The appointment itself was rather uninteresting. After weighing in (59 lbs lost!), I was taken back to the little conference room where JP and I were seated with another woman that is at the same point as I am. The surgeon showed us a brief PowerPoint presentation about the surgery specifics, all of which I already knew. Then we were escorted to separate rooms, to await talking one-on-one with the surgeon.
He went over my chart briefly, told me I was doing well, to keep doing what I was doing, and asked if I had any questions. I had prepared a few questions to ask. One was about the average recovery time. The surgery will be done with a laparoscopically, so therefore recovery times vary between 2 and 6 weeks. I'll be in the hospital for 2 full days and nights, released (if all is well) on the 3rd morning. I also asked about my medicines. They will have to be crushed for several weeks and mixed in with smooth food or liquids. Yuck. I'm going to look in to children's varieties for dissolvables and chewables.
I'm sure that I'll think of more questions over the next 6 weeks. I'll have a "class" with the dietitian sometime between now and then, in which we'll sample some protein powders and whatnot. Two days before surgery I'll go to the surgeons office to fill out and sign paperwork, complete my pre-admission to the hospital and etc. I'm a combination of very excited and rather nervous. My endoscopy a few weeks ago was the only time I've ever been sedated at any level, and I've never had any kind of surgery, never had a hospital stay.
My mom is planning to come down to stay with me in the hospital and a few days afterward. She lives about 5 hours away. That, combined with my own health, means that I need to do some heavy duty cleaning in my house, as well as finish the remodel on my 2nd bathroom. It needs done!
One of my main sources of nervousness right now is informing work that I will need to be off for 4 or so weeks. I've already talked to HR about it, who confirmed that I qualify for some short-term disability pay while I'm out. I haven't talked to my co-supervisor or my manager at all. They know that I've been going to lots of doctors appointments, but they don't know why. I also don't want to tell them exactly what the surgery is. Does anyone have any advice or suggestions? The other supervisor is out until Monday, and he does all of the scheduling, so I don't see any point in talking to my manager before then. Nerves!
I'm not sure if I mentioned that I picked up my CPAP on Friday. So far I haven't been able to fall asleep with it on. I wear it and lay in bed, until I can't justify sitting awake any longer, and then I take it off. It's not uncomfortable, and the air blowing in my nose doesn't bother me, but I have trouble exhaling. I feel like I'm forcing all of my outward breath through a little straw. It's not comfortable, and I can't do anything other than concentrate on it, and therefore I can't fall asleep. I think I'm going to call them and try a different mask, which I hate to do, since it works in the other ways. Bleh.
After my meeting with the surgeon yesterday (and some yummy lunch), I had an appoint with an Allergist for the first time in 6 years or so. I've had allergy problems since my early teens. Congestion, itchy/red eyes, sneezing, and worst of all, red, blotchy, and very itchy hives. I have them constantly, year round. When I was younger, we kept them pretty well under control with medicines, but as I've gotten older and moved further south in the state, they've gotten worse, and the medicines just aren't cutting it anymore. So, for the 3rd time in my life, I had to sit through the very unpleasant experience that is allergy skin testing. Some of the spots are still visible and itchy today. The end result is slightly more meds, and I start allergy shots next week. Every Monday for a year. Joy. All in all, a very productive day.
I know you are all waiting in rapt suspense for the next installment of the numbers game, so I'll close with my Four Books.
1. Harry Potter - J.K. Rowling - all of them. I love these books, between reading and listening to audio, I've read them at least 5 times each. I can't wait for the last movie!
2. The Dark Tower series - Stephen King. Another spectacular series. Even if you don't care for King's other work, I suggest picking these up!
3. Angels and Demons - Dan Brown. I've read several of his books, and loved most of them, but this one was my favorite.
4. Wheel of Time series - Robert Jordan. This is what I'm currently listening to. They're pretty good. I'm on the 5th book.
I hope everyone has a great week! Please feel free to de-lurk and leave me some comments!
So exciting!! I'm so glad you have a date! Things are really moving forward for you!! I hope the next 6 weeks fly by!
ReplyDeleteAbout talking to your manager, I'd just tell her you're having surgery, no need to divulge the details unless you really want to. When I started IF treatments, I let my bosses know because I was worried about making the appointments.
Good luck!