EllefireGA
Catching up on Life
Apr 11, 2008
Well, I am actually three days post-op, so I have a little backtracking to do....
For now I'll cover the two days pre-op.
The two days of pre-op clear liquids weren't fun, but it wasn't entirely impossible either. I survived on Sprite, Gatorade, Ramen broth (because plain broth was just horrible), hard candies (primarily butterscotch and cinnamon thingies). I guess that's about it. I had to take 3 tbsp. of Milk of Magnesia before noon the day before surgery, and I also had to take an antibiotic throughout that day. Well, I think the combination of those two things proved explosive enough. I'm sure I was well cleaned out for my procedure. The trouble is that I have an embarrassing and excruiciating anal fissure, that didn't enjoy the cycle of emptying and cleaning that I had to do in that general area. I feel that I must also disgust my readers a bit further by adding that the Milk of Magnesia made me vomit thrice. I finally had to cut it with Sprite. It took me 12 oz. of Sprite to get down 2 oz. of M.o.M. Wow. The chalkiness and lack of any flavor whatsoever, just repeatedly triggered my gag reflex, so I gagged, and vomited...a lot.
Stay tuned...there's much more unfolding in this epic adventure. :)
For now I'll cover the two days pre-op.
The two days of pre-op clear liquids weren't fun, but it wasn't entirely impossible either. I survived on Sprite, Gatorade, Ramen broth (because plain broth was just horrible), hard candies (primarily butterscotch and cinnamon thingies). I guess that's about it. I had to take 3 tbsp. of Milk of Magnesia before noon the day before surgery, and I also had to take an antibiotic throughout that day. Well, I think the combination of those two things proved explosive enough. I'm sure I was well cleaned out for my procedure. The trouble is that I have an embarrassing and excruiciating anal fissure, that didn't enjoy the cycle of emptying and cleaning that I had to do in that general area. I feel that I must also disgust my readers a bit further by adding that the Milk of Magnesia made me vomit thrice. I finally had to cut it with Sprite. It took me 12 oz. of Sprite to get down 2 oz. of M.o.M. Wow. The chalkiness and lack of any flavor whatsoever, just repeatedly triggered my gag reflex, so I gagged, and vomited...a lot.
Stay tuned...there's much more unfolding in this epic adventure. :)
Final Feast
Apr 05, 2008
Today was my final feast day. I must say a big thanks to my brother who got up at 5:30 am. to make the best ribs I have ever had in my life! It's no wonder they won 1st prize at the cook-off contest. They were great!
I can actually hear the clock in my office ticking...ticking away as I get closer and closer to midnight and begin my two days of clear liquids before my surgery. My husband has volunteered to do clear liquids with me, even though I told him he didn't have to do that. :) It's nice to have his support, even though he's only here for a few more days until he goes back to Iraq for five more months.
I am staying positive that I'll get right through the liquid pre-op phase just fine!
I'm tired, so I'll make this a short post....
I can actually hear the clock in my office ticking...ticking away as I get closer and closer to midnight and begin my two days of clear liquids before my surgery. My husband has volunteered to do clear liquids with me, even though I told him he didn't have to do that. :) It's nice to have his support, even though he's only here for a few more days until he goes back to Iraq for five more months.
I am staying positive that I'll get right through the liquid pre-op phase just fine!
I'm tired, so I'll make this a short post....
Pre-Op
Apr 03, 2008
Yesterday I drove to Atlanta to have my pre-operative testing done. It was actually a pleasant drive with no traffic delays! I arrived at DeKalb Medical Center and was checked in by a very professional and friendly man at the Registration Desk. I expected things to move a little faster because there were only two of us in the waiting room, but I was finally called into a billing office where another very warm and friendly guy checked over my paperwork and insurance information, and then I was sent back into the waiting room until a nurse called me back into an exam room. I am very pleased to say that the waiting rooms and the exam room had larger sized seating available. I dealt with several different staff members during my process of reviewing my pre-operative instructions and medical history to include, two nurses, a phlebotomist, two radiology techs, and an anesthesiologist, and each one of them were extremely warm and friendly and professional. They made me feel very comfortable. The facility itself is very beautiful and clean, and felt good being there. The staff did seem to work at a bit of a leisurely pace and there were a few interruptions to my screening as they bid goodbye to this co-worker or that. It must be nice to work in a place that seems like a big family. I didn't like the feeling that the delays might cause me to hit Atlanta rush hour traffic on my return, but I did enjoy the feeling that they all work together well as a team. I had 12 vials of blood drawn. 12! I think they are checking me for everything imagineable. I also had a chest x-ray and an EKG. The nurse who was mostly in charge of my screening also talked me through my preparations for surgery, and I left there feeling like I have a good handle on what to expect when I return on Tuesday for surgery. And by the way, I still managed to avoid any really heavy traffic on the way home! Yay!!!!
Getting acquainted
Mar 27, 2008
Ok, so here's a little bit about me. Stay tuned...I plan to blog about my weight loss journey, but since weight loss is not the sum total of my journey in life, I thought I'd toss some random info about me out into the ether...
Likes: Martial arts, sarcasm, shiny metal objects, peace and quiet, the letter Z, sitting in the hammock, the sound of really sharp scissors cutting through paper, UK accents, being a mom, breaking boards with a palm heel, otters, a good book, living in the South, caramel macchiato, shooting holes in paper bad guys with a Glock, sci-fi, astrology, green tea, Granny Smith apples, random acts of kindness, tarot cards, skeet-shooting, spin heel kicks, the time-space continuum, my pets, pedicures, my disastrous attempts at being artistic, learning the Korean sword, water balloon fights, standing in the rain after karate, a good laugh.
Dislikes: War, whole milk, coconut, driving in heavy rain, being eternally misunderstood, migraines, mayonnaise, snakes, long deployments, laundry, 3 am., being hacked, having zits and wrinkles at the same time in my life, taking out the garbage, terrorists, weirdos, stalkers, pedophiles, cashews, that manicures last less that 24 hours, ankle pain, root beer, breaking with a hammerfist, plants that won't live through my clumsy attempts at caring for them, hot dogs, the constant phone calls begging me to star in a Girls Gone Wild flick.
Likes: Martial arts, sarcasm, shiny metal objects, peace and quiet, the letter Z, sitting in the hammock, the sound of really sharp scissors cutting through paper, UK accents, being a mom, breaking boards with a palm heel, otters, a good book, living in the South, caramel macchiato, shooting holes in paper bad guys with a Glock, sci-fi, astrology, green tea, Granny Smith apples, random acts of kindness, tarot cards, skeet-shooting, spin heel kicks, the time-space continuum, my pets, pedicures, my disastrous attempts at being artistic, learning the Korean sword, water balloon fights, standing in the rain after karate, a good laugh.
Dislikes: War, whole milk, coconut, driving in heavy rain, being eternally misunderstood, migraines, mayonnaise, snakes, long deployments, laundry, 3 am., being hacked, having zits and wrinkles at the same time in my life, taking out the garbage, terrorists, weirdos, stalkers, pedophiles, cashews, that manicures last less that 24 hours, ankle pain, root beer, breaking with a hammerfist, plants that won't live through my clumsy attempts at caring for them, hot dogs, the constant phone calls begging me to star in a Girls Gone Wild flick.
