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ARG!! I called my EP office yesterday because I still wasn't convinced that the surgery is set in stone for Monday. I was right. :mad: I tried to make it sound like I believed it would be Monday and I just had a few questions (like when to stop coumadin, when to do the preop testing, etc.).

I called and talked to the NP rather than the scheduler (whom I've talked to at least twice a week for the last three or four weeks). When I said I didn't know when to stop my coumadin he said "You didn't get a packet?" Um, no. I've never gotten any kind of packet from them, not even the first time I had surgery. I said I also knew nothing beyond the fact that I was told the surgery would take place on Monday. I have no idea on time, even. So he said he would talk to the scheduler and find out why I hadn't gotten this information.

A little while later he called me back (someone there actually knows how to dial a phone! :eek: ). He said that the reason I hadn't received a packet or any other information about the surgery is because it still isn't 100% confirmed. I went ballistic. I said "Should I just give up and go to the Mayo Clinic? This is beyond frustrating!" He said "Well, it's just because we're having to get these other doctors pinned down. If it was just Dr. D you would have had the surgery already, but we don't have any control over the other doctors." Arg!

Do these people not understand that I have a life?? I've lined up a sub. N has rearranged HIS schedule. And this is the SECOND time we've had to do this. Only to be told it's "not 100% confirmed" yet?!?!

I asked "When WILL it be 100% confirmed?" He said "We're going to try to pin down Dr. D, who talks to Dr. P every day. I'll call you in the morning." I said "Will I actually get a phone call, or will I have to call you as usual?" He said "I will call you personally."

I'm just SO frustrated!! I told N, if they cancel it again, I'm done with them. I will call the Mayo Clinic and try to get in over the Christmas Holiday. That way I won't have to miss any more days of work. Of course, I have NO desire to be in MN in December! But I'll do what I have to do if it means finally getting this stupid thing that shouldn't have happened in the first place done! :mad::mad:
 
Arg, Niki ... very sorry this is happening. I can understand your frustration.

Sure hope you got a call today...and know for sure whether or not this is going to happen on Monday.....

Thoughts/prayers coming your way, of course....



Cort | 35swm | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker ...on nephew watch
WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"Waiting to be mended like a potter would mend a broken vase" ... Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers ... 'Broken Lady'
 
Oh, Niki!!!

Oh, Niki!!!

I am so sorry that you are still having to deal with all of this mess. :( For two cents, (I know........easy for ME to say) I think I would tell them to shove it and go to the Mayo. We are staying tuned here with you.............oh, and congratulations again! on the twins. WOW! Love ya. J.
 
Well, I did NOT receive a phone call on Thursday from the nurse. :mad: At one I called to speak to the scheduler. Again she kept saying "Well, it's not 100%." I asked her "When WILL it be 100%?" Her response "Well I can't see the future so I don't know what will happen on Monday." After a lot of going around and around I think I finally figured out that it isn't a problem with anyone but HER. SHE has no clue how to phrase things to put a person at ease. She kept saying "Well in my mind it's happening. It's on my schedule, it's on the hospital's schedule, it's on the doctors' schedules. But I can't tell you that it's going to happen 100% because I can't see the future" :rolleyes: .I told her over and over that she needed to find a new way of phrasing it because her words were making me very worried that it would not happen. I told her I KNOW that emergencies can arise and that she has no control over that. But I wasn't asking about emergencies, I was asking about the schedule. She continued to use the exact same phrasing. :p Idiot.

I finally got so frustrated I just said "Fine" and got off the phone. Several hours later I realized she had never told me what TIME the surgery is scheduled for. So I called back, only to find out she'd left for the day. :mad: I told the receptionist "I need to know what time my surgery is scheduled for and what time I need to be at the hospital." She said she'd go see. She was able to find me on the schedule and said the surgery is set for 1:00 and I need to be at the hospital at 11:00.

Yesterday I FINALLY heard from the nurse (while sitting in a waiting room in OK). Did he apologize about not calling? No. Did he mention what we'd talked about at all? No. He was only calling to tell me I needed to take lovenox (Um, shouldn't he have said something when I talked to him WEDNESDAY??). I told him I was not in town and I wouldn't be able to take any until I got home that evening. He was VERY lucky that I happen to already have some lovenox shots. Because there's no way I would have been able to get any yesterday as the only pharmacy in the area that carries it would have been closed before we got home from OK. Since I was in a waiting room I didn't feel comfortable telling him off the way I wanted to. So he lucked out there too. But the fact that he was calling and getting me on lovenox seemed like a pretty good sign that things are going to happen.

The best sign of all, though, came around 3:00 yesterday. The hospital called to verify that I knew when to be there. Whew! So they DO know I'm coming. And when I see my Dr. on Monday, I plan on telling him exactly how awful at communication his stinkin' scheduler is. :p
 
And the stinking nurse, too. He didn't know which end was up when I saw him. I've had problems with both of them. I despise that office! I don't know how that staff still have jobs.
 
I've made it through to the other side again! Yesterday was not pleasant, but today should (hopefully!) be better. Puking the entire lining of my intestines left me feeling kinda yucky. I'm pretty sure the nausea has worn off, but now I'm so hungry my stomach is starting to eat itself! I had to wait until 7 to order my food, sat on hold for a good 10 minutes, and now I'm waiting. Hopefully it's decent.

So from what I understand the docs went for Plan B. They couldn't reposition the existing wire, so they took it out and put in a new one through a different blood vessel. They did not have to resort to Plans C or D, thank goodness. I made it through getting out of bed around midnight without incident and continue to feel as if things might actually be in their proper places.

Interestingly, with the last three surgeries of this nature I was given a sling to wear on my left arm to prevent me from using it and possibly dislodging any leads. This time, however, There is some sort of velcro strap wrapped around my chest holding my upper arm to my side and providing gentle pressure over the incision site. I like this method much better, as it leaves my left hand free for typing or other useful things (perhaps eating later?). I would like to have someone reposition it so that the corner of the velcro isn't aimed directly at my throat, but I've managed to maneuver things enough to prevent any major mishaps.

The plan is to go home today. N has an MRI scheduled for 11:30 today (for his back), so unless the docs get crackin' early, I'm betting I'll have to wait until after lunch for N to come get me and bring me home. That's okay. If I recall correctly, this hospital has a pretty yummy portabella wrap. ;)

Thank you once again for all of the prayers. I know I frequently get more than my fair share, but rest assured I pray for all of you as frequently as I remember.
 
I'm glad that you finally got it done and over with. I hope you start feeling better soon. Keep up that warrior spirit of yours! You remain in my prayers for all the things your life is encompassing these days!
 
God Bless You and Nathan.
It is evident that you and he have been put thru the wringer and are still a team. You both are going to make such wonderful parents. I have read all your posts and am so impressed with your "never give up spirit" Take Care of yourselves. Hope your recovery is swift and without complications and that Nathan's MRI reveals nothing too serious. :)
 
Nikki just catching up on all your posts and i,m behind

abit but caught up and even though wasn't aware of

some things going on here i still have been sending prayers

and good thoughts out to you and Nathan and praying things

slow down a bit here for you's. all my best to you all.

zipper2 (DEB)
 
Ahhh...glad that you are on the "other" side again, Niki!


Thoughts/prayers coming your way for a continued SUCCESSFUL recovery!
 
I'm so glad you are through that. Now you should (we hope) be able to get through the next few years without restrictions on lifting babies (YAAAA!!!!). I know you are really sore today, but you'll soon be back to full speed.
 
Just found this Niki and I am so glad this is behind you so you can concentrate on those beautiful twins in your future. Best Wishes!
 
Whew!! Thank goodness VR is back! I'm sitting in the hospital, yet again, and need the distraction.

Yesterday I was admitted because the area round my incision became red and angry looking. It's also blistering under the dermabond. We think it's a reaction to the dermabond, but my EP wanted to be proactive and get IV antibiotics into me so we could prevent an infection from settling in. I'm bored out of my mind, but I'm glad he's being aggressive. I would rather that than a repeat of 2005. :(

The soonest I'll be out of here is Monday, but even that may be pushing it. I only need to be here for the IV antibiotics, so I'm probably one of the easiest patients they've got!
 
So sorry to hear you're back in the hospital Niki but it's best that you're on antibiotics to help prevent a bad infection.

I hope that you get well soon & they can spring you out!

Well, at least now VR is back up & perhaps help you pass the time! :)
 
Niki, I'm sorry you are having to sit in the hospital again. I know only too well what that is like, having to be there just to get antibiotics. You feel perfectly fine and you just sit there, bored out of your mind. I hope you get srung soon and it is all cleared up.

Kim
 
oh, my. you are having a heckuva time. I wish you well, and a quick release from the hospital. take it easy when you get home. we want you to be safe and healthy.
 
Well, shoot, NIki!!!

Well, shoot, NIki!!!

Katie is still on antibiotics for strep throat or we would come visit. Doesn't sound like you need to be exposed to that, too! But she would sure liven that place up a bit! :eek: Haha! We could have even painted your toenails purple! The look on the nurses' faces is always good for a few laughs! Hope you can fly the coop soon! Much love, lots of prayers, and many hugs. J.
 
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