Malaika

Where is your brother in all of this, may I ask? Doesn't he live there in Phoenix where your dad lived? If you're going to have to do it on your own, then I would suggest Craig's list - I've sold several things on Craig's list with good luck and usually within a day or two of posting it. You can have them respond to you by email on craig's list before giving them any information such as address and phone so you know they are serious. Wish I could help you more!

Right after surgery, I got the hiccup - and that was great... now I get nothing until I've had too much. Then, like Daisy, I'm miserable and have the excessive mucus or I end up throwing up. And the thing is, right now I am only able to eat about 4 or 5 little bites (with a baby spoon) and so it is hard for me to judge what is too much. It's very frustrating, but I'm sure over time it will get better and easier to determine my full point.

I used to go in the evenings, too and then when I moved to the other side of town, and joined a new gym, it was so packed at night I would get up and go at 5:30 am -however with vegas being a 24 hour town and all the different shifts, it got to the point that even at 5:30 or 6 am you couldn't find a parking spot and had to wait on some equipment -- I hated that -- so that is why I am excited to be able to go to my girlfriend's house and work out in her "gym" on my way home from work -- then once I get home, I can be in for the night.

That is now my newest most used phrase as well...sometimes they just pop out of me with no warning -- if I know they are coming, I at least have enough time to cover my mouth and the sound is softer; but I do it alot. I asked Dr. Campos if I will always be belching like a sailor or if that would subside and he said, eventually it will subside. Thank goodness.

Rosebud - have you tried the string cheese? I found that if I chew it really well I am able to keep it down and it's 6 gms. of protein and 3.5% of saturated fat and less than 1 gm of carbs.

Thanks Susan. He is doing better today - he was up about every hour all night long, but didn't vomit, thank goodness. He is tired today and sore and wants the drainage bag out. He's antsy so I think he's feeling a bit better. Soon2BSkinny and Roseyandmusic left this morning about 7:30 so am sure they'll be posting soon. Both looked good! We're supposed to head home today sometime too - hoping we're able to as I am supposed to go to work tomorrow morning.

Have you talked to her about it? Have you told her that even though she may not support the surgery, you need her to support and believe in you and that having her there is important to you if she can support you, but if she can't you'd prefer her not to be there for the surgery as you need all positive energy around you for this? It is a big HUGE decision and you need support from those who love and care about you. I hope she comes around and can understand that this is the last chance you have to take your life back and get healthy.

I think that is an AWESOME idea Susan -- he would love it - we could do it at the Lucerna and have him come for dinner or something -- what a GREAT GREAT GREAT idea.

That's great about the ticket credit Daisy. As for your dad's stuff, there are companies out there that will come and appraise everything and others that will buy the entire estate if you don't want to have to hassle with Craig's list and selling items piece-meal. If you do go with Craig's list, I agree with Susan - have someone else there with you. Also, if possible move the items to the garage so they don't have to come into your house. Be sure you put on the ad SERIOUS INQUIRIES ONLY and CASH ONLY. There are a ton of scammers out there who say they will send their representative with a cashier's check and then when cash the check, it's bad - so you're out not only the furniture, but the money as well. We had that happen recently (not taking the check but people wanting to send the representative, etc.). One guy even offered us a $1000 "bonus" .... so just be VERY CAREFUL and stick to CASH ONLY!!! You can also call St. Vincent DePaul and they will come and pick everything up that you want to donate and give you a receipt for tax purposes.

I have trouble swallowing all types of pills if they are any larger than my BC pill which is very tiny -- I have found that if I cut them into small pieces, and take them with yogurt they go down without getting stuck for very long. I've also learned that they go down easier if I take them in the evening instead of in the morning.

I may try that for my situation, although Dr. Aceves says it is due to scar tissue. At this point, I'll give anything a try.

Yes, they will take it out tomorrow after the last leak test. Good thing they left it in as he needed to have more anti nauseau medicine, pain medicine and something for a fever - he is running a 100 fever. I ran a fever one night too - so am hoping it breaks and is gone in the morning.

That's great Norma. I'd love to jump on the bandwagon with you;however, I can't start working out at the gym for until after the 24th of July -- the best I could do is pilates and Leslie Sansone's walking DVDs. If you want to wait 2 weeks for me to jump on the bandwagon with you, I'll be there.

My now ex-husband once gave me a rear-window defroster kit (this is before they came on cars standard and when we lived in Indianapolis). He thought it was a GREAT gift, I thought it stunk. To make matters worse, he never installed it in my car until he started driving it on a daily basis. To this day he thinks it was a great gift and to this day, I think it sucked!

If he ever decides to wake up and stay awake for any length of time, I'll be able to find out. They did take out his IV today (left the stint) and he passed the blue dye test so that is a good thing. Thanks for the thoughts!

No - Crystal Light now makes popsicles - there are like 6 different flavors - 2 flavors per box. I think the best are the raspberry lemonade and the tropical punch. The lemonade is good - my least favorite is the peach tea. I've seen them range in price from $1.99 to $2.50 (there are 8 or 10 in a box I think)

Is it OTC or by prescription? When you say tiny pill - is it about the size of regular nexium 40 mg. tablets? Because I still can't swallow those :laugh0:

Thanks Susan, I hope he is definitely feeling better tomorrow as we have to drive home - and if I do all the driving, it will take us longer than 6 hours as I don't tend to drive as fast as Bearded. However, if he's feeling bad, he'll sleep and I can drive at whatever speed I feel comfortable!

First I've heard of it - do tell more please

Bearded isn't doing quite as well today as yesterday -- maybe too much dancing yesterday afternoon? He had a rough night - sleeping pill didn't work and he threw up at one point in time. They gave him an anti-nauseau shot about 4:15 and about 2 hours later, he threw up and said he felt better - so they gave him another shot then. When he finally woke up about 11:30 am and he took a sip of Water and then a sip of the blue apple juice, he got sick again. After that, he was able to drink down all the apple juice and take his medication without getting sick. He did have a terrible headache, so they gave him some medication for that and he is sleeping again. I imagine he will sleep most of the day since he didn't sleep so well last night. I am envious - he is able to sleep on either side without any pain -- I wasn't able to do that until about 2 weeks after I got home! I'll keep you posted in the event he isn't feeling up to doing so. I met another gal today that is here for a revision tomorrow - she is new to VST and I can't remember her name. There is a guy, too, however, I don't know if he's on this site or not and I didn't meet him. Yolonda sent me into the xray room to entertain that gal while she hunted down someone to take the xray for her. She's deemed me "Social Director" in her absence ... LOL Walked over to the pharmacy with Soon2BSkinny - she finally got everything taken off of her and was able to shower and dress and feels human again. She goes home tomorrow. Roseyandmusic passed her last leak test and she goes home tomorrow too. Well, that's all the news for now!

Immediately - was up walking the same day as the surgery - and try to walk everyday - sometimes I ride my bike. Am going to start working out at the gym in 2 more weeks which will be 6 weeks from my surgery - can't lift anything over 15 lbs. 1st 6 weeks. Amy sure I could do more strenuous exercise sooner; however, prefer to build up to it as I haven't exercised in a while. Not sure what others on here did.

Yes - even on Saturdays and Sundays the DOCTORS check in on you. Dr. Campos was already here this morning before 10 am. Sergio, one of Dr. Aceves staff, was here before then. Dr. Campos told us last night that he would be in today as well. He performed 3 surgeries yesterday and came into see us before the surgery and before heading home last night -- Dr. Campos was in 2 or 3 times as well. The nurses are very responsive - it is unusual to wait more than 30 seconds for a nurse to come in after you push the button. They are also VERY respectful - they do not enter your room without knocking first and you saying enter. If you bring someone with you, the cost of the night at the resort after your pretests includes your companion and then your companion is allowed to stay in your room with you the entire time. There are very comfy couches in each room, and they will provide you with sheets and blankets and a pillow. There is free internet (although at times slow) and a tv in every room as well. There is a cafeteria with a vary wide menu and reasonable prices for your companion to eat. Everything is included in the price - the resort, the pre-tests, the surgery, hospital, anesthesiologist, post-tests, medication and if you have a hernia or your gallbladder needs to be removed, Dr. Aceves does so at no additional costs.

I had my surgery on 6/12 and my fiance just had his surgery yesterday (7/11) - both performed by Dr. Aceves. The hospital is the cleanest hopsital I have ever been in, yet it doesn't smell like a hospital at all. They are constantly cleaning and mopping floors - all day long. They empty your trashcans and mop the floors in your room at least 2x, if not more, daily. I can't speak for the OR, as I don't remember anything after being taken from my room to the OR; however, based on the rest of the hospital, I can only imagine that it is spotlessly clean. You are in the hospital for 3 nights following your surgery and Dr. Aceves performs 3 leak tests - one in the OR, one the following day with a bluedyed apple juice and one the following day which involves a GI and you can see your stomach on the xrays. He provides you with a copy of those films. If you were to have a leak, due to the fact that you are a revision, then you are right in the hospital where that can be taken care of immediately. If you have a leak after leaving Mexico - you are only a 3.5 hour drive so you could drive back and Dr. Aceves will treat you. I live in LV and originally we were driving here solely for me to have a GI to see what the reason was for my having difficulty with my eating/drinking (cause is spasms at the site where my hernia was repaired and this will dissipate over time). It's a 6 hour drive from LV and I so trust and believe in Dr. Aceves, I would drive the 6 hours for any issues I have; so you could do the same as your driving time is half the distance. In addition, Dr. Aceves or Dr. Campos check in on you no less than 3x a day and his staff is awesome and there for you at any time. I had my surgery on a Friday, was released on Monday - planned to go back to work on Thursday; however was having diarrhea so took Thursday off as well. I have a desk job, so I had no problems going back to work on Friday -- If not for the diarrhea, I could have realistically returned to work on Wednesday. Hope this answers some of your questions, if you have others, please ask.

Deb - if you can't find anything and want me to pick you up some while I'm in Mexicali, let me know -- we purchased the 40 mg and cut them in 1/2 - they are less expensive than the 20 mg. I can mail them to you and you can mail me payment or pay through paypal if you have it. We will leave tomorrow so let me know ASAP either here or by PM.

Darn - I missed you both -- DF was here for his pre-test on 7/10 and had his surgery on 7/11. I had an upper GI on 7/10. Glad to hear you are both doing well. Want2BMe - not sure what BP you take, I am on Benicar and it can be crushed if that is any help at all. Keep up with the good work and keep us posted on your progress -- sorry we didn't get to meet face-to-face. We have got to meet Roseyandmusic, Soon2BSkinny, Eyfura's sister, and a woman from Alaska who isn't on this site yet, but probably will be soon. Glad to hear you both made it home safe and sound!