One beautiful word...

Apr 20, 2012

APPROVED!

I work for a hospital as a medical photographer and we are responsible for taking all the photos a hospital could ever need. Tonight was the annual Bariatric Ball held for WLS patients. Some 400 people were in attendance this year. I was not supposed to be the photographer at this event but in a twist of fate, I was tapped last minute for photo coverage. I am so glad I went too because the department secretary was the one checking people in and I had been talking through emails earlier this week with her about my packet being sent in for approval to the insurance company. I wanted to check it got sent and see if she knew how long I should expect to wait. She told me that it was submitted last week and we should be hearing something this week. So anyway, when I saw her she double checked my name badge and said "Oh, we got your approval today!" I'm pretty sure the next thing that happened was I squeeled and gave her the biggest hug while tearing up. That put me in just the best mood for the rest of the night. She said "you won't be able to work this event next year because you will be in attendance!" I checked with her three times that night to be sure she had my name right. She said she remembered me specifically because she honestly didn't think I would get approved because of a kink in my required dietician visits. She also remembered that I moved to Wisconsin from Hawaii (it makes me really memorable around here, lol). She assured me she had my name right and encouraged me to talk to the PA Chris who handles pre-ops. I told her I didn't want to bother him while he was at the event having a good time and that I would check in next week. Once he gives the ok that I don't need to jump any more hurdles like quitting smoking or meeting a weight goal (neither of which apply to me) I will get my surgery date!

So now the reality sets in. She said because of my choice of surgeon I will be having the surgery sometime in May. I am hoping for late May since my work schedule won't be condusive to time off before that. I know most people are anxious to get the first available date but I need this to fit in to my life and frankly late May is only about 4 or 5 weeks away and man, does that seem close for such a MAJOR life change.

I am truly thrilled tonight as I write this but also extremely nervous and scared.

So now in addition to April 20th being the sad anniversary of the Columbine tragedy as well as Hitler's birthday, it will be the date I learned I was approved by the insurance company for a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy.

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