00november

11/19/00 Last night I went to ObesityHelp.com to update my file and I noticed a memorial page I had not seen before, so I checked it out. It was a little unsettling to see so many names, most of which listed cause of death due to complications with WLS. I found myself crying for these people who had set out to find health and lost their lives in the process. One woman listed left behind two young children, the thought is sobering. I turned to look at my own sleeping daughter, almost 15 months old. The tears came a little harder now, is this a chance I'm willing to take? Is it worth it? What if I die? How long will I live in my current state? What will my quality of life be if I remain obese? I remind myself that the mortality rate is less than 1% and I do trust my surgeon. I know I am making the right decision. It's just that I had always heard that people who die from WLS related causes were very old or had pre-existing heart problems. I didn't expect to read about those kinds of people dying, people like me.

11/21/00 I had my consultation with Dr. Callery today and it went great. He had a way of making me feel very confident in my decision to have WLS. The only bad news I got was that I am an inch shorter than the height listed on my driver's license and considerably heavier than I thought I was too. Let's see, shorter and fatter? Not a good combination! My next step is going to see my PCP, Dr. Broom, tomorrow with the lab sheet from Dr. Callery requesting blood work, EKG and gall bladder sonogram. I'm hoping to get the blood work done tomorrow and at least get the sonogram scheduled. Dr. Broom did an EKG at my last appointment so they'll just fax that over to Callery's office. According to Dr. Callery if everything goes smoothly I should have a surgery date in January, 2001. I can't think of a better way to kick off the New Year!

As a side note I'm sitting here eating icecream right now and thinking, hmmmm not much more of this in my future! I should probably start getting used to healthier foods now huh? There is this little voice in my head telling me to eat all my favorite foods now beacuse I won't be able to later. Then this other voice chimes in and says, "You better be careful because it will be alot harder on you if you gain 20 more pounds before surgery!" I can just picture the origins of those two voices. The first, sitting on my left shoulder, a miniature replica of myself (all 276 pounds shrunkin down to fit in your pocket) bidding me "Eat what you will!" between bites of chocolate cake. The second, on my right shoulder, is a tiny version of a 7 year old Shirley Temple. Instead of a giant lollipop she's holding a broccoli floret and her voice and pouty facial expression convey deep concern. I don't know why I picture little Shirley Temple except she's so darn cute and you just don't want to dissapoint her! Obviously it's past my bedtime so I'll end this rambling while I'm ahead.

11/22/00 Yesterday a good friend of mine mentioned that perhaps because today is the day before Thanksgiving it would be slow at the doctor's office. My first clue that chaos awaited me was the parking structure. Once parked I headed inside with my daughter in tow. When we rounded the corner to my PCP's office there was a line of about 6 people waiting to be checked in. What were all those people doing there?? Why weren't they out getting a jump on their Christmas shopping or baking for tomorrow's Thanksgiving feast? Oh, well, grin and bear it. I will be happy, I will stay calm, I will-- Hey! Where does that lady think she's going? Can't she see that there's a line here? OK, I can do this, calm down. This mental conversation went on for the next 15 minutes while I waited my turn in line.

I was taken into the back office to schedule the untra sound. "How about December 27th?" You have got to be kidding.

"Is that the first available appointment?"

"Yes." We stared at each other for a minute, no blinking, no words. "I'll write the phone number down on your appointment card and you can keep calling them to see if they have any cancellations."

"Thank you." Next stop, the Lab. Before I left she told me that they now have a mini-lab in their office so I don't have to go downstairs to the main lab. Great. The mini-lab contained only one chair for drawing blood and there was sign-in list hanging on the outside of the office door. There was an atractive middle-aged woman inside working on a computer. I had been instructed to make sure the lab request was in the computer so I stepped into the office to ask if she could check for me. Without looking at me she told me to sign the list and wait in the lobby for my turn. As I explained what I needed she sighed, rolled her eyes and stuck out her hand for my lab work sheet. "Who is the Doctor?" she wanted to know.

"Callery."

"Callery is an outside Doctor so it wouldn't be in the computer." I'm so glad that everyone is on the same page. Next she asked for my date of birth and when I didn't hear her I said "Excuse me?" She snapped "Birthday! What is your birthday?" I could be nice no longer.

"You know what? If this is going to be problem, I'll just go downstairs." That got her attention, kind of.

"Just sign the list and go wait in the lobby. Someone will call you when it's your turn."

"OK. Thank you." Darn I was being nice again!

Just as I was starting to leave she says, "You have been fasting right?" Fasting? No.

"Nobody told me to fast." She showed me a checkmark on the paperwork that was inside a little box and sure enough, right next to the box it said "fast". I wish someone would have pointed that out to me ahead of time. For the first time since I had met her, the lab technician had a smile on her face. How appropriate. "You'll have to come back another day. Be sure to fast for 12 -14 hours before you get here...water only." As I was getting ready to leave for the second time she asked me to cross my name off the list on my way out. Was it any surprise when I got to my truck that I realized I had failed to get my parking voucher stamped? Drat! I'd either have to go back and get it stamped or pay $5.00 to get out. Tempting, but I opt to go back instead.

Well this trip was a disaster. However, the day didn't have to be a total loss. A quick lunch at Burger King and my daughter and I were off to the mall. "Shop Therapy" saves the day. Better luck next time.

11/28/00 Well I went back to the Lab today to try my luck once again and, I am happy to report, it went much better this time. I arrived at the hospital at about 6:45 a.m. thinking surely I will be the first in line right? Wrong. There were already 6 people waiting in the lobby for the Lab doors to be unlocked. What is wrong with these people? With an audible sigh I realize that I am one of "these people". As it turned out only two of the people there before me were waiting for the Lab, everyone else was waiting for Urgent Care (which didn't open util 8:00 A.m. !). The day was looking up! Once seated in the waiting room I only had to wait about 10 minutes before my name was called. The lab technician was a real pro. A painless poke, 5 vials of blood and one urinalysis later and I was on my way out the door. The time 7:45 a.m. Yippee!! On my way out I saw the technician from the mini-lab (see jounal entry from 11/22/00). I overheard the following one-sided conversation, surprisingly, the lab technician was not the one doing the talking...

The patient sitting in the chair looked to be in her mid 50's and generally sour. "Do you have a warm compress? A moist warm compress really helps bring out my veins. Don't look at me like that! The last time I was here you tortured me."

I ask you people, does it get any better than this? I think not!