Re: Surgery & Smokers
From: Robin (rmasse2333@aol.com)
Sat Aug 12 18:26:44 2000
Where is Dr Semertzides located?? I am looking into finding a Dr that is
a little closer to me. I do have an appointment in Albuquerque, NM (5
hours away) on Sept. 5 with Dr Fry at the pain clinic. Dr Redan did
tell me "Dr. Fry is an excellent surgeon but he does trauma surgery not
laparoscopy." My parents live in Pheonix, Arizona & my mom has been
trying to find a surgeon around there & then I could stay with her
instead of the expense of flying to PA & staying in a hotel for a week.
I told my mom that I just couldnt find anyone closer & I would do what
ever I needed to do to have surger. Also, Dr Redan told me "You
really do need to cut down on the Duragesic, Hydrocodone and Equagesic.
The doses you are on are higher than I use for people with terminal
cancer pain." I am not sure how I can really cut down on my meds, since
I take all of those & still have daily pain. All the pain meds together
usually give me a pain rating of 6, with about a once a week 2, &
several episodes of 12! Sorry to keep going on. Dr Redan did say he
would do surgery as long as I was on my way to quiting. Thanks to all
of you for your support.
Robin
At Sat, 12 Aug 2000, rsh4799@att.net wrote:
>
>Dr Semertzides will work on people that smoke. I know
>that for a fact.
>> Hi Robin,
>> Just to let you know I had surgery on 7/24/00 by Dr. Redan and Dr. Reich.
>> When Dr. Redan came to my hotel room the day before surgery he asked who
>> smoked. The smoke was lingering in my hotel room....both my husband and I
>> smoked. When I told Dr. Redan that he said if he knew prior to my surgery
>> that I smoked he would not have performed surgery on me. I was in total
>> shock. I just learned at that meeting what smoking was doing to me - not
>> only the bad things but the oxygen to my inners not allowing full recovery.
>> I had picked a quit date to stop smoking and will do everything in my power
>> to make it work. I know what pain I go through in my life is not worth
>> lighting up. My husband and I know how hard it is to quit as we had tried in
>> the past to quit. I don't think we will try to quit together this
>> time......lol
>> Just to let you know you are not alone. I will be here to help and support
>> you each step of the way. Good luck
>> ~Chrissie
>>
--
Robin