PRE-OPS LITTLE GIFT

I've been rather busy. Two days after our long wait at my surgeon's office we were waiting for Hubby's dental surgeon. (This time it was about 2 hours.)  He has to prepare for an implant etc.  Thank goodness Hubby has perfect hygiene because this situation could be a lot worse.

Yesterday I went to Pre-op. I decided to go earlier for two reasons.

As mentioned before Hubby is having dental surgery the week before. Since the dental surgeon knew people (He is the only one in practice at that office ha!) we were able to schedule it before my surgery.

Two, ff the test shows something wrong, hopefully we'll be able to fix it before surgery.

Everything went rather smoothly. I was able to park close to the door for starters. Woohoo!

They called me at the exact time my appointment was scheduled. Double woohoo!

They were impressed with my well organized list of medicines and surgical history. Hey! I've been dong this for years I can't remember everything.

One piece of news they gave me absolutely made my day. I weigh 88 pounds. I gained 20 pounds since my visit with my pulmonologist a few months ago. YAY!

Of course, they needed some urine and I be darned if I couldn't pee! I made a point of drinking before I left. I think I get a mind block when I am told to pee at that moment. My brain just doesn't cooperate. The sweet compassionate nurse said it was no problem and she would give me some water (She did!) and hopefully by the time we were finished with the paperwork, EKG and bloodwork, I'll be able too. She was right. Thank you Jesus!

After everything was done the nurse escorted me down the long hall (It seemed long to me.) to x-ray and that's where I waited for about an hour. After my x-ray was done the technician gave me a bookmark with a prayer of St. Francis de Sales. 

I read it when I returned home. WOW! I believe God talked to me through this girl and bookmark. I have a feeling I'll be praying this prayer until surgery because the last line hit me in the gut.  I can't find my camera and it seems there are different versions of the prayer online. I wanted it to share it with you. If the color or font bothers you, let me know.

Prayer of St. Francis de Sales

Be at Peace

Do not look forward in fear to the changes 

and chances of this life; 

Rather, look at them with full confidence

as they arise.

God, whose very own you are,

will lead you safely through them.

God has guided you thus far in life. Only

hold fast to his dear hand and 

God will lead you safely through all things, and

when you can't stand, God will bare you his arms.

Do not fear what may

happen tomorrow;

the same everlasting Father who

cares for you today will take care 

of you tomorrow and every day.

God will either shield you from suffering 

or will give you unfailing strength to bear it. 

Be at peace,

 then, and put aside all anxious thoughts 

and imaginations.

I hope it helps someone! Time to get ready to see my BabyGirl, who I have not seen for months, it seems.

Until next time...

Word Count 496 

A Squeezed Spine

Yesterday I received an answer of why I'm having pain. It was a long exhausting day.  My appointment was at 11:30. We arrived at 11. You never know how traffic is going to be so we left a little early. They called us in at 11:30 like a herd of cattle, calling 3 people at one time. We were herded into a X-ray waiting room. I was confused as well as another person.

They started calling names and directed each of us to a different x-ray room. I asked the X-ray tech why was I getting an X-ray when I had MRI's. Her first question was what pain did I have.(WTH?) My first thought was she should know this if she read my chart. Being the nice cooperative patient I am (most of the time) I answered her. She said my doctor wanted an x-ray to see how my spine moves in different positions. I didn't really accept that answer wholeheartedly but continued to be the little good patient I am.

She took one x-ray and was called out of the room. (HUH?) A second later her head pops into the door and told me to take a seat. (WTH?) 

She finally comes in and asks me about the tests I had before. I told her and she went back out again.  (WTF??) Another 15 minutes later, she came in and apologized saying that because of my questions they went ask the doctor to confirm if he wanted the x-rays. She finished the x-rays. I was sent back to the x-ray waiting room.

We waited.  

And we waited. 

We waited some more. We were chitchatting with the other patient and her family making comments how long it was taking. When I sit or stand too long in certain positions my pain is threefold. The chairs were uncomfortable. I kept sitting and standing and walking to the door staying there to see what was going on. I saw nurses walking in and out of rooms. It was a long wait. When the doctor's nurse walked by and saw me standing against the door frame she said they were waiting for a room. 

Ironically, two minutes later she called my name. The other patient said that her appointment was before mine which was true. So the nurse told us both to follow her. Hubby said as we were walking he saw several rooms empty. I told him it was probably for another doctor's patien[pts but who knows.

We were one step closer. Again, we waited and waited. It was past 1 pm.  I told Hubby the doctor was going to come in and ask how I'm doing. My answer was going to be I'm hurting, my blood pressure is probably high from trying to be patient, my bladder is full and my tummy is empty, what does he think? It lightened our moods.

About two and a quarter hours after my appointment time the doctor FINALLY walks in. He examined my hands and shoulders etc. Then he stated my worse fear! DAMN!

I have to have surgery. I knew it in the back of my mind but had a glimmer of hope. 

A short summary is my C-5-C6 disc is herniated and its "squeezing my spinal cord to death"  His exact words. It is severe. (What is new with my old worn out body?)  I told you nothing is every minor.

He said he doesn't think PT would help especially with my spasticity. He is afraid it will get worse and more problems arises. Without surgery, it definitely will not get better. I could actually lead to paralysis or death. Of course the side effects of the surgery are the same. But the pros override the cons. He spent a a long time with us being thorough about our concerns.

We walked out at 2:15. Is that ridiculous or what?

It will be a long recovery.  It is going to be hard to be dependent on someone else for every day needs for 6-8 weeks, if nothing goes wrong. I'm blessed to have my Hubby take his vacation days to care for me and my family to help after he has to go to work.  That is now the hardest thing to think about. 

If you are at all interested the surgery is ACDF (Anterior Cervical Disectomy and Fusion and click the link to check it out. I think it is cool the way they do that.  I've always been interested in surgical procedures. I would prefer not on myself though.

Sorry this was so long!

Until next time...

732 words

It Is The Doctor's Responsibility To Give Patients Information

I understand doctors are busy. They see patients and deal with patients' prescription refills. I know they have heaps of paper work to go through to get paid for the insurances to pay for meds or pay their fee. 

However, I believe if they order a test or x-ray it is their responsibility to give the patient results that are clear and complete.  If they have their nurse call he should tell her exactly what to tell the patient in detail.

I understand most patients don't want to know or won't understand it clearly. But it is their right have a choice.

For over a year I've had neck pain that has gradually radiated to my back, arms and legs.The pain has worsen and numbness, tingling and weakness has developed.

Last year when my dad had his bad accident, my awesome physician said it just might be stress and put me on Baclofen but it wasn't for me. I let time pass taking hot showers and swallowing Ibuprofen to ease the pain.

Recently  I went back to my family physician and he decided to do a MRI of my neck. It showed degenerative disc disease which is normal for my age but after discussing further he referred me to a orthopedic doctor.

The good patient I am, I obeyed and saw the orthopedic doctor. He informed me that most pain and symptoms I've been having usually comes from the neck. However, to cover all the bases he ordered an MRI of my back (since I'm not your ordinary patient.) What is minor for "usual" patients, it is worse for me. It's been my life for 53 years.

The nurse called me a day later after my MRI and told me the orthopedist decided to send me to a orthopedic surgeon because the problem is coming from the neck. I asked her for more information but she didn't have any.

I was furious. But what can you do? If I see the orthopedic doctor again I will have a discussion with him.  

I've been fretting over what could be going on.  When I talked to the orthopedic doctor I was adamant that surgery would be my last option. I am (probably unfounded) paranoid about someone doing surgery on my neck and back.

Since the office has a patient portal I was able to see the orthopedist's diagnosis and it is scaring me. I looked up every diagnosis although I knew something about all of them. This fear would be less if I was given more information besides "it is the neck." I knew that already.. "SIGH"

Have anyone had this happen to you? Has your doctor given you meds, instructions or referrals without a full explanation?

Until next time..

Word Count: 459

Hubby's 40th High School Class Reunion

Last weekend Hubby and I went to his 40th High school class reunion. It was in Satellite Beach Florida.  I don't think there is any other reunion like it.

Friday night was a social gathering with a disc jockey and appetizers. It was so much fun watching them dance. 

Saturday morning was a paddle out and memorial which I had never seen before. It was a beautiful ceremony.

After the memorial we had our own time. At four was the 'reunion" There was a meal of hot dogs and hamburgers and everyone again socialized. It went way over the expected end time.

If I don't know people I wouldn't call myself a social butterfly. It was my Hubby's classmates and unlike him I don't just go up to someone and start talking so I stayed at the table most of the time. 

Alone.

But that is okay.  It was my Hubby's time. I thought it was ironic that through the months before he was a little anxious because he kept saying he probably wouldn't know anyone.  Obviously he did. 

Everyone had a good time. I met some good people. I can now put a face to a name. Yahoo!

Did I mention it was hot? I have to admit Florida's heat and humidity wasn't as bad as Louisiana's. The beach breeze was a life saver.

One of my Hubby's former classmates said your goal for a reunion is to meet at least one person. She was right.

Until next time...

Word Count: 240

Mothers Always Know What Their Kids Need

Yesterday I went see yet a new doctor for a persistent new problem.  When I was given the potential diagnosis and the treatment I starting seeing the black hole swallowing me. I tried thinking I need to just wait for other test results. 

But on the other hand regardless of the results I'm just tired of it all. I have no clue how much more my body can take.

I needed to talk to someone. Hubby was my first thought but he was at work. I didn't want to call BabyGirl because I know how much she worries about me already and didn't want to wake her up. So I called my dependable mom but I got her answering machine. I left her message with me half crying so I wasn't sure if she understood me or not. I came home and wrote my sister a note because I know she sometimes know where Mom is and will call her until she contacts her.

The whole day passed. I had to return to the office to get more MRIs. Of course, when I was having the MRI, my mom left me a message that she had talked to my sister. She loved me and was there for me anytime and anywhere. Everything would be okay and we'll get through this too. 

When I returned home I called her. She could tell I was losing it. I was frustrated. I was scared. I was angry. She said, "Let it out." I sobbed uncontrollably until I couldn't anymore. She talked me down and she encouraged me as she always does. I wish I had a stronger faith as she does.

Isn't it awesome that mothers just know what their kids need at a given time?

I hope and pray I am at least half of the mother she is.

Until next time

Word Count: 311

Women Are Disgusting in Public Restrooms

You hear women say their husbands/boyfriends/kids are disgusting. I hear wives saying things like their husbands pee on the toilet seat and they are slobs among a few. 

Well let me tell ya!

Hubby and I went to his 40th class reunion in Florida. We had a few stops along the way because our bladders just couldn't hold 14 hours of urine. The majority of the women bathrooms were disgusting. There was toilet paper all over the floor, in the sink and stopping up the toilet. One toilet had poop ON the seat. I saw used tampons and sanitary pads in toilets. One was on top of the diaper changer. Many toilets were not not flushed

One bathroom I walked right out and told Hubby I wasn't using that one.

I suspect a few bathrooms were from teenager or kid works of vandalism.

I feel for the person who has to clean the messes. My stomach would not be able to take it and I was a nurse dealing with other people's poops and other bodily fluids.

Until next time...

Word Count: 162