This Book Post Has Been Hijacked to Tell You I'm A Failure

I was going to write all about how amazing The Help is. But now I need to tell a different story. Last time I wrote, I said that I was fairly sure that  I would be deemed to have failed the one safe drug there was to try for my GP. I was told to call my gastroenterologist two weeks after starting the drug. Today makes two weeks. So, because I have felt no relief, I wanted  to actually speak to her and begin to formulate a plan. I called the office Thursday afternoon.I asked them to have her call me back so I could talk to her about how things had gone while I have been on the med. She called me back late that night. We had a good long talk, I told her  I didn't think the drug was effective. I have been having a lot pain within about a half an hour of each dose. She said she was concerned, that I really shouldn't have pain. She then advised to try the drug at full strength for one more week (I still needed to add the fourth daily dose that night.) If I didn't notice a difference after that time, she gave me the green light to stop it. The next part of the conversation, while I knew it was coming, was difficult.

She said, "We talked about this a little before, but I think it's time to talk about you seeing the surgeon for the stimulator." The gastric neurostimulator is a small battery-powered device that sits under the skin and has two tiny wires that are implanted into the wall of the stomach. It sends electrical stimulation to the nerves of the stomach that overrides the signals of nausea that those nerves constantly send to the brain of some people with GP.
"OK" I said, because realistically what choice do I have? This device could really improve my quality of life.

I am a surgical veteran, but I only know about Orthopaedic Land. General (abdominal) surgery is a new adventure.

I fumbled to open a Word document as she gave me the name and number for another gastroenterologist who works at Big Academic Medical Center in the city where I live. My current GI is not affiliated with a surgeon, which is kind of important, since we are talking about surgery. So, I need to be seen by this new GI and be evaluated by the surgeon. My current GI told me that GI number two only works part time so it might be awhile before I could get in to see her. She said she'd call on Tuesday this week and fill in GI number two and push to get me in soon.

In the meantime she agreed to call in a prescription for a super awesome anti-nausea drug, Zofran. I had this a few months ago while in the hospital for my asthma. It was like magic. She called in a lot apparently. I don't have it yet because it required prior authorization before my insurance will  cover it.

So yesterday, I called GI number two and made an an appointment. In mid-April. This will be a long nearly three months. That appointment will just be a consult, not even the time to schedule the surgery. Who knows when that will be.

Keep your fingers crossed that my GI can work her magic and get me in soon!