Scared

[Guest guest]

Print out a copy of your email and take it with you.

Ask if you can talk about it before you start.

I have often found that taking something I have written about a problem

starts the conversation. Sometimes the therapist can just be unaware.

I remember the first physio that I had before my first hip. Because I tend

to be a bit stoic she had no idea of the effort I went to just to cope and

the pain she caused me. The OT ended up talking to her one day about how to

reduce my pain levels and she was quite shocked.

We became great friends afterwards - but she never did learn to read how

much pain I had.

Good luck with it.

Aussie Margaret

Scared

> Hi, I'm 4 1/2 weeks out of my second TKR and I'm scared to go to therapy.

> I

> have 2 PT's that work on me depending on who's there, but last time I

> went

> to one of them, he had me crying, and it's taking a lot to make me cry

> after

> that first TKR. Anyway, today I fell down two steps and am pretty sure

> achieved total flexion on my knee. It hurts really bad now and I've got

> the same

> guy tomorrow and I'll be crying before I even get in there. I just need

> some

> support. Thanks,

>

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[Guest guest]

Either you or your insurance is paying for this PT

I would let him know how you feel.....you can do it nicely but he needs to learn compassion

Since you fell you may want to go into your orthopedic to have it checked BEFORE you return to PT anyway

Wanda

[Guest guest]

Hey Sweetie,

So sorry to hear you are having a bad time of it. Before you even let the P.T. touch you tell him that he is hurting you and it is enough to make you cry. Mine tole me today no pain no gain but I also know that I can tell her to back off a little or ease up until I am ready for the exercise. The P.T> can't make any changes until you let him know that at this point it is too much for you and to go a little more slowly. Unfortunately they are not mind readers and sometimes we try to be more stoic than we really are. Just let him know you are not ready yet for the exercises that cause you too much pain and let him know that it is making things worse. I wish you the best and feel free to e-mail me if you need to vent, cry or just chat.

Love Contessa

-- Scared

Hi, I'm 4 1/2 weeks out of my second TKR and I'm scared to go to therapy. I have 2 PT's that work on me depending on who's there, but last time I went to one of them, he had me crying, and it's taking a lot to make me cry after that first TKR. Anyway, today I fell down two steps and am pretty sure achieved total flexion on my knee. It hurts really bad now and I've got the same guy tomorrow and I'll be crying before I even get in there. I just need some support. Thanks,

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/8/2006 12:29:53 P.M. Central Standard Time, momcats55@... writes:

Hey Sweetie,

So sorry to hear you are having a bad time of it. Before you even let the P.T. touch you tell him that he is hurting you and it is enough to make you cry. Mine tole me today no pain no gain but I also know that I can tell her to back off a little or ease up until I am ready for the exercise. The P.T> can't make any changes until you let him know that at this point it is too much for you and to go a little more slowly. Unfortunately they are not mind readers and sometimes we try to be more stoic than we really are. Just let him know you are not ready yet for the exercises that cause you too much pain and let him know that it is making things worse. I wish you the best and feel free to e-mail me if you need to vent, cry or just chat.

Love Contessa

Thanks Contessa, I have PT again on Friday. My range of motion went down from 120 degrees to 105. I really am hoping that this isn't going to be hard to get out of. They did take it very easy on me though, and I think Friday will be OK, and I hope I can get a little bit more motion. I'll keep you up to date. Love,

[Guest guest]

Don't feel so bad. I have cholesteatoma in both ears. Well, I had the right

one removed, now I have the left to do.

>From: " elizabeth_sobotta2001 " <elizabeth_sobotta2001@...>

>Reply-cholesteatoma

>cholesteatoma

>Subject: Scared

>Date: Fri, 14 Jul 2006 01:47:47 -0000

>

>I had two surgeries in the right ear in about a year time. Thought

>everything was great. Started having headaches and virtego. Figure ok

>I can understand that with the surgery. I go see my viretgo person to

>put my crystals back. She was the one last time that told me you lost

>hearing in the right ear get up to the dr and have him look at it.

>Today she was able to put the crystals back in the right ear. She not

>happy with the left ear at all. The hearing is fine. There is no

>presure in the left ear and she can not get the crystals back into

>place. Always been a textbook case. I told her while now with the

>right ear messed up I see that. She like no the right ear is

>excellent. The tubes are working and no damage. She was looking at

>the reports. Sure enough the left ear has a dimple in just like the

>right with extracted. The dr in April said that it was stable in the

>left ear. I just had a cat scan done about 14 months ago and nothing

>was showing on the left. It been draining some. There is no way tumor

>could have form that fast. When the surgeon was not concerned about

>the left one. The right one had the tear in the ear drum and was bad.

>Please do not tell me I got to do this all over again. Is it normal

>to get one ear fixed and the other one goes bad. I had to make appt

>to see the dr ASAP. She will not treat me till it get check. The more

>I think about my systoms the sure are matching the right ear.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

It's really too bad when people can't count on family. I know how

that feels and it really sucks! I at least have my son (who knows

very little about the problem) and my partner/husband (who can

be very insensitive at times but at least he's there). If you lived a

life style that made you sick, then you can prevent being sick.

From what I understand about this disease, nobody " asks " for it

nor can prevent it - it just happens. Don't be feeling like it

" wasn't wise " to get sick because it wasn't your choice - it

wasn't anyones choice. If your family lacks understanding then

make like it's no big deal and don't discuss the matter with them

- be strong, reserved, and independent. Don't let them get to

you.

That's the approach I had to take with my family (I'm talking

about my parents and brother) and they're slowly coming

around as they discover more and more information about this

disease (a little at a time). I still feel like they don't give a darn

(especially my brother), but at least they've been asking

questions about it once in a while. There's no way to discribe

the feeling of being rejected by family when in need. But when

you realize you can't count on them and you discover your inner

strength and independence it seems to defuse that feeling and

you stop dwelling on it enough to move you forward instead of

constantly asking yourself " what did I do wrong? "

400 miles is a long bus ride - I also know what that is like. I

would try and make arrangements with Greyhound to reserve a

good spot for you and to be seated by yourself. I would go for

the back benchseat if that is possible. That way you can stretch

out and be close to the bathroom. Under the circumstances, I

wonder if they have compassionate grounds for that??? and

won't charge you extra.

Where I live there is no bus stop either but many people around

here get dropped off on the highway at the turn off to the

summer village where I live. It's considered an unscheduled stop

and they pay bus fair to the next scheduled stop. If there is a

bus route that can get you closer to your desination, then maybe

you can do that and have a cab waiting for you to take you the

rest of the way.

I've been driving while dizzy. I haven't had any problems though

I do avoid driving at night because it seems to get worse and

have a hard time focusing on the road. I'm concerned about

having a vertigo attack while driving but that only seems to

happen when I'm lying down or getting in or out of bed.

That other group that says it's inappropriate to discuss any other

health issue ... sure it may be off topic but shame on them for

making a big deal out of it. When someone is sick and scared,

they should be able to talk about it without reservation or

consequences. However, I suggest, if you want to talk about it

here, you should put " off topic " in the subject line so people have

the choice to read the message and request any comments to be

directed to you personally. I have a good ear (at least one

anyway;-), so if you want to email me directly to talk/type, please

do - as long as you're prepared that I tug on your ear too once in

awhile as I'm pretty scared too. I'm no where near in the same

boat as you but to me, my symptoms have me pretty mucked up

too.

Sometimes I feel like a hypochondriac

[Guest guest]

The last bit of my reply was cut off for some reason ... what a place to cut it

off at. I wonder

if someone is trying to tell me something

> Sometimes I feel like a hypochondriac

The rest of it:

but I have to remind myself that I've been feeling these symptoms long before I

knew what

the problem was. I've actually felt better since knowing as it's not such a

mystery anymore.

And I can't remember what else I typed after that - it couldn't have been

important. Anyhow,

I really hope things get better for you Miriam and I'm sure many of us are

thinking of you.

Colleen

[Guest guest]

>

> The last bit of my reply was cut off for some reason ... what a

place to cut it off at. I wonder

> if someone is trying to tell me something

>

> > Sometimes I feel like a hypochondriac

>

> The rest of it:

>

> but I have to remind myself that I've been feeling these symptoms

long before I knew what

> the problem was. I've actually felt better since knowing as it's

not such a mystery anymore.

>

> And I can't remember what else I typed after that - it couldn't

have been important. Anyhow,

> I really hope things get better for you Miriam and I'm sure many of

us are thinking of you.

>

> Colleen

>

I feel like a hypochondriac too. Sometimes I think when I'm feeling

my worst that people are laughing at me and saying - all she wants is

attention. The other thing I keep telling myself, is Im a

Bernhardt, things aren't really that bad and I'm being overly

dramatic. Maybe things are really that bad and maybe I need to take

care of myself and stop calling myself a Bernhardt. Maybe I

have a real medical problem on my hands and I am handling it.

[Guest guest]

I strongly encourage you to call the hospital and explain your

situation. They may be able to suggest alternatives. Do you have

insurance? Sometimes insurance will pay for you to stay a little

longer, or go to another facility for recovery, if you have no one to

take care of you. The people at the hospital will likely be concerned

about it and want to help make arrangements, because if you have no

one to help you and something happens, they could be liable. Please do

this, you really don't want to be riding the bus right after having

surgery, you will be feeling very lousy after having the general

anesthesia and you could easily get sicker riding a bumpy bus. You

certainly will not be able to drive yourself home. Please talk to the

hospital and let us know what you find out.

>

> the surgery is 400 miles away not 800. Like another person who

> wrote, I live by myself and I do not have a support system. People

> have been kind but 400 miles is a long way. I thought of driving but

> dizziness and that popping in my head doesn't seem like that would be

> a good idea. The first greyhound stop is 75 miles away. So I have

> to get transportation to greyhound going to the ear clinic and then

> when I get to San ? I have to get transportation to Palo Alto.

> Then I have to do the reverse to get back home, only by then I will

> have had surgery. I am scared. I came from a family where sickness

> was BAD. and if you got sick, too bad, there was always someone in

> the family to make you sicker. Getting sick was not a wise thing to

> do. I don't feel wise and I don't feel cared about. I know if I

> want a life and would like to avoid meningitis or some other results

> of this cholesteotoma I need to have this surgery. Dr. Roberson has

> good credentials and I feel that I will be in the hands of an

> excellent surgeon. I am thankful this website is here. I have

> breathing, asthma difficulties and low grade emphysema. I had

> mentioned this on the other website and was told cholesteatoma was an

> inappropriate subject for that website. Hopefully I'm not offending

> anyone because I'm scared. I know being afraid has nothing to do

> with cholesteatoma, but I do have lots of anxiety and fear about

> paying for all of this, transportation, additional surgeries etc. I

> just had to renew the pain subscription, I don't like taking pain

> pills, but sometimes I am so uncomfortable I don't know what to do.

> Someone told me that i keep very busy to I don't have to think about

> this thing - I wonder what I'm really doing. I don't have a very

> good handle on myself.

>

[Guest guest]

Miriam, I truly feel for your situation...and understand how you must be feeling. I live in South Florida and am by myself. I'm a very young 45 and most people nearly faint when they find out as they can't believe it....I was blessed with youthful genes and for the most part really good health (at least until I was diagnosed with this thing). Most everyone thinks I'm about 30. It's a blessing and a curse. No one would also believe that I have no one to help me out or be with me for the surgery as they think I have a perfectly normal family and personal situation. It used to be that way but it has all been taken away from me piece by piece due to members of my family feuding with each other and taking sides. Since I didn't want to do that I have basically been ex-communicated from them all one by one. It's a horrible feeling when you've been the one to try

and get everyone to compromise and get along and you're the one they turn away from. I don't understand God's master plan as I've lived a very honest, clean life and this is the payback. I used to have a large extended family but after my parents divorced the family disintegrated little by little. My extended relatives have all passed on and I've had no contact with my Dad for nearly 7 years and my Mom freaked out last year after hurricane Wilma and I haven't heard from her since. All my friends have moved out of the state and that leaves me with no one so I'm facing the surgery by myself and the recovery by myself as well. It's a pretty scary thought. My surgery has been scheduled for late March and that leaves me with a lot of time to stress out. I had to work out transportation with a local service to and from the hospital. I would much prefer a personal support system rather than a stranger

driving me but some of us just have to do what we have to do. I look at it as optimistically as I can which is things could be worse. I could have found out about my C-Toma much later and then things would be even more serious. There are people worse off in the world who have life threatening illnesses and no one to stand by them either. So in the grand scheme of things I guess it could be worse. Perhaps you can look into some type of transport service (the hospital or outpatient center may be able to recommend something in your situation). Did you discuss the situation with your surgeon's office. I did tell the surgical coordinator that I was on my own and she called the hospital for advice on transportation for me. I'm also looking into post surgical care even if it's just the 1st or 2nd day. I think it would just make me feel more at ease if I know there is

someone around in case I need something. There are local day nursing agencies which I'm going to call. I'm not sure what your area has and what the costs are but it's worth looking into just for peace of mind. Don't let anyone on the site make you feel worse either. If you need to express your fears or concerns or are just looking for some moral support you have every right to do so. You can feel free to email me if you need an ear...I'll be happy to listen and try to help as much as I can. If you want to email me just make sure you reply just to the sender or email me at pfg0219@.... By the way, when are you scheduled for your surgery? You are not alone in your situation and I hope this was of some help to you. Regards, Pamela miriamfelt <miriamfelt@...> wrote: the surgery is 400 miles away not 800. Like another person who wrote, I live by myself and I do not have a support system. People have been kind but 400 miles is a long way. I thought of driving but dizziness and that popping in my head doesn't seem like that would be a good idea. The first greyhound stop is 75 miles away. So I have to get transportation to greyhound going to the ear clinic and then when I get to San ? I have

to get transportation to Palo Alto. Then I have to do the reverse to get back home, only by then I will have had surgery. I am scared. I came from a family where sickness was BAD. and if you got sick, too bad, there was always someone in the family to make you sicker. Getting sick was not a wise thing to do. I don't feel wise and I don't feel cared about. I know if I want a life and would like to avoid meningitis or some other results of this cholesteotoma I need to have this surgery. Dr. Roberson has good credentials and I feel that I will be in the hands of an excellent surgeon. I am thankful this website is here. I have breathing, asthma difficulties and low grade emphysema. I had mentioned this on the other website and was told cholesteatoma was an inappropriate subject for that website. Hopefully I'm not offending anyone because I'm scared. I know being afraid has nothing to do with cholesteatoma, but I do have

lots of anxiety and fear about paying for all of this, transportation, additional surgeries etc. I just had to renew the pain subscription, I don't like taking pain pills, but sometimes I am so uncomfortable I don't know what to do. Someone told me that i keep very busy to I don't have to think about this thing - I wonder what I'm really doing. I don't have a very good handle on myself.

Any questions? Get answers on any topic at Answers. Try it now.

[Guest guest]

Pamela,

Its not so bad. I was in perfect health and around 50 when I had the operation. I had it done in ville over a year ago and have had no problems. One problem with the support group is that the experience of the members are not typical, as far as I can tell. Many of them have had severe complications and repeat operations. That has not been my experience.

I have lost most of the hearing in the ear but I knew that was going to happen . There was no vertigo, no pain and so far no recurrence. It would be nice to have a personal support group, but you will be able to manage on your own. I would plan on spending the night in the hospital and taking a taxi home.

My experience was that I could not work for a month after the operation. Group members say they go back after a week, I think that would be very difficult. Maybe I am just a slow healer.

I will give some advice I think is very important. Make sure that you check out your Doctors background completely. Make sure you see a specialist and not an ENT . My doctor had done the operation over 500 times.

Best of luck and don't worry.

Best regards,

Dave

________________________________________________________________________

Interested in getting caught up on today's news?

Click here to checkout USA TODAY Headlines.

[Guest guest]

i'm scheduled for the surgery preop on 3/7 and the surgery on 3/8.

On Februrary 20th, I see the primary and fill out all the surgical

information. I've spoken to social workers, the dr. and a counselor

and they seem to agree that the bus is the best way. The ear clinic

is sending me a packet telling me what motels/hotels they recommend I

stay until I am ready to travel home. One of the social organization

will fund some of the expense.

Thank you for offering your support. I haven't lived here long

enough to build a stable network, but people have been kind to me.

I'm not young, I will be 67 years old in April. But there is a very

active senior community here and I volunteer and participate in the

activities ... but this thing ... sometimes

I live in the boonies We are one of the poorest counties in

California. So I'm not the only one that has to deal with this

stuff.

> the surgery is 400 miles away not 800. Like another

person who

> wrote, I live by myself and I do not have a support system. People

> have been kind but 400 miles is a long way. I thought of driving

but

> dizziness and that popping in my head doesn't seem like that would

be

> a good idea. The first greyhound stop is 75 miles away. So I have

> to get transportation to greyhound going to the ear clinic and then

> when I get to San ? I have to get transportation to Palo Alto.

> Then I have to do the reverse to get back home, only by then I will

> have had surgery. I am scared. I came from a family where sickness

> was BAD. and if you got sick, too bad, there was always someone in

> the family to make you sicker. Getting sick was not a wise thing to

> do. I don't feel wise and I don't feel cared about. I know if I

> want a life and would like to avoid meningitis or some other

results

> of this cholesteotoma I need to have this surgery. Dr. Roberson has

> good credentials and I feel that I will be in the hands of an

> excellent surgeon. I am thankful this website is here. I have

> breathing, asthma difficulties and low grade emphysema. I had

> mentioned this on the other website and was told cholesteatoma was

an

> inappropriate subject for that website. Hopefully I'm not offending

> anyone because I'm scared. I know being afraid has nothing to do

> with cholesteatoma, but I do have lots of anxiety and fear about

> paying for all of this, transportation, additional surgeries etc. I

> just had to renew the pain subscription, I don't like taking pain

> pills, but sometimes I am so uncomfortable I don't know what to do.

> Someone told me that i keep very busy to I don't have to think

about

> this thing - I wonder what I'm really doing. I don't have a very

> good handle on myself.

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Any questions? Get answers on any topic at Answers. Try it

now.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Dave,

I think you hit the nail on the head when you said support groups like

this are not indicative of everyone outcome of c-toma treatment. When

I first learned I had a c-toma, I went to the Internet and found this

group. Hoping to get answers of who, where, what, how and the why of

c-tomas, I became scared out of my gourd when I started reading about

everyone's problems. It seemed absolutely no one had an easy time

from diagnosis to post-op care. It wasn't until I went outside the

group and started doing research that I began to find answers of what

to expect from the " norm. " This group has been very helpful to learn

terminology and every possible problem that can arise; however, I

think it is important to reiterate far more individuals have good

experiences than bad. Here's some things I've learned; first, once

you are diagnosed and have chosen a surgeon, ask him/her for

references and their success/complication rate. A good surgeon will

have that information handy for review. Talk to the references, both

good and bad from the surgeon's list and learn from their experience.

In my research, a significant amount of those who had bad experiences

contributed to their own bad experiences. For instance, keeping your

ear dry during healing. This includes any physical activity that will

make you sweat. What happens when you exert yourself? You sweat.

What kind of environment does infection and bacteria like? Warm and

moist. See what I mean? Following your surgeon's post care

instructions to the letter will almost guarantee positive results. As

for me, I'm having my surgery this Friday and am having the the

packing removed the following Friday. Once the packing is removed, my

surgeon said I can go back to work, which I plan on doing the

following Monday. Bottom line, having a c-toma is not the end of

the world. More individuals have positive experiences than negative.

Above all, knowledge is power. If you just learned you have a

c-toma, learn as much as you can from as many sources as possible.

Lastly, take charge of your own treatment, including the type of

surgical procedure.

Take Care,

Rich

dfdoug@... wrote:

>

> Pamela,

>

> Its not so bad. I was in perfect health and around 50 when I had the

operation. I had it done in ville over a year ago and have had

no problems. One problem with the support group is that the

experience of the members are not typical, as far as I can tell. Many

of them have had severe complications and repeat operations. That has

not been my experience.

>

> I have lost most of the hearing in the ear but I knew that was

going to happen . There was no vertigo, no pain and so far no

recurrence. It would be nice to have a personal support group, but you

will be able to manage on your own. I would plan on spending the night

in the hospital and taking a taxi home.

>

> My experience was that I could not work for a month after the

operation. Group members say they go back after a week, I think that

would be very difficult. Maybe I am just a slow healer.

>

> I will give some advice I think is very important. Make sure that

you check out your Doctors background completely. Make sure you see a

specialist and not an ENT . My doctor had done the operation over 500

times.

>

> Best of luck and don't worry.

>

> Best regards,

>

> Dave

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ________________________________________________________________________

> Interested in getting caught up on today's news?

> Click here to checkout USA TODAY Headlines.

>

>

> Pamela,

> Its not so bad. I was in perfect health and around 50 when I had the

operation. I had it done in ville over a year ago and have had

no problems. One problem with the support group is that the

experience of the members are not typical, as far as I can tell. Many

of them have had severe complications and repeat operations. That has

not been my experience.

> I have lost most of the hearing in the ear but I knew that was

going to happen . There was no vertigo, no pain and so far no

recurrence. It would be nice to have a personal support group, but you

will be able to manage on your own. I would plan on spending the night

in the hospital and taking a taxi home.

> My experience was that I could not work for a month after the

operation. Group members say they go back after a week, I think that

would be very difficult. Maybe I am just a slow healer.

> I will give some advice I think is very important. Make sure that

you check out your Doctors background completely. Make sure you see a

specialist and not an ENT . My doctor had done the operation over 500

times.

> Best of luck and don't worry.

> Best regards,

> Dave

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ________________________________________________________________________

> Interested in getting caught up on today's news?

> Click here to checkout USA TODAY Headlines.

>

http://track.juno.com/s/lc?s=198954 & u=http://www.usatoday.com/news/front.htm?csp\

=24

>

[Guest guest]

Miriam,

I am glad to hear you won't have to go all the way home right after

the surgery. If it is a relatively short bus road, it probably won't

be so bad. Glad you may get some financial help, too. Good luck and

let us know how it goes!

My surgery is Friday ...

> > the surgery is 400 miles away not 800. Like another

> person who

> > wrote, I live by myself and I do not have a support system.

People

> > have been kind but 400 miles is a long way. I thought of driving

> but

> > dizziness and that popping in my head doesn't seem like that

would

> be

> > a good idea. The first greyhound stop is 75 miles away. So I have

> > to get transportation to greyhound going to the ear clinic and

then

> > when I get to San ? I have to get transportation to Palo

Alto.

> > Then I have to do the reverse to get back home, only by then I

will

> > have had surgery. I am scared. I came from a family where

sickness

> > was BAD. and if you got sick, too bad, there was always someone

in

> > the family to make you sicker. Getting sick was not a wise thing

to

> > do. I don't feel wise and I don't feel cared about. I know if I

> > want a life and would like to avoid meningitis or some other

> results

> > of this cholesteotoma I need to have this surgery. Dr. Roberson

has

> > good credentials and I feel that I will be in the hands of an

> > excellent surgeon. I am thankful this website is here. I have

> > breathing, asthma difficulties and low grade emphysema. I had

> > mentioned this on the other website and was told cholesteatoma

was

> an

> > inappropriate subject for that website. Hopefully I'm not

offending

> > anyone because I'm scared. I know being afraid has nothing to do

> > with cholesteatoma, but I do have lots of anxiety and fear about

> > paying for all of this, transportation, additional surgeries etc.

I

> > just had to renew the pain subscription, I don't like taking pain

> > pills, but sometimes I am so uncomfortable I don't know what to

do.

> > Someone told me that i keep very busy to I don't have to think

> about

> > this thing - I wonder what I'm really doing. I don't have a very

> > good handle on myself.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ---------------------------------

> > Any questions? Get answers on any topic at Answers. Try

it

> now.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

> Above all, knowledge is power.

Rich,

I totally agree with this. Both with my cholesteatoma and a chronic

illness I have, I've tried to learn as much as possible about the

diseases. I feel that, as long I have perspective such as you are

offering, even knowing the bad things that can happen is good. It means

I can be prepared if something happens to me, and it means I can try to

learn from others and possibly prevent having a similar problem. Above

all, doctors are not the be all end all, they are fallible, overworked,

and sometimes incompetent. We all have to be proactive and take charge

of own bodies, ask question, be assertive, and educate ourselves about

this condition so that in the end, we know we did everything we could

to have a positive outcome.

Good luck everybody ...

[Guest guest]

> Above all, knowledge is power.

Rich,

I totally agree with this. Both with my cholesteatoma and a chronic

illness I have, I've tried to learn as much as possible about the

diseases. I feel that, as long I have perspective such as you are

offering, even knowing the bad things that can happen is good. It means

I can be prepared if something happens to me, and it means I can try to

learn from others and possibly prevent having a similar problem. Above

all, doctors are not the be all end all, they are fallible, overworked,

and sometimes incompetent. We all have to be proactive and take charge

of own bodies, ask question, be assertive, and educate ourselves about

this condition so that in the end, we know we did everything we could

to have a positive outcome.

Good luck everybody ...

[Guest guest]

>> Above all, doctors are not the be all end all, they are fallible, overworked, and sometimes <<

A bit like us humans, really, eh?

I agree with what Rich and you are saying. This forum has been wonderfully informative and supportive during times of need and I too have learned so very much, and I now know what may happen in future, and what to do if it does :-)))))

Kazzy

xx

Re: scared

> Above all, knowledge is power. Rich,I totally agree with this. Both with my cholesteatoma and a chronic illness I have, I've tried to learn as much as possible about the diseases. I feel that, as long I have perspective such as you are offering, even knowing the bad things that can happen is good. It means I can be prepared if something happens to me, and it means I can try to learn from others and possibly prevent having a similar problem. Above all, doctors are not the be all end all, they are fallible, overworked, and sometimes incompetent. We all have to be proactive and take charge of own bodies, ask question, be assertive, and educate ourselves about this condition so that in the end, we know we did everything we could to have a positive outcome. Good luck everybody ...

No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition.Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.17.25/669 - Release Date: 2/4/2007 9:58 PM

[Guest guest]

Sue,

The reference numbers in the UK must be different because here in the US, you

would be

very hypo with those numbers. So when you say you are borderline that is

surprising. You

have to try what you feel would be best for you. As I have said, I tried

Synthroid for many

years. Most of those years was a battle. I am now on Armour. Still early in

the process

but I feel good about this move. You have to make your own decision on this.

There are

options but not many.

Good luck to you!! Take care

Venizia

>

> Hi guys,

>

> I have been following this forum for some time now and I am grateful

> for the information I have learned.

>

> Personally I still feel in a position where I am still borderline even

> though my TSH was 20 and my T4 was 8.

>

> I now have to decide which medication to take (if any). Armour is one

> option and levothyroxine is another. I live in the UK and i realise

> most of you guys are in the USA but we are the same. x

>

> I am looking for a way forward and if any of your can help me I would

> be grateful.

>

> Thank you

>

> Suzanne x

>

[Guest guest]

sue,

You wrote:

>

> Personally I still feel in a position where I am still borderline even

> though my TSH was 20 and my T4 was 8.

>

> I now have to decide which medication to take (if any)...

A TSH of 20 is NOT borderline. You definitely need to take something. If

your doctor is really leaving it up to you, my suggestion would be to

try the levothyroxine first. If it doesn't do the job, switch to Armour.

Chuck

[Guest guest]

Hi Chuck,

I know - but I am so well. I am finding it difficult to accept because there

is nothing wrong with me. I keep thinking they are making mistakes with the

blood tests. I am probably fitter that the average person of my age.

I have made an appointment to see my doctor for a chat on Friday.

Thanks for your reply

Suzanne

Chuck B <gumboyaya@...> wrote:

sue,

You wrote:

>

> Personally I still feel in a position where I am still borderline even

> though my TSH was 20 and my T4 was 8.

>

> I now have to decide which medication to take (if any)...

A TSH of 20 is NOT borderline. You definitely need to take something. If

your doctor is really leaving it up to you, my suggestion would be to

try the levothyroxine first. If it doesn't do the job, switch to Armour.

Chuck

---------------------------------

Answers - Got a question? Someone out there knows the answer. Tryit now.

[Guest guest]

Your friend died from Lap Band surgery? Not a gastric bypass or revision surgery? That's pretty rare.

I think of it this way, we ALL have complications from obesity whether we know it or not. Complications from banding are rare. You can opt for rare complications from banding or certain complications from obesity. If you think about it, the decision is already made.

My friend was banded in Feb and she did it because she wanted to be around to watch her daughter grow up. I don't blame her, she and her family deserve nothing less. So do you, you deserve nothing less. Right?

On 6/25/07, countrigrlb <countrigrlb@...> wrote:

Hello Everyone,Well where to begin......I received my email today telling me I was approved for surgery. All of a sudden I'm scared to death. I have read several of the messages and all are very helpful. However, I also seen the one of the friend who died the next day after surgery. Can someone please help me get over this fear. I am so excited but nervous is so many ways. Is this common for most everyone?Thanks in advance for everyone support.

[Guest guest]

You saw a post HERE where someone died after LAPBAND surgery???? I have been reading this board for well over a year and I guess that one somehow got lost or something because I don't recall that one at all. Gastric bypass maybe??? But I don't even think I've read that here. Everyone is scared...it IS surgery, afterall. However, my fear of dying from complications of being obese for so long began to become greater than my fear of having surgery so that was the point in time when I knew getting a lapband was right for me. I wanted to be around with my children until well into their adult hood and my fear of dying an early death was my motivation. I have had a few minor complications since my lapband but I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. My life is so much better now and my health has improved drastically. I can't imagine what I would feel like at 43

years old and have all the excess weight on me that I used to carry now that I have become much smaller. I don't know how my body lasted as long as it did! Hell, if I had not had this surgery in 2006 when I weighed 247 pounds, I probably would be at least 300 pounds by now! Now THAT is what I call scary! Do your research. Keep reading messages on this board. Keep posting questions and concerns. Email people if you need to. Do whatever it takes to calm your nerves as much as possible. It is normal to be nervous...we ALL were...but don't go overboard or you will be miserable. Get ready for the greatest, most amazing journey of your life! Jenni Currie DOB 2/23/06 247/142/145 4 fills 3 unfills No longer portless! :)countrigrlb <countrigrlb@...>

wrote: Hello Everyone,Well where to begin......I received my email today telling me I was approved for surgery. All of a sudden I'm scared to death. I have read several of the messages and all are very helpful. However, I also seen the one of the friend who died the next day after surgery. Can someone please help me get over this fear. I am so excited but nervous is so many ways. Is this common for most everyone?Thanks in advance for everyone support.

Ready for the edge of your seat? Check out tonight's top picks on TV.

[Guest guest]

I think I read that one too, she died of a blood clot I think. VERY

RARE though

> Hello Everyone,

>

> Well where to begin......I received my email today telling me I was

> approved for surgery. All of a sudden I'm scared to death. I have

> read several of the messages and all are very helpful. However, I

also

> seen the one of the friend who died the next day after surgery. Can

> someone please help me get over this fear. I am so excited but

nervous

> is so many ways. Is this common for most everyone?

>

> Thanks in advance for everyone support.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Ready for the edge of your seat? Check out tonight's top picks on

TV.

>

[Guest guest]

It was my friend that died because of a blood clot. She was at

her hotel after the surgery and her two daughters were with her and they were

trying to get her to get up and walk around and they went to get her a drink of

water and they came back and she had collapsed on the floor and was dead. It

was said that it was because of a blood clot. This can happen with any surgery

and is rare but sad. She was like all of us, very excited to have the surgery

and sad that she could not live to see the weight come off. Her family just

lost her sister last month, and are grieving so much because of it. PLEASE don’t

let this scare you, but I think all should be aware that there can be risks to

the surgery…just talk to as many people as you can and get as much info as you

can. If you do your reading, you will see a lot of postings that death is

always possible with any surgery due to unforseen complications or problems. I

am SCARED TO DEATH to have the surgery, but talking to others who are fine has

calmed me down. If you are a person of faith, pray about it.

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of J Currie

Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2007 5:23 AM

Subject: Re: Scared

You saw a post HERE where someone died after LAPBAND

surgery???? I have been reading this board for well over a year and I

guess that one somehow got lost or something because I don't recall that one at

all. Gastric bypass maybe??? But I don't even think I've read that

here.

Everyone is scared...it IS surgery, afterall. However,

my fear of dying from complications of being obese for so long began to become

greater than my fear of having surgery so that was the point in time when I

knew getting a lapband was right for me. I wanted to be around with my children

until well into their adult hood and my fear of dying an early death was my

motivation.

I have had a few minor complications since my lapband but I

would do it all over again in a heartbeat. My life is so much better now

and my health has improved drastically. I can't imagine what I would feel

like at 43 years old and have all the excess weight on me that I used to carry

now that I have become much smaller. I don't know how my body lasted as

long as it did! Hell, if I had not had this surgery in 2006 when I

weighed 247 pounds, I probably would be at least 300 pounds by now! Now

THAT is what I call scary!

Do your research. Keep reading messages on this

board. Keep posting questions and concerns. Email people if you

need to. Do whatever it takes to calm your nerves as much as

possible. It is normal to be nervous...we ALL were...but don't go

overboard or you will be miserable.

Get ready for the greatest, most amazing journey of your

life!

Jenni Currie

DOB 2/23/06

247/142/145

4 fills

3 unfills

No longer portless!

countrigrlb <countrigrlb@...> wrote:

Hello Everyone,

Well where to begin......I received my email today telling me I was

approved for surgery. All of a sudden I'm scared to death. I have

read several of the messages and all are very helpful. However, I also

seen the one of the friend who died the next day after surgery. Can

someone please help me get over this fear. I am so excited but nervous

is so many ways. Is this common for most everyone?

Thanks in advance for everyone support.

Ready for the edge of your seat? Check out

tonight's top picks on TV.

[Guest guest]

,

I think we were all pretty scared but we were more scared to stay

obese and die of complications of obesity. To never be scared about

surgery is to under-informed of the risks but to choose to remain

obese is to also be under-informed of the risks. People die every day

in car accidents but we don't let that keep us from driving even

though we have NO control over who else is driving their car or their

mental or physical condition or the conditon of their car. But we DO

get to choose who is surrounding the operating table and Dr. Aceves

and team are the best. I have not read the post you mention and you

did not mention the cause of death for that poor soul but I can assure

you I look better, feel better, breathe better, walk without pain, and

my blood pressure is now a bit below 120/80.

Yeah, there are risks associated with any surgery but the hundreds of

us who got a band from the A-team now know for CERTAIN that the

benefits far outweigh the risks and the worst after-effects stories I

have read here came from experiences with fills from US doctors and

some of those messes were cleaned up by Dr. Aceves.

Gloria Satchell

12/21/05

221/172/140 getting a fill in three weeks and getting back on track

>

> Hello Everyone,

>

> Well where to begin......I received my email today telling me I was

> approved for surgery. All of a sudden I'm scared to death. I have

> read several of the messages and all are very helpful. However, I

also

> seen the one of the friend who died the next day after surgery. Can

> someone please help me get over this fear. I am so excited but

nervous

> is so many ways. Is this common for most everyone?

>

> Thanks in advance for everyone support.

>

>

>