Re: bloody issues & walking -mary

[Guest guest]

,

You asked how much blood I used. I know you have read enough now to

know that eveyone is very different in this regard... so I don't

know how relevant my case will be...except to say that Dr Rand's

paper indicates that for the way he stages/accomplishes this surgery

the Stage I (posterior) blood loss was 1870 cc (range 500-4000cc)

and stage 2/3 (anterior-posterior) average blood loss was 1759

(range 700-2800).

My report indicates I lost 1260 cc...low-average in stage 1...and my

report doesn't say anything about blood loss in stage 2/3...(except

the report of the vascular surgeon...indicates 100cc). I had banked

3 units and my brother donated 1 unit. I used my two units and a

cell saver during surgery and then received my last unit the day

after surgery. I assume I used my brothers blood during the second

surgery and blood from the bank...but don't know..I will have to ask.

As you say, it is not something to get worked up about. I believe

the blood supply is safe. I also believe that the risk/benefit ratio

on the blood donation question is different for everyone...so it

really is an individual thing. For instance, I imagine for someone

like who was a known " bleeder " the doctors would have very

definite reasons for and against pre-surgical blood donation. For an

otherwise healthy individual like myself, there are reasons for and

against auto-donation and they really need to be determined in the

case of each individual with their doctor.

You are going to do fine with you sisters blood and other banked

blood and you shouldn't worry any more about it.

On the walking and standing question...well, at the risk of sounding

like I am bragging...I just returned from a four day trip that would

have been a hellish nightmare 10 months ago. Without even

considering what I was agreeing to on the " front side " we planned a

last minute trip to Boston for New Years Eve. I took the subways and

walked the city for 3 days. I went the the Museum of Science for the

day chasing 3 kids (in a mob scene of vacation visitors to the Star

Wars exhibit). My hubby then decided we should walk back across town

to the Common to see the fireworks since it was just starting to

snow and it was soooo pretty. So I even walked Bostons uneven icey

sidwalks with nary a twinge.

To cap the trip off, yesterday we went to the new Boston area IKEA

and spent the better part of the day walking through and picking out

new bedroom furniture for my son and then had to stand in line for

more than 1/2 hour to check out. No problems noted. YEAH! So it was

a happy new year for me.

Next year you will be doing the same thing !

Stay Calm and Stay Positive,

Cam

<heatherbenjaminnicholas@y...> wrote:

>

> --Sharon,

> They told me at NEBH that they recycle blood too..I guess they

> request alot just in case?? I don't know..when Cam gets back on

> Island maybe she can refesh our memory as to how much blood she

> actually needed, I know she did state it at one point...

> I must say I am also so, so jealous at folks who can walk for

great

> lengths of time ..Target for an hour..i'd die to do that!! Just a

> year ago I was in NYC and walked from 28th street up 5th ave to

87th

> street and did not give it two seconds of thought,,my, what a

> difference a year makes

>

> I wish everyone a very happy safe, healthy and most of all PAIN

free

> new year...., PA (still in Boston...)

>

>

[Guest guest]

I gave six units of blood for myself, through the Red Cross, who sent it to the Brigham for free. I must tell those of you who are so worried about giving, the people know you are nervous and they do everything they can to make it as easy as possible. There is someone nearly at your side the whole time. It was my understanding that, within hours, the body replaces that blood and all is well. I teeter on the anemic side, so was told to eat raisins, and got turned away only once for a low hematocrit.

Please do not get so upset about it? It will go like clockwork! Just my opinion; I have no medical degrees, but a very long surgical history.

Sincerely,

Carole M.

[Guest guest]

Now, Sharon, I am from Berkshire County, 'way up in the faRthest westeRn coRneR of MA! When I came to Boston on my own to woRk, I took shoRthand. I had no idea what mawdin (mahdeRn) furniture was. Bad enought I had to learn to take dictation from a down Mainer (a really great guy), but stenography is totally phonic, so I could read it back to him and he would approve, but I actually, at times, didn't know what he was saying! Cottons? (cartons).

So, even though my children were born in NY state, my youngest does have a bit of the Eastern MA accent; are you coming with?

Sincerely,

Carole M.

I'll be you haven't noticed that my husband was born in Boston and brought up in South Boston in the first government project!

He probably hasn't said enough; like your Amit, he can be very quiet!

[Guest guest]

[ ] Re: bloody issues & walking -mary

> To cap the trip off, yesterday we went to the new Boston area IKEA

> and spent the better part of the day walking through and picking out

> new bedroom furniture for my son and then had to stand in line for

> more than 1/2 hour to check out. No problems noted. YEAH! So it was

> a happy new year for me.

>

> Next year you will be doing the same thing !

>

> Stay Calm and Stay Positive,

> Cam

[Guest guest]

And for those of you who don't live in eastern New England, it is propahly

pronounced, " Happy New Yee-ah " !

, if you are going to spend any time at all between Old Ironsides and

the L Street Bath House, you had bettah learn that " R " is pronounced " ah "

(why, I have no i-de-er), chowdah NEVER contains tomatoes (it's illegal),

Quinzy Mahket is not in Quinzy, and NObody calls the city " Bean Town " except

New Yorkers who want to sound like touristy gits!

NOW you are ready to go to Boston for surgery. :^)

(And for anyone from west of US 495 who thinks Bostonians say " Bahston " , we

don't. We also don't say " Borston, and if you can't find a happy medium

like we do it's absolutely not our fault.)

And Cam, I told Hubby what you said about all your New Year's perambulatin',

and he said, " Wow, maybe it works " . I sure hope so because I've got a major

case of jealous right about now.

Sharon

[ ] Re: bloody issues & walking -mary

> To cap the trip off, yesterday we went to the new Boston area IKEA

> and spent the better part of the day walking through and picking out

> new bedroom furniture for my son and then had to stand in line for

> more than 1/2 hour to check out. No problems noted. YEAH! So it was

> a happy new year for me.

>

> Next year you will be doing the same thing !

>

> Stay Calm and Stay Positive,

> Cam

[Guest guest]

Am I the only one who gets queasy at all this talk of blood loss, blood banks, bleeding, anemia, etc?!

At 47 I've been in peri-menopause for a while now. I got a 4-day period on Dec. 20, and then started again yesterday (12 days apart!), and I feel like complete merde (pardon my Parisian). I really don't know how I could even handle giving one unit of blood for myself. I'm sure a lot of it is psychological, but the mind is a powerful thing.

(Ok, men, you can open your eyes now.)

Sharon

[ ] Re: bloody issues & walking -mary> > >> ,>>>> You asked how much blood I used. I know you have read enough now to>> know that eveyone is very different in this regard... so I don't>> know how relevant my case will be...except to say that Dr Rand's>> paper indicates that for the way he stages/accomplishes this surgery>> the Stage I (posterior) blood loss was 1870 cc (range 500-4000cc)>> and stage 2/3 (anterior-posterior) average blood loss was 1759>> (range 700-2800).>>>> My report indicates I lost 1260 cc...low-average in stage 1...and my>> report doesn't say anything about blood loss in stage 2/3...(except>> the report of the vascular surgeon...indicates 100cc). I had banked>> 3 units and my brother donated 1 unit. I used my two units and a>> cell saver during surgery and then received my last unit the day>> after surgery. I assume I used my brothers blood during the second>> surgery and blood from the bank...but don't know..I will have to ask.>>>> As you say, it is not something to get worked up about. I believe>> the blood supply is safe. I also believe that the risk/benefit ratio>> on the blood donation question is different for everyone...so it>> really is an individual thing. For instance, I imagine for someone>> like who was a known "bleeder" the doctors would have very>> definite reasons for and against pre-surgical blood donation. For an>> otherwise healthy individual like myself, there are reasons for and>> against auto-donation and they really need to be determined in the>> case of each individual with their doctor.>>>> You are going to do fine with you sisters blood and other banked>> blood and you shouldn't worry any more about it.>>>> On the walking and standing question...well, at the risk of sounding>> like I am bragging...I just returned from a four day trip that would>> have been a hellish nightmare 10 months ago. Without even>> considering what I was agreeing to on the "front side" we planned a>> last minute trip to Boston for New Years Eve. I took the subways and>> walked the city for 3 days. I went the the Museum of Science for the>> day chasing 3 kids (in a mob scene of vacation visitors to the Star>> Wars exhibit). My hubby then decided we should walk back across town>> to the Common to see the fireworks since it was just starting to>> snow and it was soooo pretty. So I even walked Bostons uneven icey>> sidwalks with nary a twinge.>>>> To cap the trip off, yesterday we went to the new Boston area IKEA>> and spent the better part of the day walking through and picking out>> new bedroom furniture for my son and then had to stand in line for>> more than 1/2 hour to check out. No problems noted. YEAH! So it was>> a happy new year for me.>>>> Next year you will be doing the same thing !>>>> Stay Calm and Stay Positive,>> Cam>>>>>> <heatherbenjaminnicholas@y...> wrote:>>>>>> --Sharon,>>> They told me at NEBH that they recycle blood too..I guess they>>> request alot just in case?? I don't know..when Cam gets back on>>> Island maybe she can refesh our memory as to how much blood she>>> actually needed, I know she did state it at one point...>>> I must say I am also so, so jealous at folks who can walk for>> great>>> lengths of time ..Target for an hour..i'd die to do that!! Just a>>> year ago I was in NYC and walked from 28th street up 5th ave to>> 87th>>> street and did not give it two seconds of thought,,my, what a>>> difference a year makes>>>>>> I wish everyone a very happy safe, healthy and most of all PAIN>> free>>> new year...., PA (still in Boston...)>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates>>

[Guest guest]

---

That is simply amazing.,..I can't even imagine walking that far!! I

returned to work today after that nice break in Boston..whew I am

really feeling it!! I am in bed now and do not think I will get up

the rest of the night...oh yeah, Steve had his first dry run on

getting the children off today etc....oh man, he is in for it..I

think my classroom aide kept count, he called me at work 9 times for

clarification on different things.....,PA

In , " cammaltby " <cammaltby@y...>

wrote:

>

> ,

>

> You asked how much blood I used. I know you have read enough now to

> know that eveyone is very different in this regard... so I don't

> know how relevant my case will be...except to say that Dr Rand's

> paper indicates that for the way he stages/accomplishes this

surgery

> the Stage I (posterior) blood loss was 1870 cc (range 500-4000cc)

> and stage 2/3 (anterior-posterior) average blood loss was 1759

> (range 700-2800).

>

> My report indicates I lost 1260 cc...low-average in stage 1...and

my

> report doesn't say anything about blood loss in stage 2/3...(except

> the report of the vascular surgeon...indicates 100cc). I had banked

> 3 units and my brother donated 1 unit. I used my two units and a

> cell saver during surgery and then received my last unit the day

> after surgery. I assume I used my brothers blood during the second

> surgery and blood from the bank...but don't know..I will have to

ask.

>

> As you say, it is not something to get worked up about. I believe

> the blood supply is safe. I also believe that the risk/benefit

ratio

> on the blood donation question is different for everyone...so it

> really is an individual thing. For instance, I imagine for someone

> like who was a known " bleeder " the doctors would have very

> definite reasons for and against pre-surgical blood donation. For

an

> otherwise healthy individual like myself, there are reasons for and

> against auto-donation and they really need to be determined in the

> case of each individual with their doctor.

>

> You are going to do fine with you sisters blood and other banked

> blood and you shouldn't worry any more about it.

>

> On the walking and standing question...well, at the risk of

sounding

> like I am bragging...I just returned from a four day trip that

would

> have been a hellish nightmare 10 months ago. Without even

> considering what I was agreeing to on the " front side " we planned a

> last minute trip to Boston for New Years Eve. I took the subways

and

> walked the city for 3 days. I went the the Museum of Science for

the

> day chasing 3 kids (in a mob scene of vacation visitors to the Star

> Wars exhibit). My hubby then decided we should walk back across

town

> to the Common to see the fireworks since it was just starting to

> snow and it was soooo pretty. So I even walked Bostons uneven icey

> sidwalks with nary a twinge.

>

> To cap the trip off, yesterday we went to the new Boston area IKEA

> and spent the better part of the day walking through and picking

out

> new bedroom furniture for my son and then had to stand in line for

> more than 1/2 hour to check out. No problems noted. YEAH! So it was

> a happy new year for me.

>

> Next year you will be doing the same thing !

>

> Stay Calm and Stay Positive,

> Cam

>

>

> <heatherbenjaminnicholas@y...> wrote:

> >

> > --Sharon,

> > They told me at NEBH that they recycle blood too..I guess they

> > request alot just in case?? I don't know..when Cam gets back on

> > Island maybe she can refesh our memory as to how much blood she

> > actually needed, I know she did state it at one point...

> > I must say I am also so, so jealous at folks who can walk for

> great

> > lengths of time ..Target for an hour..i'd die to do that!! Just a

> > year ago I was in NYC and walked from 28th street up 5th ave to

> 87th

> > street and did not give it two seconds of thought,,my, what a

> > difference a year makes

> >

> > I wish everyone a very happy safe, healthy and most of all PAIN

> free

> > new year...., PA (still in Boston...)

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

---

Sharon,

Don't forget, I grew up in Mass!! I moved after college,1981. My

entire family still lives in Mass and Boston...but I have lost my New

England twang...been gone too long....my children always joke about

how my sisters and their families talk...funny until you move away

you don't notice how funny it sounds!!! One of my sisters is named

, my family call her Liser....strange.....Oh, yeah I love red

chowder....we call in Manhattan here...in my hometown we called it

Rhode Island...Maybe i'll get some of the twang back after spending

so much time at the Baptist!!,PA

In , " Sharon Green "

<sharon.green18@v...> wrote:

>

> And for those of you who don't live in eastern New England, it is

propahly

> pronounced, " Happy New Yee-ah " !

>

> , if you are going to spend any time at all between Old

Ironsides and

> the L Street Bath House, you had bettah learn that " R " is

pronounced " ah "

> (why, I have no i-de-er), chowdah NEVER contains tomatoes (it's

illegal),

> Quinzy Mahket is not in Quinzy, and NObody calls the city " Bean

Town " except

> New Yorkers who want to sound like touristy gits!

>

> NOW you are ready to go to Boston for surgery. :^)

>

> (And for anyone from west of US 495 who thinks Bostonians

say " Bahston " , we

> don't. We also don't say " Borston, and if you can't find a happy

medium

> like we do it's absolutely not our fault.)

>

> And Cam, I told Hubby what you said about all your New Year's

perambulatin',

> and he said, " Wow, maybe it works " . I sure hope so because I've

got a major

> case of jealous right about now.

>

> Sharon

>

>

> [ ] Re: bloody issues & walking -mary

> > To cap the trip off, yesterday we went to the new Boston area IKEA

> > and spent the better part of the day walking through and picking

out

> > new bedroom furniture for my son and then had to stand in line for

> > more than 1/2 hour to check out. No problems noted. YEAH! So it

was

> > a happy new year for me.

> >

> > Next year you will be doing the same thing !

> >

> > Stay Calm and Stay Positive,

> > Cam

>

[Guest guest]

--

Dear SPecial ,

Thanks, I just think the discussion all together has helped me

understand more about the blood issue....I feel so much better about

using the blood bank after reading others,like youself, and your

experience with the blood bank or non banked

blood,whichever....Again , I just want to be over with this!! It

seems like the date that will never get here!!!,PA

- In , " Kirkaldie "

<.Kirkaldie@a...> wrote:

>

> Dear Cam and ,

>

> Cam I was very interested to read that your doc gave you an

estimated blood

> loss for each stage of the surgery, and even a range of estimated

blood

> loss. I guess Kumar was lucky to know going into my two revisions

that I was

> a bleeder based on my blood loss during my decompression. I have

been

> throughly worked up by a blood specialist, and they have no reason

for why I

> bled so much. I just want people approaching surgery to know that

despite

> the fact that I bled a lot, the doc's are very experienced with

bleeding,

> and if I was ever in trouble they would have closed me up and

staged my

> surgery. We went into the surgery with me knowing that if the

bleeding was

> too bad they'd close me up and go back in about ten days. I really

wanted to

> have it over in one day, but my health is most important, and if it

had to

> be staged I would have understood. I felt comfortable with the

blood supply,

> and in my three surgeries with Dr. Kumar I have had a total of 21

units, and

> I'm perfectly fine, all tests check out well. While my blood loss

was very

> concerning, it worked out okay. , while doc's won't know how

you'll do

> bleeding wise till they get in there, they are very experienced,

and if they

> come across undue bleeding, they will do what necessary to keep you

safe. Be

> also aware that in reading many accounts of these surgeries, I'm at

the

> upper most limit of blood given to a patient, so this should make

you feel

> better, I'm the exception not the rule. Once again I'm special, so

tired of

> that name tag! Hope this makes you feel better!

>

>

> Colorado Springs

> [ ] Re: bloody issues & walking -mary

>

>

> > ,

> >

> > You asked how much blood I used. I know you have read enough now

to

> > know that eveyone is very different in this regard... so I don't

> > know how relevant my case will be...except to say that Dr Rand's

> > paper indicates that for the way he stages/accomplishes this

surgery

> > the Stage I (posterior) blood loss was 1870 cc (range 500-4000cc)

> > and stage 2/3 (anterior-posterior) average blood loss was 1759

> > (range 700-2800).

> >

> > My report indicates I lost 1260 cc...low-average in stage 1...and

my

> > report doesn't say anything about blood loss in stage 2/3...

(except

> > the report of the vascular surgeon...indicates 100cc). I had

banked

> > 3 units and my brother donated 1 unit. I used my two units and a

> > cell saver during surgery and then received my last unit the day

> > after surgery. I assume I used my brothers blood during the second

> > surgery and blood from the bank...but don't know..I will have to

ask.

> >

> > As you say, it is not something to get worked up about. I believe

> > the blood supply is safe. I also believe that the risk/benefit

ratio

> > on the blood donation question is different for everyone...so it

> > really is an individual thing. For instance, I imagine for someone

> > like who was a known " bleeder " the doctors would have very

> > definite reasons for and against pre-surgical blood donation. For

an

> > otherwise healthy individual like myself, there are reasons for

and

> > against auto-donation and they really need to be determined in the

> > case of each individual with their doctor.

> >

> > You are going to do fine with you sisters blood and other banked

> > blood and you shouldn't worry any more about it.

> >

> > On the walking and standing question...well, at the risk of

sounding

> > like I am bragging...I just returned from a four day trip that

would

> > have been a hellish nightmare 10 months ago. Without even

> > considering what I was agreeing to on the " front side " we planned

a

> > last minute trip to Boston for New Years Eve. I took the subways

and

> > walked the city for 3 days. I went the the Museum of Science for

the

> > day chasing 3 kids (in a mob scene of vacation visitors to the

Star

> > Wars exhibit). My hubby then decided we should walk back across

town

> > to the Common to see the fireworks since it was just starting to

> > snow and it was soooo pretty. So I even walked Bostons uneven icey

> > sidwalks with nary a twinge.

> >

> > To cap the trip off, yesterday we went to the new Boston area IKEA

> > and spent the better part of the day walking through and picking

out

> > new bedroom furniture for my son and then had to stand in line for

> > more than 1/2 hour to check out. No problems noted. YEAH! So it

was

> > a happy new year for me.

> >

> > Next year you will be doing the same thing !

> >

> > Stay Calm and Stay Positive,

> > Cam

> >

> >

> > <heatherbenjaminnicholas@y...> wrote:

> >>

> >> --Sharon,

> >> They told me at NEBH that they recycle blood too..I guess they

> >> request alot just in case?? I don't know..when Cam gets back on

> >> Island maybe she can refesh our memory as to how much blood she

> >> actually needed, I know she did state it at one point...

> >> I must say I am also so, so jealous at folks who can walk for

> > great

> >> lengths of time ..Target for an hour..i'd die to do that!! Just a

> >> year ago I was in NYC and walked from 28th street up 5th ave to

> > 87th

> >> street and did not give it two seconds of thought,,my, what a

> >> difference a year makes

> >>

> >> I wish everyone a very happy safe, healthy and most of all PAIN

> > free

> >> new year...., PA (still in Boston...)

> >>

> >>

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

> >

[Guest guest]

-

Sharon, No, actually I usually faint at the sight of blood or the

talk of it...so, this is very hard for me!!,PA

-- In , " Sharon Green "

<sharon.green18@v...> wrote:

>

> Am I the only one who gets queasy at all this talk of blood loss,

blood banks, bleeding, anemia, etc?!

>

> At 47 I've been in peri-menopause for a while now. I got a 4-day

period on Dec. 20, and then started again yesterday (12 days apart!),

and I feel like complete merde (pardon my Parisian). I really don't

know how I could even handle giving one unit of blood for myself.

I'm sure a lot of it is psychological, but the mind is a powerful

thing.

>

> (Ok, men, you can open your eyes now.)

>

> Sharon

>

>

> [ ] Re: bloody issues & walking -mary

> >

> >

> >> ,

> >>

> >> You asked how much blood I used. I know you have read enough now

to

> >> know that eveyone is very different in this regard... so I don't

> >> know how relevant my case will be...except to say that Dr Rand's

> >> paper indicates that for the way he stages/accomplishes this

surgery

> >> the Stage I (posterior) blood loss was 1870 cc (range 500-4000cc)

> >> and stage 2/3 (anterior-posterior) average blood loss was 1759

> >> (range 700-2800).

> >>

> >> My report indicates I lost 1260 cc...low-average in stage

1...and my

> >> report doesn't say anything about blood loss in stage 2/3...

(except

> >> the report of the vascular surgeon...indicates 100cc). I had

banked

> >> 3 units and my brother donated 1 unit. I used my two units and a

> >> cell saver during surgery and then received my last unit the day

> >> after surgery. I assume I used my brothers blood during the

second

> >> surgery and blood from the bank...but don't know..I will have to

ask.

> >>

> >> As you say, it is not something to get worked up about. I believe

> >> the blood supply is safe. I also believe that the risk/benefit

ratio

> >> on the blood donation question is different for everyone...so it

> >> really is an individual thing. For instance, I imagine for

someone

> >> like who was a known " bleeder " the doctors would have very

> >> definite reasons for and against pre-surgical blood donation.

For an

> >> otherwise healthy individual like myself, there are reasons for

and

> >> against auto-donation and they really need to be determined in

the

> >> case of each individual with their doctor.

> >>

> >> You are going to do fine with you sisters blood and other banked

> >> blood and you shouldn't worry any more about it.

> >>

> >> On the walking and standing question...well, at the risk of

sounding

> >> like I am bragging...I just returned from a four day trip that

would

> >> have been a hellish nightmare 10 months ago. Without even

> >> considering what I was agreeing to on the " front side " we

planned a

> >> last minute trip to Boston for New Years Eve. I took the subways

and

> >> walked the city for 3 days. I went the the Museum of Science for

the

> >> day chasing 3 kids (in a mob scene of vacation visitors to the

Star

> >> Wars exhibit). My hubby then decided we should walk back across

town

> >> to the Common to see the fireworks since it was just starting to

> >> snow and it was soooo pretty. So I even walked Bostons uneven

icey

> >> sidwalks with nary a twinge.

> >>

> >> To cap the trip off, yesterday we went to the new Boston area

IKEA

> >> and spent the better part of the day walking through and picking

out

> >> new bedroom furniture for my son and then had to stand in line

for

> >> more than 1/2 hour to check out. No problems noted. YEAH! So it

was

> >> a happy new year for me.

> >>

> >> Next year you will be doing the same thing !

> >>

> >> Stay Calm and Stay Positive,

> >> Cam

> >>

> >>

> >> <heatherbenjaminnicholas@y...> wrote:

> >>>

> >>> --Sharon,

> >>> They told me at NEBH that they recycle blood too..I guess they

> >>> request alot just in case?? I don't know..when Cam gets back on

> >>> Island maybe she can refesh our memory as to how much blood she

> >>> actually needed, I know she did state it at one point...

> >>> I must say I am also so, so jealous at folks who can walk for

> >> great

> >>> lengths of time ..Target for an hour..i'd die to do that!! Just

a

> >>> year ago I was in NYC and walked from 28th street up 5th ave to

> >> 87th

> >>> street and did not give it two seconds of thought,,my, what a

> >>> difference a year makes

> >>>

> >>> I wish everyone a very happy safe, healthy and most of all PAIN

> >> free

> >>> new year...., PA (still in Boston...)

> >>>

> >>>

> >>

> >>

> >>

> >>

> >>

> >>

> >>

> >> scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

> >>

[Guest guest]

Oh, right, .

Well, then, you have all the more motive to want to sound like a Bostonian!

Over Christmas break I saw my cousin who's been in NC for ages, and

oh, my, her drawl is just so authentic. My sister is in SC, and hers is

pretty good, but not quite like 's (or her own kids'!) Poor kids must

be confused, as their dad is from WesteRn VeRmont, where they pronounce

their R's (I hear east of he Green Mountains Vuhmont is just like here --

funny), and they don't know whether to call me " Aunt Sharon " or " Ant

Sharon. "

Now, as for chowdah, I did read somewhere there's still a law on the books

that it's illegal to make it with tomatoes in Boston. I can believe the

Manhattan stuff could be called Rhode Island chowder, as Rhode Island was

started by folks seeking freedom from the strictures of Massachusetts life.

Boy, that was a while ago.

:^)

Sharon

[ ] Re: bloody issues & walking -mary

>> > To cap the trip off, yesterday we went to the new Boston area IKEA

>> > and spent the better part of the day walking through and picking

> out

>> > new bedroom furniture for my son and then had to stand in line for

>> > more than 1/2 hour to check out. No problems noted. YEAH! So it

> was

>> > a happy new year for me.

>> >

>> > Next year you will be doing the same thing !

>> >

>> > Stay Calm and Stay Positive,

>> > Cam

>>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

>

[Guest guest]

Well, then , you and I can be fainting buddies. I feel for you, but it

is sort of nice not to be the only one.

Sharon

[ ] Re: bloody issues & walking -mary

>> >

>> >

>> >> ,

>> >>

>> >> You asked how much blood I used. I know you have read enough now

> to

>> >> know that eveyone is very different in this regard... so I don't

>> >> know how relevant my case will be...except to say that Dr Rand's

>> >> paper indicates that for the way he stages/accomplishes this

> surgery

>> >> the Stage I (posterior) blood loss was 1870 cc (range 500-4000cc)

>> >> and stage 2/3 (anterior-posterior) average blood loss was 1759

>> >> (range 700-2800).

>> >>

>> >> My report indicates I lost 1260 cc...low-average in stage

> 1...and my

>> >> report doesn't say anything about blood loss in stage 2/3...

> (except

>> >> the report of the vascular surgeon...indicates 100cc). I had

> banked

>> >> 3 units and my brother donated 1 unit. I used my two units and a

>> >> cell saver during surgery and then received my last unit the day

>> >> after surgery. I assume I used my brothers blood during the

> second

>> >> surgery and blood from the bank...but don't know..I will have to

> ask.

>> >>

>> >> As you say, it is not something to get worked up about. I believe

>> >> the blood supply is safe. I also believe that the risk/benefit

> ratio

>> >> on the blood donation question is different for everyone...so it

>> >> really is an individual thing. For instance, I imagine for

> someone

>> >> like who was a known " bleeder " the doctors would have very

>> >> definite reasons for and against pre-surgical blood donation.

> For an

>> >> otherwise healthy individual like myself, there are reasons for

> and

>> >> against auto-donation and they really need to be determined in

> the

>> >> case of each individual with their doctor.

>> >>

>> >> You are going to do fine with you sisters blood and other banked

>> >> blood and you shouldn't worry any more about it.

>> >>

>> >> On the walking and standing question...well, at the risk of

> sounding

>> >> like I am bragging...I just returned from a four day trip that

> would

>> >> have been a hellish nightmare 10 months ago. Without even

>> >> considering what I was agreeing to on the " front side " we

> planned a

>> >> last minute trip to Boston for New Years Eve. I took the subways

> and

>> >> walked the city for 3 days. I went the the Museum of Science for

> the

>> >> day chasing 3 kids (in a mob scene of vacation visitors to the

> Star

>> >> Wars exhibit). My hubby then decided we should walk back across

> town

>> >> to the Common to see the fireworks since it was just starting to

>> >> snow and it was soooo pretty. So I even walked Bostons uneven

> icey

>> >> sidwalks with nary a twinge.

>> >>

>> >> To cap the trip off, yesterday we went to the new Boston area

> IKEA

>> >> and spent the better part of the day walking through and picking

> out

>> >> new bedroom furniture for my son and then had to stand in line

> for

>> >> more than 1/2 hour to check out. No problems noted. YEAH! So it

> was

>> >> a happy new year for me.

>> >>

>> >> Next year you will be doing the same thing !

>> >>

>> >> Stay Calm and Stay Positive,

>> >> Cam

>> >>

>> >>

>> >> <heatherbenjaminnicholas@y...> wrote:

>> >>>

>> >>> --Sharon,

>> >>> They told me at NEBH that they recycle blood too..I guess they

>> >>> request alot just in case?? I don't know..when Cam gets back on

>> >>> Island maybe she can refesh our memory as to how much blood she

>> >>> actually needed, I know she did state it at one point...

>> >>> I must say I am also so, so jealous at folks who can walk for

>> >> great

>> >>> lengths of time ..Target for an hour..i'd die to do that!! Just

> a

>> >>> year ago I was in NYC and walked from 28th street up 5th ave to

>> >> 87th

>> >>> street and did not give it two seconds of thought,,my, what a

>> >>> difference a year makes

>> >>>

>> >>> I wish everyone a very happy safe, healthy and most of all PAIN

>> >> free

>> >>> new year...., PA (still in Boston...)

>> >>>

>> >>>

>> >>

>> >>

>> >>

>> >>

>> >>

>> >>

>> >>

>> >> scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

>> >>

[Guest guest]

Carole, my husband was saying "what's the big deal about banking your own blood?" I think he'd rather I didn't use the blood of strangers, but it does feel like a big deal to me. One thing is for sure, I won't be using any of his diabetic blood.

Then again, I didn't think I could handle having IV steroids, and IV gadolinium, or stay in a closed MRI for over 90 minutes. And I can't believe I'm starting to think I could handle a myelogram. So maybe it's mainly fear of the unknown.

But I really have come close to fainting during blood tests. Just call me a sissy!

Sharon

Re: [ ] Re: bloody issues & walking -mary

I gave six units of blood for myself, through the Red Cross, who sent it to the Brigham for free. I must tell those of you who are so worried about giving, the people know you are nervous and they do everything they can to make it as easy as possible. There is someone nearly at your side the whole time. It was my understanding that, within hours, the body replaces that blood and all is well. I teeter on the anemic side, so was told to eat raisins, and got turned away only once for a low hematocrit.

Please do not get so upset about it? It will go like clockwork! Just my opinion; I have no medical degrees, but a very long surgical history.

Sincerely,

Carole M.

[Guest guest]

Now, Carole, "cartons" is NOT pronounced "cottons"; it's "CAHTONS". (Shakes head soberly)

But then again, you probably pronounce the two identically, or did before your Tom rescued you and brought you east.

See, this is the same stuff I was up against when I had my surgery in a Springfield hospital, that was full of people from W. Mass, Conn., and NY. They always took a bath in "haht wahteR", and one girl said, word for word, "The people in Bahston tahk funny"! I completely cracked up.

My, this is a much nicer topic than bleeding and blood donation...

Sharon

Re: [ ] Re: bloody issues & walking -mary

Now, Sharon, I am from Berkshire County, 'way up in the faRthest westeRn coRneR of MA! When I came to Boston on my own to woRk, I took shoRthand. I had no idea what mawdin (mahdeRn) furniture was. Bad enought I had to learn to take dictation from a down Mainer (a really great guy), but stenography is totally phonic, so I could read it back to him and he would approve, but I actually, at times, didn't know what he was saying! Cottons? (cartons).

So, even though my children were born in NY state, my youngest does have a bit of the Eastern MA accent; are you coming with?

Sincerely,

Carole M.

I'll be you haven't noticed that my husband was born in Boston and brought up in South Boston in the first government project!

He probably hasn't said enough; like your Amit, he can be very quiet!

[Guest guest]

-

Dear sharon,

We call the Aunts, AUnts, not ANts..I still call soda sometimes

tonic...cause my Dad called it tonic. My parents are both from

Southie, my dad went to school and knew the great escape WHitie

Bolger..Dad did not grow up in the best area...Roslindale, Dorchester

and Roxbury...most of my cousins still live in SOuthie....my sisters

and I were the only ones to escape the forced busing issue in the

70's becasue our parents did not want that for us!!!They moved us out

to what, at that time, was considered the country,,,lin,MASS...I

often wonder what my life would have been like had they not made that

move?????,PA

-- In , " Sharon Green "

<sharon.green18@v...> wrote:

>

> Oh, right, .

>

> Well, then, you have all the more motive to want to sound like a

Bostonian!

>

> Over Christmas break I saw my cousin who's been in NC for

ages, and

> oh, my, her drawl is just so authentic. My sister is in SC, and

hers is

> pretty good, but not quite like 's (or her own kids'!) Poor

kids must

> be confused, as their dad is from WesteRn VeRmont, where they

pronounce

> their R's (I hear east of he Green Mountains Vuhmont is just like

here --

> funny), and they don't know whether to call me " Aunt Sharon "

or " Ant

> Sharon. "

>

> Now, as for chowdah, I did read somewhere there's still a law on

the books

> that it's illegal to make it with tomatoes in Boston. I can

believe the

> Manhattan stuff could be called Rhode Island chowder, as Rhode

Island was

> started by folks seeking freedom from the strictures of

Massachusetts life.

> Boy, that was a while ago.

>

> :^)

>

> Sharon

>

>

> [ ] Re: bloody issues & walking -mary

> >> > To cap the trip off, yesterday we went to the new Boston area

IKEA

> >> > and spent the better part of the day walking through and

picking

> > out

> >> > new bedroom furniture for my son and then had to stand in line

for

> >> > more than 1/2 hour to check out. No problems noted. YEAH! So it

> > was

> >> > a happy new year for me.

> >> >

> >> > Next year you will be doing the same thing !

> >> >

> >> > Stay Calm and Stay Positive,

> >> > Cam

> >>

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

> >

[Guest guest]

---

Hey Sharon, misery loves company!! Glad to have you aboard!!

In , " Sharon Green "

<sharon.green18@v...> wrote:

>

> Well, then , you and I can be fainting buddies. I feel for

you, but it

> is sort of nice not to be the only one.

>

> Sharon

>

>

> [ ] Re: bloody issues & walking -mary

> >> >

> >> >

> >> >> ,

> >> >>

> >> >> You asked how much blood I used. I know you have read enough

now

> > to

> >> >> know that eveyone is very different in this regard... so I

don't

> >> >> know how relevant my case will be...except to say that Dr

Rand's

> >> >> paper indicates that for the way he stages/accomplishes this

> > surgery

> >> >> the Stage I (posterior) blood loss was 1870 cc (range 500-

4000cc)

> >> >> and stage 2/3 (anterior-posterior) average blood loss was 1759

> >> >> (range 700-2800).

> >> >>

> >> >> My report indicates I lost 1260 cc...low-average in stage

> > 1...and my

> >> >> report doesn't say anything about blood loss in stage 2/3...

> > (except

> >> >> the report of the vascular surgeon...indicates 100cc). I had

> > banked

> >> >> 3 units and my brother donated 1 unit. I used my two units

and a

> >> >> cell saver during surgery and then received my last unit the

day

> >> >> after surgery. I assume I used my brothers blood during the

> > second

> >> >> surgery and blood from the bank...but don't know..I will have

to

> > ask.

> >> >>

> >> >> As you say, it is not something to get worked up about. I

believe

> >> >> the blood supply is safe. I also believe that the risk/benefit

> > ratio

> >> >> on the blood donation question is different for everyone...so

it

> >> >> really is an individual thing. For instance, I imagine for

> > someone

> >> >> like who was a known " bleeder " the doctors would have

very

> >> >> definite reasons for and against pre-surgical blood donation.

> > For an

> >> >> otherwise healthy individual like myself, there are reasons

for

> > and

> >> >> against auto-donation and they really need to be determined in

> > the

> >> >> case of each individual with their doctor.

> >> >>

> >> >> You are going to do fine with you sisters blood and other

banked

> >> >> blood and you shouldn't worry any more about it.

> >> >>

> >> >> On the walking and standing question...well, at the risk of

> > sounding

> >> >> like I am bragging...I just returned from a four day trip that

> > would

> >> >> have been a hellish nightmare 10 months ago. Without even

> >> >> considering what I was agreeing to on the " front side " we

> > planned a

> >> >> last minute trip to Boston for New Years Eve. I took the

subways

> > and

> >> >> walked the city for 3 days. I went the the Museum of Science

for

> > the

> >> >> day chasing 3 kids (in a mob scene of vacation visitors to the

> > Star

> >> >> Wars exhibit). My hubby then decided we should walk back

across

> > town

> >> >> to the Common to see the fireworks since it was just starting

to

> >> >> snow and it was soooo pretty. So I even walked Bostons uneven

> > icey

> >> >> sidwalks with nary a twinge.

> >> >>

> >> >> To cap the trip off, yesterday we went to the new Boston area

> > IKEA

> >> >> and spent the better part of the day walking through and

picking

> > out

> >> >> new bedroom furniture for my son and then had to stand in line

> > for

> >> >> more than 1/2 hour to check out. No problems noted. YEAH! So

it

> > was

> >> >> a happy new year for me.

> >> >>

> >> >> Next year you will be doing the same thing !

> >> >>

> >> >> Stay Calm and Stay Positive,

> >> >> Cam

> >> >>

> >> >>

> >> >> <heatherbenjaminnicholas@y...> wrote:

> >> >>>

> >> >>> --Sharon,

> >> >>> They told me at NEBH that they recycle blood too..I guess

they

> >> >>> request alot just in case?? I don't know..when Cam gets back

on

> >> >>> Island maybe she can refesh our memory as to how much blood

she

> >> >>> actually needed, I know she did state it at one point...

> >> >>> I must say I am also so, so jealous at folks who can walk

for

> >> >> great

> >> >>> lengths of time ..Target for an hour..i'd die to do that!!

Just

> > a

> >> >>> year ago I was in NYC and walked from 28th street up 5th ave

to

> >> >> 87th

> >> >>> street and did not give it two seconds of thought,,my, what a

> >> >>> difference a year makes

> >> >>>

> >> >>> I wish everyone a very happy safe, healthy and most of all

PAIN

> >> >> free

> >> >>> new year...., PA (still in Boston...)

> >> >>>

> >> >>>

> >> >>

> >> >>

> >> >>

> >> >>

> >> >>

> >> >>

> >> >>

> >> >> scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

> >> >>

[Guest guest]

---does your husband know any folks with the names CROKE or Clancy??

They belong to me.....

In , scolioly2@a... wrote:

>

> Now, Sharon, I am from Berkshire County, 'way up in the faRthest

westeRn

> coRneR of MA! When I came to Boston on my own to woRk, I took

shoRthand. I had

> no idea what mawdin (mahdeRn) furniture was. Bad enought I had

to learn to

> take dictation from a down Mainer (a really great guy), but

stenography is

> totally phonic, so I could read it back to him and he would

approve, but I

> actually, at times, didn't know what he was saying! Cottons?

(cartons).

>

> So, even though my children were born in NY state, my youngest

does have a

> bit of the Eastern MA accent; are you coming with?

>

> Sincerely,

>

> Carole M.

>

> I'll be you haven't noticed that my husband was born in Boston and

brought

> up in South Boston in the first government project!

>

> He probably hasn't said enough; like your Amit, he can be very

quiet!

>

[Guest guest]

Good grief, , half the city of Boston is named Clancy! ;^)

But seriously, I student taught with a Quincy music teacher named n

Clancy. She was a Mrs. Any connection? I'd heard that Clancy family was

very musical.

Sharon

[ ] Re: bloody issues & walking -mary

> ---does your husband know any folks with the names CROKE or Clancy??

> They belong to me.....

>

>

>

> In , scolioly2@a... wrote:

>>

>> Now, Sharon, I am from Berkshire County, 'way up in the faRthest

> westeRn

>> coRneR of MA! When I came to Boston on my own to woRk, I took

> shoRthand. I had

>> no idea what mawdin (mahdeRn) furniture was. Bad enought I had

> to learn to

>> take dictation from a down Mainer (a really great guy), but

> stenography is

>> totally phonic, so I could read it back to him and he would

> approve, but I

>> actually, at times, didn't know what he was saying! Cottons?

> (cartons).

>>

>> So, even though my children were born in NY state, my youngest

> does have a

>> bit of the Eastern MA accent; are you coming with?

>>

>> Sincerely,

>>

>> Carole M.

>>

>> I'll be you haven't noticed that my husband was born in Boston and

> brought

>> up in South Boston in the first government project!

>>

>> He probably hasn't said enough; like your Amit, he can be very

> quiet!

>>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

>

[Guest guest]

So that makes us the Sissy Sisters!

Re: [ ] Re: bloody issues & walking -mary

>>

>>

>> I gave six units of blood for myself, through the Red Cross, who

> sent it to the Brigham for free. I must tell those of you who are so

> worried about giving, the people know you are nervous and they do

> everything they can to make it as easy as possible. There is someone

> nearly at your side the whole time. It was my understanding that,

> within hours, the body replaces that blood and all is well. I teeter

> on the anemic side, so was told to eat raisins, and got turned away

> only once for a low hematocrit.

>>

>> Please do not get so upset about it? It will go like clockwork!

> Just my opinion; I have no medical degrees, but a very long surgical

> history.

>>

>> Sincerely,

>>

>> Carole M.

>>

>>

>> scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

>>

>>

>>

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

> ----------

>> ! GROUPS LINKS

>>

>> a.. Visit your group " " on the web.

>>

>> b..

[Guest guest]

--- Yeah, I know Clancy is a common name in Boston. I would have to

check on her..Maureen and Mike Clancy come to mind first. They are

cousins of mine who are more my age range,45. Musical? I must of

missed that part of the gene pool...,PA

In , " Sharon Green "

<sharon.green18@v...> wrote:

>

> Good grief, , half the city of Boston is named Clancy! ;^)

>

> But seriously, I student taught with a Quincy music teacher named

n

> Clancy. She was a Mrs. Any connection? I'd heard that Clancy

family was

> very musical.

>

> Sharon

>

>

> [ ] Re: bloody issues & walking -mary

>

>

> > ---does your husband know any folks with the names CROKE or

Clancy??

> > They belong to me.....

> >

> >

> >

> > In , scolioly2@a... wrote:

> >>

> >> Now, Sharon, I am from Berkshire County, 'way up in the faRthest

> > westeRn

> >> coRneR of MA! When I came to Boston on my own to woRk, I took

> > shoRthand. I had

> >> no idea what mawdin (mahdeRn) furniture was. Bad enought I had

> > to learn to

> >> take dictation from a down Mainer (a really great guy), but

> > stenography is

> >> totally phonic, so I could read it back to him and he would

> > approve, but I

> >> actually, at times, didn't know what he was saying! Cottons?

> > (cartons).

> >>

> >> So, even though my children were born in NY state, my youngest

> > does have a

> >> bit of the Eastern MA accent; are you coming with?

> >>

> >> Sincerely,

> >>

> >> Carole M.

> >>

> >> I'll be you haven't noticed that my husband was born in Boston

and

> > brought

> >> up in South Boston in the first government project!

> >>

> >> He probably hasn't said enough; like your Amit, he can be very

> > quiet!

> >>

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

> >

[Guest guest]

--

Yes, sissy, wimpy and everything else!!!,PA

- In , " Sharon Green "

<sharon.green18@v...> wrote:

>

> So that makes us the Sissy Sisters!

>

>

> Re: [ ] Re: bloody issues & walking -

mary

> >>

> >>

> >> I gave six units of blood for myself, through the Red Cross,

who

> > sent it to the Brigham for free. I must tell those of you who

are so

> > worried about giving, the people know you are nervous and they do

> > everything they can to make it as easy as possible. There is

someone

> > nearly at your side the whole time. It was my understanding

that,

> > within hours, the body replaces that blood and all is well. I

teeter

> > on the anemic side, so was told to eat raisins, and got turned

away

> > only once for a low hematocrit.

> >>

> >> Please do not get so upset about it? It will go like

clockwork!

> > Just my opinion; I have no medical degrees, but a very long

surgical

> > history.

> >>

> >> Sincerely,

> >>

> >> Carole M.

> >>

> >>

> >> scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

> >>

> >>

> >>

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

---

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

> >> ! GROUPS LINKS

> >>

> >> a.. Visit your group " " on the web.

> >>

> >> b..

[Guest guest]

--Bonnie, I hope you are correct, I hope to come back on this board

and tell you all it was not as bad as I feared.....I know the kids

will survive but I never wanted my kids to just survive...I am always

there for them....but it will have to be..I just need to do this, if

there were other " good " options i;d take them,,but living like this

for the next 30 or so years is just not an option for me....,PA

- In , " Bonnie " <bonnie@e...> wrote:

>

> Sharon and

>

> Sharon, you said, " So maybe it's mainly fear of the unknown " .

>

> I really think that's the main reason for the fear. That's not to

say this is a cakewalk; been there done that and it's a b----. But

I'll bet you anything (well, almost anything) it's not as bad as you

think it may be.

>

> And as for the kids, , I know you have special issues, but to

the extent they can, I'll bet everyone at home pitches in and all

will work out on the home front. I remember back to my first surgery

in 1977. My kids were 11 and 7 and their Dad left for work before

they awoke in the morning. At first, I could do nothing for them to

help get them ready in the morning, being very weak and wearing a 25

pound body cast. Neither of them ever left their homeowrk or lunch at

home, and they actually got themselves appropriately dressed and out

the door on time to catch the school bus. Once I was well enough to

supervise once again, they no longer seemed to be able to do all of

that on their own!

>

> Bonnie

> Re: [ ] Re: bloody issues & walking -

mary

>

>

> I gave six units of blood for myself, through the Red Cross,

who sent it to the Brigham for free. I must tell those of you who

are so worried about giving, the people know you are nervous and they

do everything they can to make it as easy as possible. There is

someone nearly at your side the whole time. It was my understanding

that, within hours, the body replaces that blood and all is well. I

teeter on the anemic side, so was told to eat raisins, and got turned

away only once for a low hematocrit.

>

> Please do not get so upset about it? It will go like

clockwork! Just my opinion; I have no medical degrees, but a very

long surgical history.

>

> Sincerely,

>

> Carole M.

>

>

> scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Oh, Sharon, so sorry to have offended you with my phonetics! Isn't it funny? In other languages we call it "dialects"; why not in English?

Yes, laughing is much more fun!

CCM

[Guest guest]

Oh, Sharon, you're no sissy! It happened once to me during one of my donations, and I wasn't the one who even noticed it! One of the nurses came over and changed my position completely! But, that's what I mean when I say that we are watched VERY closely, and it really does not hurt. And, we do NOT have to watch the bag fill or anything. One can read, chat with the people around, etc. You will get through it, I just know!

Carole

PS Some places even give little gifts when the donations are complete!

[Guest guest]

Oh, Sharon, I am so sorry you think that you are a sissy! If you are, then I suspect that most of the population may join you! The only reason I am not afraid of these things is that they've been done to me so often. I even have rules! If a tech is trying to take blood from my old whithered veins and tries once, and then again, it is over. I tell him/her that my rule is "two tries and then in comes the doctor". My doctor agrees now, and ALWAYS gets it first try!

Besides, anyone who could put all that effort into that beautiful backyard pond, populate it with fish, culture plants, and make it so beautiful simply does NOT qualify as a sissy! SO THERE!

Carole