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Surgeon TestimonialE. Patchen (Patch) Dellinger, M.D.I really like Dr. Dellinger, he's very nice. It hasn't he's a wonderful caring surgeon and tells me off when I need it *winks.His staff is very friendly. I like his nurse Jane, I've spoken to the dietician or rather she has spoken to me on several occassions. And I have talked to his Social Worker on several occassions too. Dr. Dellinger is very nice I have no doubt you would like him. Yes there is a post op brochure with menus to follow and he stresses how imaportant exercise is. Also the importance of taking my medications and not overeating. Yes I now return to see him every 3 months with my next appointment being in July. Yes he did address the risks of the surgery for me warned me about probably being on a vent for maybe 48hrs after surger. I really like Dr. Dellinger,after all his specialty saved my life. Both is great. I can remember Dr. Dellinger coming in to see me and holding my hand and encouraging me with a friendly hello, how are you and a smile. Member Interests
- Jewely Making - Kept me busy in the nursing home making all kinds of jewellry
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Mid October 2008 on October 18, 2008 8:00 pm
Hey everyone!
Since I last posted in June, I had a sleep study appointment in July to check if I have sleep apnea again. I do. My primary care doctor is making arrangements for me to be set up with a bi pap. Pacific Pulmonary the place that supplies my oxygen will be setting me up with a bi pap. I've been on a bi pap or c pap before. And I hated it. I always felt claustophobic. And in my sleep I'd rip it off my face. I'd always wake up with it off, so I'm not sure what I can do about that. I got a call this past week letting me know that the new unit is being shipped out Friday & should be here on Monday. I will let the Pulmonary technicians know & see if they have any suggestions or solutions.
On September 22nd I had an appointment with my surgeon. I gained 2 & a 1/2 lbs since February. I actually thought I had gained more than that. My surgeon mentioned last time in February when I went to see him about DS. This time he said he's not sure if I will be a good candidate for further surgery. He has scheduled me for an Upper GI at my next appointment in February of next year.
I'm still living with my Mom and stepdad & after my failed attempt in moving last year I'm pretty much resigned to the fact that while in this state I will always be dependent upon my Mom. I once had plans to stay here by myself if & when the time came for them to move overseas when my Mom & stepdad retire. But there's a lot I can't do. I don't know how to drive. Never been taught how. So I am dependent upon my Mom or step dad to drive me around. Also my Mom helps me out with some personal care as she is also my caregiver. But I know she's also getting older & probably can't care for me by herself for too much longer. I am able to dress myself, bathe, make my bed, fold my laundry, hang clothes up & I can vacuum my room even if it does exhaust me.
I don't want to lose hope, but I'll tell ya, somedays are harder than others. It's hard & it hurts emotionally. I have an appointment with my case manager on Monday afternoon, so we shall see how it goes.
I have a new nephew. He was born September 22nd 2008 in Kailua, Hawaii. I only have 2 pictures of him that I received by phone message. That hurts too. I love my brother & his family. I realize he's married & has his own life now, but I feel like we're not so close anymore. We never get pictures of the kids anymore unless we ask. But we're always expected to give gifts & send money. I don't want anything from them, I just dreamed that I'd be in their lives somehow. My brother is the only sibling I have so I thought things would be different but I feel shut out. We went to Hawaii in 2005 for 2 weeks and their 10th wedding anniversary celebration. We tried to see if we could spend time with my neice & nephew and it was always the wrong time. They're not home. They've already had lunch. It hurt us so much we ended up spending more time hanging out and doing things for my Mom's cousin son than my own neice & nephew.
Hope you all have an interesting Halloween. I'm going to volunteer my time at my Mom's church looking after a booth. I'm gonna take my wheel chair so I can be comfortable & I'm gonna try to have a good time.
Take Care
Marilyn
Deep Breath. it's June! on June 2, 2008 11:40 pm
I've been looking forward to June - Summer since last Fall  my ideal year would be summer fall summer spring - ahhhh perfect! So I hope this post finds you all well. Sorry I sorta slacked off during May. I've been doing Moderate Water Aerobics usually with Healthy Joints or Water Walking class preceeding the water aerobics class.
Last Thursday though I had a major toothache - I'd say a 10 on my richter scale. Man it was painful. Gave me painful earaches & headaches. So bad I took a couple of Advil gelcaps & hit the sack before 9pm. Which is way early for me. I was wide awake before 6am the next morning. I spent pretty much all weekend miserable. So on Monday I went down to my dentists for a walkin & he yanked the bugger out. I really don't like losing my teeth. Makes me feel so sad. I feel like my teeth are a part of who I am. I've already got a partial sitting in a box upstairs. I've been dreading losing my upper teeth. But Friday I'm going back for possilbly the removal of my left pre molar. My molar was plucked out today. Tomorrow I'm gonna try to head to the gym.
Family from Camas is driving up to visit tomorrow. Should be fun. My cousin is coming he's living in California. It'll be fun to visit with him & his 2 nephews. They're adorable. In my family, probably me with my weight issues & my Uncle who has a problem with alcohol are the black sheep, unfortunately.
Every year my health gets worse or I'm not well or skinny enough to travel so I miss out on family gatherings. I feel so left out of my family. I don't know how to say how I feel.
I've been drinking BSN protein dessert powders. I went to Emerald City Smoothie. Great store & the staff were helpful. I've been doing protein shakes for a month now. I also bought a multi vitamin. Gummi vitamins. I don't like pills. Hard to swallow.
I find in my life there's some things I am sad to have missed. All important family events I've missed out participating in. Makes me sad & sometimes sad & resentful.
I better go to sleep ... good night!
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April's almost over on April 25, 2008 9:47 pm
Hey everyone,
It's almost the end of April, so I thought I should update my blog to let you all know how I'm doing. I haven't been to any new doctor's appointments since my last ones. I do have to make an appointment to see a nurse for a B12 shot soon though. I'm still going to the YMCA. I'm loving it. I fell today. Boy what trauma one can cause by slipping at the pool. Especially when you're my size & weight. I got to the YMCA at 9:30am. Went upstairs to do the NuStep Stepper but was busy so I tried to do the bicycles. Which turned out to be a bit of a hassle. I rely on my Mom & stepdad to assist me, but boy I find it hard being patient. There's things I like to think that they should just know & when they don't it bothers me & I get anxious. So after finally getting had become available. I had 30 mins before going downstairs so I could participate in Water Walking for half an hour followed by Modified Water Aerobics. There was supposed to be another class after that but not enough people stayed behind so there wasn't one. My Mom helped me get into the pool but then left to go run errands. I told her to come back at 1pm when the other class ended. So after the 11 - 12pm class I remained in the pool for another half hour or so, by this time I was getting so cold to the point I had goose bumps. I hopped into the Spa and waited for my Mom to come. 1:30 pm came and went. At about 1:55pm the lifeguard had someone in the office call my Mom at this point I was getting very tired. Ususally by 30 mins I'm ready to get out. As I'm getting out to go sit & wait for my Mom the lifeguard tells me for better circulation I should go into the pool or rinse off with cold water. So I went back into the pool. Walked up and down a few times then my Mom came. So I got out & walked with her to go get changed to leave. Walking along passed the main pool I stepped with my left foot & I thought "OMG I'm gonna do the splits!" Down I went my left foot slipped in front of me & I fell. I hurt my left side hip, knee & ankle. And I hurt my pride LOL. They all came running covered me up in towels, called the paramedics to come check me out. They came I was fine at the point just wanted to get up off the ground. I got up with no assistance from them "Thank God for small favors" Last thing I want to do is hurt anyone else. So I think I did good for today about 5 & 1/2 hrs at the YMCA even if i did spend a bit on my ass. Almost 2 months at the YMCA. I've started on the weights. I started water aerobics on Wednesday so today was my 3rd session in the pool. We're gonna get Aqua shoes for me to wear. I'm always scared of falling. Only because I'm worried about getting up - not being able too, & the embarrassment. But everyone at the YMCA was so nice to me. That yout've got to appreciate. Hope you're all well. Have a great weekend!
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Merry month of March on March 25, 2008 2:58 pm
Hi everyone!
I finally had my appointment with my surgeon in Seattle on Monday. And I went to my first support group meeting at the Summit View branch library. On March 4th with all that I started going to my local YMCA.. I'm eager to go because I want to be healthy & I want to be able to do for myself without depending on people to help me out. I'm also anemic. I had blood labs drawn on the 20th at my primary care doc's clinic
Iron 1.0
Blood Pressure 122/ 78
Cholesterol
HDL 28
LDL 154
I've been trying to eat more green leafy vegetables. Take my iron supplements. And I've been trying to push myself at the YMCA.
Workout Notebook
Cardio By Date
The Cardio exercise by date summary page ...
NuStep TRS 4000 Stepper
Date Time Distance Ave Speed Cals
3/24/2008 0:04:17 208.0 Steps 2,915.9 Steps/hr 109
3/24/2008 1:00:00 10,000.0 Steps 10,000.0 Steps/hr 1,633
3/22/2008 0:21:22 3,611.0 Steps 10,143.3 Steps/hr 570
3/22/2008 0:49:15 10,000.0 Steps 12,182.7 Steps/hr 1,315
3/20/2008 0:32:56 6,406.0 Steps 11,672.0 Steps/hr 879
3/20/2008 0:44:10 10,000.0 Steps 13,587.0 Steps/hr 1,179
3/18/2008 0:02:00 100.0 Steps 3,000.0 Steps/hr 36
3/18/2008 1:13:00 10,000.0 Steps 8,219.2 Steps/hr 1,299
3/17/2008 0:15:59 1,679.0 Steps 6,304.1 Steps/hr 284
3/17/2008 0:31:08 4,316.0 Steps 8,318.7 Steps/hr 554
3/16/2008 0:10:38 1,649.0 Steps 9,307.6 Steps/hr 284
3/16/2008 0:51:09 7,553.0 Steps 8,859.8 Steps/hr 910
3/12/2008 0:50:28 9,003.0 Steps 10,705.1 Steps/hr 898
3/11/2008 1:00:25 8,738.0 Steps 8,678.7 Steps/hr 1,075
3/9/2008 0:15:58 2,029.0 Steps 7,627.8 Steps/hr 284
3/9/2008 0:20:23 2,493.0 Steps 7,335.9 Steps/hr 363
3/8/2008 0:31:08 3,680.0 Steps 7,092.8 Steps/hr 554
3/4/2008 0:20:00 1,375.0 Steps 4,125.0 Steps/hr 356
TOTALS 9:54:13 92,840.0 Steps 8,337.5 Steps /hr 12,582
What I like about this program is I have proof that I am working out. So that means my problem must lie with my intake. I have packs of extra gum around so if i get hungry i can chew on that. I drink mostly water. I also have the crystal light singles if i get bored with that. Yesterday the dietician gave me measuring cups so I can measure finally. Today I started to keep a journal of what I eat. The dietician suggested I eat no more than 1.5 cups per meal. I don't drink during meals. I really welcome any suggestions.
9:30 am
1 cup of coffee with powder non dairy creamer & 2packs of splenda
11:00am
1.75 cups of oatmeal includes little bit of milk & i tsp of brown sugar
2 pieces of whole wheat toast with margarine
1 cup of coffee with powder non dairy creamer & 2 packs of splenda
1:15pm
2 sticks of cool watermelon Extra gum
I have an appointment to go back to see my surgeon Sept 22nd for a 6 month follow up and he wants me to keep in touch with the dietician once a month by email. He said he's very proud of my workouts. Said I was doing well. I'm just disappointed with my weight gain:( He said if I'm still on oxygen in September we may have to consider another surgery. He said he's not too keen on the other surgery because of the nutrition side effects. He said they bypassed 5 feet of my stomache but there's still 10 feet left. Man I couldn't believe I had all of that inside of me ... He said this other surgery would have something to do with my intestines. Would cause me diaarrhea.
Thanks for any help.
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Haven't forgotten OH on March 5, 2008 9:18 pm
Hey everyone!
Sorry I haven't gotten back sooner to let you all know how I am doing. Some days I do good. Some days not so good. Some days where I just don't wanna get out of bed or I'm angry with anyone who speaks to me. Usually that anyone is family. We took my Mom on the 1st for her birthday. I try to make our birthdays & Christmas's special because it seems to me that we always give & do for others but often when it comes to our birthdays & Christmas's we forget to shop or there's no money to shop. I think she had a good time.
I was just thinking this time last month I was in the hospital with pneumonia. I've been trying to set up follow up appointments with a pulmonary doctor I used to see in Puyallup, arrange a sleep study & make an appointment with my surgeon. Well I've had no luck with the pulmonary doctor or sleep study appointments. But I do have an appointment with my surgeon March 24th at 10:30am. Thank you to all of you who reccommended I go back to see him.
I have this hang up with myself where I feel ashamed to be myself. I feel like I should hide myself. Stay out of everyone's way. I used to want to go live on my own. But I know there's no way I could. Least not right now. If I did my health would probably deteriorate much worse than it is now.
I made an appointment Monday & went to the YMCA. The first time I've been back in a place like that in wow 3 yrs . It's been awhile. There's this stepping machine there. First time I've used something like that. Looked easy when I was watching another lady on it. But oh boy did my knees hurt. Not because of the exercises so much as I kinda felt squished & it was kinda sore with my AFO on. But i did ok i managed to go for 20 minutes. I feel if I was more comfortable that I probably could of gone longer. But you the saying start off slowly & safely & work your way up. This is a 12 week program. I'm interested in discovering what the results are when I go to see the doctor on the 24th.
I need to go check out when some of these support groups are so I can make plans to attend at least the ones closest to me. I really feel going to the YMCA is going to be at least one step in the positive direction. Obviously it's going to take me lots of hard work to reach some good goals. Good health being one of them. Being fat i've always felt like I am less of a person for being so. But at the same time thinking that people will like me better because I'm skinny - just really sucks because it drills into your head that you're not good enough the way you are. And when I am approached or talked to I wonder in my head "What do you want from me?" So yeah I have a few "in my head issues"
Hope you all have a good week. Thanks for all your support & for adding me as a friend and for welcoming me back to OH.
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Archive
My Story
Well I had gastric bypass surgery Jan 2003 by Dr. Dellinger @ UW Medical Center in Seattle WA. I first me Dr. Dellinger in June 2002 when I was transferred from Good Samaritan hospital in Puyallup. At that time my weight was 750lbs.I was on oxygen 24/7, used a cpap and was really weak. I was still able to walk but barely, it was very exhausting and I was basically bed bound. I was diagnosed with congestive heart failure, pulmonary problems, fluid retention. After the month of June in the hospital I was transferred to a nursing home for physical rehabilitation because I was too weak to go home. I recieved my approval notice in December 2002 and my surgery was scheduled for Jan 24, 2003. I was readmitted to UW Medical Center Jan 16, 2003 @ 665lbs. My surgery went ok as far as I know. I was on a ventilator for almost 3 weeks in ICU after my surgery. Which for me is kinda disappointing because unlike a lot who have had their surgery I have no memory of my time after my surgery except for what I was told. After ICU I was moved to another floor until March 10. 2003 when I returned back to the nursing home. After surgery my body swelled up to 850lbs partly Ithink cause my kidneys failed and they had to put fluid on me to get them running again. My incision was also reopened and left to heal from the inside out when I left UW it was 19cm long 11cm wide and 6cm deep. Just before I left they put a wound vacum on but in April I received a letter from DSHS saying they would no longer pay for it. My wound is still open today(June 25, 2004) but is barely the size of a dime. When I came off the ventilator I had severe pain in my feet and was unable to stand. Oddly enough that was the pnly pain I felt at the time. I was unable to walk for about a year. When I came home in September, 2003 I came home in a wheelchair not sure if I was gonna be able to walk again. I have a foot drop or drop foot in my right foot and wear a plastic brace to walk. That is paralysis of my foot. I can't move my toes or move my foot or feel anything with it. In October my parents paid for me to join Bally's and to have a personal trainer who helped me overcome most of all fear and to be able to walk again in January 2004. It's exciting to be able to walk again, something I thought I'd never be able to do but I still get anxious and nervous walking, especially when I'm in open spaces where there's no walls or a hand (my parents) to grab. I think I'd feel more confident with the security of having a cane but my trainer doesn't believe I need one. My life has changed so much for the better since having my gastric bypass surgery, roux en y. I no longer need oxygen to breathe or a cpap to sleep with at night. And I am currently at 477lbs. I have come along way considering I probably should have died and am very greatful for my surgery and the work of my surgeon, his team and all the medical staff that helped take care of me during my stays in the hospitals and the nursing home. I wasn't afraid to have my surgery I was at peace with myself and my decision. I think the hardest part for me was not being able to communicate verbally and getting extremely frustrated and not being able to speak when the vent came out. The last time I lost weight was during my January check up. 17lbs since November 2003. I struggle still with eating too much I don't know how to fix that except to sleep but I also know sleeping all the time isnot good for me either. If anyone was thinking about having the surgery I whole heartedly encourage you to look in to it. It's changed my life for the better. I actually feel happy now.
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