Friday, January 1st, 2010: Erica's Better

I made it to the hospital this morning during the actual Rose Parade, so traffic wasn't too bad. Erica is doing much better, although she is having more pain as the pain block wears off. She is still on track to come home tomorrow, although that hinges on whether she can negotiate the stairs. The physical therapist is supposed to give her pointers on how to maneuver them, but so far no one has. Hopefully tomorrow.

She walked again today, and is now doing exercises with her "new" hip, which includes raising and lowering her leg 10 times every three or four hours.

I left her watching the Rose Bowl.

Thursday, December 31st, 2009: Erica Has a New Hip!

After a minor delay yesterday due to another patient's surgery taking longer than expected, Erica was wheeled into the operating room at about 11:45 a.m. I went over to the surgical waiting room across the hall and set up shop: Kindle, iPod, and phone, and settled down to wait.

The surgery didn't take as long as I thought it would, only about two hours. The doctor came out and told me that everything had gone well, and that they were putting a pain block in her hip, I think, and something new: a scopolamine patch behind her ear to help her deal with the nausea she always gets from the pain medication.

After a little more time, my phone rang. It was Erica! She was decidedly groggy, but told me her room number. I took her stuff up and got her organized. Yes, she was stoned, but somehow able to talk on the phone. She's an incredible person.

I left there at about 4 and came home to take care of the animals. She called me a couple more times at home and then we hung up last night at about 7:30. Haven't heard from her yet today, but will be going back to see her shortly.

Happy New Year!!

Sunday, December 27th, 2009: All Systems Go!

Just thought you'd like to know that Erica's gotten the "all clear" from both her doctor and the great pre-op check-in staff at Huntington Hospital. We went yesterday for the pre-op stuff at the new Huntington Pavilion and it is so neat! She just sat in a big easy chair and all the necessary testers (blood, EKG, etc.) all came to her; no more going from cramped room to cramped room and waiting forever. Very very cool.

So the big day is fast approaching and we are so happy that she will be out of pain soon!

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009: It's Getting Closer

Today at 4:40 we will go see Dr. Laster, who is doing Erica's hip replacement, for a pre-op conference. Then on Saturday, the 26th, it's on to Huntington Hospital for their pre-op conference, and then the following Wednesday, the 30th, is the BIG DAY. I must tell you that I am loooking forward to all of it, because it means that Erica will have a new hip and hopefully no more pain!!

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009: Cranking up the Old Blog Again

To those of you who faithfully followed this blog for Erica's weight loss, I thank you so much. I apologize for not posting more often, but her weight loss now is very small and hardly noticeable.

What has been noticeable, for those of you who interact with her, is her intense hip pain. It's bad and has been getting steadily worse for the past few months. I am thankful that Erica did lose the weight she did otherwise the pain would have been worse than unbearable. It was clear that Erica needed a hip replacement and those of you who read this blog were aware that it was tentatively scheduled for February of 2010. As time wore on and the pain got worse, it became clear that February was not an option, it had to be sooner.

The good news is I nagged and badgered until Erica went to Dr. Laster to see about scheduling an earlier surgery, which has now been scheduled for Wednesday, December 30th, at 10:30 a.m.

I promise I will keep you all up to date with the latest on her progress. I am just overjoyed that she'll soon be able to walk without pain.

Happy Holidays to all of you!!

Friday, November 6th, 2009: One Year and 151 Pounds Later . . .

Yes, it has been a year - today - that Erica underwent gastric bypass surgery. This morning's scale reading shows that she's lost 151 pounds. It is incredible and we are so thankful that everything has been relatively smooth. Although there are some things that are off-limits to her now, like coffee, broccoli, and carbonated drinks, she is much healthier, and is looking forward to a hip replacement sometime in early 2010. She no longer needs the airplane seat belt extender or her walker, and has more energy.

Here are pix side-by-side of her a year ago today, and today. What a difference!!!

Thursday, October 1st, 2009: Erica's Back!

Well, she actually got back "stateside" on Sunday, but I haven't had a chance to write until now.

She had a wonderful time in Asia, and the good news is that she survived the entire trip without any stomach issues! And she ate just about everything she wanted, except in smaller portions, although she has unfortunately found out that she cannot drink coffee, it's what sets her stomach off.

It looks like she's lost more weight, but hasn't had a chance to weigh herself yet. I promise we'll do it this weekend and I'll post pictures.

We are so happy to have her back! She brought back all kinds of stuff: chopsticks, little Chinese wine jackets, t-shirts (40? 50?) for everybody and their mother, "Cutie Wife Cakes" from China that are the bomb, lots and lots of moon cakes, and other Chinese delicacies that look for all the world like Rice Krispie treats and taste about the same. She said one of her favorite parts of the trip was touring the Chinese Olympic site. She was particularly taken with the Water Cube, which she thoroughly enjoyed.

She's already thinking about her next Asia trip!