kyadreamer
19 September 2006
I wasn’t going to write anything and then I thought of how important reading other people’s stories had been to me, so here it is. It was suggested by my orthopedic surgeon (I have bad knee arthritis), that I have this surgery in April 2004. It has taken me this long to realize I cannot do it on my own. So somewhere in July I realized I should look into surgery, but I was very iffy about it. I don’t want to have to have surgery. But more important to me are the factors that motivate me to have it. I want to be able to walk. I want to be able to spend time with my niece’s new baby (Due in October), and play with him like I did when my niece and nephew were young. So the motivation was high.
On 12 August I went to the information seminar at Alvarado Hospital in San Diego ( I live in Yuma, AZ, but for reasons best not said here, I will not go to the hospital in Yuma if at all possible). My father had heart surgery at Alvarado, and my brother and nephew have both had sinus surgeries there also. We have had a good family relationship with the hospital, so I chose it. Dr. Owens happened to be the presenting physician at the presentation, and I came out greatly reassured and convinced that it was the right thing to pursue.
So, filled out the packet, and started the process. My PCP has been a little difficult to work with, but with the help of my mom and dad (retired and with time to go bug people, or call often), we are finally getting all done. Got the letters for insurance done in about 3 weeks. I also scheduled my own Psychiatric exam (would not recommend the man I saw). So on 12 September I faxed all my paperwork over to Dr. Owens’ office for the submission for insurance pre-approval. I also started to set up the Cardiac clearance visits since I have High Blood pressure. Worked out really funny. My brother and I, unknowingly, both had a stress test on the same day and our echo tests were two days apart. Both are fine (and the family was greatly reassured as heart disease is a family problem). Then the waiting began. A whole week (what a whiner I am). Yesterday I got a call from the Dr. office that my insurance had approved me. Wahooooo! Then the hitch. Dr. Owens’ now requires and upper G.I. prior to scheduling surgery. AAAAKKKKK! Can you tell I am not a patient person? So, that is the challenge next. Tomorrow I go to get my heart (yes, I have one, prior to popular belief, and no it isn’t stone or ice) results. I am also doing the lab work tomorrow morning.
Just a note on my biggest concerns:
Money! This is not a cheap thing even with insurance coverage. We will be paying Dr. Owens $3,500. since he isn’t a provider. Also, we (my family support staff), will be having to stay in San Diego for 10 days, so hotel room and food. Then there is the co-pays for the heart doctor $260, the psych eval $200. and lab work $60. Don’t know what the upper G.I. will cost. So, as any single struggling person, this is a burden on the finances. I solved it by taking out a loan, but it is still a worry.
Time off work! The people I work with are not the most sympathetic, so I am not telling them about it. I have a scheduled amount of leave I accrue, and I am trying to save up for the surgery. But with taking time off for tests and such, it is going fast. I am hoping to have two weeks for the surgery, and then I will have to go on leave without pay.
Timing! With the holidays coming up I am worried about scheduling the surgery. I want to get it done and over with, but my niece is due to deliver at the end of October, and my brother is having surgery on his knee in the middle of October. Oh well, all told, I really believe that all things work for the best, and I will get it scheduled at the right time when it is meant to be.
So far those are my worries. I am not close enough to worry about surgery or recovery.
26 September 2006
Wow! I've got a date. I just called the doctor's office this morning to see if they received all the information, and the nurse said how about this Thursday? I said "you mean day after tomorrow?" So, I guess I won't have time to think or be nervous or anything. Too busy getting things done. Pray for me.
28 September 2006
I am so grateful for this web site and being able to write and read with others. Today is surgery day and I am thinking...Whaat am I doing?. But deep down I know everything will be alright. I am just scared, and having to wait until this afternoon is kinda hard. I will make it though. See ya on the losing side.
7 October 2006
Hey, I made it. Surgery was uncomplicated, my doctors and nurses were great. The hospital was great. My family was more than great and I am finally at home now. Because of my knee arthritis I cannot walk much, but I have an exercise bike and am using it and following the protien shake diet. I am also taking my vitamins faithfully. I find I feel great in the mornings, but wear out in the afternoons and just don't want to move. Everyone tells me that is normal. Anyway, to all of those of you out there contemplating this, I think it is a good thing. It isn't easy, and I woke up from surgery thinking, what have I done? But in the long run it will be worth the work.
23 October 2006
Three weeks out of surgery and I am back at work and doing well. I have lost 28 lbs so far and hanging in there with the diet. I'll admit I do miss food. Our family spends a lot of time feeding each other and getting together for dinners and such. It isn't that successful now that I am not eating much. But we are working it out. I am still not feeling 100% energy wise, but I get better every day. Can't think of anything else new to add, except to those of you looking into this, it is a powerful way to change your life.
13 November 2006
Just wanted to update. Things are still going well. I have had a few incidents where I ate a little too much and felt like I was going to throw up, but it passed.
Just a little note on comfort food. My mom was in a car accident, and though fine is in need of 24 hour care and waiting on. My father is diabetic and usually my mom waits on him....well now it is me. Which I really am glad to do, except I am constantly exhausted, and my nerves are starting to fry. I work 10 hour days and then go home and fix dinners, clean house, give pills, shots, etc. Well, the other night it was just too much, and I had a mini breakdown. I was sorry I had surgery (real pity party going on) because I couldn't eat, my knees and back were still hurting (one of the reasons I had surgery), and more than anything else I wanted some macaroni and cheese. That has always been my comfort food. I tried to call a few support friends, but no one was home, so finally I just got every one to bed and read a book. That seemed to settle me down.
Now I know all you moms out there are very familiar with this and are thinking, that is nothing compared to what I do each day. And I salute and admire you. Unfortunately, I am not a mom and haven't had much practice at going and going and going without rest. Still, I just keep telling myself how lucky I am my mom wasn't hurt worse than she was, and that I love my parents so much that doing anything for them is worth it...if I could just have that macaroni and cheese...just kidding. I am down 40 lbs since surgery, and that is what I need to focus on.
6 February 2007
I haven't written in awhile unfortunately. Been so busy. But things are still going great for me. I really, really am glad I had the surgery. I have lost 70 lbs so far and am making an appointment to go to my orthopedic surgeon this month to find out what I need to do to get help for my knees. I admit I still miss pasta and carbs like that, but I am doing well, feeling pretty good, more energy, and all. I am starting to feel like I need to buy new clothes, but don't want to waste money on something I might not get to wear long.
Anyway, for all of those out there thinking about this...I advise it. If you want info, write to me.
6 June 2007
I am just catching up. It has been 7 months and I am down 110 lbs. Eating is not really a problem, though sometimes now I do eat too much and feel sick. I am trying to learn not to do that. Don't have any other problems, and my Dr. says all is well. I plan to lose 20 more pounds, but don't really want to lose more than that. My knees are doing much better, though they still get sore. I find I can do a lot more now. Enjoying doing things and the new clothes, but don't really feel any different otherwise. Still busy with the same things. I guess I don't think about how I look, too busy doing other stuff. No major life changes for me, except that I can do more things physically, my health is incredibly better, but not much else.
28 January 2008
I am updating again. I find I am getting sick a bit easier, I think I need more vitamins. I haven't been faithful daily, going about every other day. I am kinda wondering about the changes, or lack of them in my mind. Sometimes I feel like I am a large woman trapped in a small body, well not trapped. I know I need to change my thinking. I am still having knee problems, but that is because I am doing a lot more physical activity. Still, I would do the surgery again in a minute. It really has made my life better. I find that I just don't have to have a lot of things, like sweets, breads, white flour items. Sometimes I have a little bit but most of the time I just avoid those things. I haven't had a cookie or an icecream since before the surgery, and don't really want one. I start to feel tempted, but then think, no, don't need that. So for anyone out there thinking about doing this, please look into it. It is really worth it.
