hoping for a fix

Jojo61 · May 2014

twinthings said:
Hey y'all!
I saw doctor
Hey y'all!

I saw doctor this morning. She is going to fix me! I can't tell you how happy I am! The thought of having surgery again makes me want to vomit, seriously! But, I was more afraid of the, very likely possibility, she'd tell me nothing could be done. She not only said she could fix me but that she had to fix me. She said 6.7cm is quite large and would continue getting bigger.

She told me the incision will be large, as would be the mesh, and that she'd have to tighten me down tighter than norm, given my long history of hernias. She said my nephrectomy will seem like a walk in the park, compared to what's in store for me post operatively. She does not mince words. I thought this whole time that my neph was laprascopic, yet I knew the incision was bigger than any laprascopic incision I'd had in the past. But, since that's what the urologist called it, I just went with it. Today, my surgeon looked at my scar and called it a lap assit incision, explaining it's technically an open procedure with a smaller incision. She asked if I had any idea why he chose, where he chose to make my incision. I do not. I assumed everyone's is like mine. She has three patients scheduled for the exact same repair she's making on me, but none of their incisions are where mine is. I'd be lying if I said I was at all surprised. What's the saying, 'if it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all'. Seems to be how I roll. Anyway, Dr wants to do my surgery next week but I am scheduled to keep my grandson the week of the 19th while his mama is in Cancun, for her sister's wedding. So, surgery will have to wait till June 5th. Not how I wanted to bring in my 50th birthday, but God willing, I'll still see that day.

Thanks Ron, Fox, Pam and DS, for your kind words of support! And yes, DS, I am one determined little lady...well, maybe not little but certainly determined, once I set my mind to something.

Karen, my bulge began to show almost immediately after my neph. I asked my urologist about it at my 6 wk post op, it was pretty small at that time. He told me it's a phenomenon that happens to some people and that there wasn't really anything that could be done for it. Hopefully, you will just learn of it thru me and never have first hand experience.

Djinnie, I also love, An Officer and a Gentleman, great movie! Always makes me cry...haven't seen it in years, tho. My hubby is pretty special and I am one lucky girl.

The temps here are too hot to enjoy, but I'd still rather be too hot than too cold. I don't know how you do it. Three winters in Ohio damn near killed me. brrrrr! As for spanx, I have them. I have long ones for when I need to suck in the thighs, high waisted ones for when I need a quick tummy tuck and a slip style, in two lengths, one of which is high waisted, for wearing under skirts and dresses. They eliminate the need for panties too, meaning no panty lines. The problem is, it's just too hot to wear anything more than absolutely necessary.

Hopefully, wearing spanx will keep your duck egg from becoming an ostich egg! Having that cough under control will help too.

Have a happy Mother's Day, Djinnie, and all the other moms out there.

So much going on!!!

I have been dealing with a broken computer (and unsuccessfully getting used to a new computer - this is the second time I have written this message ) enduring a very slow kitchen renovation from my worst nightmare(old house and a husband who is only available to do the renovations on weekends) and am extremely short staffed at work...so needless to say, I have been very limited to what I have been able to read in postings on this site. I am speed reading through so many of the posts. But so much is happening - especially with you, Sindy!

First - sounds like some super concerts that you got to go to - I am jealous!!!

Second - you use the cancer card, girl! You deserve it and need it!

Third - so glad you are not beyond repair. However I am unsure - is it a hernia? I have a bulge and I mentioned it to my doctor when I went for the follow up CT scan. He was very interested but then read the CT scan and said there was no evidence. He said to just massage it when I am in the shower. Maybe I should try that method with my abundant tush. Maybe it will make it smaller! Ha! It sounds like a tough surgery though. But you are a tough one. You will breeze through this.

Djinnie! I laughed very loudly at your spanx commentary. Your husband sounds like a hoot! I once borrowed some spanx from a girlfriend for a special event that I had to go to. I was very excited to see the results. Well it was like a scene from a comedy. I stepped into the spanx, and could only get them up to my knees, and as I pulled on them, I managed to get them twisted and tangled and they seemed to get tighter and more tangled the more I tried to straighten them! I furiously gave up and frantically tried to get them off and finally managed to get the mangled mess off and threw them across the room! I have not tried them since! I decided to leave my bulges in their natural state.

I will try to keep up with the posts, but if I don't comment on many, it isn't because I am not interested - I am! and I feel negligent and I feel like I am not doing my part in this marvellous group of people. I am here in spirit. If I am lacking in posts, you will know I am having a spanx kind of day!

Hugs and smiles,

Jojo

Djinnie · May 2014

Jojo61 said:
So much going on!!!
I have been dealing with a broken computer (and unsuccessfully getting used to a new computer - this is the second time I have written this message ) enduring a very slow kitchen renovation from my worst nightmare(old house and a husband who is only available to do the renovations on weekends) and am extremely short staffed at work...so needless to say, I have been very limited to what I have been able to read in postings on this site. I am speed reading through so many of the posts. But so much is happening - especially with you, Sindy!

First - sounds like some super concerts that you got to go to - I am jealous!!!

Second - you use the cancer card, girl! You deserve it and need it!

Third - so glad you are not beyond repair. However I am unsure - is it a hernia? I have a bulge and I mentioned it to my doctor when I went for the follow up CT scan. He was very interested but then read the CT scan and said there was no evidence. He said to just massage it when I am in the shower. Maybe I should try that method with my abundant tush. Maybe it will make it smaller! Ha! It sounds like a tough surgery though. But you are a tough one. You will breeze through this.

Djinnie! I laughed very loudly at your spanx commentary. Your husband sounds like a hoot! I once borrowed some spanx from a girlfriend for a special event that I had to go to. I was very excited to see the results. Well it was like a scene from a comedy. I stepped into the spanx, and could only get them up to my knees, and as I pulled on them, I managed to get them twisted and tangled and they seemed to get tighter and more tangled the more I tried to straighten them! I furiously gave up and frantically tried to get them off and finally managed to get the mangled mess off and threw them across the room! I have not tried them since! I decided to leave my bulges in their natural state.

I will try to keep up with the posts, but if I don't comment on many, it isn't because I am not interested - I am! and I feel negligent and I feel like I am not doing my part in this marvellous group of people. I am here in spirit. If I am lacking in posts, you will know I am having a spanx kind of day!

Hugs and smiles,

Jojo

Knickers in a Twist!

Hey Jojo,

And there's me thinking you were languishing on a hot tropical beach somewhere, no such luck eh! You sound like you have a lot going on at the moment, maybe save the beach for later. I understand what you are going through with the renovation work though, I always think the kitchen and bathroom are the worst. We have been renovating this place for six years, the only original part of the building left are the outside walls!! When my husband saw this house he told the agent he was looking for a small renovation project to get his teeth into. All I can say is, I am glad he didn't have any higher aspirations.

I have become used to the ladders, decorating equipment, pieces of wood and plasterboard everywhere. The delicious, not so faint aroma of fresh paint has become common place, never to be outdone by the smell of strong coffee (believe me I've tried) I must admit the dust drives me a little crazy, I just pick it up from one place and seemingly deposit it in another. Fortunately the end is in sight, we have two rooms left, so we will be able to relax soon.

Haha! I love the spanx story, bearing in mind it takes the assistance of at least two crowbars to get them on, and the local fire crew to get them off. I think your analogy and use of catchphrase 'spanx day' should become widely used, bringing a whole new level to 'getting your knickers in a twist'.

Don't worry if you can't post for a bit, we will keep your seat warm:)

Djinnie x

Jojo61 · May 2014

Djinnie said:
Knickers in a Twist!
Hey Jojo,

And there's me thinking you were languishing on a hot tropical beach somewhere, no such luck eh! You sound like you have a lot going on at the moment, maybe save the beach for later. I understand what you are going through with the renovation work though, I always think the kitchen and bathroom are the worst. We have been renovating this place for six years, the only original part of the building left are the outside walls!! When my husband saw this house he told the agent he was looking for a small renovation project to get his teeth into. All I can say is, I am glad he didn't have any higher aspirations.

I have become used to the ladders, decorating equipment, pieces of wood and plasterboard everywhere. The delicious, not so faint aroma of fresh paint has become common place, never to be outdone by the smell of strong coffee (believe me I've tried) I must admit the dust drives me a little crazy, I just pick it up from one place and seemingly deposit it in another. Fortunately the end is in sight, we have two rooms left, so we will be able to relax soon.

Haha! I love the spanx story, bearing in mind it takes the assistance of at least two crowbars to get them on, and the local fire crew to get them off. I think your analogy and use of catchphrase 'spanx day' should become widely used, bringing a whole new level to 'getting your knickers in a twist'.

Don't worry if you can't post for a bit, we will keep your seat warm:)

Djinnie x

Thanks Djinnie!

From one fellow house renovation survivor to another! We have been renovating this house for 4 years....but more out of necessity....you know, finding out walls are rotting when you go to replace a window, and one thing led to another and now we are doing the kitchen. You must have more patience than me because I have reached my limit on this one. The light is at the end of the tunnel, though, so I can hang on for results. At this point I will be happy to have running water in the sink and a stove to cook on. I love this house so much and that is what is preventing me from throwing in the towel. When my husband started this latest renovation, I was away for the weekend. He saw all the underlying work (pieced together sub floors,rusting out plumbing, such shoddy workmanship), he texted me and said "tomorrow, your house might burn down". Poor man.

Anyway, I prefer your idea that I am away on some tropical island. *sigh*

Here's to less spanks kind of days!

Cheers!

twinthings · May 2014

Jojo61 said:
Thanks Djinnie!
From one fellow house renovation survivor to another! We have been renovating this house for 4 years....but more out of necessity....you know, finding out walls are rotting when you go to replace a window, and one thing led to another and now we are doing the kitchen. You must have more patience than me because I have reached my limit on this one. The light is at the end of the tunnel, though, so I can hang on for results. At this point I will be happy to have running water in the sink and a stove to cook on. I love this house so much and that is what is preventing me from throwing in the towel. When my husband started this latest renovation, I was away for the weekend. He saw all the underlying work (pieced together sub floors,rusting out plumbing, such shoddy workmanship), he texted me and said "tomorrow, your house might burn down". Poor man.

Anyway, I prefer your idea that I am away on some tropical island. *sigh*

Here's to less spanks kind of days!

Cheers!

Funny, Jojo, I was missing

Funny, Jojo, I was missing you and just about sent out a post inquiring of your where abouts. I'm glad all is well, despite the hell of renovation and being short handed at work. Seems when it rains it pours.

My hubby and I recently built our third (and final) house. We subcontracted the brick, sheet rock, plumbing and electric, storm cellar, aerobic septic system and the heat pump. Eerything else, he and I did. Just us two. Took us 9 months from applying for the builders loan till we signed the papers at closing. I am lucky that hubby is a carpenter (works as a superintendent for a large construction company) and can do anything. Granted, his 40 yrs as a carpenter has been entirely commercial, not residential. But that just means the footing/slab has commercial grade rebar and he built all the walls with 2x6's in stead of the 2x4's usually used for residential. The joists in the roof are beefed up too...Nobody builds a house like him. The inspectors said we were wasting our money on the storm shelter cuz this house isn't going anywhere. That may well be but living in tornado alley, I'd rather not risk it.

Sounds like you and Djinnie are lucky enough to have handy husbands. It's a blessing!! Hopefully you'll both wrap up the renovations soon and can finally enjoy the fruits of your labor. It is most definitely a labor of love!

Thanks for checking in, Jojo! And don't throw in the towel, it'll all be worth it in the end.

Djinnie · May 2014

twinthings said:
Funny, Jojo, I was missing
Funny, Jojo, I was missing you and just about sent out a post inquiring of your where abouts. I'm glad all is well, despite the hell of renovation and being short handed at work. Seems when it rains it pours.

My hubby and I recently built our third (and final) house. We subcontracted the brick, sheet rock, plumbing and electric, storm cellar, aerobic septic system and the heat pump. Eerything else, he and I did. Just us two. Took us 9 months from applying for the builders loan till we signed the papers at closing. I am lucky that hubby is a carpenter (works as a superintendent for a large construction company) and can do anything. Granted, his 40 yrs as a carpenter has been entirely commercial, not residential. But that just means the footing/slab has commercial grade rebar and he built all the walls with 2x6's in stead of the 2x4's usually used for residential. The joists in the roof are beefed up too...Nobody builds a house like him. The inspectors said we were wasting our money on the storm shelter cuz this house isn't going anywhere. That may well be but living in tornado alley, I'd rather not risk it.

Sounds like you and Djinnie are lucky enough to have handy husbands. It's a blessing!! Hopefully you'll both wrap up the renovations soon and can finally enjoy the fruits of your labor. It is most definitely a labor of love!

Thanks for checking in, Jojo! And don't throw in the towel, it'll all be worth it in the end.

Hey Twinnie,
How lucky you

Hey Twinnie,

How lucky you are to have a husband who can build you such a secure home. It is great to be able to plan every detail to suit your taste, and to know it has the strength to stand the storms. I remember many times bunkering down in the understair closet, when we lived near Dallas, for all the good it would do. Pretty scary sometimes when the storms got too close for comfort. You both did an amazing job finishing in nine months, it does become tedious when it drags on too long. Our house had all the old electrics and a load of dark wood panelling, which the French love, massive dirt traps, which we ripped out. The first six months we always looked like something the dog had dug up and chewed over. We converted the attic first and lived up there while we got cracking on the rest. My job this year was to renovate the outside shutters, mainly because I have small fingers to work through the louvers, needless to say with recent events, I haven't got very far.

I hope you have a great weekend Twinnie, unpacking for the last time must feel great, it's like a new start. This is the first time Emma has been with me on Mothers Day for the last six years. Unfortunately I only see her in person for one week each year, I am always amazed in the changes in her. I find it hard not having her closer but she has to get on with her life. Thank goodness for skype!

Djinnie x

Jan4you · May 2014

Glad you are home with your

Glad you are home with your hubby Sindy!

Sorry you have to have yet another surgery..geesh

But I have used this wrap which has velcro to close it and additional straps to pull tighter. In addition it has built in magnets for healing. I used it for my last two surgeries and surgeons okayed it. It really holds you together.

After this last surgery I put dry ice packs inside and it got rid of the swelling offering me relief at the same time much better than the pain meds. It worked so well I didn't need pain meds after that. You may want to get one (at drug stores). Remember its for back (lumbar) but I also used it around my aching rib cage and after my surgeries. It really made a difference.

Again, I think you are amazing, great attitude and fortitude. May your surgery go well and you heal up better than ever!!

Gentle hugs my dear,

Jan

twinthings · May 2014

Jan4you said:
Glad you are home with your
Glad you are home with your hubby Sindy!

Sorry you have to have yet another surgery..geesh

But I have used this wrap which has velcro to close it and additional straps to pull tighter. In addition it has built in magnets for healing. I used it for my last two surgeries and surgeons okayed it. It really holds you together.

After this last surgery I put dry ice packs inside and it got rid of the swelling offering me relief at the same time much better than the pain meds. It worked so well I didn't need pain meds after that. You may want to get one (at drug stores). Remember its for back (lumbar) but I also used it around my aching rib cage and after my surgeries. It really made a difference.

Again, I think you are amazing, great attitude and fortitude. May your surgery go well and you heal up better than ever!!

Gentle hugs my dear,

Jan

Thank you, Jan! I am going

Thank you, Jan! I am going to google google the wrap with straps, it sounds ideal. I didn't know such a wrap existed. I have a really cool ice pad, and I agree, it def helps with swelling. I haven't tried dry ice packs before, tho.

Thanks for the well wishes for my surgery. I don't usually get nervous with surgery, but this one kind of gives me cause for pause...do I really HAVE to do this?? So tired of this. Last summer was wasted thanks to my May 29th nephrectomy, and it looks like that nephrectomy will cost me this summer too. I am trying hard not to whine but, it ain't easy. So much for that great attitude, huh?!

Hugs right back to ya!

Sindy

twinthings · May 2014

Djinnie said:
Hey Twinnie,
How lucky you
Hey Twinnie,

How lucky you are to have a husband who can build you such a secure home. It is great to be able to plan every detail to suit your taste, and to know it has the strength to stand the storms. I remember many times bunkering down in the understair closet, when we lived near Dallas, for all the good it would do. Pretty scary sometimes when the storms got too close for comfort. You both did an amazing job finishing in nine months, it does become tedious when it drags on too long. Our house had all the old electrics and a load of dark wood panelling, which the French love, massive dirt traps, which we ripped out. The first six months we always looked like something the dog had dug up and chewed over. We converted the attic first and lived up there while we got cracking on the rest. My job this year was to renovate the outside shutters, mainly because I have small fingers to work through the louvers, needless to say with recent events, I haven't got very far.

I hope you have a great weekend Twinnie, unpacking for the last time must feel great, it's like a new start. This is the first time Emma has been with me on Mothers Day for the last six years. Unfortunately I only see her in person for one week each year, I am always amazed in the changes in her. I find it hard not having her closer but she has to get on with her life. Thank goodness for skype!

Djinnie x

solo on Mother's Day

You've got the harder job...or so I've been told, it's harder to renovate than to build from scratch. And don't stress over the shutters, they'll still be there when you're back to your old health. I know it's easier said than done. I keep thinking about all I need to do before my surgery, knowing full well I can't possibly get it done. Mostly because, well, it's not comfortable having this alien growing in me. The bulge has gotten bigger just since seeing doctor last week. Still, I keep pushing forward. I can't bear the thought of being forced to lay around the house all summer, with disorder surrounding me.

I love the name Emma! This year was all the more special for you both, being the first Mother's Day to spend together in 6 years. What a treat!! How old is she? One week out of a year, yes, I imagine you definitely notice the changes in her. It's harder to see when you see them every day.

This will be my 1st Mother's Day alone. My daughter, Meg, works in Ohio and my son, Chris, is deployed to the UAE, somewhere near Dubai . We don't skype but we have Face Time. His last deplayment was 7 years ago and Face Time wasn't an option, so yes, thank goodness for it now! Even now, with him near 30, eleven years in the Air Force, I still worry sick about him when he's deployed.

Hubby is on a 5 state poker run, on his Harley. It's been planned for many months and we did not expect me to even be here, since I've been in Ohio. Normally, he would never miss a special day (no matter the occasion) spent with me. He's a sap!!

Enjoy your special day tomorrow, with that special girl!

xoxo

APny · May 2014

twinthings said:
Thank you, Jan! I am going
Thank you, Jan! I am going to google google the wrap with straps, it sounds ideal. I didn't know such a wrap existed. I have a really cool ice pad, and I agree, it def helps with swelling. I haven't tried dry ice packs before, tho.

Thanks for the well wishes for my surgery. I don't usually get nervous with surgery, but this one kind of gives me cause for pause...do I really HAVE to do this?? So tired of this. Last summer was wasted thanks to my May 29th nephrectomy, and it looks like that nephrectomy will cost me this summer too. I am trying hard not to whine but, it ain't easy. So much for that great attitude, huh?!

Hugs right back to ya!

Sindy

After what you said about it

After what you said about it being not only uncomfortable but downright hurting at times, and that when you get a bit bloated you are downright miserable, I would say that yes, it sounds like you have to do it if you want the quality of your life to be better. It's a shame you have to go through another surgery but once you're healed and recovered I'm sure you'll be glad you did it. After my partial in March I have a small sausage shaped bulge above my incision and when I bend over or try to sleep on that side I feel it. It's uncomfortable because it presses into me. So I can only imagine how yours feel since it souns much bigger.

donna_lee · May 2014

APny said:
After what you said about it
After what you said about it being not only uncomfortable but downright hurting at times, and that when you get a bit bloated you are downright miserable, I would say that yes, it sounds like you have to do it if you want the quality of your life to be better. It's a shame you have to go through another surgery but once you're healed and recovered I'm sure you'll be glad you did it. After my partial in March I have a small sausage shaped bulge above my incision and when I bend over or try to sleep on that side I feel it. It's uncomfortable because it presses into me. So I can only imagine how yours feel since it souns much bigger.

Don't they fix cats and dogs?

Just joking. Hope you get an answer.

donna

Jan4you · May 2014

twinthings said:
Thank you, Jan! I am going
Thank you, Jan! I am going to google google the wrap with straps, it sounds ideal. I didn't know such a wrap existed. I have a really cool ice pad, and I agree, it def helps with swelling. I haven't tried dry ice packs before, tho.

Thanks for the well wishes for my surgery. I don't usually get nervous with surgery, but this one kind of gives me cause for pause...do I really HAVE to do this?? So tired of this. Last summer was wasted thanks to my May 29th nephrectomy, and it looks like that nephrectomy will cost me this summer too. I am trying hard not to whine but, it ain't easy. So much for that great attitude, huh?!

Hugs right back to ya!

Sindy

http://www.amazon.com/Muell

http://www.amazon.com/Mueller-Adjustable-Regular-1-Count-Package/dp/B00267SFKC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1399940475&sr=8-1&keywords=lumbar+brace

This is one kind of lumbar wrap. I got mine at the drug store so you can see the picture. It has different sizes, but has these extra outside straps to hold it in even tighter. I could loosen it too if needed. It was bought for my lower back issues, then used it to support spasming rib cage due to my MS. The spasms are severe and are called the MS HUG.. go figure.. not to huggy feeling let me tell ya LOL

I have used it after C section and now two abdominal surgeries.

Yes, I wish you didn't HAVE TO have this done. Wish you lived closer. I would come over and help you out and brighten your spirits. You can always leave me a message here if you want to talk privately. I am always available. In fact my volunteer job is answering crisis letters online.

Hopefully it won't be as bad as your surgeon says .... (geez louize)

Warmly, Jan

twinthings · May 2014

APny said:
After what you said about it
After what you said about it being not only uncomfortable but downright hurting at times, and that when you get a bit bloated you are downright miserable, I would say that yes, it sounds like you have to do it if you want the quality of your life to be better. It's a shame you have to go through another surgery but once you're healed and recovered I'm sure you'll be glad you did it. After my partial in March I have a small sausage shaped bulge above my incision and when I bend over or try to sleep on that side I feel it. It's uncomfortable because it presses into me. So I can only imagine how yours feel since it souns much bigger.

sausage roll

APny,

Mine started out as a sausage roll, only much thicker. It has grown to be much larger and, in fact, is bigger today than it was last Wednesday when I saw the doctor. I look like I have a really lopsided soccer ball under my shirt. Besides being terribly uncomfy, it's humiliating. Over the past three years, I've worked hard to maintain a 75 pound weight loss. Physically, I look better than I have practically my whole adult life. Now, not so much. The fact that I have a large loop of my large intestine protruding through the herniated muscle, makes my surgery medically necessary. But, even if it weren't a medical necessity, I'd still want it fixed.

Hopefully, yours does not get worse. It seems to happen overnight!

twinthings · May 2014

Jan4you said:

http://www.amazon.com/Muell

http://www.amazon.com/Mueller-Adjustable-Regular-1-Count-Package/dp/B00267SFKC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1399940475&sr=8-1&keywords=lumbar+brace

This is one kind of lumbar wrap. I got mine at the drug store so you can see the picture. It has different sizes, but has these extra outside straps to hold it in even tighter. I could loosen it too if needed. It was bought for my lower back issues, then used it to support spasming rib cage due to my MS. The spasms are severe and are called the MS HUG.. go figure.. not to huggy feeling let me tell ya LOL

I have used it after C section and now two abdominal surgeries.

Yes, I wish you didn't HAVE TO have this done. Wish you lived closer. I would come over and help you out and brighten your spirits. You can always leave me a message here if you want to talk privately. I am always available. In fact my volunteer job is answering crisis letters online.

Hopefully it won't be as bad as your surgeon says .... (geez louize)

Warmly, Jan

I'm not surprised

Jan,

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I will order one of these immediately. I guess you just turn it around and wear it backwards when using it for tummy support? It looks like something I can do myself instead of needing hubby's help, not that he minds.

I have a friend who suffers with MS, so I am familiar with some of the horrific and debilitating effects MS has on the body. I am so sorry you have MS. You gotta be one tough cookie to endure what you're dealing with! And YOU want to brighten MY spirits...you're an amazing woman, Jan. Simply ah-MA-zing!!

I'm not at all surprised that you volunteer for a crisis line. You certainly have a warmth about you, in the way that you speak. It's funny how much you can tell about someone just by reading their postings. I had you pegged from the first couple of posts or comments I read. I thought you'd be a counselor of some sort and, I was right! I usually am . I so appreciate the invitation to message your private box, that's very kind of you!

I'll let you know how the wrap works, once I get it. I'd like to have it to wear even before my surgery to hopefully keep my hernia from getting any worse. I can practically watch it grow, it's growing so fast! My last hernia repair (#6 or 7, I've lost count) resulted in 11 incisions all over my belly, so that anchors could be placed through out, for the sake of attaching mesh. It was the worst recovery experience of my life...all excruciating 4 months of it. It can't possibly be as bad as that! That same surgeon will be fixing me again. This will be her 3rd time to put me back together, 4th time doing surgery on me, as, she also took my gallbladder. So, she's pretty comfortable telling me like it is. She's part of the reason I lost all that weight. After my last repair, during my 6 wk post -op, she said, "Sindy, you are fat. You are pushing morbid obesity. If you lose weight, you will lose the propensity to develop hernias". I left her office and cried all the way home. I knew I was fat but, to hear someone so blatantly say that to my face, in front of her assistant no less, humiliated me to my very core. Still, Dr. Taylor is my favorite. I adore her! Honesty is the best policy!

Thanks again, Jan!!

xoxo

Sindy

twinthings · May 2014

donna_lee said:
Don't they fix cats and dogs?
Just joking. Hope you get an answer.

donna

lol, Donna, yes I suppose

lol, Donna, yes I suppose they do. Thanks for making me smile!

Jan4you · May 2014

twinthings said:
I'm not surprised
Jan,

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I will order one of these immediately. I guess you just turn it around and wear it backwards when using it for tummy support? It looks like something I can do myself instead of needing hubby's help, not that he minds.

I have a friend who suffers with MS, so I am familiar with some of the horrific and debilitating effects MS has on the body. I am so sorry you have MS. You gotta be one tough cookie to endure what you're dealing with! And YOU want to brighten MY spirits...you're an amazing woman, Jan. Simply ah-MA-zing!!

I'm not at all surprised that you volunteer for a crisis line. You certainly have a warmth about you, in the way that you speak. It's funny how much you can tell about someone just by reading their postings. I had you pegged from the first couple of posts or comments I read. I thought you'd be a counselor of some sort and, I was right! I usually am . I so appreciate the invitation to message your private box, that's very kind of you!

I'll let you know how the wrap works, once I get it. I'd like to have it to wear even before my surgery to hopefully keep my hernia from getting any worse. I can practically watch it grow, it's growing so fast! My last hernia repair (#6 or 7, I've lost count) resulted in 11 incisions all over my belly, so that anchors could be placed through out, for the sake of attaching mesh. It was the worst recovery experience of my life...all excruciating 4 months of it. It can't possibly be as bad as that! That same surgeon will be fixing me again. This will be her 3rd time to put me back together, 4th time doing surgery on me, as, she also took my gallbladder. So, she's pretty comfortable telling me like it is. She's part of the reason I lost all that weight. After my last repair, during my 6 wk post -op, she said, "Sindy, you are fat. You are pushing morbid obesity. If you lose weight, you will lose the propensity to develop hernias". I left her office and cried all the way home. I knew I was fat but, to hear someone so blatantly say that to my face, in front of her assistant no less, humiliated me to my very core. Still, Dr. Taylor is my favorite. I adore her! Honesty is the best policy!

Thanks again, Jan!!

xoxo

Sindy

Sindy.. you don't have to

Sindy.. you don't have to order this lumbar wrap its at any drug store or even Target I bet. Its made by Homedics. Its stretchy and you can get it on like a belt, then pull the outside straps tighter if you need it. It may be uncomfortable so adjust accordingly for comfort sake. Call around and ask.

Thanks for the sweet words. My MS is not that bad, I am lucky as I do not have the progressive kind. Mean cancers are trickier and more challenging to me. My RCC is gone as far as we know. I do not sit and dwell on any of this, just deal with stuff on a day to day basis. I have no stress, so how wonderful is that?

Yes, I used to be a PSYCHOtherapist LOL, then ended my career in hospice work which I loved too. My career came suddenly to a halt in 2010.

Please know that I think of you fondly as I do all the other brave and vulnerable folks on this site. YOU and others are the reason I do not leave.

Congrats on 75lb loss.. an amazing taks in itself !! No wonder you want the newest battle of the "bulge" to be fixed.

Keep sharing my dear~

Warmly, Jan

Jan4you · May 2014

twinthings said:
I'm not surprised
Jan,

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I will order one of these immediately. I guess you just turn it around and wear it backwards when using it for tummy support? It looks like something I can do myself instead of needing hubby's help, not that he minds.

I have a friend who suffers with MS, so I am familiar with some of the horrific and debilitating effects MS has on the body. I am so sorry you have MS. You gotta be one tough cookie to endure what you're dealing with! And YOU want to brighten MY spirits...you're an amazing woman, Jan. Simply ah-MA-zing!!

I'm not at all surprised that you volunteer for a crisis line. You certainly have a warmth about you, in the way that you speak. It's funny how much you can tell about someone just by reading their postings. I had you pegged from the first couple of posts or comments I read. I thought you'd be a counselor of some sort and, I was right! I usually am . I so appreciate the invitation to message your private box, that's very kind of you!

I'll let you know how the wrap works, once I get it. I'd like to have it to wear even before my surgery to hopefully keep my hernia from getting any worse. I can practically watch it grow, it's growing so fast! My last hernia repair (#6 or 7, I've lost count) resulted in 11 incisions all over my belly, so that anchors could be placed through out, for the sake of attaching mesh. It was the worst recovery experience of my life...all excruciating 4 months of it. It can't possibly be as bad as that! That same surgeon will be fixing me again. This will be her 3rd time to put me back together, 4th time doing surgery on me, as, she also took my gallbladder. So, she's pretty comfortable telling me like it is. She's part of the reason I lost all that weight. After my last repair, during my 6 wk post -op, she said, "Sindy, you are fat. You are pushing morbid obesity. If you lose weight, you will lose the propensity to develop hernias". I left her office and cried all the way home. I knew I was fat but, to hear someone so blatantly say that to my face, in front of her assistant no less, humiliated me to my very core. Still, Dr. Taylor is my favorite. I adore her! Honesty is the best policy!

Thanks again, Jan!!

xoxo

Sindy

Gee, Sindy, your doctor is

Gee, Sindy, your doctor is BLUNT to say the least. There are nicer ways to motivate one to lose weight. Anyhoo..

I am trying to find the box my lumbar wrap came in. I know I got it at Walgreens. I saw the one on Amazon for 149..not that expensive. It does have a few braces in the midback section and magnets for added healing. But its not a BRACE per se. It is a stretchy band that wraps the end over with velcro. Then there are the added straps if you want to pull them tighter. I usually didn't have to. I wore it around my rib cage under tops/blouses, but its dark blue. When my rib cage would spasm, then i would pull those straps to offer additional support for those muscles/ligaments.

Wish you could just go to sleep and wake up fully healed and whole again~

Gentle hugs, Jan

hoping for a fix

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