I’ve been more conscious of writing posts about things other than myself and my health the past 2 or 3 times – not always of interest to people. There is the feeling of finally coming to end of all the stuff I have been doing and going through since the car accident last summer.
Thursday I had the MOHS surgery for my temple – he took out a larger section than I expected – once again, I had put it off much too long. Not thrilled with the needles, though the temple isn’t quite as tender and sensitive as the nose. My appointment was for 9:45 in the morning, but it took longer because the sample was bigger than usual. Also, he had to go back for a couple of spots that he didn’t quite get all if it. By the time I was able to leave, it was 3. Needless to say, Eddie was getting very impatient with the wait. I don’t know if it helped or hindered when I told him this is how I spend a lot of my life.
I was exhausted by the time we were finished and was ready for bed. By the time we went to bed at 9, I was too tired to sleep, so I didn’t do so well that night. Friday morning the skin graft was at 9:45. The doc had said he would take it from my neck; after he had the report and pictures, he decided to take it from my thigh. I went under and didn’t know anything until I work up – my thigh and temple were fine – the pain stuff had me comfortable. I was going to take a nap when I came home, but Percocet kept me awake and most of the night as well. I am off Percocet now because it doesn’t help all that well and since he arranged the bandage on my temple (looks like a small ice bag sewn on) so I can wear my glasses. I am taking it very easy this weekend and week – I have an appointment with my rheumatologist on Wednesday morning, wound care Thursday and appointment with the plastic surgeon Friday morning and I can drive – as long as I am not on Percocet.
I think I wrote about my second opinion for the reverse shoulder replacement and she was the first one to really explain what was going on in detail. I saw the original surgeon on Friday the 13th and when I discussed my concerns, I felt he minimized and dismissed my concerns – he thought the risks very low. I told him they are worrisome to me and although he is gung ho to do surgery, I am not. The higher risk factors are worrisome to me; I have to have a positive feeling about it and since I don’t, I am not doing the surgery. He also told me my bone hasn’t quite healed – something the second opinion doctor told as well. He wants to see me in 6 months – not sure why, but I don’t expect my decision to change.
Monday I went to talk to Rb about the case and what I had decided. They will put together all the information and submit a demand to the other insurance company – we’ll see what happens. Fortunately for them, not doing the surgery is less costly, though I do have a disability by not doing it. That’s why they deal with it and not me.
The week before at Breakfast Club, I was due for a 15 minute presentation two weeks from then – Bryan wasn’t available so I changed to last week. Probably not the best idea because I planned to put together survival kits for the group. Since I don’t know who will be there, I had to have one for everyone – a lot more work. I had done it about 3 or 4 years ago and the cast of characters has changed a lot in that time. I really needed 2 weeks to do it because I had to make changes and be sure things were set right.
However, by working on it all the time for a week, I was able to have them done by Tuesday night, I wanted to be able to go to sleep knowing I was ready for Wednesday morning. As I was handing them out, I noticed I hadn’t quite done a few right, upside down or reversed clip art, wrong words, etc. Don’t know how much anyone noticed.
I put backgrounds on the labels this time, last time they were just white. I took a 4″ x 6″ zip bag and put the things on the list inside – then folded over the label and stapled it to the back. I put each one in a organza bag to finish them. Below is one of the labels.
I bought some glossy photo paper to print the labels, but I couldn’t get it to print. So I had to use regular copy paper – didn’t come out as nice looking as I wanted. However, not sure if I am the only one who knew. Anyway, it was fun and a bit of a laugh – shows them my creative side for promotions. Eddie said he really admired my tenacity – I’ll take that part of the compliment. I realize I am a perfectionist in some things, I had to decide good enough would suffice.
I also helped Brad (our contractor for the bath and kitchen remodels) land another remodel job. He asked if I would give a reference and I said “Absolutely!”. I think I helped me a bit ago for a remodel as well. The couple emailed me (they live in Burien) and had questions, so I answered them about how much I like working with Brad and what a great job he does. I also offered for them to come over and see his work. That feels so good to help Brad.
Tags: 2nd opinion, backgrounds, Brad, Breakfast Club, glossy photo paper, higher risk, labels, MOHS surgery, Percocet, remodel job, reverse shoulder replacement, skin graft, surgery, survival kits, temple, tenacity, thigh
Gift of RA 
May 23, 2016 at 12:07 am |
Hi Liz,
I didn’t realize how long that MOHS surgery took! Wow…that is a long time. Had the doc given you and Eddie any particular timeline, or was it just, when it’s done, it’s done?
I think that those who have not had a lot of medical things in their lives just really don’t have any idea what’s involved! Like Ron with his “new normal”–I had to remind him, too, that this (daily med) was normal for me, and had been for many years.
I hope by now you are back into a more normal sleep pattern!! It’s exhausting (mentally as well as physically) if you can’t sleep.
Okay, now I understand about your “survival kits” that you handed out. I have seen something similar that has been used for a ladies’ luncheon or something (not a professional group–maybe a ladies’ group at my folks’ church years ago or something), You’ve taken it and put a spin on it for the business world.
Take care of yourself!! Talk to you later. love, Char
May 23, 2016 at 9:45 am |
This surgery took longer because we had to wait for the pathology report. Usually the sample is smaller, but mine was much bigger and they had to divide it up. So it took about 2 hours or so for lab results. Then he went back for a little more sample to make sure it was all out. Then wait for labs. It’s more waiting than actual surgical work. Glad it’s done. I am doing pretty well, no more Percocet and I slept well last night.