Gall Bladder & Biliary tube & bag RESOLVED

Tuesday May 22, 2012, after waiting 25 months my gall bladder & biliary tube & bag were removed.  It is a great relief!  Now I don't have to cover  the biliary with a plastic zip lock bag  & use an elastic band to hold it in place.  The first shower I took after the installation was aided by a male nurse.  He used Saran Wrap to wrap my abdomen / back area with multiple layers of tangled wrap.  It didn't keep anything dry!  Then being afraid of scalding me, he used only COLD water.  I quickly announced I'd had enough and just reach me some towels & take me back to my room.  I resorted to sponge baths the rest of the time in that facility!!   When I got home, I designed the bag ensemble.  It worked considerably better.  I must admit I took lots of sponge baths as well.  I have cleansing cloths for my private areas so sponge bathing works well.  Whenever I'd be hospitalized I'd request a zip lock bag and the aides were amazed how well they worked. 

The gall bladder removal and biliary tube 7 bag went smoothly.  The doctor was able to do it labaroscopically in less than an hour!  When the surgeon talked to Hampton he said I was remarkable and that I'd go home shortly.  All along he'd recommended that I plan to spend a night due to my various ailments.  When he talked to me, he said you'll be going home soon.  I asked if I didn't need care and he said "No."  Fortunately I do not have pain.  I took pain medicine on schedule so as to not let pain get ahead of me.  I've learned that is the very best way to resolve pain issues.

Three weeks Hampton & I spent a week in the Shenandoah Valley.  It was very relaxing.  We enjoyed a nice visit with Wes & Bettie Trindal.  After a wonderful lunch at Sal's in Edinburg we watched the movie "The Conspirators" at Trindal's home.  It is the movie made about the trial of Mary Surratt.  She's the only woman hung in the USA.  Bettie Trindal has written a biography of Mary Surratt.  She gave an author presentation at Chantilly Regional Library back when I was president of Friends of the library.

We came home for six days then travelled to Virginia Beach.  There we visited & enjoyed dinner with school friends of Hampton's who live there.  Technically one could say Hampton & Sue went through school together--1st through college!  He took a break in college so she graduated ahead of him.  We also spent time with friends from Charlotte Hall, Md.  They're at Virginia Beach the same week as we're there, yearly.  They're having A G E  problems as well.  We could see improvement since last year.  We celebrated his birthday with cake one afternoon while there!

My various physicians have recommended we travel whenever we can.  They encouraged us to take these trips before settling in to have repair work completed.  It does help one have a better attitude if you've had relaxation prior to working on your list of health issues.  Someday I plan to go back to the urologist to address a bladder problem which I had in Oct, 2009.  I had testing done to make sure it could be done.  Pills were recommended but they do not help my problem so SOMEDAY I hope to have bladder repair work done.

I truly appreciate the prayers offered aroung the world in my behalf!   I've been studying Priscilla Shirer's Bible Study on Knowing and Doing the will of God.   I also recommend "The Hole in Our Gospel" by Richard Stearns from World Vision.

May God Bless each of us as we continue our Christian lives!!!  My recovery will take a while longer!

Prayerfully,
Barbara

"You're an amazing woman," Dr. Brent Ain

Tuesday, May 8, 2012, I went to see my orthopedist. (Dr. Brent Ain)  The first thing he told me was "You're an amazing woman."  I am doing well with my "new knee."  I still wear a brace & use a walker.  This prevents my knee from buckling causing me to fall.  I am to return to him in August.  I told him that I talked to a woman who recently had her 4th knee replacement.  Actually after the second they're referred to as revisions.  I said she had a hinged knee.  He said, "you have a hinged knee so next time you talk about your knee, know what you're talking about."  He then said "don't you think I'd use the best thing available for you?"  I've been going to him for 12 years so we're very comfortable with our relationship! 

After that appointment, I went for my pre-op for my gall bladder surgery and removal of my biliary tube & bag.  I had blood work and an ekg.  I'll hear from this on Thursday.  My surgery is scheduled for May 22.

Hampton & I have a short trip before the surgery.  Medical personnel insist you travel & do things of INTEREST whenever you can.  This is for mental health which they work on beyond your physical health.

We had enough Baptists at Fair Oaks Hospital to have a Baptist Meeting.  The Andy Goulds & the Bob McClures were both sighted during our time there!  Hope they got good reports also!

Last week we enjoyed time in the Shenandoah Valley.  We visited with the Trindals.  Mary Elizabeth Trindal (Bettie) wrote a non-fiction book on Mary Surratt.  She was the only woman ever hung in the USA.  Bettie was one of the many interesting authors I had visit Chantilly Regional Library during my tenure in Friends of the Library.  She's in her 80's & still as sharp as ever.  We watched the movie "The Conspirator" which is based on Mary Surratt's trial.

I'm still working on my PHD (Projects Half Done).  In particular I want some of my rolled paper bead necklaces & bracelets to sell for some Mission Projects. 

FYI  I got my hair cut SHORT after letting it G R O W when I didn't loose it during my chemo treatments.

My latest PET Scan shows NO CANCER IN MY BODY.  Thanks be to God!!!