops you people made me jump through? he then blames it on my cardiologist, saying he spoke with him a few minutes earlier, and dr chokshi told him not to do my surgery. that is complete and absolute bullshit. and why couldn't they have told me that before i'd been prepped and laid out on the table???? suffice it to say, this meant i did not have my surgery today.
i am inconsolable - i was completely ready, had prepared my kids... i think that's an awful, unprofessional and unethical thing to do. if the anaesthesiologist felt himself incapable of performing the duties (of my admittedly complex case) today, he could/should have said THAT. now, i'm in danger of never getting my surgery. the problem is that i'd have to remain stable for another 6 months, and i don't know if i can do that. if i remain out of work, perhaps. but if i do go back to work, definitely NOT. i'll probably end up with another heart attack or tia within a month - my job is THAT stressful.
suffice it to say, i have no idea what my next move is.
dr sapala says he won't give up on me, that he'll try to get another medical professional to re-evaluate my situation, but i have been immediately placed back on the aspirin and plavix. if surgery is rescheduled, i'll have to do another 2 wks of the lovenox shots twice a day. this is a freaking fiasco. i've done EVERYTHING they asked me to do without too much complaimnt, and look where it's gotten me. and of course, i'll need another round of authorizations, right?
sigh!
any good advice would be welcomed....
about 15 minutes later, they come back in and the surgeon's face is beet red. he starts talking some gobbledy gook i can't really get, but i'm saying, ok, ok.
finally, i ask - are you trying to tell me you're sending me home? he says yes, this isn't a life saving surgery, so you have to wait 6 months. i'm like WHAT??????? after all these tests these doctors made me take and all these hoops you people made me jump through? he then blames it on my cardiologist, saying he spoke with him a few minutes earlier, and dr chokshi told him not to do my surgery. that is complete and absolute bullshit. and why couldn't they have told me that before i'd been prepped and laid out on the table???? suffice it to say, this meant i did not have my surgery today.
i am inconsolable - i was completely ready, had prepared my kids... i think that's an awful, unprofessional and unethical thing to do. if the anaesthesiologist felt himself incapable of performing the duties (of my admittedly complex case) today, he could/should have said THAT. now, i'm in danger of never getting my surgery. the problem is that i'd have to remain stable for another 6 months, and i don't know if i can do that. if i remain out of work, perhaps. but if i do go back to work, definitely NOT. i'll probably end up with another heart attack or tia within a month - my job is THAT stressful.
suffice it to say, i have no idea what my next move is.
dr sapala says he won't give up on me, that he'll try to get another medical professional to re-evaluate my situation, but i have been immediately placed back on the aspirin and plavix. if surgery is rescheduled, i'll have to do another 2 wks of the lovenox shots twice a day. this is a freaking fiasco. i've done EVERYTHING they asked me to do without too much complaimnt, and look where it's gotten me. and of course, i'll need another round of authorizations, right?
sigh!
any good advice would be welcomed....
About Me
brooklyn, NY
Location
27.6
BMI
Surgery
06/03/2008
Surgery Date
Nov 29, 2007
Member Since
