Linda Ton
I have 4 kids who I cannot wait to play with again. With all the health problems lately I haven't been able to do too much. I am hoping WLS will give me the tool I need to finally get rid of all this weight, even half of it would be great!
2004
6-18-04 well its been a while since I’ve updated. I am still determined to get the surgery done. I have been denied twice, and waiting a date to go in front of the board to appeal again. It has been almost a year since I’ve decided to go through with the surgery, and I am more determined than ever to get it done. I hate the way I feel, and the way I look. I
want to be able to do things like everyone else. Hopefully I will hear something soon.
7-1-04 today was my in-person appeal with bcn. Hopefully everything went alright, I have a good feeling.
7-7-04 I got my letter in the mail today, APPROVED! I can't believe it, finally after a year of waiting I got approved. God is good. Now I have to wait for my surgeon’s office to call me back and give me a date. It doesn’t seem real yet.
7-8-04 I finally have my surgery date...8-12-04, my new re-birthday. I have so many new feelings going on inside, I just can't explain it. I have wanted to do this for so long, but I got to quit smoking now. Not only that, but I want to try to eat more healthy now too. I gave up the pop and junk food that wasn't too hard. The kids are getting scared, so i am trying to reassure them that everything will be all right. They will be much better off having a mommy who can do things with them; instead of maybe someday-them taking care of me, I couldn't have that. My kids are my life, I’m doing this for them.
8-4-04 I am trying not to lose it. I have fought for this surgery for over a year now. What else could go wrong? What am I getting the runaround for, it's really starting to piss me off. Last week Harper hospital called to set my appt up for my Greenfield filter to be put in, so we scheduled it for Monday the 2nd. he told me I was all set and didn't need a referral. then later a lady named Susan called me from the financial office at Harper hospital telling me I have to pay 50% of all costs, which would be around 9,000.00 or so. I let her know about my supplemental insurance and she checked and said they said they'd cover everything bcn didn't . and I also asked her if I needed a referral for my testing and she said no also. so Monday I got up at 5 am to get to Harper by 7am. as soon as I got to registration she wanted a referral, I told her what I was told and waited 2 hours for her to finally get a hold of bcn , and indeed i need a referral. so I went there for nothing. It has taken me 2 days to get the info to my pcp from Dr. Webbers office for this referral., all the while I’m listening to Dr. Webbers insurance person telling me it isn't her job to do this and I should have known, and saying I have to come up with $10,000.00 anyway. omg, wtf was all the attitude from her about? So I gave her the info I got from the financial person at Harper and she’s bitchin telling me "you need to get a pen and paper and take these peoples names down!" So I faxed my insurance cards to her and have heard nothing now. Is this surgery ever gonna happen? all this time arguing on the phone and Dr. Webber himself calls me and says "with all these obstacles I’m wondering if I should give your slot to someone else". wtf? they really need some communication at this hospital, if he don't do it as scheduled, I may just call Cori.
8-7-04 Well every thing is straightened out and I am scheduled for my filter and pre-op testing on Monday. After that it’s just 3 days till surgery. Hubby’s taking a few days off work this week for the hospital and taking care of the kids. I wish I had someone to take care of them, I hate being a lone in the hospital. But it will all be worth it, and I’ll have to try extra hard to do well and walk so I can come home early (crossing my fingers). I’m starting to get scared now, but no way will I back out. I’m just hoping all the confusion is over.
8-11-04 It’s finally here. I have sat and looked at my kids all-night and cried, I have to do this for them. But then I think, what if something happens, they can't live without me. I have fought a long hard battle to get here, I can't give up now, and my kids deserve a healthy and happy mom. I will make it. I have to. Its just hard to believe that tomorrow I will be a loser. See you all when I get there.
8-21-04 Thank God I am still alive! I just came home from the hospital, and I have to say that I sure wouldn't wish that experience on anyone. I showed up for surgery, 630 a.m. , got all prepped and ready to go. Just then I had doubts that maybe I shouldn't be doing this, but I didn't listen. So off to surgery I went. According to docs, surgery went great! As soon as they woke me up, I crashed..... No breathing!!! i was in congestive heart failure. So on the respirator I went. When i woke up i was so terrified.I stayed like that about 7 days, completely drugged up, and remember every second of it. The morphine was horrifying, i hallucinated the whole time. They kept trying to get me off the vent, but my throat kept closing. Finally I got off the vent and onto oxygen, which I am still using. They also have me using a bi pap machine for sleep, which is scary as hell to me too. I am up and moving around all right, I just can't wait to get off the oxygen and feeling normal again. Thank God that I am home, I missed my kids and hubby terribly.
9-09-04 today has been 4 weeks since surgery. i am down 42 pounds and bmi of 56...feels ok so far, can't wait to lose more. i have finally been able to eat chicken, turkey, fish, tuna, cooked veggies (no corn or peas) and a few condiments. it feels awful to eat! I just hate how i feel when i get full. i had maybe two spoons of food and i about barfed. it don't even really taste good anymore, not like i remember anyway. today i went shopping and came home...usually before surgery i would have stopped and got burger king, or a pizza for me and the kids. well today i didnt and when i came home i felt disappointed.....i didn't have anything good to have, i was so surprised at how i felt. well, it has to get better, right?
10-2-2004 It is so good to be home. last week i had to go to the er by ambulance , not breathing again. i woke up and starting having a hard time breathing. My kids were right here watching, they was getting ready for school. My hubby called 911, and by the time they got here they had to start resussitating me. I was in a coma for four days, with no memory of anything after my husband grabbing the phone. I was on a respirator 4 days this time, but thank God, no morphine. I now have pneumonia and now
have a staff infection. so i am on i.v. antibiotics at home with a visiting nurse. I am down to 284 in 7 wks, and very very tired. I hope God is done testing, i am awake now and will be good to myself from now on.
10/10/04 i am doing great i think. my breathing is good, no attacks lately, and the lung doc says my lungs are clear, so the pneumonia is gone. i found out i was having an asthma attack when the ambulance got here, then i got pneumonia in the hospital, go figure. whatever it was, i pray it never happens again. i am making my body much stronger, walking more than i ever have and gained a few pounds back. the steroids have given me an appetite, which i needed cause i was so malnourished. but i'm gonna go have all my vitamin levels checked tomorrow and see how i'm doing now. everyone sees the difference and is so proud of me, and i feel so much better. i sleep straight through the night, havent done that in a looooooooong time, probably years, and i dont take naps no more. i cant wait to be able to get a job and get out of the house, plus the money would come in handy too. well thats it with me, hope everyone is doing as good.
11-01-04 tomorrow i go back and see my surgeon, dr webber. i was in the er last week with an asthma attack again, only this time i was awake when i got there. I met the doctor who saved my life, dr doyle, he is such a smart man. i was put back on steroids and had a breathing treatment and a chest x ray. everything looked good. the next day i seen my pulmonologist. he thinks my problem is sleep apnea, so i started using my bi pap. i have to admit, my breathing does seem better(though it could be the steroids.) and my voice is getting a lot stronger. i am doing my best to stick to the bi pap, and will know about the sleep apnea soon. my sleep study is the 7th (six more days) and i cant wait to get it over with. i will be so happy to be better and be sure to know that i wont have any more attacks. i pray that i will never wake up with a tube down my throat again. i am getting all my water, protein and vitamins in, and i'm eating good....too good , steroids are evil! LOL. will update again soon.
11-08-04 well last night i went for my sleep study, finally. the technician didnt tell me much, but said for sure i need to come back for the second part to be fitted with a cpap. well, i already have a bi-pap, so i wonder what dr maxwell (my pulmonologist) is gonna tell me to do. i have been using my bi-pap now for two weeks, and i feel so much better. what an improvement!! i was so in denial, i just did not want to wear that stupid mask. but as it is turning out, it just might be saving my life! i cant wait to go see dr maxwell on the 16th and get my results. i am also wondering if this is the reason for the breathing attacks? my breathing seems so much better, most of the phlemn is gone, and my throat dont feel like something is stuck in there any more. also, my voice is almost back, finally after three months. oh, i bought a treadmill yesterday, got a weight machine, and my mother in law got me a stair climber machine. i have the breezeway almost ready to make into a exercise room, just gotta put some thin kind of carpeting down since its so cold in there. then, got to get the tv and cable hooked up in there too. cant wait to get it finished! i finally lost some of the water weight from the steroids too! so i'm back at 280 (-80 pounds) and cant wait to lose more. still got one more week on the steroids, i pray this time i can stay off of them. I hope everyone is doing well.
11-18-04 well i get the periods from hell now LOL. i have never had such bad cramps in my life, i hope it isn't forever.
i have been off steroids for three days now, and i feel great. I pray i can stay off of them forever.
i went to see dr maxwell (lung specialist) yesterday, he gave me the results from my sleep study. out of 5 hours that i slept, i stopped breathing 195 times. i was in such denial, and just couldnt believe it. Thank God i have started using my bi pap machine. anyway hes gonna send me for the second part of the sleep study and wants to get me on a cpap, and wants me to get rid of the oxygen....that will be on dec 12, so i hope i can finally get rid of the oxygen. whats the difference in a cpap and a bipap anyway? all i know is that the bipap has made a world of difference in my sleep. i feel so rested now, and my asthma hasnt acted up lately (knocking on wood). he done some breathing tests again too, this time was much easier and he said i was breathing normal....can you believe it? me? normal? yeah i had to laugh at that one when he said it. anywho, three days off steroids and hopefully they will be out of my system in the next few days so i can lose again. I know i dont have the appetite i had when i was on them, i could never get full. so now my daily struggle is getting in enough protein and water again LOL , but i'll take that over the breathing problems and steroids anyday. I hope this time i can finally get my life back to normal. I mailed in my picture , hope it gets posted soon.
11-30-04 well today i woke up with a cold. this is the first time i've been sick since surgery in august, i feel awful. i have no idea how to deal with it or how to treat it. i have been drinking lots of water which i know will help a little. I'll be glad when its over.
i am down to 274 now. i was hoping the scales would move since i've been off the steroids for two weeks now. but nothing yet. i know it will move soon, just waiting is driving me nuts. i done really good on Thanksgiving, i hardly ate anything. i get full soo easy. oh well, all i am gonna concentrate on is my water and protein, and vitamins.
since i seen my doc last week, he said it was ok for me to work now, so i've been looking for a job so i'd have money for Christmas, and so i could get out of the house. so far, nothing. I feel bad for my kids, it don't look like i am gonna be able to do anything for them for Christmas, all the money we get now isnt even enough to pay the bills. i'm praying for a change. God Bless
12-11-04 well i'm doing good today, kinda tired though. the kids are keeping me busy, one just had tonsils out, and two birthdays this week. i just got my protein order a few days ago i ordered from susan maria...so far, they're pretty good. it isnt that smelly stuff i couldnt stomach, its actually good. i will definately be ordering again from her. tomorrow i go for the second part of my sleep study, the cpap titration i think its called . i cant wait to get it over with. i am getting so sick of all these doc appts and stuff. i am just glad that i havent gone into another attack. i do have a bad sinus infection, which makes it hard to use my bi pap at night. but the doc has me on 2-1000 mg augmentin twice a day, it seems to be helping. i am finally losing again, down to 265, 5 more pounds to hit the century club. cant wait. hugs to you all.
2005
1-12-05 Hi all! Today is my 5 mos anniversay, and i am down to 252 pounds, so -108. I am so happy. i am losing really slow, but i'm still losing. my doc says my bp is low, which was weird as i had uncontrolled high bp pre op. my lungs are getting better, and i'm only on preventative meds for my asthma. LIfe is great!
2-12-05 Today is my 6 mos anniversary. i am at 238, so -122. I am also lactose intolerant now, go figure. its made it really hard though, i never realized how much stuff has milk in it. I am really missing my cottage cheese too. Today i am getting ready to go to a friends house to cook for their two sons birthday party tomorrow. usually my husband would do most of the cooking, but not anymore. i am so different than last year. Last year i couldnt stand up for more than 5 minutes, and that was really pushing it. Now, i walk , jog, exercise, do all the housework too. I love my life so much now. My husband is loving my new life too, i guess i seem to care more about everyone now too. i havent smoked for six months, was smoking over two packs of cigarettes a day . I was never happy before . i am so convinced that my life would have ended already if i wouldnt have done this surgery. i still have about 60 pounds to get to goal, but as long as i get under 200 (about 40 more pounds) i will be overjoyed. I go see my surgeon, Dr Webber , on tuesday. i cant wait to see what he has to say. The medical supply company came this week and took away my oxygen....omg i am so happy about that. they also replaced my bi pap with a cpap. so everything is gettting much better. cant wait to get to goal.
3-16-05 Hi All!! I am doing pretty good now, except the stomach pain....who knows what it could be, i hope nothing serious. It is just like the pain from drinking milk, only i havent had anything with lactose in it. Hopefully dr webber can figure this out. i'm down to 230 pounds, was on a plateau for a month!! I am waiting to hear my blood results, hopefully they are all fine. I finally started working again, after four years....i like it, just tiring and have to get used to it. i hope everyone is doing good.
4-18-05 It is just so beautiful outside, i'm so glad winter is over! Everything is going really good, and i feel really good too! I am really tired lately, but i've been busy so thats probably why. I wish i didnt have to work so much, i love playing outside with the kids now. omg, for the first time in 10 years, i can ride a bike again. what a blast! The kids are enjoying me now like never before. I can't wait to take them swimming this summer, i know they'll enjoy that. Maybe i'll even take em to cedar point, that should be fun.
I'm down to 216 now, and i can see my dream of being under 200 right around the corner. I thought it would never happen, but i'm still following the program and not able to eat too much. I know when the day gets here that i hit 199 i'm just gonna cry. I started at 360 pounds, and could barely move. I am so proud of myself, and love it when ppl say things or don't even recognize me. ok , i hope everyone is enjoying the weather.
5-24-05 I am doing a lot better these days. I'm very tired though, so i'm going to the doc to get my vitamin levels checked. My job is going okay, it's getting easier every day. I could have never done so much before surgery, i am so happy i done this for myself. I go for another sleep study in june, the pulmonologist thinks i may not need the cpap anymore. I will be so happy to get rid of it. Today i am down to 208, but i am eating a little more, but trying to eat smart. i hope everyone is doing well.
6-27-05 Today i made it to ONEderland!! I am so proud of myself for making it so far. i have lost 163 pounds in 10 months, WOW!
I went for my sleep study and got the results last week from my pulmonologist. My sleep apnea is still here, but not so bad now. I am now going down to a 6 or 7 on my cpap, and the doc says probably 20 or 30 more pounds and it will be gone. I'm really happy about that. I feel great, and am now enjoying my life and my kids.
08-30-05 i'm down to 185 now. I am still so amazed how different my life is now. I never imagined doing as good as i have. My family reunion (my moms side) is in two weeks, i can't wait to see everyones reaction when they see me. I haven't seen any of them in two years. I so love it when people don't recognize me, it makes my day. Not only have i lost the weight, but my hair is blonde now too. I like it, but i might have to change it before my husband ends up in a fight. LOL I need to make my appt with dr webber for my one year check up, i can't wait to see him. I have just been so busy, i haven't had the time to go. I go see a throat doc on sept 7 to find out about my throat and voice. It still isn't back to normal from when i was on the respirator. i hope theres something he can do, and maybe that can help with my sleep apnea too. I am so tired of the cpap, i wish i didn't have to use it anymore. My teeth seem like their crumbling. I have to go to the dentist tomorrow to have one fixed, i'm hoping to not have it pulled. i am terrified of the dentist, i have to be in extreme pain to go. The kids are back to school, they were all so bored being home and are glad to be back. i'll update more after i see the throat doc.
Future update (Email the html team for more dividers.)
9-16-05 i'm down to 183 . I've been so stressed lately. The throat doc says theres just scar tissue, but if he removes it , it would probably just make it worse by adding more. He also says i have acid reflux, imagine that. Next week i go see the pulmonologist and he'll probably send me for another sleep study. I don't worry about the apnea anymore, my cpap is saving my life and whatever i have to do i will. I won't stop using it til he says so. Work sucks! The kids are driving me crazy too LOL . I hope everything gets back to normal soon. Will update more later.
12-04-05 Hi Everyone! This has been a great month! My primary doc started giving me b12 shots and it has made all the difference in the world. I have so much energy. I'm so happy with myself now and feeling great. My back and hips are hurting though and my doc says i need to get the tummy tuck done soon. I really wasn't planning on the tummy tuck, but i don't like my back hurting so i'm gonna look into it.........i'm scared of hospitals!!! I'm down to 178 now, i just can't believe it. I passed Dr. Webbers goal of 180, so i guess i'm a success. I'm getting tired of people not recognizing me now, sometimes i like it and have fun with it. I finally bought a new coat yesterday. First i tried on the XL, too big. So i bought the Large, and today i realized i could have gotten the medium cause the large is kinda big too. I can't believe the changes in my life and how much i can do now. What a difference a year makes!
1-10-06 I just went through and read my profile from the beginning. WOW! I had such a hard time, but i sure would do it all over again. I have got so much energy, i could have never dreamed life would be so great. I love being with crowds of people and laughing....before i kept to myself and was embarassed. My self esteem is high, which i've never experienced my whole life. I hope this year is as great as the last.
4-25-06 wow, some of my profile is missing! The whole year before surgery and then the last three i posted. How weird. I quit my job in march, and got a new job in a circuit board factory. It's ok, just working with my mother in law drives me nuts. She is so controlling and spies on me all the time. But i tell her how it is , nobody can control me LOL. I haven't lost anything this month, i'm steady at 168, which is fine, cause after i get the skin removed i'll be perfect. So i have lost 192 pounds, how cool is that? I am planning on doing some seminars for dr webber, since i am so grateful to him for changing my life. Life is so great now, i'm working days and have the whole afternoons and weekends off. I miss working with the public though, but i'll adjust. If i could just go to sleep earlier i'd be set. I am still getting my b12 shots, which helps with lots of energy for the month. I've seen a lot of newbies on the board lately, i hope i can help them through this journey, it is such a different life, and one really can't understand it til they go through it. I wish you all a wonderful uneventful journey.
Future Update
2006
9-08-06 wow i haven't updated in a while. a lot has happened too. I am dealing with a sick kid, for about three or four months now. I ended up losing my job because of it, and have started a part-time job that is really flexible. I am now down to 155 and feeling great. i'm getting in all my vitamins and water, but haven't been eating as much as i should, so i gotta work on that.
