June 09, 2004

All Clear on the Health Front

I decided to take yesterday off and make it my Doctor Day. I figured if I had to head to OHSU for follow up appointments I might as well make another appoint in the morning. Why work from 8 AM to say 10 or 11 just so you can leave and head downtown? And if you are planning on a visit to OHSU you should plan on setting a good chunk of the day aside.

My first appointment was with my surgeon, Dr. Eugene Sullivan, who did the original “body work.” This was just a checkup on some minor adjustments, all good. No need for any other appointments unless something comes up. “Be sure to let the complaint department know if any thing comes up,” he said.

Next was the Cat Scan (CT) and follow up with Dr. John Vetto. This is the other “body work” expert. He did both the thigh and abdomen tumors. Everything look good, but he'll contact me if anything shows up on the CT. No issues with either of the surgeries. He wants to see me again in 6 months, after that I think I'll be on the annual plan.

Sounds like Dr Sullivan will officially be phasing into retirement. He has to be 70 or 80 something. He's tried retirement before, but then his wife passed away and he went back to work. I think he did that to give him something to do. Then he married again. His new wife actually has connections to Sunnyside, WA, my home town. Her sister is a nurse for one of the local doctors. This world is getting smaller all the time, or I'm getting older and meeting too many people. The reason for the push to retirement is the group is bringing on a new partner, a “younger woman” as Dr Sullivan put it. She's sharp and knows her stuff. She trained at the Cleveland Clinic, one of the best schools in the US.

Dr. Sullivan was one of the surgeons on the west coast to do the J-Pouch procedure on the west coast back in the day. He is an amazing man to keep going the way he does is amazing. I thanked him for the great job he did with my surgery. He thanked me for being a wonderful patient and told me I was one of his best success stories.

Afterwards I had some time to kill and stopped in to see my former landlords. We shot the breeze for a bit bringing them up to speed on what was happening in my life. They also decided not charge us anything for cleaning or utilities as we left the place better than anyone has ever. They gave us the entire security and cleaning deposits back. Next on to OHSU…

So I arrive at OHSU, no parking as there is construction everywhere, but there is free valet parking. Leave my car and head to the hospital for the CT. I stopped in Hillsdale and picked up an Oregonian knowing the waiting room is rather sparse when it comes to reading materials. Glad I did, it was either read the paper or watch Family Feud. Oh the joys of the waiting room. Being the friendly sort I offered the paper to someone nearby. Anything to ease the pain and suffering…. in the waiting room.

Soon I was called by the Radiology Tech to get my IV for the contrast injection started. Being the experience person at this, I asked which curtain, and then which arm. Next informed her that my veins roll out of the way of needles. I've been working with my veins on their fear of needles, but alas they can't see to complete the seven step program… oh well, I'll endure the multiple attempts to start IVs. The tech got it on the first try, often it is three tries and two nurses. I mentioned that I forgot my “Have Four Scans Get the Fifth Free” card at home, I'm really close to that fifth one! She smiled and asked if OHSU knew about it. I told her I'm working on it and a frequent patient discount card. :-) I headed back to waiting with my 32 ounces of “Fruit Punch Gastro Contrast,” otherwise known as “the stuff that doesn't taste like fruit punch and makes your insides glow.” I sat there drinking a quarter of the mix every 15 minutes for the next hour, imagining the entire time that it was a Hawaiian punch.

Finally was called for the CT. Sucked down the last two inches of “fruit punch” and headed for the CT machine. Having been told where to place my head I proceeded to lay down and start unbuckling my pants, much to the surprise of the tech/student. I told her I was an old pro at this, something the CT tech doing the film backed me up on. “Oh yeah you are, I remember your last name.” Oh the joys of having a name like Pykonen. I guess since most people can't pronounce it, let alone spell it, it gets stuck in their minds for say six months, being the last scan I had. I wish I had that kind of mental recall. The tech/student asked me to put my hands above my head, but I beat her to that too… “Oh yeah, you know. I was on autopilot.” I chuckled (happy Becki? not giggled but chuckled :-) CT done, time to head to the cafeteria, I've been fasting since 8 AM and it's Noon thirty!

Food done, time to hike to the clinic. Lets take the stairs, I can handle it…. all 8 floors of them. Much easier when came down than going up. Yet another reason to start exercising. Out of breath I finally get to the clinic and check in two hours before the appointment, nothing better to do now. I'd left the news paper in the CT waiting area for the others. Really hard waiting for two hours. I napped, text messaged friends and family, checked work voice mail, listened to other patients complain about driving from Redmond and having to wait so long… newbies. So I finally got in an hour and a half after my scheduled time. And saw the medical student right away. I surprised her too with my knowledge of how the exam table works… :-) I gave her my medical history and as I always say, “Other than that I'm as healthy as a horse.” I went on to explain that I have FAP and that I'm a text book case of Classic FAP. She asked if I my picture is in the textbook, told her I was working on it.

After spending almost half the day at OHSU I headed out to Palladia as Becki was making dinner for me since I was starving all day. Dinner was great, I fixed her computer, and we hung out with Tom for a bit. Called it a night and headed back to Gresham to hit the sack.

Posted by pykeman at 12:12 PM | Comments (0)

August 17, 2003

What to do next?

Recovery is going well. At times I feel like a five year old being told no at every turn because I'm trying to do something I shouldn't. But I realize it is for my good, we don't want to follow this up with a hernia operation. I have been treating my stomach muscles gently, but I need to talk to the cat about my stomach though. He jumped up off the bed the other night using my stomach as a spring board.

Mom is heading home today with her kids, Meg and Peg. The kids are her new ten week old Chihuahua-Miniature Dachshund puppies. It's been great having them with us, they have allowed many laughs and have gotten me to move around. Danielle is back to work tomorrow. Adam will be the only one home with me. I'm sure he will be tired by week's end of me bellowing, “Adam!” :-)

My follow up appointment is Thursday morning. I'm not sure that I'll need all the time off, but that is up to my doctor. I just hate sitting around waiting for things to heal when you're use to the phone ringing off the hook or being able to do almost anything.

Well at least I have DVDs :-) I have The Hunted (Filmed in Oregon), Undercover Brother (What stereotypes?), and the Christopher Guest and company movies: Spinal Tap, Best in Show, and Waiting for Guffman

I don't want to laugh to hard, I have pain pills just in case :-)

Posted by pykeman at 08:36 AM | Comments (0)

August 14, 2003

Surgery Complete, Now for recovery

Well the surgery went well yesterday morning. It went quicker than my surgeon thought, a little over an hour. I am now at home and doing well. My Dr. said he did his half of the job, now it up to me to do the other, sit back and take it easy for a couple weeks. He told me that I can't lift anything over 5 lbs for 4-6 weeks. So a lot of sitting down and watching TV and movies :-). Drop me a line via email or AIM (pykemann).

Mom has also come down and will be here until she has to work next, I don't know when that is. She has even brought her two new puppies, Peg and Meg, to help me recover :-)

Posted by pykeman at 12:40 PM | Comments (1)

July 02, 2003

Change in Surgery Date...

While having a bite to eat in Mitchell with Mom, Grandma, Grandpa, Danielle, and Adam we decided that it would be better to move the surgery date to August with all that had happend and what was comming up, Wayne's Wedding.

The new date is August 13. That is all that has changed… now to do the paper work for HR at work ;-).

Posted by pykeman at 10:10 PM | Comments (0)

June 13, 2003

I'm having surgery again. (Updated)

Well in light of the previous posting… I don't think I'm as important right now… I'm having another Desmoid Tumor removed from my abdomen wall. This is one that I've had for a few years and we are tired of the wait and see approach. “Did it grow?” “Did it shrink?” It is about 5” long and 1.5” across and in the top part of the muscle. The date is July 7 August 13. I'll be off work for 2 weeks and can't lift ANYTHING for 6 weeks. But all of this is not important right now. Take a moment and keep Nigel and his family in your thoughts and prayers. Also kiss your loved ones tonight and tell them, “I love you.”

Posted by pykeman at 10:39 PM | Comments (0)