DeLarla

Can somebody please pass me a vacation? Hey, did you take pictures?

Wait a minute... Codeine is stronger than Tylenol. Looks like they did give you pain med.

Hey Chickaboom! Good to see you back. My pharmacy didn't have Adult Liquid Tylenol so I got Children's and took extra. After my surgery, I was given 3 days worth of pain meds. They were tablets that dissolved in water. Maybe you should ask your doc to call in a prescription?

Hey, give me my e-mail! I've checked all my e-mail accounts for Penni's e-mail, give it back I say, give it back! Don't worry, this kinda thing can happen to any patient. I'm sitting here summarizing medical records for one of our lawsuits. This woman had back surgery and needed hardware implanted. She had a leaking, infected wound also because it's related to any kind of implant, not just the band. It's just something that happens sometimes. Maybe there are higher stats in Mexico - that I can't answer. But be calm; hell, if I have to be calm then you better be! I'm not thrilled about waiting, but my Urgent Care doctor told me it's not an emergency as long as I take care of it this weekend. I agree, I think it should be done pronto, but I spoke with my Urgent Care doc, Dr. Ortiz, Dr. Lopez, and Dr. Kuri. None of them freaked out like it was an emergency. They all told me to calm down. I think if I had a fever they'd be more concerned.

She was very specific for me to use those words and to make sure his entire staff didn't move around during the procedure. Do they normally ChaCha once we're under? Let's all hurl on 3: one, two, threeeee..............

I don't know how to feel anymore. I just got a call from a concerned bandster warning me to request from Dr. Kuri to "be very careful with your sterile technique." I can't imagine having to warn a doctor about that kinda thing. Any American patients having their ports revised or removed, or is this strictly related to Mexico and/or lack of sanitary working conditions? EEK.

I always said Mother Nature gave me the extra padding to make sure I keep my clothes on. Those pole dancers dance circles around my paltry paralegal salary. No, I'd never be a dancer because men that slobber over boobs gross me out. I just fantasize about making $150,000 a year for grinding around a stage in a bikini. Maybe it's the bikini I fantasize about? Maybe it would be fun to accidentally kick a drooling guy in the teeth with my 9 inch stilettos from time to time? Oops, sorry, Hun!

I can't be left alone, Babs. Yesterday was horrible. I was freaked out and depressed and absolutely miserable with a constant gagging sensation in my throat. Today at least my mood has improved. It's pretty freaky. I hate changing the bandages because I have this vision that the entire port has popped out, flaying around like a Water Weenie (anyone old enough to remember that old lawn toy?) When I move a certain way, it feels like it wants to come out more. When I woke up today, I was so please to peek down at my flat, healed incision. But as soon as I stand up the thing pops out again. Down Boy!

Donali, driving directions don't mention the I-5. They say: I-15 South 205 miles; exit towards LA/SD 116 miles; take I-8 towards Beaches; take I-805 towards Chula Vista; take Camino del lal Plaza exit. Does this sound right?

I'm taking the 15 south out of Vegas. Are you saying the 15 turns into the 5, then I just take the 5 all the way to the border? Maybe it's better that I stop at La Madam's on the way back to avoid possible complications. I'm not allowed to eat or drink, so I won't have to go potty anyway. On the way back at least I'll be able to sip some juice and not worry about traffic. Thanks for the info!

Donli, Penni is the 3rd case I've heard this week. Maybe it's more common than we think.

Penni, my appointment is on June 17. Maybe we'll see each other at the border. I'll have my red bandana hobo totebag. Can't miss me, I'm 5'10" and will be wearing a purple bra with no shirt at Shelly's suggestion... never mind, just look for the red tote bag.

Penni! Wow, I'm not alone? My area was red, hot and swollen a week after the surgery. I can't believe all 5 of your wounds leaked. My one leaker drove me bats. Lucklily you're a nurse and knew what to do. Dr. Carmen wasn't sure what to tell me. First she said only to use the antibiotic cream if the area was dry. Hello, how can a leaking port be dry? So I'd lay with it exposed in the sun to dry it. I drove with windows open and my shirt lifted to air it out. I sat in front of a fan and even used a blow dryer. But it wouldn't stop. Next time she actually answered, she said to keep it covered but keep it dry. Once again, how does one keep a leaking wound dry? Looking back, I should have kept it covered and changed bandages like you did. But mine started getting infected from the getgo. FYI, I spoke with Dr. Lopez, Dr. Ortiz, and Dr. Kuri. All three surgeons agreed that if it's infected at all, it must be removed. Then wait till well healed before having it re-installed. Penni, I went to Monroe. Valley girl, she's a valley girl. Totally, for sure. I was there in June. My brother & sister are there. As far as Lopez's staff... the plot thickens.

Donali is not a big concern of mine. The sentence was supposed to say "traffic is a big concern." Getting to the border 2 hours early wouldn't be a problem. Shelly, SHUT UP. You're killing me! How am I supposed to work with this kind of entertainment?

Donali, is a big concern of mine. La Madame is in Mission Viejo. She said I'd be driving against the grain of bad traffic. I've never driven to San Diego from Vegas, so I don't know what to expect. Maybe I'll leave an hour earlier. I don't even know which route to take. I guess I'll go to Yahoo Driving Directions and use my address and the San Diego Airport? Anyone have the address to the border?

Marsha, you're asking me if that's too forward while my picture is posted in my underwear? Nothing is too forward in my book! I don't have an answer though. The girl that referred me to Kuri had the same problems with Lopez, so Kuri did her repairs. She said Kuri was much cheaper than Lopez by far. I told Dr. Kuri that I don't have $1000 or $2000 for surgery, but he said not to concern myself with money for now because the important thing is to fix me. Someone said he may offer me very fair payment arrangements, but he knows I'm coming without that kinda dough. He gave me the impression that keeping up with the band's good reputation is very important to him. One bad band makes all bands look bad. I think he's just concerned with healthy band patients. Maybe that's his motivation for his generosity, or maybe he's just a wonderful man, just for sport. I hear he raffles off free bands at his yearly band reunions (one coming up in September.) If they refuse to take me, I'll barter with one of my kidneys.

No, Shelly, I didn't tear the glove while working. That's from when my pimp slapped me around. I probably popped the tube out myself from laughing so hard on these boards! Vera, were you one of my angels that passed my problem along to Ann Marie? My phone rang off the hook last night (finally) with tons of options. Here's what went down: Yesterday Nora promised Lopez would call me at 1:00. I was going to wait till 2, but then thought "no way" and called at 1:10. Nora actually answered & put me through to Lopez, who said he was looking at the pics for the first time (one week after I e-mailed them.) He was unaware of any of my attempted calls or problems. I complained severely about their promise for 24 hour ER help and Nora & Carmen's lack of care & attention. He apologizied sincerely and said he'd correct that. 1/2 hour later I called Nora to ask how much this would cost me, but she didn't know. I told her it was urgent she find out and call me back immediately, and she promised she would. She didn't. By the time I got home she still didn't call, so I called Dr. Kuri, who was on the phone within minutes. He was patient, inquisitive, knowledgeable, kind. He agreed with what Dr. Lopez said might happen (removal of port then replacement at later date.) However, he said he won't know until he sees the wound. So I made an appointment. After I spoke with him, Ann Marie called, who works with Lopez in the US by referring patients thru belighter.com. She heard of my problem and said she was meeting with Lopez last night (she's there at a band convention.) Her plan was to give him an ultimatum to hire a US rep for his American patients, and she had a person ready to accept the position. She asked me to stay with Lopez, but I told her "send him my love and respect when you see him but tell him he lost a patient since Nora screwed up her 2nd chance." I have an appointment with Dr. Kuri Thursday morning. The plan is to hit the road at 3:00 a.m., stop at 7:00 a.m. to go potty at La Madam's restaurant, then to the border. Murphy and his damn rules - I finally meet a friend who owns a restaurant and offers me food, but Doc says no eating that morning. How wrong is that?

Thanks, Shel. Hubby gave me 1/2 Lortab last night so I slept the sleep of The Gods, although I had a dream about my father-in-law's penis, which I don't have time to deal with now but will need future therapy. Heebie Jeebie! The sleep helped my emotional wellbeing tremendously. I'm armed with Lortab just in case but doing okay without for now. The pain is probably just bruised from all the mashing the Urgent Care docs did, but it's pinching and stinging because of the open wound. The tube goes away when I lay down so the wound tries to heal, but when I get up, it pops out again. I posted gross pics in another post this morn.

Mellon Brigade? That's funny shi$%$% !!! Alex, see how you made us all feel wearing them zip-ups?

Oh geeze, did I actually post that? My stomach looks all gross like that from all the surgical tape that I've added to my daily wardrobe... and lovely nails. Had to give up my bi-weekly manicures to pay for my band. Someone else better put some underwear pictures up before I get arrested alone!

Dork.

Heck, if I look good, I tell people I look good! Dork that I am. Why wait for the compliment? Sorry, just cracking up here. Homer sleep now.

Sorry, Lisa went over the edge and is now wearing a straight jacket banging her head against the rubber walls so she can't respond. She's going to Tijuana this week. Doc said they have to remove the port if there's any infection. Then wait till better. Then another surgery to replace port in different area. If there's no infection, maybe he can do a local and just reposition band. Doc won't know till he sees the boo-boo. I gave Nora another chance and called asking how much hospital would charge. She promised to call right back. She didn't. Never felt so exhausted in my life. What a day. You guys rock for putting up with us. And yes, she's talking in 3rd person. Coo-coo, coo-coo.

I can't afford another surgery so I'm going to live with a tube sticking out of me. We can name it. Sad part is I'm not even kidding. I can't believe the bank gave me the credit for the band itself. Donali, how come you got a port revision and he wants to remove mine and replace it at another time? Why doesn't he just staple or sew it down, or revise it and let me go? And am I going to have another long recovery? Is port revision as bad as the surgery? And I already talked to him about getting a fill first. He said "Litha, joo come cheer to Tijuana and wee feex joo right weed 2 surgeries and geeve joo fill before we takey out choo port." Yes, Parrots. That's plural. I earned today's Valium.

I'm all about pulling a Thelma and Louise. If only I didn't have to work. My husband has been so nice lately, but he still doesn't "get it." All I want is for him to lay down and watch a movie with me, but he decided to spend the month in the garage working on a surprise for me. I'm scratching my head, thinking, "what the f..." He sucks at keeping secrets so he told me he's building me a huge bird cage. Scratching head again, "what?" He's buying me 2 parrots because I love animals. Uh, hello? I'm maxed out in the fur baby department with my cat, 2 dogs and 80 gallons of fish. I adore my babies, but they trip me, destroy my house, demand tons of attention, and cost a fortune. I asked him who was going to take care of my new parrots. He said, "the cleaning lady." He's a funny one. And my house already smells like a barn. Thelma, I'm on my way!