September 1, 2006

Well, as you all are aware my surgery was postponed due to my blood issues. During this period of time I decided to see another GYN since I felt that she and I just were not seeing eye to eye on some things. Communication is pivotal to me when your in a constant medical flux like myself. It just was not there. So, I took the advice of Judy (& Larry) and went to see Dr. Miller who delivered both Nick and Alex. I'm usually a "gut" feeling person when I meet someone; and this time I felt a huge sigh of relief. Unfourtunately, my blood counts are much worse than before and subsequently will be seeing my oncologist in October. (sad to say that is how BUSY oncologists are). I'm not feeling like myself-I wish I had the 'ole get and up go attitude. I find myself spending more time on my new barcolounger watching Squawk Box. On a more positive note, Larry just informed me he will be in Plymouth, Michigan for a greater part of October and to that I say "Yippee"! So I will end this with thanks to everyone that keeps me in there thoughts. It means alot. Oh, Happy Labor Day..can you believe it is already September!!

Surgery Day July 13, 2006

After making the mental preparations and readying ourselved for the scheduled surgery; Lorie and I headed off to St. Joseph's Hospital in Ann Arbor at 7:15 this morning. We arrived shortly before 8:00 and were escorted to the surgical waiting room. At 8:45 Lorie was taken back for surgical preparation and about 15 minutes later I was invited back to keep her company until it was time for her to be taken to the surgical suite. The anesthesiologist (Paul Schweitz) expressed a concern about Lorie's "crits", or her hematocrit level as being unusually low. When Lorie.s surgeon, Dr. Cristina Lete arrived, along with two residents (1st year OB/GYN Rachel McLaughlin and 3rd year Polly Train), she also expressed concern about the level and was awaiting results from blood samples they had taken upon her arrival in prep. At about 9:30 they received the information and it was at that time that Dr. Lete expressed reluctance to perform the surgery based on a high platelet count and low hematocrit level. Lorie was actually classified as severely anemic based on her hematocrit level of 24% (under 30 is severe and normal for women is 35-46%). There was the possibility that they would have to transfuse her if surgery would proceed and ordered 2 units to be on-hand for her in the OR. After a brief discussion, it was decided to reschedule the surgery until after Lorie's counts fall into a more normal range and the possibility of a transfusion could be minimized or eliminated. It was somewhat disappointing, but absolutely the correct the decision. Don't press onward if additional risks present themself and make the success of the surgery anything other than optimal. I commend Lorie and Dr. Lete in their decision to wait until more favorable conditions can be present and thereby greatly increasing the odds of "uneventful" and non-problematic procedures. We sincerely appreciate all of the warm wishes and mentions of prayers we've received. Thanks and we'll keep you updated.

July 7, 2006 Guestbook Resurrected!!
	That smart ole' Web Wizard got the lovely guestbook back up! I'm so sad to have lost some of those previous messages..most notably from my late mother-sigh. Well, just wanted you to know it is back up! Off to the hospital..more tests!

July 4, 2006
	Hi Everyone! I have been getting my hand slapped the last few weeks since I have not updated this site since November. Since this has turned into a health update I suppose that is good news since I haven't! However, I speak too soon and alas I am scheduled for a radical hysterectomy on July 13, 2006. I won't go in