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Wow...It's been 30 trips already. Crazy! When we first met with Dr. Yakes way back in 2007 he gave a rough estimate of "two dozen or more" treatments. And I'd have to say as a rough idea, it was pretty accurate. At trip 27 in May is when I was referred to another team of docs to start phase 1.5 for coil removal surgery. This next step is needed because I'm at least 80% done (or more now!)and Dr. Yakes needs to get all of my platinum coils out! So I have been feeling very good about this journey although nervous for this next phase.
August 2010 was supposed to be a combo of embo and that scary surgery. But quite honestly, due to a complete lack of communication and coordination from Dr. Hepworths team, the surgery part was delayed. And a week post embo and more info later...I'm glad for the delay. But that is a story for another time and place. :)
Carrie Black Kerns was my trip partner this time. A brief history about Carrie, my bopsy twin, for those that don't know her. We spent much of our high school days together, at each others houses, and in each others clothes! She has been a beautiful constant in my life since I was in the fourth grade. And I love her. The past few years have been hard to keep in close touch with friends as Josh and I have rearranged our entire lives to focus on this AVM. So while Carrie and I have gone months upon months without seeing one another, she is the kind of friend that it never really matters. We pick back up right where we left off from the first second we speak or see each other. She will be a lifelong fixture in my life, and one that I feel honored to have.
So on Tuesday 8/17, Josh dropped me off at work where Carrie picked me up in the afternoon. We headed out to the airport in Sac for a rather late flight at 4:30ish. And while waiting for our plane, we were armed with brightly colored Post-its so that we could participate in Operation Beautiful! You can find more info here.
Scored the front seats on the plane and started filming for this trips "Movie Star" moment. We also actually ended up doing the crossword in Spirit magazine without a pen. Ya, that was mighty difficult, but our pens were all in prison in the overhead while the guy on the aisle was peacefully sleeping. We figured it would be nice to just let him sleep and a challenge to push our brains to see the invisible ink. :)
Easy flight, not much turbulence (much to Carrie's relief!) and we arrived Safely in Denver actually a little early. Down to Hertz to pick up our Cadillac...yes, that's right, we were riding in high style this trip! And then off to Jenn's for a mini GHS reunion, some fun girl time, and lots of lolli-flowers!
What is a lolli-flower you ask???? Well it is the super cute and FUN Random Act of Kindness you see to your left! How cool are those? A quick print of the flowers from Kind over Matter, cut them all out, and stick the lollipop in the middle...Voila! You have the best little treat to hand out to everyone at the hospital :)
Jenn, Carrie, and I got down to business just shortly after we made our way to the condo. It was the last little "prep" needed before we could just relax and catch up. And these little treats were a hit at Swedish. The nurses loved them, and we shared them with some of the patients as well.
I ended up leaving Denver with way too many left over lolli-flowers. The intention was to hand them out not only at the hospital, but the next day at my doc appointment and in general where ever we went. And we DID bring them with us but somehow were always sidetracked or forgetful. Oh well, we still had a great time and we still helped brighten the day of some patients and the staff. Overall I can't complain and we all had a great time and felt good about the lolli-flowers :)
Off to swedish in the morning for a late check in! Since I had completely rearranged the schedule to accomodate my now canceled surgery, I was totally one of the last ones in for the day. That was fine. I even brought Feel Good Gown scrub caps for the two patients I had bumped to Friday! Thanks random patients!!! As we were waiting to check in at the front desk, we saw Greg, Camellia's dad, coming out of the gift shop. Hugs and a quick update on little missy who was currently in surgery.
Met with a new registration girl, left her with lolli-flowers, and then up to the 3rd floor to wait. Margie, Cam's mom, was in the waiting room and it was great to be able to catch up with her. We chatted for a long time and I hope it helped pass the time while she waited for her little flower. And surprise! One of my AVMSN friends was also in for the day. Carolee was very nicely waiting while Margie and I chatted before finally coming over to introduce herself and get in on the visiting! It was great to have a little party in the waiting room and talk about our experiences and share a little surgery bonding. The most fun I've ever had in the waiting room.
It was a while before we finally made it back to pre-op. But back we went to change into my "Total Sweetheart" ensemble and start visiting with all of the nurses and staff. Everyone there is so great and I feel so relaxed right away because everyone knows me, wants to catch up, comes to check out my outfits, and generally mkes me forget I am at the hospital and instead makes me feel like I am just visiting friends. Saw lots of the regulars, and then also Rick & Bonnie who I hadn't seen for a few trips! Love the hugs from everyone. And of course I visit too much, and got in "trouble" by Nurse Mary for being off showing off and chatting with everyone instead of in my little room getting prepped! Oops!
Carrie continued with her new found calling of "director & filmographer" as she caught all of the blood & guts that Mary could create while inserting the IV. And during "production" of the movie, I enhanced it was a bubbling sound effect to make it even more disturbing! It's so funny... Anyways, got all prepped for treatment, had lost a few more lbs, glucose was at a reasonable level, IV was in, and so we were just waiting. Checked in with PA Kelly, and livened things up unintentionally when I congratulated her on her new bun in the oven! Oops. It wasn't a secret, but apparently not everyone had heard the news yet. So many congrats and smiles all around for her before getting down to business with cheking me in and making sure that everything was in order, signed, and ready to go!
I had also brought Nurse Magnificent Mary her special ordered paisley Feel Good Gowns bag and she loved it. Didn't take much to convince her to model it so I could add to the website. How happy does she look with her bag?!?! Those smiles are what Feel Good Gowns is all about for sure. It's the best feeling to know that I've been able to spread a little happiness at the hospital.
And then it was my turn! My regular transport guy came to get me and to have his second cameo in my Movie Star movie! And of course science girl Carrie was glad to be able to make it back into the Radiology room where most of my trip partners are not very excited to go. Anesthesia asked me if I wanted a flavor, NO thanks! I don't like it..."but we have a new flavor, pumpkin spice" she said. Almost tempted but I'll still skip. Dr. Yakes came in with a very cool "Broncos" Scrub outfit on. Not sure who gave him that, but it was totally "him" and made me smile. We chatted about how good the warthog looks, and my small little bleeding lip area. No biggy. He was glad to appear in our movie as it was his "chance for Hollywood!" :) I started getting ready for treatment, got settled onto the other table and all untied. I love when I see my FGG products actually in "use" at the hospital. So I was thrilled when both Doug and Erik came in to show off their scrub caps. And of course we all totally laughed and joked about them "quickly finding their caps" to make me think they wear them. There is no doubt in my mind, and based on the wear & tear, that they are both awesome supporters of FGG! And we got it all on in the movie which you have to go watch!
Post op- 2 hours and 11 cc's later. 2 hours in recovery that I can't say I remember at all, and then another 2 with Nurse Rick taking care of me (he did let me cheat about 10 minutes early!) before I was ready to make my escape. Some quick chatting with Rick & Bonnie and then Carrie and I were on the way back to the condo. I don't remember much more about that night other than falling asleep at some point in the loung-y chair at Jenn's. I'm pretty sure we watched a movie and I know both Jenn & Carrie were there to keep me company. But I tell ya, those drugs don't wear off as easily as you think they do! The next day we got up rather early to head out for a yummy breakfast at UDI''s, off to a consult with Dr. Campana (that story has to be for another day too!) then to the mall for shopping, pedicures, and eventually lunch at Cherry Cricket. I know it sounds a little odd...but how yummy do those Deep Fried Mac & Cheese wedges look?!?!? They were so creamy and yummy...but you can only eat a few. Really...
It really turned out to be a nice "girls day" for us. Despite the drama of the doctor visit that morning, it was great to just hang out and be totally normal. Hadn't really spent time just widow shopping (well the other girls bought stuff!) and such, for a while. I never seem to have time anymore. A little lack of energy was nothing that was going to stop me, and the break during our pedicures was just what I needed. All three of us ended up with very girly and fun OPI colors- Pink Flamingo for me, That's Berry Daring for Jenn, and Ate Berries in the Canaries for Carrie. :) And to top it off the salon owner randomly had gigantic bags of cute flip flops that she needed to get rid of so we each got a pair for free after our pedi's :) That was a fun surprise! The only downside to the day was the unexpected present left for me by the city of Denver... What? I didn't see any signs? And there are NO parking meters!!! Whatever...we just laughed and figured $25.00 was worth our day of fun!
Left Denver late that night. Uneventful flight home. Back to EDH, to Josh, and to Huddy. A good nights rest. And the Denver trip was over. Carrie hung out with me at home the next morning to squeeze in some more girl time before she had to head back to San Jose. It was a quick trip, but lots of fun. And I loved having Carrie with me :)
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