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[Adward]

Introduction: Am from Malaysian of Indian origin, trying to increase my height by 7 to 7.5 cms. I have already done 3 cms as of today. Please keep your advice flowing as it would be of great help.


The day before Surgery:

So I knew I had to get admitted to the hospital today for my surgery which is set for tomorrow so that all my procedural tests and pre-ops can be done.  Visited temple for blessing and started my journey for the Hospital via Mr.  Harry's clinic.
Had my mum and pa with me, still was a bit scared of everything now that I was on the other side of the knife.  Being a doctor myself could understand the procedure and everything but still, you do need luck.  As you all know like any other surgery CLL too can come with its own surgical complications. 
You know every human being has a different pharmacokinetics and thus we all react to the treatment somewhat differently. 

So what I had planned for myself was LON considering all the pros and cons of all other procedures.
Got admitted to the hospital around 7 pm.  Had my tests done and after having my dinner slept off.

Day of Surgery:

I was taken for surgical pre-op around 9:30 am and to OT around 11:00 am.  Surgery went normal and everything was fine by God's grace. 
An important piece of knowledge: I chose general anesthesia against doctor's advice and didn't use epidural.  So my first night after surgery was very painful even after use of most potent opioids.
I was really IIIIIn pain, but what kept me from crying out loud was a very caring staff in I. C. U and their constant consoling.  It really helped me overcome my pain.  The most important plank in all this were my parents.

Next day my pain had come down to almost half and was much more bearable.  Thus I was shifted to my private room for my post-op care.  One thing again that I should mention here is that the staff of the hospital was so good to me and my mum, that it made my stay seem more like holidays rather than for CLL.

[Adward]

One thing that I found was that having your mother by your side during the initial phase of the surgery has really helped me.  It has really increased my pain threshold to anything like 75% of my normal pain threshold.
Key point is that if you want to avoid using unnecessary painkillers than having someone who really cares for you really hurts a lot.
Whenever I had pain my mother would rub my feet for hours and hours and that really helped in relieving my pain.   So here I want to find the opportunity to thank my super mom really for this and everything.  She is my favorite superhero, so all my pain would be gone just like that.  Love you mum.  I know a child can never repay for all our parents do for us, but still would try my best.  Thanks mom and dad.   

[Adward]

All this while keeping in mind that pain is a subjective feeling and thus changes from person to person.  It is also a textbook definition.  For example, I might rate a painful stimulus differently than you all or anybody else.  I didn't use any patch after the fourth day of my surgery though I was using iv pcm TDS and Dynapar BD.   
I used Fentanyl pump only for my ICU time.  After being discharged from hospital I used signoflam BD which is quite a general analgesic combination.  Here I want to mention that some previous LLers post their surgeries have used fentanyl patches for a prolonged period of time, which I don't believe is a good strategy but because they don't belong to the Medical fraternity they make such bad choices.  But doctors having a limited choice in their patient's pain management therapy especially in case of CLL and patients being too stubborn to let their doctor take lead here does make for such lousy decisions.  Remember these drugs really take a heavy toll on your liver and kidney which are hugely involved in drug metabolism.  So corporatization can be blamed for this which favors good reviews, even at the cost of patient well-being.   Doctors are led into making such decisions because one bad review which might not be medically true or relevant can destroy your economic prospects.  Thus patients should be more trusting and doctors should be more concerned.

[Adward]

[Adward]

DAY 3: Today I again met Dr.  Pradeep Sharma and thanked him for his good work.  Also, thanked him for keeping my well-being before any fear of any bad review.  Also met Harry who has helped us a lot during the last 3 days.  He truly is a blessed soul.  It's not mere a financial transaction that plays out here, rather more than that it is the true concern and sincere effort that matters for patients and on that, I would give Harry a 10 on 10.
Now comes evening and with evening comes bladder problem : I had my catheter removed this afternoon but my urine would not just come out.  So they had to insert a thin feeding tube which allowed my urine to pass through.  Had almost 1000 ml of fluid taken out which is huge.

[Adward]

Another pic from the hospital.

[Adward]

[montahn]

keep this thread alive. & post with picture

How about pain now ??

[Bonez]

keep this thread alive. & post with picture

How about pain now ??

Yes I agree, the mans had a diary for the last 4 days and not even 1 comment. Even though most of us arnt thinking about going to this doctor we should still support a fellow LL'er, hell at least acknowledge him.

Anyways congrats on starting your journey Adward  !

I havnt done much research on Dr. Sharma, what made you choose him vs the other indian LL doctors?

Now comes evening and with evening comes bladder problem : I had my catheter removed this afternoon but my urine would not just come out.  So they had to insert a thin feeding tube which allowed my urine to pass through.  Had almost 1000 ml of fluid taken out which is huge.

For all of those people who keep asking if or why a foley catheter is necessary, this is why.

[419]

DAY 3: Today I again met Dr.  Pradeep Sharma and thanked him for his good work.  Also, thanked him for keeping my well-being before any fear of any bad review.  Also met Harry who has helped us a lot during the last 3 days.  He truly is a blessed soul.  It's not mere a financial transaction that plays out here, rather more than that it is the true concern and sincere effort that matters for patients and on that, I would give Harry a 10 on 10.
Now comes evening and with evening comes bladder problem : I had my catheter removed this afternoon but my urine would not just come out.  So they had to insert a thin feeding tube which allowed my urine to pass through.  Had almost 1000 ml of fluid taken out which is huge.

This looks like nice place, where is it? Also how much Dr. Pradip is charging you for the surgery?

[Adward]

Day 4: It came with an even bigger bladder problem along with no stool passage.  My bladder was full and full as in 1450ml ml full/ I was afraid it might burst.  I had to go for feeding tube once again.  In the evening I had to ask for an enema to be performed.  Now since it was a Sunday and doctor Sharma had already told me a day before that he might not be available for Sunday morning and if needed I can contact him or duty doctor if any problem occurred.  I now talked to the duty doctor and asked him to consult with doctor Sharma regarding my stool and bladder problem.  Now my duty doctor after consulting about my problem with doctor Sharma came to the conclusion that a feeding tube should be used to empty my bladder for now and later a urinary catheter should be placed until next morning by when my case shall be discussed with specialists of the concerned departments and a final solution should be found out.  Now on my request, my duty doctor permitted me for an experiment which came as an idea during our mutual medical discussion regarding my problem which was that it might just be a simple postural problem.  And guess what it was? Yes, you are right I passed my first stool and much more importantly I urinated all by myself without any tube and believe me the feeling was of an extreme pleasure.     One thing good that came well out of all this was that it kept me from thinking about my surgical pain. 

[Adward]

Actually, I have some relatives in India who did research for me. He has been the lead surgeon on many of Dr. Singari's patients. Plus Harry was a very important factor. I talked to many doctors in India and outside but he understood the process of recovery well. Because after surgery recovery is what matters the most. Not many Physiotherapists understands the needs of an LL patient. Since I am from medical fraternity and understand the insiders deal well thus I came up with this decision.

I have already extended more than 3 cms now, so pain isn't much of an issue now. 
I mentioned about this at the beginning of my diary. Thanks for all the support

[Adward]

In total, I paid USD 14000 for surgery and three months stay inclusive of X-rays and food.

[montahn]

In total, I paid USD 14000 for surgery and three months stay inclusive of X-rays and food.

What about average food & xray per plate cost ?

[Adward]

What about average food & xray per plate cost ?

I have a package inclusive of everything, so don't have that information. If you mean food from outside than I believe it depends on your food habits. But as a rough estimation, you can take something between USD 18 to 60 for 1 person from an okay restaurant.

[Adward]

Flashback Point: My surgery took more than what it was intended and had my mother crying and shouting in the hospital lobby over staff for my update. Technical glitches extended my surgery by sometime. But my mother was all furious and her tigress had just come out in open sensing her cub was in trouble. I am sure that not just me but the whole hospital must have had the most difficult time of their work life.

[Adward]

On the 5th day, I was shifted to the guest house where I made some changes as to my wish. Had a freshly bought linen put on the bed and new pillow covers as well. I never trust hotels or guest houses with the linen. Yes, you can say that being a doctor you do develop certain freakish habits like not being able to trust anyone but you when it comes to cleanliness etc. But don't even dare to use terms like OCD here...hahaha because that is like a whole different level.
Now I was having an urge to urinate and like always everyone was telling me that I would be able to pass urine in a urine jug or something even though I was pushing against it and guess what happened? Yeah, my "Pee-Pee" Cheesy Cheesy stood tall with its proud owner and everyone had to bend to my way which was to allow me to use the lavatory and allow nature to do its own job and boy what a pleasurable feeling we get while we all humans, as well as animals, get when we do it.

[Adward]

Images taken while changing bandages.

[doomsday]

I can tell you right away that you doc in unqualified. The are no half pins in the frame thus it will not be stable enough for fast consolidation.

[Adward]

I can tell you right away that you doc in unqualified. The are no half pins in the frame thus it will not be stable enough for fast consolidation.

Thanks for the opinion
But I made an informed decision and I am happy with mine. 
Thanks for all the love and support that everyone has shown. 

[Adward]

6th day: Had my first physio session today with Harry. After surgery physio session today was like visiting a spa. Though much to my distaste for writing I have still decided on writing this diary for sake of you all. As my views and decisions as a doctor LLer are going to be so much different from previous LLers. It would really provide you all with some very important insights of the CLL journey. It would definitely help so many of future LLers in making much more informed decisions. Being a doctor has helped me a great deal in making better medical choices for myself. Also, I must thank here Harry and Dr. Sharma for their patient first policy. I really get angry when I get lied to. This is something which hasn't occur in our transaction so far and thus has helped us in building a healthy doctor-patient relationship.

[Adward]

Day 7: Had a fun-filled day with two physio sessions until the night brought all its wrath upon me. Had a very bad shin pain in my right leg. Had to call Harry mid-night. Thankfully he picked up and came by to help me. He tied my foot to the frame at 90 degrees and that helped a lot but still had to use pcm. Wasn't able to sleep much at night but the pain was fine by morning. Such episodes of pain and happiness are common in LL journey.
One important piece of advice is that while you decide on your surgeon, please ask your surgeon to set a meeting between you two prior to the surgery.  Talking to your physio is very much essential especially during the lengthening phase. If they haven't handled many CLL cases then, believe me, you are going to be at the losing end. Surgeon's 90% job is done by the first day and then it is your physio who is going to be your all-out angel for next 3 to 6 months. Insider info: Surgeons doesn't know much about Myology as it's not their job to know so, thus it is the job of a physio to know-all about Myology and thus they are the specialists of this field.  So having an experienced physio by your side should be the second highest priority on your bucket list. The second thing is don't be conned by terms like trauma physio or professional physio. Simply put a big cross on such physios. The reason is that your pain doesn't know mornings or nights so it isn't gonna seek your advice before coming and thus if they are too professional of a heck then be prepared to howl and wait for whole nights or evenings before you can establish contact with them. You just need is a responsible and CLL experienced physio. I mean you don't go to a cardiothoracic surgeon for a neuro case or do you?....better you decide it for yourself.  Sayonara    

[montahn]

Perfect keep going & post regular  . If you dont mind what is your real height  ??

[Adward]

Perfect keep going & post regular  . If you dont mind what is your real height  ??

165cm

[Adward]

Day 8: My bandages were removed today.   

Day 9: Harry is an expert in his work. Today my pin sites were cleaned along with my surgical incision sites. I got a new pair of sandals specially custom made for my needs. Don't be jealous, you will get one too if you are brave enough to face this surgery.    Dr. Sharma visited and green-lighted me to start lengthening from tomorrow.   

[Adward]

Yes I agree, the mans had a diary for the last 4 days and not even 1 comment. Even though most of us arnt thinking about going to this doctor we should still support a fellow LL'er, hell at least acknowledge him.

Anyways congrats on starting your journey Adward  !

I havnt done much research on Dr. Sharma, what made you choose him vs the other indian LL doctors?

For all of those people who keep asking if or why a foley catheter is necessary, this is why.

Thanks a lot for all the wishes and sorry for such a late reply. I actually had relatives in India who did all inquiry regarding Dr. Sharma and his experience for me. They are actually quite powerful people and thus after thorough investigation referred me to Dr. Sharma. Many previous patients who had done LL in India recognize him as Dr. Sharma.

[Adward]

Day 10: I lengthened 1 mm for the first time today. Would be doing 1mm for first 3-5 cm. Every day I will be doing four rotation of 0.25mm each. Pain has not been a problem but just boredom and little discomfort are all I can complain about. Food in the place is tasty. Staff is very humble and more than willing to help. It also depends on one's own attitude though.
Day 11: All of us had a party today, was nice to pull so many people's legs and then playing the patient card each time someone dared to do it to me.....hahaha 

[Adward]

[montahn]

Day 10: I lengthened 1 mm for the first time today. Would be doing 1mm for first 3-5 cm. Every day I will be doing four rotation of 0.25mm each. Pain has not been a problem but just boredom and little discomfort are all I can complain about. Food in the place is tasty. Staff is very humble and more than willing to help. It also depends on one's own attitude though.
Day 11: All of us had a party today, was nice to pull so many people's legs and then playing the patient card each time someone dared to do it to me.....hahaha 

its perfect  how about internet connection ? Can I use laptop during LL day ??

[Adward]

[Adward]

its perfect  how about internet connection ? Can I use laptop during LL day ??

Yes, and speed is also good.