In Search of My Body vol. 10 - taking it one paper towel at at time

[AKASnowWhite]

I don't have time to go back and retype all the witty and insightful comments that the disboards so rudely decided weren't worthy of posting (flips the bird). So. I'll just recap my run.

- it rocked
- I totally owned it
- one critical error: neglected to use my bodyglide and now have a nice red chaffe mark on my inner right arm
- orange flavored sports beans are much better than the mixed ones I had previously
- um, I totally owned it

Hope everyone is having a Super Duper Tuesday

 

[3DisneyKids]

Of COURSE you did, Nancy! Awesome! Time?

 

[AKASnowWhite]

Of COURSE you did, Nancy! Awesome! Time?

I did two 5.5 mile segments with a quick (and I do mean QUICK!) potty/water refill break. First 5.5 miles was 57:30 and the second was 55:56

 

[3DisneyKids]

Awesome! Yeah, you are going to kick this race's a$$!

So, there is a 5k the next week-end (and I'll still be there with my family). I am thinking of doing it with Riley. Anyone done a 5k there? It's pricey for a 5k, but of course, there is a tech shirt and bling...

And this just in...there are approximately 17,000 runners for the Princess! Bib numbers go up to 16800 something.

 

[3DisneyKids]

And more news just in...

This year's official race shirt color is....WHITE. So we are safe and will totally stand out!

And the Donald shirts are always white and are actually really nice.

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

Way to go Nancy
Thanks for the info on the race. I am soooooooo. looking forward to this trip

 

[AKASnowWhite]

Awesome! Yeah, you are going to kick this race's a$$!

well, we'll see how I feel on race day

So, there is a 5k the next week-end (and I'll still be there with my family). I am thinking of doing it with Riley. Anyone done a 5k there? It's pricey for a 5k, but of course, there is a tech shirt and bling...

you really have to do it. Seriously. How often do you just *happen* to be there for a 5K race?

And this just in...there are approximately 17,000 runners for the Princess! Bib numbers go up to 16800 something.

good Lord. That's a lotta people.

and white for the official color? Oh yeah. We're gonna stand out like fruit loops in a bowl of cheerios

 

[HockeyKat]

good Lord. That's a lotta people.

and white for the official color? Oh yeah. We're gonna stand out like fruit loops in a bowl of cheerios

HAHAHA!!!


I got my zazzle shirt today. I got the XL and it's definitely the right size for me! Happy.

 

[AKASnowWhite]

I got my zazzle shirt today. I got the XL and it's definitely the right size for me! Happy.

Got mine yesterday, *found* it late last night , opened it this morning (love it ) but still haven't tried it on

My legs are sore. I'm going to make breakfast for dinner with wine.

 

[lisaviolet]

Am reading. Will catch up with everyone.

Kelly - so sorry about your injuries. Ouch. Someone asked you about your couch - I'm wondering about your chesterfield?

Riley!!! Riley!!!! Riley!!!! Yes, I remember vividly when these things meant the world. Everything. So happy for him.

Things to tell you -

One, I was doing real estate right up until surgery date. Put an offer in on something. Got in a bidding war and lost. They wanted the two offers to up the ante and I wouldn't budge too much - not getting into greedy territiory. (We were already at asking and closing date at that point) 24 hours before surgery.

12 hours before had an offer accepted very quickly (verbally) with a VERY complicated contract (interim closing on condos - long story) and she wanted to hold in trust our 20% without interest (that's 44 000 friggin' dollars sitting in someone else's hands without interest) so I canned the deal (never signed) and cried.

BUT LOVELY DISTRACTIONS THESE WERE!!!!!!!!!

Really. Loved it.

So I'm up for 6 AM surgery. Get all hooked up. Blood thinners in etc. All psyched. My laparoscopic surgeon comes down and says, "Lisa - I'm so sorry - I've been called over to Sick Kids (our ridiculously named Children's hospital) to do a liver transpant (I hated that he was a jack of all trades ) and we have to cancel.

Or he says Dr. Snatch and Grab can take over. Yes, I know he didn't say it quite like that.

 

[lisaviolet]

He was devastated that he had to cancel.

I told him that IF I did Nathan must never know that I had the choice that I couldn't emotionally handle that.

And I asked about Nathan? And he said his health was stable and it was fine.

But not in my head.

So I said bring Dr. Snatch and Grab down to talk to me.

And I grilled him. Asked him directly why he still does a traditional surgery that has been since passed over by many. And that during T's time six years ago they were glad to have it gone (way more invasive - more chances for problems - longer recovery - more pain - larger scar). And he told me that he doesn't believe the stats that his patients heal the same.

And that Dr. NO S and G would be doing a big final incision too. In my head I thought "yes I'm not pleased with HIM either". He was doing five small and one big. Most laparoscopies now do only three - some experimental one.

And then he told me "Lisa we like to take left kidneys and we have to take your right (left had two arterial veins - harder to hook up for Nathan) and right are very difficult for laparoscopy (I should pull up an anatomy picture to see what is on that side only - spleen??? Pancreas??? appendix??? no idea ).

So I said Let's do it. I can't wait any longer. Nathan has been prepped since the day before - this is insane. So we went.

I felt nothing but PEACE. Nothing. Yeah!

 

[lisaviolet]

So the anethesiologists (???? SP) came down and we discussed the dreaded breathing tube (they shut down your lungs in case they're punctured????). And waking up. (I woke up during wisdom teeth). I was fine. I told them if I wake up - I wake up I just want to be believed and that's all. They promised they would believe. Laughing.

SO AT PEACE. So strange.

And they wheeled me in.

I WAS BEYOND fascinated. Beyond. Transfixed. Kelly! It looked just like it looks on Grey's. Yes, I know some of you have had surgery but I haven't.

They couldn't find my BP. Nothing came up.

They couldn't find my veins for the IV.

ANd still I was AT PEACE.

And they had to switch hands and arms to fix both. And still they struggled with the veins.

And they introduce you to the whole team.

OH WAIT.

I forgot to tell you earlier - Dr. Snatch and Grab tries to put an X on my LEFT SIDE. I guess I shook his ego. Confidence. earlier. I said, "ummm sir - wrong side".

So back to the fascinating surgerical room!!!! So neat. I thought - had the thought...

And then I was gone.

And I woke up SO HAPPY. Really, strange, eh? I said "Oh this is great? We're DONE??????? Are you kidding? I have no pain. Good job everyone".



And I hear a nurse say in the recovery "can you bring more in like this please?

And I squint and I see the the gas doctor and I squeal in delight like I'm a groupie "Is that you? Oh YOU did a fantastic job!!!!"

So I guess you can see that I LOVE my drugs..

I've switched to Tylenol 3 right now. Jean went out and forgot to leave my percocet and we had some T3s left from her surgery.

 

[lisaviolet]

Next up Recovery Room Drama!!!!

But before I go:

I can't even explain to you how being FIT affected everything. EVERYTHING. Stop worrying so much about weight and size. Yes, I understand and do so myself. And yes you can have both. But I wish I could explain how my leg muscles and my core gave me the ability to heal well - but more than that IT STOPPED SOME PAIN FROM COMING (as did my fun little pain button). I had the absolute ability to read my strength and muscles. I could think and press on one side to stop pain on the other and that's even more than fit (i'm not super fit) because I am functionally fit. I do tons of core/balance and movements that help everyday activities.

I was walking the day of surgery. Apparently that was strange. And it wasn't too difficult. With a walker and tubes galore (oxygen, catheter??, IV fluids) and it was still doable. And once the catheter was out - woah muscles were evertyhing just to go to the washroom.

I'm not a wonder athlete by any means but I can't even tell you the functionality of my fitness. So remember that when you're frustrated with your progress with numbers/size.

And Nathan. Nathan has a long haul. No magic pill. The surgery is not as invasive as for me. My kidney is placed in his groin (his are not taken out - too invasive) and he has to take anti-rejection pills which strip your imnunity for life. BUT my kidney started instantly!!!! And his creatine (protein in the urine) went from 1500 to 750 to 400 to 151. Normal is 150 (here we often have different types of measurements). Unreal. Yeah!

I got home today and Nathan is out today.

Hospitals are loonie bins. I'm so happy. Tired but happy.

Yes I really am writing an operation TR. What of it?

 

[AKASnowWhite]

Yes I really am writing an operation TR. What of it?

and I'm devouring every detail. Now *I'm* sighing

 

[lisaviolet]

and I'm devouring every detail. Now *I'm* sighing

Oh no! Don't sigh. I'm only on happy times. How can I get to the nurses from he!! if you're sighing already?

Nancy! Great run today.

 

[lisaviolet]

And Kat. Kat. Thought of you the day before surgery- we almost went after a bank owned condo and I started laughing as I thought of Sandra on Property Virgins how she talks people through all the ridiculous outcomes of THAT choice. Short sales in the States?

So thought of you.

And I forgot - sorry - thanks for everyone's lovely words to me. They were so lovely. Wow, look at the meds. My words make no sense. Lovely words - so lovely. Laughing.

And hi to poppin' in Lisa!!! Good to see you Lisa.

AND Erika - how sweet of you to go to chapel.

 

[3DisneyKids]

Yes, yes, devouring EVERY word. Silly me...I was hoping for pics to go along with this TR!

So glad that you are home and doing SO well!

And LISTEN, you were totally right to question the doc about the left side and all of that. When Kelly went in to have her left kidney harvested (God, I hate that term) there were about 7 members of the team in the OR. I went around the room and made EACH one say "Left side" so that they would take right freaking organ.

Did I ever tell you about the party we had the night before Kel's surgery (well, the night before she went into the hospital)? We had a Good-bye Kidney Party. We had a kidney-shaped cake and kidney-shaped cookies. And then we all wrote on Kelly's left side, funny comments like..

"You've been a real pisser," and "I'll be peeing you..." and my favorite "Pick me! Pick me!" It was a great way to put us ALL at ease before the surgery.

 

[lisaviolet]

Yes, yes, devouring EVERY word. Silly me...I was hoping for pics to go along with this TR!

So glad that you are home and doing SO well!

And LISTEN, you were totally right to question the doc about the left side and all of that. When Kelly went in to have her left kidney harvested (God, I hate that term) there were about 7 members of the team in the OR. I went around the room and made EACH one say "Left side" so that they would take right freaking organ.

Did I ever tell you about the party we had the night before Kel's surgery (well, the night before she went into the hospital)? We had a Good-bye Kidney Party. We had a kidney-shaped cake and kidney-shaped cookies. And then we all wrote on Kelly's left side, funny comments like..

"You've been a real pisser," and "I'll be peeing you..." and my favorite "Pick me! Pick me!" It was a great way to put us ALL at ease before the surgery.

You've been a real pisser. Or from NY a real pissa. OMG.

I remember Erika. You're so funny and strong all rolled up in one.

I remember with Riley in the hospital as well - how being physical lightened his load.

Well I do have pictures. I don't want to see them (strictly vanity laughing). Tash (Nathan's sis - my niece) says right after surgery "Lisa - I need a picture for Nathan's scrapbook - the MINUTE she found me in my room". I told her she's banned from my room and I'm telling the nurses.

And then of course she got one with me and my beloved walker.

I could take a pic of the incision but I am bummed. I have a funny feeling he didn't put the muscle back together well - it LOOKS very strange - like a bite in my side and a ledge. They say it's swollen but my intuition says "nope. Effin' Snatch and Grab.".

I'm aware so vain. But I can give a kidney AND be vain too.

 

[HockeyKat]

And Kat. Kat. Thought of you the day before surgery- we almost went after a bank owned condo and I started laughing as I thought of Sandra on Property Virgins how she talks people through all the ridiculous outcomes of THAT choice. Short sales in the States?

So thought of you.

And I forgot - sorry - thanks for everyone's lovely words to me. They were so lovely. Wow, look at the meds. My words make no sense. Lovely words - so lovely. Laughing.

And hi to poppin' in Lisa!!! Good to see you Lisa.

AND Erika - how sweet of you to go to chapel.

SOO glad to see you here!!! Glad you are doing so well!!


Sandra!! I can't get over the gap on her, though. Short sale is an owner selling under what they owe the bank, and the bank essentially "forgiving" the remainder of what they are owed. It hits your credit pretty hard. Bank-owned is after foreclosure, I believe. Here, anyhow.

 

[Ronda93]

Lisa - love the operation TR! Hope your recovery keeps speeding along. Interesting about the placement on Nathan... never considered it can go anywhere. Yea fitness!

Ronda