Trip 18

My Summary

I actually had a hard time finding a traveling partner this trip! Everyone had prior commitments and so Josh was lucky enough to make a third trip in a row with me. He loves being there with me.

We had our usual early morning flight out and arrived in Denver about 10:00. We were scheduled to see a plastic surgeon about my Wart Hog (the wound on my cheek) at 2:00 and Dr. Reed at 4:00. Both docs called to see if I could come in a little earlier. So no napping for us, and we headed out for the day.

First stop was to see Dr. Snively, the plastic guy. When I had chatted with Yakes back in July about my ongoing concern over the wart hog, he had indicated that there really was no AVM involvement left in the area, and no real reason that the wound shouldn't be healing. He recommended seeing Dr. Snively about possible treatment with him for this area. After poking and prodding (as all doctors do!) and a little squeezing of the area, Dr. S made the wound bleed a little, much to Josh's dismay. It wasn't really a big deal and for me it was almost a confirmation that I wasn't going to be experiencing ugly arterial bleeding from the wound. We talked about the possibility of cutting out the bad tissue and then sewing up healthier tissue and "hoping" it would then heal. The same story I got a year ago with my lip. But Dr. S didn't really feel like that was the way to go at the moment. The wound isn't hurting, isn't bleeding, isn't infected...it's just annoying and leaky. But why chance making it worse by cutting into it if we can instead wait and just continue trying to get it to heal. And of course I was in agreement. I am not a fan of the "make a bigger wound to get the wound to heal" strategy if we can avoid it. So we chatted about staying healthy to give the wound the best chance of healing, increase my iron and protein, and let's just watch. Ok! I can totally do that. He did add a little silver nitrate to the wound before we left, in effect providing a reverse MJ and turning my skin black. Not exactly the profile I was hoping for when getting ready to model a new glamour gown. Oh well!

Off to Dr. Reeds. Chatted with birthday twin Doug and asked him if doctors are specifically taught to poke and prod roughly in medical school. And I'm not sure he actually denied that being a truth! Had a quick consult with Dr. Reed and Shanna Banana. Nothing had changed, nothing really new to report. Everything was looking good. I think I may just be their easiest patient.

We were starving by this point, and also super tired. I convinced Josh to go with me to CPK and also sit out on the patio. It wasn't his favorite, it was hot outside, and they messed up his order. But he did it cause he loves me! :) I have the best husband in the world.

Back to the condo for an early night. Hung out on the couch watching TV (I fell asleep!) and playing online. Decided to grab some sushi from the new Asian Fusion Restaurant that we have been anxiously waiting to open across the street. And then just called it a night to be ready for checkin the next morning.

Off to Swedish for an 8:00 am roll call! Stopped at registration with Darlene where she told us how she needed more "business cards" from me so that she can pass my website info along to more patients! She is such a great lady, always so glad to help me in reaching out to others with AVM's.

Up to the 3rd floor for check in, only had to wait a few minutes before Derek came in and waved us on back. As we got over to the Yakes wing, we heard a young girl crying while they were trying to get her IV going. It's so sad seeing the young ones go through this and of course it brings back memories of being at the hospital when I was a kid. But they got her fixed up and I got changed into my new gown! I did a little fashion show for the nurses and then was so excited to find out that Sue was going to be my pre-op nurse. We hadn't seen Sue for a long time as she spends most of her time upstairs with the OBGYN group. So we settled in to catch up while she got the IV going (first poke!) and she caught us up on all the latest happenings. We got Josh to snap a good pic of Sue and I which I've added to the glamour gown slide show!

Kelly came over to check in with us and I gave her the scoop on my appt the day before with Dr. Snively. Did all the routine stuff and just pretty much started to wait my turn. Sue was redirected to PACU and little Karen came to do the second half of all my pre-op stuff. Turned into a long wait that morning but I knew it would be since I had a later check in. We chatted with the mom of the kid in the room next to us for a while, and watched as his sister or girlfriend excitedly figured out that she was just slightly taller than him! Eventually Dr. Jenn came over to chat as well. She was getting ready to take the little girl across from me in for her turn, but since her and I are quite often a team she decided to at least say hi.

So I waited. Had the usual stop by's from various nurses and staff members to check out my new outfit. Nurse Jennifer was working the other wing that morning, Derek continued to fly by back and forth, Bonnie stopped by to say hello, and we waited. It was around noon by the time I was ready to go, and Dr. Jenn had cycled back around again so we were once again team mates for this trip! Transport came to drive me over to Radiology, I chatted with the nurses real quick but the happy juice was flowing right away. I didn't even jump over to the next bed before I was out!

Woke up in PACU to a new nurse Teresa. Saw Sue fly by on her way out so she stopped to give me a proper good bye! I totally had to use the little girls room and was hoping that I had been in recovery for a while. Sorry darlin, you just got here! Crap... It was going to be a long four hours. Teresa was a great nurse. For some reason I sorta stayed awake after that. It was the most "aware" I have been post treatment. I chatted with Teresa for a few minutes while she checked on me and the guy next to me. There were no available rooms back in pre-op so they planned on just keeping me in PACU the entire time. Ok, no biggy. Teresa left to find Josh, and as the reappeared there was an extra visitor with them. Dr. Snively (my new Plastics) was at the nurses desk as Josh made his way back, and came to say hello. And of course he was impressed with my snazzy gown!

Eric came by to check on me and do all the post op routine. Got my prescriptions ready and made sure everything was ok. Post op was pretty uneventful although I have to say that Teresa was very attentive and spent a while just chatting and keeping me entertained (of course I couldn't tell you one thing we talked about!) Had my mac & cheese dinner and was quickly becoming one of the last people there for the night. Teresa helped me to be ready right at the 4 hour mark for discharge. She even got a wet wash cloth to clean the grody blood out of the back of my hair. How nice is that?!?!? Josh went to get the car, I was waiting at the valet station, and back to the condo we went. I slept on and off that evening and a very successful nights sleep.

Friday we made plans to have dinner with Allen & Herdis Astwood. Spent the day just relaxing and recouping before heading out for a few chores before dinner. We got a tad lost on the way over to the Astwoods, but needed to stop and buy a new vacuum (it had broken during the July trip!) some light bulbs, and new socks for Joshie.

Found our way to Allen & Herdis' house and got the grand tour to see all the remodeling they have done since buying their house last year. Then we made a short drive down to the old military base that has been converted into apartments, expensive townhouses, and a fun little shopping pavilion. We sat out on the patio at Salty Rita's and had a wonderful dinner with them! It was so nice to get to know them a little better and to have a fun date night while we were in Denver. Almost makes us forget we are there for medical treatment. Thanks A&H!

Our plane didn't leave until later in the afternoon on Saturday. So we figured why not do a little more exploring and thought we would drive down to Pike's Peak. A lady on one of my flights had told me it was a must see and that if we had a chance we could go see the mountain and stop at a fancy schmancy hotel for lunch. Well, we didn't actually make it to the mountain. We did make it to the Garden of the Gods instead which was beautiful. We went to the visitors center and explored inside and the gift shops. Had a quick bite at the little cafe and sat out on the deck overlooking the entrance to the park with Pikes Peak in the background. I was a little tired, but decided to drive into the park and at least try to do the easiest walking trail, which is paved and basically just a sidewalk! It was the center of the garden where all of the gigantic and beautiful red rocks are and I made it the entire 1 mile loop before I was completely pooped! Took a bunch of pictures and had a great time.

Back to the condo to pack up and get to the airport. No delays or crazy stuff this time. There was a storm coming in but we got out before it hit. And back home to Sac.

Next trip is Sept 2-5 and my sister Michele is going to meet up with me in Denver from her home base in Seattle. We are looking forward to spending some girl time together!!!