Dearest Friends and Family,

On Thursday, February 7, 2002, I embark on a new adventure! I will be having a surgical intervention called a biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (hereafter referred to simply as the DS).

As you are aware, I have grown into a rather round individual. Of course, I have always wanted to be thinner, but it has not always been horrible being "round". That changed about 3 years ago, when life started to catch up with me. I was living in Denver, and at the 1-mile elevation, I began having breathing difficulties, and soon found myself on 24-hour oxygen and a cpap machine. I found it difficult to walk across the room without turning blue.

Opting for a lower elevation, I moved to the California central coast, but although a bit better, my hypoxia continued. Some of my co-morbids are diabetes, high BP, sleep apnea, hypoxia, major joint problems, fibromyalgia, etc., etc. Although I have this year finally succumbed to using the electric carts in the grocery store, I find that it is still exhausting to me to pull it all together. If I walk about 20 feet without oxygen, my O2 level will drop into the 70's... And even if I do have oxygen, I am in such pain walking more than a 100 or so feet, that if I do walk into a store, I walk directly to the aisle I need the one item from and then walk directly to the cash register. Then I am done for the day.

Whereas I used to be a fully functioning professional woman, I am almost totally disabled. I have never applied for disability, but that was most likely a big mistake, because it has left us quite financially drained.

I have had 3 doctors tell me that I will be dead by the time I am 50, and since I turn 47 Sunday, January 20th, I find that a bit daunting. Therefore, I am giving myself a birthday present, and I am having surgery and will be in hospital over my birthday.

After a lot of research, I became convinced that the best surgery for me would be the DS, but unfortunately, my insurance company will not cover it, (...lots of energy toward appeals, but no luck). My 70-year old widowed Mother has mortgaged her house to help me pay for the surgery. I am incredibly grateful that my Mother so generously sacrificed her security for my health.

Our out-of-pocket cost will be over $25,000 (barring complications), which is more than our net pay last year. We will be on a 10-year payment plan, but the hope is that if I am able to return to work in a few months, it will be less daunting to pay it off.

Gene was initially quite upset at the prospect of this surgery; however, having watched my physical decline, and the ultimate degradation of my spirits because of my inability to function, he has come to realize that it is the best choice for my future.

What are the risks? Generally the surgery has a 1% death rate and 10% complications rate. Because of my compromised lung capacity and asthma problems, the death rate is probably 2%. But, since the complications of remaining as I am are also extremely high, I think the risks are worth it. Of course, if I happen to fall in that 1 or 2 (of 100) that die, well, it was a risk I had to take. I asked Gene the other day if he were to walk out the front door and he knew that he had a 1 in 100 chance of someone shooting him dead, would he walk out the door? Gene's quick query was… "what's on the other side of the door?" When I said "the lottery," he unequivocally said he would go out it.

The fact is… if I survive the DS, as far as I'm concerned, I win the lottery.

Unfortunately, the risk of death is not over when you wake up from surgery. That is half the battle, but the other half is from a blood clot…and the risk remains for up to 3 months post surgery. The task is to be up and walking from as soon as I can stand on my two feet, and not to stay in one position too long. If I'm going to have this surgery, I certainly plan to survive it!

Of course, I have a website regarding my surgery. You know me, I have to share everything with the world… whether it's good or bad ;) You can find it at www.growley.com/mywls/index.html

I have a lot of fantasies of how good life will be post surgery. I think how terrific it will be to be able to walk into most any store and buy an outfit. I know a lot of people have goals of being a size 6, but I will be so thrilled if I could ever fit into an 18 again, and I would think I was in heaven if I could fit into a 16. Hopefully, these are possibilities, but I will settle for being able to walk on the beach again, take my grandchild to Disneyland in 10 years (he/she hasn't been born yet... but someday!), and more than anything to be able to take a good deep breath in!

I hope to be writing you from the "other side" in about 10 days. I'll be in hospital for 4-6 days, and then in a hotel in Delano, California (near the hospital) for 3-4 days following this. I would so appreciate your prayers over the next few days!

I don't expect disaster, but in case there is, I want to tell you how much you mean to me. Family and friends are the most important thing in my life. I can't imagine what life would have been without you. Distance separates most of us, but everyday I carry you in my heart and mind. The joy I feel each moment is due to you. Thank you for being a part of my life.

From our house to yours... All our love,

Elle and Gene Rowley

Delano Regional Medical Center 1201 Garces Hwy. Delano, CA. 93215 (661) 725-4800 My Surgeon:   Dr. Keshishian

We will be staying in Alpaugh, CA with my cousin Jim