Surgery Update

Well, I had my surgery yesterday. I was back in surgery for about 40 minutes. They were able to find some spots of endometiosis. They also found a fibroid in my uterus. He said it was small. You can see from the attached picture. I guess everything else was normal. I am in some pain still, but am up and moving around. Andy has been real good about taking care of me. He also got up this morning and took Samson out for me. I have another hole in my belly button. I have one more hole lower, that just went thru my old scars. I have a new hole on the side of my abdomen next to my left hip. I was out of the surgery center pretty quick. I got there at noon and I went home around 5:00 p.m. So, here are some of the pictures that the Dr. took while he was in there. Viewer discretion is advised. =) You should be able to click on the picture to enlarge.

Ride-a-longs, surgery, oral boards...oh my!!

Well, the last few weeks for me have been pretty crazy. I am in the process of moving. Actually, I'll be out of my old apartment by tomorrow. I have moved in with Andy. He lived in the same apartment complex so I didn't move far. This last weekend I went on another ride-along. This time I rode out west with one of Andy's buddies from the academy. It was very interesting. I know that area so well since I grew up on the west side. It felt very comfortable. However, I did run into a few people I know. That may be the hardest thing about working out west. If I get thru the WPD academy, I think my first choice will be the west side substation. Not that what I want really matters. I think they may take it into consideration.

I have my surgery Wed. of this week. I scheduled it for a day that Andy has off so he will be around. His mom, who is a nurse, is also taking that day off for me. I'm sure everything will go OK. I'll keep you all posted.

I got a call today from the Det. at the Law Enforcement Training Center. We scheduled my Oral Board interview for Monday, April 14th at 2:45 p.m. Hopefully I won't still have to be too doped up. I am sure I'll be functioning fine by then. She said she really wanted to get me into this oral board because they are probably not going to be doing too many more before the July class, and she wanted to make sure I got in in time to be considered for the July class.

Polygraph

Today I had my polygraph. That was one of the most stressful things I have ever done. I don’t think it matters if you are the most honest person alive, it will still rattle you. I know I didn’t have anything to hide or lie about, but you start to psych yourself out. You think…well, what about this or that. I was sitting there with those things around my chest and I could just feel my heart thumping against them. My ears were buzzing. I can’t imagine how people can be calm when hooked up to that thing. I did pass. So, my next step is the Oral Boards….again. This will be with a panel of 3 commissioned officers and 1 civilian. It is a little different than the SO boards. They score you based on 9 categories. He rattled some off, but I don’t remember too many. Basically, everyone comes in ranked at a 5 in each category. As you answer questions, your score goes up or down based on your answers. He said I have to have a 5 in each category to pass. I will know as soon as it is over if I passed or not. The next step after passing oral boards is the command staff interview. That is the one I am dreading most. I tend to get a little nervous and intimidated around people of high authority. That interview will be with the Chief himself and a few other high ranking officers. The guy that did my polygraph today said that they are planning on having a big class in July. They are looking at 30-35 people. That is mainly because they are anticipating the creating of the new Central substation. This will add 93 new officers to the roster. I’ll let you know when they schedule my oral boards. It will probably be the week after my surgery.

On to the next phase

So, it has been pretty crazy the last couple days. Yesterday I had my first contact interview. It took me an hour and a half to fill out the 37 page form. Then I was in my interview for about 45 minutes. Things seem to be going well. There are tons of people who apply for WPD so I have no idea where I stand. All I know is that I keep passing each phase and get to move to the next one.

This morning, I went to the training center for my agility test. For those who followed my SO stuff, it was all the same thing. However, WPD didn’t make me run as far. So, I did the obstacle course in 37 seconds. On the body drag, I totally messed up and fell on my ass, but I did still do it in less than 9 seconds….barely.

So, next week I get to go in for my polygraph. This is something the SO didn’t do so I don’t know how it will go. I’m pretty sure I have nothing to hide, but you never know. So, check back after next Wed. and see how that went. After that will be the Oral Boards….again.

Moving fast....

So, in one day, I have taken my written exam for the WPD; scheduled my first contact interview; and am planning for my agility test. I went in this morning to the city building for the written exam. I scored an 87, which is 2 percentage points better than I did on my SO exam. For WPD we had to do a typing test. I can type 56 WPM. Woo Hoo! That should be real handy driving around in a cop car. They should have done a “how fast can you write” exam. I’ve seen the paperwork they have to fill out. I have scheduled my first contact interview for the morning of March 25th. They will have me fill out a 37 page packet. It will probably be like the 29 page one I filled out for SO. Then, if I pass the first contact interview, I get to do the agility testing again. She said I should be able to do that on April 2nd, so it is done before my surgery (weather pending). She said I have made it in time to still be considered for the July class. Check back next week and I can let you know how my first contact interview went.

Wichita PD

Well, last night I did another WPD ride along. I just love it so much. As I was riding I was able to keep up with the activity of all the other stations and the sheriff’s department. I realized as we were running from call to call, that the sheriff’s office is a snooze compared to the action of the WPD. When I first applied for SO, that was all I knew. I didn’t have anything to compare it to. Now I have seen the light. Yes, they both do have their pluses and minuses, but in the end, I want the action. I have spent the last 10 years being bored at my job and always trying to keep busy. I want to make law enforcement a career and I just don’t want it to be another boring job. One of the 4th watch sergeants have been recruiting me big time on all my ride-alongs. I think last night he talked me into it. So, as soon as I get all my paperwork together, I’m going to apply for WPD. I just really hope it isn’t’ too late to get into the July class. The sergeant said it isn’t and that they are recruiting like crazy right now. So, we will see. I have about 3 weeks before my surgery so I need to get the ball rolling so I can at least get all the physical testing done before the surgery. So, keep checking back for more updates.

My Surgery

Well, I have scheduled my surgery. It will be April 9th. It is a routine outpatient thing. For those of you who may not know, when I was 15 I as diagnosed with Endometriosis. About 10 years ago they went in, via Laproscopy, and were able to control some of my growths. Well it has been 10 years and the pain is back. I go in around 1 p.m. and I should be home that night. I will be down for a few days. Then I won't be able to play VB or work out for a few more weeks. So, please have me in your thoughts on that day. I have never been real good with anesthesia. We'll see. It should be fun.