Well it's been a good week! I went and saw the surgeon yesterday and we talked for about an hour. I have been to the GI doctor's and have had tons of tests and blah blah blah. Same old story, but yesterday I got somewhere. We scheduled my surgery for April 14, 2010. I'm so excited. He drew a picture of exactly what he is going to be doing and taking out and reconstructing etc. It was really great. Dave got to ask questions too, which was really good. He hasn't been able to go to any of the appointments because of his school schedule, so it was great that he got to go with me this time. Dr. McKinlay said that he truly believes that this is the best option, the last option, and that it will give me a fresh start. I'll have a completely new gastric bypass surgery and new connections, and fresh intestine to work with (even though they will be removing 4 feet of it), and a new connection at the "Y" connection of my previous surgery.This is not a cure all because of course he can't guarantee that this is going to fix everything, but we both feel like this is the best option. Dr. McKinlay and his partners are going to be performing the surgery together since it is a complete revision. It's kind of scary because the Doctor's that are performing the surgery have never done a complete revision before. They don't really know anyone that have and they don't know of any studies on it or anything. History in the making! LOL I have total faith though because of the research I have done on Doctor's. I have a group of the op Gastric Bypass surgeons in the nation. I know they will do a good job and will take good care of me.
It's going to be done at St. Marks which will be different because I have never been to any other hospital than an IHC hospital. I've heard that St. Marks is incredible though and I know I'll be treated well. I had to do St. Marks because our insurance recently told us goodbye because of all that was going on with me. They haven't covered anything since May of 2009 anyway, so it's not that big of a deal.It's pretty incredible to feel hope again. I have gone for so long feeling like I was never going to figure out what was wrong and that I was going to have to live like this forever. I have gone through feeling like everything is in my head and that I'm crazy and not really sick. I have gone through doctor's judging me and telling me that nothing is wrong and that I need to stop seeing other doctors. I have been through 8,000 different medications that never work, and on and on, but I don't even care right now. The only thing I care about is that there is a good chance that I will feel like me again. I have a chance of having my life back, living normally, not throwing up daily, no more hospital visits, not having to take anymore medications, and not having to see a doctor every week. I am seriously thrilled. I can't wait to be "well" again!!
Thank you so much to all of you for your love, support, prayers, thoughts, concern, and friendship through all of this. I have the most amazing family and friends any person could ever ask for. I am so grateful to all of you. Dave and I are truly blessed to have you in our lives. Thank you for not giving up hope on me and sticking with me through this. I know this isn't the end and I know I have a long road of recovery like I did the first time I had the gastric bypass, but I can see the end and I can do this.
Other than all of my health, my sister was here for a week and it was so much fun! I loved having my niece's and nephew's here to see me. My sister took such good care of me and made sure I was okay. I loved having her here. She came for Dave and my 1 year anniversary which was so great! I can't believe it's been a year and what a year it has been. We have a lot more great years to come! We are going to have so much fun in our life to come. Right now I am just so grateful that he is my husband and my best friend and my eternal partner. I couldn't imagine being more happy. He is the most amazing man I have ever met and I'm so lucky that he is mine.
I'll keep you all updated on the months to come. Thanks again for everything. I love you all!Thank you Dave for all your love and support and staying by my side. Thank you for being my strength and holding my hand every step of the way for the last year. I can't thank Heavenly Father enough for giving me you. You are the most amazing husband and best friend anyone could ask for. Thank you for doing all you do for us and taking such great care of me!
Also, thanks to my Mom and Dad for all they do for me. This would not be possible without them. I would not be alive or getting the care I am without them. I'm so lucky to have you as parents. I love you with all my heart! Dave and I appreciate you so much and all you do!
