The First Appointment

June 11th

We woke up really crazy early. Being told not to eat after midnight the day before, of course I was STARVING and really nervous. The people at IWLC told me some of the tests today were going to be not so pleasant.

First, we meet with Pam. She has been my savior through all of this. Every time I had to apply to insurance, she is who did the dirty work for me!!

We have to take the dreaded "before Pic"!! EWWW Then we sit down and go through everything that needs to be done. Looking back, I don't remember a lot of what was said through that meeting, I think I was so tired and hungry, I just agreed to everything. I remember at one point, talking about a liver biopsy... and getting light headed.

After that, on to Jeniffer, the dietitian. We discussed my diet before and right after the surgery. Congratulations... 2 weeks of liquid diet before, and 2 weeks after, then slowly adding blended foods and baby food..yum.

From there, onto the lab work, blood is drawn, and now we wait. and wait... and wait..

Finally we get taken to xray. The girls that worked in there, I suppose Nurse was their title, though I'm not sure, they were basically there to do a job. Not overly friendly, but not rude.
However, the technician, wow. Broke the mold with that one! He basically ignored me unless he was telling me to do something different. Without telling me what would happen, or what it was, he had me drink a mix that would inflate my stomach, and after the fact, told me I couldn't burp to release the gas. Then, had to drink barium.. which I found out later can be flavored so it doesn't taste soooo awful. But, I wasn't given that option. I did the standing xrays, then had to lay on the table for the ones laying down. He lowered the machine down onto me, then told me to turn over several times. When my hip hit the machine he lowered, he sighed, looked at me, then raised it up, as if to say... god, what a fat ass. It was a great experience.

Now, getting dressed, onto the Blood Gasses O2 check. They warned me this would hurt.... yea. I suppose not having water since 9 the night before and it now being 1pm the next day.. I was a bit dehydrated. It took 4 people several tries to get into an artery. My left wrist was pretty much shot by the time that was done. I had to lay down so I wouldn't pass out.

Next, the breathing test. I sit in a small box, that looks like a clear, upright coffin. I have to have my nose plugged and breath out and in as hard as I can 5 times. Then do a breathing treatment. During this treatment, the doc administering it says he forgot to tell me something. If I have the urge to pee my pants, pass out, or throw up, tell him, as they are all common for this test. WHAT!!! So, now done with my breathing treatment, I have to do the 5 deep in and out breaths again... and I'm convinced I'm going to pee my pants, throw up and then pass out, just cause he told me about it.

Next was the heart guy. Very very very nice guy. I had to lay on a table on my side, and then the middle of the table drops out, and basically he takes a sonogram of your heart. I have seen hearts before, with the classes that I have done, however, I have never seen my own. It was pretty interesting.

Time to get dressed, its now 3:30 and I CAN EAT!!!!! Off to Pusan we go for bulgogi!! I'm pretty sure it was the best thing I have ever eaten!!! I don't remember much of the drive home, or the rest of the day. I think I slept till the next morning. Overall, not a horrible day.. just, mildly so!!

Next, July 10th, the EGD scope. Cant wait!