dawn4511
Junior Member
Posts: 92
Surgery Type: Revision
Surgery Date: 08/14/2014
Surgeon: Dr Dennis Hong
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Post by dawn4511 on Sept 12, 2014 7:45:59 GMT -5
That's awesome that it's going well for you now. I'm surprised that it was easier then the DS, but whoo hoo for it :-).
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Post by west4thavenue on Sept 12, 2014 8:28:24 GMT -5
I am so glad you are being careful. It is difficult to imagine the extent of the reconstruction and TT, until you see the photograph. Both you and Sharyl amaze me with your courage and especially your attitude! Enjoy the drive...and the increased distance between you and the steering wheel!
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Post by goodkel on Sept 12, 2014 13:02:41 GMT -5
Happy to hear how well you are doing. Once all the swelling goes down, I can't wait to see the photos.
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Post by illinids2 on Sept 13, 2014 7:18:12 GMT -5
I am glad the drains are out and that you are progressing, Leonie. From everything I hear this type surgery is about as tough as it gets pain wise so my heart goes out to both you and Sharyl who I know is recovering as well. That being said I am happy you were finally able to get this done.
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Post by OnMyWay2Thin on Sept 13, 2014 7:50:57 GMT -5
Just popping in to say, keep on doing great! I'm thinking of you and hoping you are feeling much, much better! (Hope the hubby gets better, as well!)
Kelly
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Post by maggiesara on Sept 14, 2014 10:04:29 GMT -5
Leonie, I am so terribly sorry you had so much to cope with. And of course, I'm petrified for my own hernia-repair, which is coming up in a few weeks. But I am delighted to hear how positive you are, and how much better you are feeling.
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Post by willowrayne on Sept 15, 2014 6:42:44 GMT -5
Thank you for posting the photos. I have been wondering if it is time to consider my own TT yet. It helps to see pics of a belly just like mine. So glad you are doing better.
"Of all the things I've ever lost, I miss my mind the most."
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Post by Leonie on Sept 16, 2014 9:26:34 GMT -5
I just got the marvelous news. My insurance has finally decided that they WILL pay for the hernia repair! Sharyl, thank you, thank you, thank you. The letters you crafted for me were amazing and they did not stand a chance!
It was such a strange situation. Just this year our insurance started a pilot project to part-pay for certain cosmetic surgeries, and I qualified. The day before surgery, they dropped the bombshell that they would not be paying for the hernia repair as I self-paid for the DS. Sharyl came to my rescue while she was still recovering from her own surgery, and crafted the most amazing appeal letters. It worked!!!
I am so deeply thankful. The account would have been more than a months salary for my husband, and to make it worse, he has been on unpaid sick leave for two weeks, with another possible two weeks coming. The double whammy would have crippled us financially.
Praise the Lord, oh my soul, Praise the Lord.
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Post by OnMyWay2Thin on Sept 16, 2014 10:31:10 GMT -5
I love it when things work out just the way they are supposed to. This is cause for celebration. Note to self: if I ever need a convincing letter, beg Sharyl!, Sharyl is such an asset and truly compassionate person. Nice job, Sharyl!
Kelly
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Post by willowrayne on Sept 16, 2014 10:36:48 GMT -5
Wonderful news! Sharyl rocks!
"Of all the things I've ever lost, I miss my mind the most."
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Post by xr7conv on Sept 18, 2014 12:27:51 GMT -5
Leonie, Glad things are going well now. Good to hear that the insurance stuff works out. You are right Sharyl is great. Had dinner with her Monday night. She knows how to pick a DS steakhouse too. We were talking about you, it would have been really great if you could have been there. I would love to meet you in person someday.
Keep on taking care!
Dave
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Post by Leonie on Sept 24, 2014 15:55:52 GMT -5
They say a picture says a thousand words: Today I went to a "Colour Run" race with my daughter and a friend. I did not do the race, but must have walked around the sports-field twice through the course of the morning. I even had fun tossing coloured powder and dancing with the crowd. Admittedly, I was pretty pooped for the rest of the day! It is four weeks since hernia surgery and I think I am just about back to normal.
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Post by mlleelise on Sept 24, 2014 22:45:35 GMT -5
Leonie, I am SO glad that the insurance is going to cover your surgery! Hooray for you! Hooray for Sharyl! Just from reading her posts you can see how gifted she is with words. I'm also glad that you are feeling just about back to normal. It sure is nice to hear some good news for a change. :-)
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Post by goodkel on Sept 25, 2014 1:45:59 GMT -5
You look INCREDIBLE! It is wonderful that you have healed so well!
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Post by west4thavenue on Sept 25, 2014 10:53:14 GMT -5
Aren't you the prettiest lady? I'm so happy for you, Leonie!
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Post by Leonie on Oct 1, 2014 14:13:18 GMT -5
I guess it is update time. Tomorrow it will be five weeks and I have been recovering very well. I have been enjoying visiting, parties and driving around.
BUT, on Monday I felt a bit of soreness in one area of the incision. It turns out I have an infection, probably a 'stitch abcess.' So now I am on giant antibiotics. (Two Augmentin twice daily for five days.) Doc wants to see me again in 48 hours and I have been ordered to take it easy.
Surgery isn't for sissies.
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Post by OnMyWay2Thin on Oct 1, 2014 16:47:36 GMT -5
Sorry to hear about the "stitch abcess" and hoping the big gun antibiotics go in and kick it away, quick! You are correct, surgery is not for sissies! Get well soon...
Kelly
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Post by west4thavenue on Oct 1, 2014 16:52:56 GMT -5
I guess it is update time. Tomorrow it will be five weeks and I have been recovering very well. I have been enjoying visiting, parties and driving around. BUT, on Monday I felt a bit of soreness in one area of the incision. It turns out I have an infection, probably a 'stitch abcess.' So now I am on giant antibiotics. (Two Augmentin twice daily for five days.) Doc wants to see me again in 48 hours and I have been ordered to take it easy. Surgery isn't for sissies. Oww. Sorry to hear this, Leonie. I have had suture abscesses before and I know they can be painful. Sometimes those "absorbable" sutures just don't get absorbed. Good thing you contacted your doctor and are taking the big guns. Keep us posted, okay?
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Post by Leonie on Oct 4, 2014 14:11:30 GMT -5
It is day five of my big-ass antibiotics and they are working! The second day was terrible. My whole lower abdomen was swollen, tender and red. The beautifully healed incision was draining clear fluid at two places. Not happy. Breakthrough came during Friday night and I woke up with the sure knowledge that the treatment was working. When I got to the surgeon, he decided to open up a two inch portion and removed some dead fat and fluid. Then I was sent to the wound clinic where it was beautifully closed up. I am seeing them again on Monday. The wound clinic nurse was very impressed with my knowledge and whole DS experience. She agreed that I should majorly increase my protein, so I spend $80 on a tub of whey isolate and have had four shakes today. She also said I should increase my Zink and Vitamin C. Of course I will see my PCP on Monday to test my Iron levels as well. I suspect I lost so much blood during the surgeries that the pre-surgery infusion is probably all gone. I am pretty exhausted, but definitely on the mend. On the family front, our eldest daughter has just moved to a very remote hospital along the coast. She is an Occupational Therapist. This was her early morning view:
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Post by Girlrocker on Oct 4, 2014 20:54:53 GMT -5
Oh, I am SO SO glad to hear you are on the mend, thanks to BIG ASS antiobiotics! Excellent report, and I'm so relieved. I also think you had a great wound nurse, she was on it! Increasing protein is good, and you can always double up your scoops instead of having four shakes a day. I know what you mean about being exhausted, I'm just starting to come around now, slow process, LOT of surgery we had! And that photo is gorgeous, I hope she is loving the job and all!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Oct 4, 2014 22:02:13 GMT -5
Been following your thread for a while, and Im so happy its on the upside!
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Post by OnMyWay2Thin on Oct 5, 2014 6:07:34 GMT -5
So glad things are definitely going in the right direction! Take care and rest so you can fully recuperate.
Kelly
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