Quick Update - Surgery, etc.

Hey everyone!

I had started an update and it started getting really in-depth and emotional and was kinda a bummer. So I figured I'd start over with a shorter, lighter update on my surgery and then I'll go back and finish the other post for those of you who want to know every micro-detail of my fabulously interesting life. ;)

* Surgery was a week ago - May 21st. Everything went fine, no complications. I have five incisions on my stomach which hurt... especially when you forget about them and lean up against a sink when washing dishes or your hands. Codeine helps these things, but I only take it when I can't get to sleep. 

* Unfortunately there has not been any progress regarding my sight. But it's a little soon. And the surgery was done to stop any more degradation... vision improvement would just be a REALLY COOL side effect.

* From the start of my pre-op diet to my surgery I lost 18lbs. This past week I lost 4 more. Holy crap.

I think that's all for now. If you have a question (do I really have to school anyone on appropriate vs inappropriate?!?!?), ask it in the comments and I'll answer!

♠ ♣ ♥ ♦ Yes I'm in the shop, but so are fine vintage sports cars! You still can buy amazing things by checking out my SHOP and these other fine establishments:
Plastic Wrap, Trap Door, The Rage, and Ransack the Universe! All awesome and all in TO!
I might even be up for some shows too if someone were to take on the the not-so-flattering job of making sure I don't fall down, I don't break anything, and that no one pays me in wooden nickels! WOW! I can see the line forming fast!!!)
Anyway, I'll still be moseying around and thanks for all the support! You all ROCK!
Creepily yours,
Mel
Melissa Hamel-Smith:
Owner and Artist of Kaotic Ekko's Curiosities

Today is *the* day!

Hello everyone. Just a very quick update that my surgery is today at 10:40am. I'm not really sure how long the recovery is going to take, but as soon as I'm mobile you can bet I'll be here letting you know how it all went!

Thanks again for everyone's love and support! You all ROCK!

♠ ♣ ♥ ♦ Yes I'm in the shop, but so are fine vintage sports cars! You still can buy amazing things by checking out my SHOP and these other fine establishments:
Plastic Wrap, Trap Door, The Rage, and Ransack the Universe! All awesome and all in TO!
I might even be up for some shows too if someone were to take on the the not-so-flattering job of making sure I don't fall down, I don't break anything, and that no one pays me in wooden nickels! WOW! I can see the line forming fast!!!)
Anyway, I'll still be moseying around and thanks for all the support! You all ROCK!
Creepily yours,
Mel
Melissa Hamel-Smith:
Owner and Artist of Kaotic Ekko's Curiosities

SIGHT?

Unfortunately this is going to be a quick update as my sight hasn't been great for the past couple days. The weather plays a huge role: when the sun's out it makes it much easier for me to see. Also, because my condition is cause by fluid, my sight changes as the fluid moves around my optical nerves. So basically everyday is a sight surprise!  On the plus side, my back and head pain has been tolerable and I haven't had to rely on any painkillers.

I am just over a week away from my surgery which will be happening on May 21st at 10:20am. I'm caught up on my paperwork and bloodwork. I've spoken to the anesthesiologist and pharmacist, both who assured me that after the procedure there will be discomfort rather than pain. I found that encouraging.

I'm nearing the end of Week 2 of the meal replacement program. Please allow me a moment to bitch and moan about it: I'm allowed 3 protein shakes per day plus certain vegetable (most of which I would never voluntarily eat). So for the past two weeks I've been living off cucmber, asparagus, lettuce, baby bok choy, broccoli and mushrooms - all of which can only be flavored with lemon, vinegar, or herbs. Not too bad you say? Try it for 3 weeks and then let me know how you feel! There is a method to this madness however: to reduce the size of your liver and the fat around it so it is easier to insert the band. Needless to say, though, I've been dreaming of food and have been fighting weird cravings.

 On the money front:

• A HUGE thanks to all of you who have donated! 

• Please keep donating! Unfortunately our bills won't magically disappear after my surgery (although that'd be awesome!) It doesn't have to be much... just a loonie or two. Believe me, I know times are hard!

• A variety of fundraising events are being discussed. As soon as things solidify a bit more I will be posting details here and on Facebook.

•  BUSINESSES: If you are interested in having donation containers in your establishment, please email me at kaoticekko [ at ] gmail [ dot] com. 

Thanks so much for your support everyone! You ROCK!

♠ ♣ ♥ ♦ Yes I'm in the shop, but so are fine vintage sports cars! You still can buy amazing things by checking out my SHOP and these other fine establishments:
Plastic Wrap, Trap Door, The Rage, and Ransack the Universe! All awesome and all in TO! 

I might even be up for some shows too if someone were to take on the the not-so-flattering job of making sure I don't fall down, I don't break anything, and that no one pays me in wooden nickels! WOW! I can see the line forming fast!!!) 

Anyway, I'll still be moseying around and thanks for all the support! You all ROCK! 

Creepily yours,

Mel

Melissa Hamel-Smith:

Owner and Artist of Kaotic Ekko's Curiosities

BLINK!

Some of you may have wondered where I've been this past month: fewer FB updates, unanswered emails, no blog posts, no new product, and even backing out of The Bazaar of the Bizarre and The Comedy Cabaret (both decisions KILLED me inside!) Well, here's what's been going on:


About four weeks ago I started having the worst headache. It felt like someone had taken a baseball bat to the back of my head. I went to an urgent care clinic and was diagnosed with a tension headache, treated, and released. I gave it a few days and the pain wasn't subsiding so I went to my family doctor who prescribed some meds and sent me home. Went back to a Doctor because I was still in pain and I was now having trouble seeing. He sent me to get a CT scan. So off to the urgent care clinic (because who wants to wait at ER?!?!?) Clear CT. Went back to family Doctor to say the CT was clear and she sent me to the ER.

Toronto East General Hospital. Tuesday 2:30pm. I was admitted to the ER at 11:30pm. Not too shabby. The ER doc takes one look at me and says, "I think I know what's wrong."

Super. Please share.

"Pseudotumor Ceribri."

Sounds lovely.

What that means essentially is that my body has too much spinal fluid, which is pushing on my head and spine  causing pain and pressing on my eyes causing gradual loss of sight. It's most prominent in overweight women of child-bearing age although it's not extremely common.(I couldn't have won the lottery?!?!?)

So, what now?

• Well, I was in hospital for a week having all sorts of fun tests including a spinal tap to remove fluid (they are not nearly as bad as everyone thinks!) 
• Was put on Diamox, a medication intended to slow spinal cord production.
• LapBand Surgery - they believe the quick weight loss will allow the spinal fluid to drain and hopefully I'll get some of my sight back. 
• Optical Nerve Sheath Fenestration Surgery... basically eye surgery to drain some spinal fluid. Kinda gross... I don't even wanna think about it. Look it up on your own. It only lasts for 6 months and there is a 1% chance of going blind.

 So folks, this is where I've been for the past month. I hope I didn't come off whiny. I'm more frustrated. I miss my art. Even the simple thing, take writing this blog, require a magnification app which makes the words appear approx.1" tall and large scrapbook paper letters cut out and double-sided taped to my keyboard: both courtesy of my fantastically amazing husband of course!

Plus we have to save ever penny. Did I mention my lap band surgery isn't covered by OHIP or my private insurance? Even thought it's emergency, not vanity we will have a bill of $16,000 coming our way shortly! (There is a PayPal button on the right for making donations. We hope you can help us out, but we do understand times are tough!)


♠ ♣ ♥ ♦ Yes I'm in the shop, but so are fine vintage sports cars! You still can buy amazing things by checking out my SHOP and these other fine establishments:
Plastic Wrap, Trap Door, The Rage, and Ransack the Universe! All awesome and all in TO!
I might even be up for some shows too if someone were to take on the the not-so-flattering job of making sure I don't fall down, I don't break anything, and that no one pays me in wooden nickels! WOW! I can see the line forming fast!!!)
Anyway, I'll still be moseying around and thanks for all the support! You all ROCK!
Creepily yours,
Mel
Melissa Hamel-Smith:
Owner and Artist of Kaotic Ekko's Curiosities