Today is the day. The day that I have been waiting for and dreading with every cell of my being. I am sitting here in my towel starving. I know that I wouldn't usually be hungry at 4am, but just knowing that I cannot eat makes it all worse! I would be lying if I said that I wasn't nervous, but I know that this is all for the best. No pain, no gain right? Keep me in your thoughts and prayers over the next couple weeks. I will be home on Sunday. I hope that I can write a post soon after I get home!
See you on the flip side!
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Notes From Across the Country
I am currently sitting in a Starbucks in Bellevue, Washington. Bellevue is a suburb of Seattle. So I think that this an appropriate thing to do here. I feel like a nerd with my coffee and my laptop. When in Rome....... So here are some notes from all over.
First, I am having a good time at the conference. I have learned a lot. I have survived my poster presentations thus far. I am taking some time off this afternoon. My brain is pretty well fried at the moment. There a couple of more sessions that I am going to at 5 and 5:30. I will stand by my poster for another 1/2 hour or so then head back to my hotel room. I have had a couple tough questions. The hardest was an asian man with a french accent who spoke REALLY softly. I think that I answered his question. His english wasn't very good, so I am not sure. I had poster copies available so he can email any other questions that he may have.
Secondly, I went to the space needle and pike's place market in Seattle. I drove there and back and didn't get lost. Thank the good Lord that Mapquest was right this time. I will post pictures when I get back. I got to the top of the space needle and realized that I forgot my camera. So I had to spend $17 on a disposable camera. I was pissed. So I made sure that I used the most of it. I took a TON of pictures. Too bad it was cloudy that day. I left during the rain in Madison and landed in the rain in Seattle. Go figure!!
What else? I received a call from the Red Cross. My blood I was mutilated for last week was unable to be used. There was a clot in it. The woman on the line asked me if it was a difficult donation. I told her it was the WORST donation experience that I have had in my life. She was shocked and apologetic. She wanted me to come in and donate more blood. However they only have self donations on Wednesday morning, otherwise I would get off the plain going straight to the Red Cross.
I don't know if there was anything else that I can tell you. I am going to go out to dinner with a co-worker tonight somewhere near by. She is arriving tonight for the final day of the conference tomorrow. She is staying at my hotel so I left her a note for her to get when she gets here. I have really enjoyed my trip. I wish that I would have had some more time to go somewhere else. My grandfather mentioned the Boeing field in Seattle. I don't really have that much interest in seeing planes. I know that Josh would have loved to see that. Microsoft is based nearby. I did all that I really wanted to see.
When I get back home I will try to call my grandparents to make sure that they are still there. I am sure that they are as Wilma has hit 100 miles south of them.
Final thought for the day. One week from today I will be under the knife. Fear is starting to set in. I cannot think about it without getting butterflies in my stomach. I truly hope that all goes well!!!
First, I am having a good time at the conference. I have learned a lot. I have survived my poster presentations thus far. I am taking some time off this afternoon. My brain is pretty well fried at the moment. There a couple of more sessions that I am going to at 5 and 5:30. I will stand by my poster for another 1/2 hour or so then head back to my hotel room. I have had a couple tough questions. The hardest was an asian man with a french accent who spoke REALLY softly. I think that I answered his question. His english wasn't very good, so I am not sure. I had poster copies available so he can email any other questions that he may have.
Secondly, I went to the space needle and pike's place market in Seattle. I drove there and back and didn't get lost. Thank the good Lord that Mapquest was right this time. I will post pictures when I get back. I got to the top of the space needle and realized that I forgot my camera. So I had to spend $17 on a disposable camera. I was pissed. So I made sure that I used the most of it. I took a TON of pictures. Too bad it was cloudy that day. I left during the rain in Madison and landed in the rain in Seattle. Go figure!!
What else? I received a call from the Red Cross. My blood I was mutilated for last week was unable to be used. There was a clot in it. The woman on the line asked me if it was a difficult donation. I told her it was the WORST donation experience that I have had in my life. She was shocked and apologetic. She wanted me to come in and donate more blood. However they only have self donations on Wednesday morning, otherwise I would get off the plain going straight to the Red Cross.
I don't know if there was anything else that I can tell you. I am going to go out to dinner with a co-worker tonight somewhere near by. She is arriving tonight for the final day of the conference tomorrow. She is staying at my hotel so I left her a note for her to get when she gets here. I have really enjoyed my trip. I wish that I would have had some more time to go somewhere else. My grandfather mentioned the Boeing field in Seattle. I don't really have that much interest in seeing planes. I know that Josh would have loved to see that. Microsoft is based nearby. I did all that I really wanted to see.
When I get back home I will try to call my grandparents to make sure that they are still there. I am sure that they are as Wilma has hit 100 miles south of them.
Final thought for the day. One week from today I will be under the knife. Fear is starting to set in. I cannot think about it without getting butterflies in my stomach. I truly hope that all goes well!!!
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
The Idiot with the Harpoon
I had to give 2 pints of blood prior to my surgery. I gave on the 3rd. I gave myself a break and gave the other pint today. I am a pretty regular blood donor so I give blood as often as I can. We aren't rich people so helping out by giving blood is a small thing that I can do to help! So I eagerly agreed to donate blood for my surgery. I would rather get blood from myself instead of someone else.
A co-worker of mine is also having surgery next month and is self donating. We went on the same day the first time that we donated. So we had the same nurse draw our blood. We both agreed that this woman wasn't quite right. She donated earlier this week and had a different nurse. I went yesterday and had the same dimwit!
I had blood drawn earlier this week for my work up at the hospital so my right arm was bruised. She thought that we should use the left arm instead. I thought "Ok, I have had problems in the past maybe this will be different!" She put the needle into my arm. The blood wasn't freely flowing. She proceeded to move the needle around in my arm. She pushed it in further and pulled it out. The thought of it now makes me gag. I almost passed out from her moving it around so much. On top of it they may not be able to use that pint of blood because it took so long to collect!!!! So I was pretty frustrated.
A co-worker of mine is also having surgery next month and is self donating. We went on the same day the first time that we donated. So we had the same nurse draw our blood. We both agreed that this woman wasn't quite right. She donated earlier this week and had a different nurse. I went yesterday and had the same dimwit!
I had blood drawn earlier this week for my work up at the hospital so my right arm was bruised. She thought that we should use the left arm instead. I thought "Ok, I have had problems in the past maybe this will be different!" She put the needle into my arm. The blood wasn't freely flowing. She proceeded to move the needle around in my arm. She pushed it in further and pulled it out. The thought of it now makes me gag. I almost passed out from her moving it around so much. On top of it they may not be able to use that pint of blood because it took so long to collect!!!! So I was pretty frustrated.
Friday, October 07, 2005
The Waiting Game
Are you as sick of hearing about my surgery as I am talking about it? I am sick of talking about it but I get questions daily from people about how my hip is feeling and asking details of the surgery. The thing is right now. I don't think that there is a day I am not in pain. I wake up in pain every morning. It doesn't really matter how I sleep. It happens. It is especially bad if I wake up on my right side. Which happens more often than I would like. I cannot control the rolling over that I do at night.
What a difference a year makes! A year ago I was worrying about the wedding. I was droning on about the wedding blahs.... believe me I checked! I was complaining about my messy house and all that I do is wedding stuff. One year later same story different event! Except my house is messy because it is difficult for me to clean it. I can do some things but I pay for it later. So sometimes I feel like why even do it? I called and checked on the couch. Slumberland said that it should be arriving there around the middle of the month. Which is in a week or so. Hopefully they keep up their end of the bargain.
Anyway. Have a good weekend. We are attending game night at a co-worker's house tomorrow and not really doing much on Sunday. We shall see. The Slackers play at noon. Maybe we will watch it! Maybe.....
What a difference a year makes! A year ago I was worrying about the wedding. I was droning on about the wedding blahs.... believe me I checked! I was complaining about my messy house and all that I do is wedding stuff. One year later same story different event! Except my house is messy because it is difficult for me to clean it. I can do some things but I pay for it later. So sometimes I feel like why even do it? I called and checked on the couch. Slumberland said that it should be arriving there around the middle of the month. Which is in a week or so. Hopefully they keep up their end of the bargain.
Anyway. Have a good weekend. We are attending game night at a co-worker's house tomorrow and not really doing much on Sunday. We shall see. The Slackers play at noon. Maybe we will watch it! Maybe.....
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
A Little Light Reading
Since Josh worked last night I did some reading up on my upcoming surgery. I also think that it is important to be well informed about what people are doing to your body. So, I did what any scientist would do and did some research. I found several papers. I found a handout from a Dr in California that is an expert in the field. The handout was written VERY well. It explained the surgery, the recovery. It confirmed that yes I would have a catheter (something I have dreaded since being a CNA. Thank God I am not a man!!). I also found out that after surgery they leave a epidural catheter in your back to help with the pain management for 1-2 days post-op. Sometimes they put you into ICU post-op to watch you in those delicate hours after surgery. The pamphlet says that the 3rd day you should be up and walking. This really comforted me. I thought WOW! 3 days I really won't need the help at home I will be fine. Yeah!
Well this morning I decided to complete my search while wasting some time at work. I am having a slow week! I found a website that scared the shit out of me! It is a forum for people who have and will have Ganz Osteotomies or Periacetabular Osteotomies as they are called. The people on there are real. They aren't some doctor trying to sooth you. They feel that you should know the truth to prepare yourself for this surgery. There was one woman who has a horror story to tell and she told anyone who would listen. You tell yourself that she is the exception not the rule. She had an awful doctor to begin with. All I know is that everyone says the first week is the worst pain that you can imagine. You are unable to lift your leg into bed on your own accord. That a toilet seat is a must. We are getting the handheld shower head and chair. They were all 8 weeks not weight bearing. Some drove in 3 weeks. I am hoping for the best! I am not sitting here crying about it. I feel as though the knowledge that I have gained is a weapon. I am aware of it and can prepare myself for it as best as I can!
Well this morning I decided to complete my search while wasting some time at work. I am having a slow week! I found a website that scared the shit out of me! It is a forum for people who have and will have Ganz Osteotomies or Periacetabular Osteotomies as they are called. The people on there are real. They aren't some doctor trying to sooth you. They feel that you should know the truth to prepare yourself for this surgery. There was one woman who has a horror story to tell and she told anyone who would listen. You tell yourself that she is the exception not the rule. She had an awful doctor to begin with. All I know is that everyone says the first week is the worst pain that you can imagine. You are unable to lift your leg into bed on your own accord. That a toilet seat is a must. We are getting the handheld shower head and chair. They were all 8 weeks not weight bearing. Some drove in 3 weeks. I am hoping for the best! I am not sitting here crying about it. I feel as though the knowledge that I have gained is a weapon. I am aware of it and can prepare myself for it as best as I can!
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