Re: Soon to be on the other side

[Guest guest]

Rosemary:

God be with you and your surgeon. You'll do fine. I've lit a candle

and said a prayer for you. (In fact, you all are in my prayers.)

Take care and if all doesn't get done before surgery, there's always

the rest of your life for that stuff. Don't forget to take pictures!

Francisco

06/03/03

-116lbs

> Ok - It seemed like I would never get here; but I am now less than

a

> week away. And, of course, I am finding myself inundated at work

> and at home, trying to get things done so I can be free for the

next

> couple of weeks.

>

> I am probably going to have to work on Saturday to get everything

> done! My fundraising work (phone calls) may not get done by then,

> but I can live with that. I am printing raffle tickets as we speak -

> say does anyone want a ticket for a cruise - just kidding? I

wanted

> to clean the windows and do some clean-up painting around here

> before my surgery, because I know I won't be able to do that after -

> but I guess I have to let that go too! I know this sounds like I

> might have compulsive tendancies - imagine that - LOL!!

>

> I am a little scared, but feel emotionally prepared. I know until

I

> am there -- I really won't understand what to expect in terms of

> pain and the recovery process. I just pray my surgery is

successful

> and I am able to heal relatively quickly.

>

> On a really exciting note, since I started on this journey this

past

> June, I have lost 50 lbs. on my own!! I even made it through the

> Holidays, a greek wedding and birthday dinner. Exciting - but I

> know it would be short lived once I go off the diet so away we

> goooo!

>

> Talk to you all soon

>

> Rosemary

[Guest guest]

Hi Rosemary,

Sounds like you've got a very busy week in front of you. That

can be good - keeping your mind busy & away from any worrying - but

don't stress. I was in the middle of several projects when I was

given a surgery date only 10 days away - and, what with pre-op appointments

and all, it seemed an even shorter time. You probably already know

all this . . . nonetheless - prioritize, do what must be done, and relax.

Do some deep breathing exercises - they are great for relaxing and help

build up your lung power for recovery.

You have done fantastically at preparing yourself for this journey by

losing that 50 lbs. That loss should make your surgery and recovery

easier.

I don't recall where your surgery will be or who your surgeon is.

My experience was at Kaiser Richmond. Pain was not a big issue while

I was in the hospital. You gotta love that Pain Buster pump they

put on your incision. The first couple of walks were challenging

- pain wasn't bad, but I did feel very light-headed and nauseated after

just a short walk. My doctor had made a point of telling me not to

try too hard - go as far as I could, call it quits and be ready to do it

again in a few hours. That made me feel better when my first couple

of walks were very short. But things got much better as I got more

of the anesthesia out of my system. I was very nervous about going

home so soon after surgery (I was out of surgery at 6:00pm Monday afternoon

and released the next morning) - but it was o.k. Rest, walk, take

your meds, sip some water . . . repeat, repeat, repeat . . .

You will definitely be in my thoughts and prayers for an uncomplicated

surgery and a full and speedy recovery.

Take care,

Kay

open RNY 12/1/03

RoseWood94513 wrote:

Ok - It seemed like I would never get here;

but I am now less than a

week away. And, of course, I am finding myself inundated

at work

and at home, trying to get things done so I can be free for the

next

couple of weeks.

I am probably going to have to work on Saturday to get everything

done! My fundraising work (phone calls) may not get done

by then,

but I can live with that. I am printing raffle tickets as we speak

-

say does anyone want a ticket for a cruise - just kidding?

I wanted

to clean the windows and do some clean-up painting around here

before my surgery, because I know I won't be able to do that after

-

but I guess I have to let that go too! I know this sounds like

I

might have compulsive tendancies - imagine that - LOL!!

I am a little scared, but feel emotionally prepared. I know

until I

am there -- I really won't understand what to expect in terms of

pain and the recovery process. I just pray my surgery is

successful

and I am able to heal relatively quickly.

On a really exciting note, since I started on this journey this

past

June, I have lost 50 lbs. on my own!! I even made it through

the

Holidays, a greek wedding and birthday dinner. Exciting -

but I

know it would be short lived once I go off the diet so away we

goooo!

Talk to you all soon

Rosemary

[Guest guest]

Thanks Kay - I'll be at Kaiser Richmond and Dr. Baggs is my surgeon. You are right about relaxing. I have already decided to let the housework and house projects go. It's enough to leave work knowing my desk is clear and meeting my parent volunteer committments and just spending time with my family. My husband said it is as if I have gone in to my "nesting" mode like when I was do deliver my babies. LOL

At any rate, perhaps you can tell me - were you given any "off-work" or disability information prior to your surgery? I was able to get blank disability forms from the Business Office, but that was it? I may give them a call tomorrow just to double check - although I have never received a return phone call from any message I have left on their answering machine?

Thanks again - talk to you soon - from the other sideKay wrote:

Hi Rosemary,Sounds like you've got a very busy week in front of you.That can be good - keeping your mind busy & away from anyworrying - but don't stress. I was in the middle of severalprojects when I was given a surgery date only 10 days away -and, what with pre-op appointments and all, it seemed aneven shorter time. You probably already know all this . . .nonetheless - prioritize, do what must be done, and relax.Do some deep breathing exercises - they are great forrelaxing and help build up your lung power for recovery.You have done fantastically at preparing yourself for thisjourney by losing that 50 lbs. That loss should make yoursurgery and recovery easier.I don't recall where your surgery will be or who yoursurgeon is. My experience was at Kaiser Richmond. Pain wasnot a big issue while I was in the

hospital. You gotta lovethat Pain Buster pump they put on your incision. The firstcouple of walks were challenging - pain wasn't bad, but Idid feel very light-headed and nauseated after just a shortwalk. My doctor had made a point of telling me not to trytoo hard - go as far as I could, call it quits and be readyto do it again in a few hours. That made me feel betterwhen my first couple of walks were very short. But thingsgot much better as I got more of the anesthesia out of mysystem. I was very nervous about going home so soon aftersurgery (I was out of surgery at 6:00pm Monday afternoon andreleased the next morning) - but it was o.k. Rest, walk,take your meds, sip some water . . . repeat, repeat, repeat. . .You will definitely be in my thoughts and prayers for anuncomplicated surgery and a full and speedy recovery.Take care,Kayopen RNY 12/1/03RoseWood94513 wrote:> Ok - It

seemed like I would never get here; but I am now> less than a> week away. And, of course, I am finding myself inundated> at work> and at home, trying to get things done so I can be free> for the next> couple of weeks.>> I am probably going to have to work on Saturday to get> everything> done! My fundraising work (phone calls) may not get done> by then,> but I can live with that. I am printing raffle tickets as> we speak -> say does anyone want a ticket for a cruise - just> kidding? I wanted> to clean the windows and do some clean-up painting around> here> before my surgery, because I know I won't be able to do> that after -> but I guess I have to let that go too! I know this sounds> like I> might have compulsive tendancies - imagine that - LOL!!>> I am a little scared, but feel emotionally prepared. I> know

until I> am there -- I really won't understand what to expect in> terms of> pain and the recovery process. I just pray my surgery is> successful> and I am able to heal relatively quickly.>> On a really exciting note, since I started on this journey> this past> June, I have lost 50 lbs. on my own!! I even made it> through the> Holidays, a greek wedding and birthday dinner. Exciting -> but I> know it would be short lived once I go off the diet so> away we> goooo!>> Talk to you all soon>> Rosemary>>>

[Guest guest]

Hi Rosemary in case i get busy i just wanted to wish you well in your surgery, glad you are thinking about you and I like you husbands humor about the nesting mode, that made me laugh lol take care colleenRosemary Wood wrote:

Thanks Kay - I'll be at Kaiser Richmond and Dr. Baggs is my surgeon. You are right about relaxing. I have already decided to let the housework and house projects go. It's enough to leave work knowing my desk is clear and meeting my parent volunteer committments and just spending time with my family. My husband said it is as if I have gone in to my "nesting" mode like when I was do deliver my babies. LOL

At any rate, perhaps you can tell me - were you given any "off-work" or disability information prior to your surgery? I was able to get blank disability forms from the Business Office, but that was it? I may give them a call tomorrow just to double check - although I have never received a return phone call from any message I have left on their answering machine?

Thanks again - talk to you soon - from the other sideKay wrote:

Hi Rosemary,Sounds like you've got a very busy week in front of you.That can be good - keeping your mind busy & away from anyworrying - but don't stress. I was in the middle of severalprojects when I was given a surgery date only 10 days away -and, what with pre-op appointments and all, it seemed aneven shorter time. You probably already know all this . . .nonetheless - prioritize, do what must be done, and relax.Do some deep breathing exercises - they are great forrelaxing and help build up your lung power for recovery.You have done fantastically at preparing yourself for thisjourney by losing that 50 lbs. That loss should make yoursurgery and recovery easier.I don't recall where your surgery will be or who yoursurgeon is. My experience was at Kaiser Richmond. Pain wasnot a big issue while I was in the

hospital. You gotta lovethat Pain Buster pump they put on your incision. The firstcouple of walks were challenging - pain wasn't bad, but Idid feel very light-headed and nauseated after just a shortwalk. My doctor had made a point of telling me not to trytoo hard - go as far as I could, call it quits and be readyto do it again in a few hours. That made me feel betterwhen my first couple of walks were very short. But thingsgot much better as I got more of the anesthesia out of mysystem. I was very nervous about going home so soon aftersurgery (I was out of surgery at 6:00pm Monday afternoon andreleased the next morning) - but it was o.k. Rest, walk,take your meds, sip some water . . . repeat, repeat, repeat. . .You will definitely be in my thoughts and prayers for anuncomplicated surgery and a full and speedy recovery.Take care,Kayopen RNY 12/1/03RoseWood94513 wrote:> Ok - It

seemed like I would never get here; but I am now> less than a> week away. And, of course, I am finding myself inundated> at work> and at home, trying to get things done so I can be free> for the next> couple of weeks.>> I am probably going to have to work on Saturday to get> everything> done! My fundraising work (phone calls) may not get done> by then,> but I can live with that. I am printing raffle tickets as> we speak -> say does anyone want a ticket for a cruise - just> kidding? I wanted> to clean the windows and do some clean-up painting around> here> before my surgery, because I know I won't be able to do> that after -> but I guess I have to let that go too! I know this sounds> like I> might have compulsive tendancies - imagine that - LOL!!>> I am a little scared, but feel emotionally prepared. I> know

until I> am there -- I really won't understand what to expect in> terms of> pain and the recovery process. I just pray my surgery is> successful> and I am able to heal relatively quickly.>> On a really exciting note, since I started on this journey> this past> June, I have lost 50 lbs. on my own!! I even made it> through the> Holidays, a greek wedding and birthday dinner. Exciting -> but I> know it would be short lived once I go off the diet so> away we> goooo!>> Talk to you all soon>> Rosemary>>>