Debbie47
I guess I might as well fill in something here :-) As another lady had said I don't really like describing myself but hey everyone else is o.k. with it why not me LOL. Well I'm 47 years old I'm at 5'6" tall and weigh 260 lbs. I'm a type2 diabetic pills and insulin dependent most time 5 shots daily, I have known that I was diabetic for around 10 years now.I have bad arthritis (sp) getting late here LOL. Just found out today that in 2000 they found out I had degenerative disease of the spine, wish they had told me about it :-( Could be why my back hurts alot. I have severe obstructive sleep apnea in all sleep states so now I use the cute little cpap to sleep still haven't got used to that thing yet.I have neuropathy in my feet from being diabetic and sugers not under control. I have lots of trouble walking before I get halfway around our block my feet,legs and back are hurting so bad I can't stand it. I want this surgery so bad.
My Mom right now is not really liking this idea she is afraid I'm going to die but she does support me she is beginning to ask me more have I heard anything or not so I think she will be o.k I keep telling her the good Lord will take care of me and I will be fine I couldn't go this journey without him by my side :-)
I do have a wonderful family a loving husband whom I'm very thankful for my Mom, Dad, daughter that is 26 and a son that is 25 and a very special friend so close to me Carrie.Oh I also have a chi baby dog mickey whoo is 5 and a tabby cat buffy that is 8 they love me to (especially when I'm feeding them).
I guess this is a good place for reasons for this surgery:
1. I want to LIVE!
2. I want to get off all the meds I have to take all 17 of them and also not have to poke needles all the time
3. I have no grandchildren at this time but when I do I want to run with them and play sit in the swing with them at the park which would be impossible the way I am now.
4.I want to be able to go out and plant flowers in my garden and be able to sit on the ground to plant them and not worry about not being able to get up.
5.I want to be able to go for walks and not get tired and my feet hurt and back and legs and be so out of breath.
6.I would love to join a gym with my friend and be able to work out.
7.I want to be able to go in a store and worry do they have plus sizes in 3x or 4x.
8. It would be wonderful to really look good in a bathing suit (a sexy one).
9.I want to be able to wear a necklace that fits and a watch that fits.
10.To be able to sit in the car to drive and be able to touch the gas pedal without my stomach being in the stearing wheel.
There are soooo many other things..Everyone that is making this journey know what I mean. You know one of the last letters that was sent from one Dr. to another Dr. about one of my surgerys he stated on top MORBIDLY OBESE FEMALE with a body mass index of 40. I hope to see the day that they are no OBESE words on any of my paper work. That is what I pray.
06/02/05
Update: I have a appointment WooooHoooo! Got registered and will be going for my first appointment next week. I'm so excited finally getting the ball rolling :-)
06/08/05
A journey is one step at a time, but today I got pushed back some steps :-( After working on getting everything togeather for my first visit and talking with someone in Dr. Colquitt's office that said it would probably make a difference on the Bluecare waiting list since I have medicare for hospital coverage and Bluecare for the Dr's charge. Well I had to wait until I went to the office to find out they are no longer taking Tenncare patients at this time. I have to wait and see what Tenncare comes up with in about 2 months. Even tho I do qualify for the surgery...I cannot have it because of Tenncare Bluecare. They also said that the waiting list was already to the 1st of the year because they could only do 1 Tenncare patient a month. Sooooo needless to say I was very depressed when I left the office. I would have perferred if they had called me before I even went and tell me instead of being embarrassed to go through the waiting room after I had been crying. There was also a lady there to pay her registration fee that has the same insurance as I do and she said that they told her to hurry and register while they could get Tenncare patients in before they might not get them approved. Go figure!
Anyway I'm thinking about changing to all Medicare Ins. I will continue to check out Dr's. Even tho I very depressed right now I'm not giving up I will just look other places to.
06/10/05
I can't believe it!!!! I'm back to having a chance at surgery!!! A very nice lady named Pam from Dr.Colquitt's office called this morning and said there was a mix up on the insurance because I also have Medicare Ins.She said they were sorry about the mix up and that we could go ahead and try for the insurance approval.She was very understanding to my feelings. Sooooo I guess we are starting agian :-))))
06/14/05
YES!!!! I have a appointment again. I get another chance to see Dr. Colquitt tommorrow! I'm so excited and scared to don't know what to expect this time but at least I have a chance again I'm just praying that everything goes o.k. Went to my regular doctor yes and he put me on a inhaler for my breathing when I go outside I have a hard time breathing sometimes he said that would help. Well will write more after tommorrow.
06/15/05
I had my consult with Dr. Colquitt today and he excepted me as a patient!!!!! I was so excited. I have several things coming up that I have to get done like a ultrasound of my tummy to check on my Liver and have blood work done. Then back to a weigh in, I'm trying to lose some weight before surgery and then I have a appointment with the dietician for a consult and then a look at the wellness center. But the biggie has yet to come...the insurance approval...I'm just hoping and praying that it goes thru. I think they will summit my paper work as soon as I get it all in. Well gonna run for now, I will keep updating.
07/07/05
Well it has been a little while since I have updated. I have completed all my test and have everything turn in to Dr. Colquitt. I'm hopeing that next week everything will be turned into insurance and I'm just hopeing and praying that it is approved. I got a letter yesterday from my insurance saying that I'm only going to be able to get 5 meds a month and currently I'm on 17 so if I don't get to have the surgery some will not be taken as I cannot afford them. My husband also has health problems and his meds cost alot to so I don't see any way of staying on all my meds. I will just keep my trust in the Lord he knows all things. I have been dieting, Dr. Colquitt said I need to lose 25lbs before surgery and I'm working very hard at it. Since June 15th I have lost 16 lbs!!! I am very happy about that and my family is also they all know how bad I want this surgery to be able to have a new life again a new start. I even was able to enjoy the 4th of July I was the one to do the cooking so I just made the things I could eat and everyone like it also so it worked out well. Geee this waiting is sooo hard you get excited some days and some days you get depressed I don't know that I have went through any thing this hard ever. But I do believe that the lord will not put anymore on you than you can stand so I will make it through this. Until next time.
07/30/05 Well I have a update. I have a date for surgery!!!!! I'm very excited but also very nervous I guess after all the wait and then it is finally time you get to thinking about all the what if's. My surgery will be August 23rd I will be the first one that morning so it is going to be very early.I guess you can say it was a very good anniversary present because I found out while I was on my anniversary vacation and it made it great! It was our 10th anniversary and we spent it in a beautiful cabin up in the Smokey Mountains so the news was great to hear. I had thought of what I would look like when I come back next year. I know it will be cheaper to eat .
I've still been dieting to lose weight before surgery I have a goal of 25 lbs. and I have lost now 22 lbs. so I only have 3 lbs. to go before surgery. It has not been easy but I have a strong will to do it and I know that I should go ahead and get use to not eating the sweets and breads and things because I will not be eating those after surgery anyway. I guess I look at it like if I can't be strong enough to avoid those things now then I might have trouble after surgery with food issues, I feel as tho my doctor and the help of the good Lord is giving me this chance to live and I can at least lose some of the weight to help the doctor and myself through surgery. But like i said before it has not been easy but you just have to keep focused on the end result.
Will go for now but will keep updating.
08/05/05
Well it is finally into the month of August. I have been pretty busy lately my daughter is moving back home for awhile and I'm real excited to have her here, she will also be with me through my surgery and when I come home she is a wonderful daughter and very supportive of my decision for the surgery. I have to let everyone know that as of 06/15/05 I haven't had to take not ONE insulin shot it is sooo good to not have to be stuck several times a day. I do still take the pills but my sugars that was ranging from 250 to 355 are now around 100!!!! I'm very pleased. But I also know that without this surgery this would not last very long as everyone knows about the diet yo-yo I know you all have been there done that. So I can already see what this surgery will do for me and even tho as time gets closer I'm a little nervous I'm still ready for this. And I know that with the help of the lord and a great doctor I'm be in good has and I'm not afraid :-) Oh for those of you who are animal lovers think of my baby chi today he is having surgery today to be fixed and I'm sooo worried about him :-( I love that little critter just like he was a kid so if you read my profile today say a little doggie prayer for him. I also have been writting and talking on the phone to a wonderful new friend that is going through the surgery also and I'm meeting her for the first time today for lunch!!! I'm real excited about that. I have meet many wonderful supportive people on this journey and it is wonderful, you know when you are obese it seems like everyone is watching you but on here everyone is with you heading in the same direction. Just wanted to update a bit..everyone have a Wonderful Day!!!
Debbie
08/16/05
Well I have 7 days left until I will be on the losing side! Gee sometimes it seems like it is not really real that I will wake up and it will all just be a dream. I can't imagine being healthy being able to do things to go outside and be able to breath be able to work in my flowers ( I really look forward to next summer). I would like at this update to Thank all my family and friends for being so supportive of me and helping me so far with the pre surgery dieting.I have a loving family of course we all have ups and downs sometimes but in the tough times we all know that we are loved and that makes us even stronger.
I'm going into surgery not afraid of the surgery because I know that I'm in good hands I feel that Dr. Colquitt is a excellent doctor and I feel very safe with him and I also have the Lord looking down on me from above so with that said I'll be just fine. I'm a little worried about the first few months afterward but I have a very nice friend from Obesityhelp that has been there for me and she has helped me so much her name is Judi DuBois I have not meet her but I hope to someday. I also have a great friend Charmin Brooks that has been making this journey with me and due to our weight loss surgerys and Dr. Colquitt's board we have been within 5 minutes of each other and would have never known it. I go this Thursday for my pre-op testing and my surgery will be very early Tuesday morning I'm the first one that day and if all goes well which I'm sure it will I will get to come home on the following Thursday. Well if I don't get to write anymore before surgery I will see everyone on the losing side!
Also a update on my baby chi he is doing great after his surgery and is adapting very well to the new cousin that is here with him.
08/22/05
I HAVE A ANGEL!! Charmin Brooks is going to be my Angel :-) I'm so glad I have a very good friendship with her since we have met. She will be having her RNY the first part of October and I will be strong enough by then to be there for her also. Thanks Charmin you are Great!
Now as for tonight..don't ask LOL..well I have got down the little green bottle of stuff "boy was it wonderful" NOT. I didn't like that stuff at all. I'm all packed and ready for tommorrow, not taking much hope to not be there that long. Well better run hubby wants to take some before pictures so maybe I'll have some for the board. Until next time..Everyone have a great day!
Debbie
09/11/05
(posted by hubby Rick)
Still in hospital after being re-admitted due to complications after the initial surgery. While removing adhesions (laproscopically), the small intestine was nicked, resulting in a leak, which in turn, became septic. I guess this is one of those things that we were warned was a risk...(sigh) Hope to be home soon! After several rough days, the patient is improving dramatically!
09/28/05
Well it has been awhile as hubby said it has been rough. Well as you know about the 1st surgery and how the small intestine was nicked, I went home and started having fever and a spot on my stomach was getting red and very hot. My husband called the office and got me in to see the Dr. The Dr. said he was going to admit me back into the hospital and do a CT scan of my stomach which showed the leak so around 2 a.m. that morning I went to Emergency surgery and this time I had to be completely opened up in order to get it all out he put in a drain tube and also a feeding tube. I'm glad that i am beyond that now that was not a very good time for me I was very sick. I even had thoughts that I had made the biggest mistake of my life it sure felt like it. I was in the hospital about 2 weeks then and I got to come home. Well I was hoping that everything was going to be alright now...but..I guess my tummy thought otherwise :-( After being home for a few days I begain to have trouble with nausea everytime I smelled something or even tried to drink water it tasted funny and it made me sick, so I ended back in the hospital for nausea and being dehydrated. The Dr. said that I have a ulcer and that was what was causing the problem. Well I'm home now and feeling better I still have a little nausea but I can handle it and I have meds here if I need them. I went back to the Dr. today he took out my feeding tube and when I started to get up I almost passed out so I had to lie down for awhile until I got to feeling better. I don't know how I would have made it through all I have if I hadn't had so much support from family and friends. God has really been looking over me and I want to Thank everyone for their prayers. Oh BTW I went from 259 on july 15th to 204 weight at the office today. I had lost 25lbs before surgery. I will update again soon.
11/09/05
Well I have been kinda slow on updating which I said I wasn't going to do but I do stay pretty busy. I have joined The Rush and boy have I been getting a workout I work with a personal trainer 2 times a week and then I use the other days for walking about 1 mile. I'm sore all over! But I know it is doing good :-) I was at a stall for about 2 weeks but when I started working out I weighed day before yesterday and I had gone from 193 lbs "the stall" down to 185 lbs as of yesterday!!!!! I love it! I still don't eat alot I just make sure what I eat first is my protein, but I still need to up my water some more. I have been out buying some clothes I have went down 2 pants sizes and about 5 shirt sizes and lost about 5 inches in the chest area so had to get new bras. I recently got a blood test done at my PCP's office and she called me to tell me everything was GREAT! I do not have to take any diabeties meds any more because my A1c or AC1 is now 5.1 hasen't been that low in 10 years and out of about 11 meds I only take 5 now and my vitamins, calcium and I'm taking Bioten for the hair loss I hope it helps it is worth a try. I just wish I would get completly healed in the incision so I could use the pool at the gym. But I guess I will later sometime during my 3 years.
I cannot believe how good I feel about myself I know that might sound strange but for so long I didn't care if the there was another day to come but now I love being me I'm happier healthier and already enjoy life so much and so many people are noticing and my husband loves the new look and clothes altho he loved me before he really has never seen me look like I do now he mentioned today that we were going to have to get pics up and I told him o.k. Well I will go for now and will try and write more sooner. Now total 74 lbs. lost
01-26-06
Well it has been awhile since I last updated. I hope to have a before picture up soon I'm working on it. I can't believe that the person in the picture was me cause I have changed so much alto I did have hair then (smile) but that is o.k. I'm dealing with it I feel so good now the hair will come back. I'm still holding good with all my blood work everything is great I'm now at 104 lbs lost and I'm in a size 12 jeans and usually a medium shirt and boy does it feel great! I just got a new swimsuit for the pool at the gym and this time it was a 11/12 instead of last years 28 I did get one with a skirt attached because I have the dreaded upper thigh excess skin but hey who cares at least it is not a size 28. I do now have the excess skin on my arms and stomach but I hope to get back to the gym more to work on that but I'm happy if it stays there it is not a real bother to me. I was afraid I would be bothered about it before surgery but just to feel the way I do and to not have to take insulin shots or pills any longer the skin is worth it. I still do not get very hunger I usually eat at least one good meal a day and then have the protein shakes in between. I'm now working partime first time in 9 years and actually would like to work more but it is o.k. for now I can't hardly stand to be doing nothing I'm on the go all the time wheather it be here at home or doing something else. I have been enjoying going out on weekends and dancing something I also have not done in years because I was to ashamed because of my size now I just put the jeans on and hit the dance floor (smile). Well I guess that is enough for now will write again soon.
02/16/06
I have pictures!!! Thanks for the picture work, they are great! Well I have been busy lately with working and the weather here we have had some nice days and I have really been in the spring cleaning mode. I'm doing really good and still losing I'm able to eat more of a variety of foods now just small portions but I enjoy my food much better now. I'm clothes crazy LOL. It is so much fun to go and get clothes now my daughter and I swap shirts all the time and she is even giving me jeans she can no longer wear. We go out alot togeather much more than we did before because I didn't ever feel like it then. It has been so much fun we go dancing on the weekends and I really don't get tired anymore before I would not dance because I felt so embarassed by my weight. As for food I stay away from sugar and most greasy foods I don't like the sick feeling but I do enjoy good food and have learned that foods are still good you just have to prepare them different and watch the menues when you go out for food and it hasn't been really a big deal for me I'm not dying for chocolate or any sweets and I hope it stays that way. I love the way I feel now and I'm happy eating the way I need to eat now. Well better run now, will post again soon.
04/28/06
Hi everyone, It's been a while since I did a update so I thought I would update a few things. I was in the hospital a month ago having some stomach pains, they did a scope on me and said there were no ulcers so I was really glad of that! Blood work showed that my protein level was way down so I have been working on getting more protein in. I'm doing lots better now as far as the stomach problems goes but found out today that I have a torn rotator cuff, spurs and fluid in my right shoulder. I have had it in a sling now since April 6th just wasn't getting any better and ohh so painful. They did a MRI on it on Tuesday and today I found out the results, I'm not happy at all because I have to have surgery on it on May 11th they said I will have to stay in the hospital over night and it will be 6 to 8 weeks of healing time, I guess you could say that really made my day. I just started back to work part-time a few months ago and I have been off work when I was in the hospital and for the past 2 weeks with this shoulder now I'm going to be off for quite some time, I guess evently I will get well but it has got me a little depressed.
As for my weight loss I'm now at 136 lbs so in 7 months now I have lost 123 lbs. I'm not losing fast now it has really slowed down but I'm at least still losing at this point I don't even want to think about gaining a pound :-) I eat, it just dosen't take much to fill me up and yes, you know when to stop your pouch lets you know (enough) already. Easter was actually fun I got to eat eggs (smile) 2 of them. I'm learning how to cook the right stuff now even hubby eats it and it's good for him to and he dosen't even have a weight problem.I have been fixing some really good Chili with Deer meat which has hardly any fat in it and I love it! I still cannot tolerate grease in anything but that is only a good thing I don't mind.For once since we were married I weigh less than him, he says it is still amazing to be able to put both of his arms around me now! I'm feeling the effects of the leftover skin but I haven't let it become a problem to me, hey I had a belly hanging before surgery and a 54" waist so I don't mind one now with a 34" waist and size 12 shorts and pants. I don't plan on visiting a nude beach anyway LOL.
My life is so different now I can get outside in my flowers and work and don't even sweat and boy is that different. All of the reason I had for having the surgery I have accomplished all of them now and I'm so Thankful. Well I better hit the hay will write again soon.
