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on the other side. I can't wait to get started losing weight. Every time I have lost weight I have been so happy and please with the results, but then old habits would take over and back it would all comes with company. After next Monday the 8th the weight will be going, going gone forever. I am please to say that Gail Pocha has agreed to be my angel. I have waited so long for this surgery and now that it is coming closer I have just have a little tingle in my stomach and I know it will be getting bigger and bigger as this week goes by. I am calling it antisipation, happiness, relief, lot's of names I could call it. I am not nervous, as I put this problem of mine in God's hands last year when I couldn't get the coverage to have the surgery and I know he will be watching over me. I have my whole family as a support group, our kids and spouses, our grandkids, parents, cousins, aunts and uncles and many many friends. Wish my luck as I am almost there!
April 10, 2002
At long last I can get excited. I HAVE A DATE.
(((((July 8th)))) It is still a while away, but at least I have a sense of accomplishment. My wonderful husband take me to Washington and Oregon every May for the last few years to visit family and have a wonderful time on the beach. I say it is my renewal time. We are leaving May 4th for three weeks. This year I plan to do the happy dance in the waves and let my husband take my picture, which I am always reluctant to do, and then next year we can compare. I might even feel like posing then. Sounds fun doesn't it? I love lighthouses and everytime we go over there we find another one to look at and take pictures of as I also love watercolor painting. I am just getting over a Rheumatoid Flareup so getting this news is really helping. There are so many medical problems that I am going to see go away this next year. I even have a seven year old grandson (one of eleven) that's worries about my weight because I can't take walks with him or go out to the ranch and watch him ride his horse anymore. He sits with me in my recliner and tells me things we are going to do when I feel better. Sounds like more fun doesn't it?
I have had arthritis for about 17 years and have had both knees replaced and now my feet are giving up. I am having problems with headache from my neck changes and lower back problems. I am looking to lose weight and try to get as much of my life back as possible. I am sure the losing 175 pounds will help my joints, and give me a little more freedom of movement if not a lot more freedom of movement. I have been heavy all my life and have been successful in the weight loss area I just can't keep it off. I have a wonderful family life now and I need to unload some baggage as I am suffering from depression. Depression is alot worse than being heavy, having arthritis, it is the worse think I have even dealt with. I know losing weight will help me alot to recapture the person I was. I know it is help me have more fun as a grandma and let me do more things with them. We have nine with another one due in Septmeber. They are all so unique and wonderful. I hope they never get overweight. I made my two girls a promise the day I had them that they would never be fat under my roof and they never were. I kept them active and provided health snacks. Funny, my son was so skinny as a child I didn't think I needed to promise him. Well, he wasn't heavy in my house, but at 34 he is "chunky" has to watch that waistline. I am planning on having this surgery without letting them know. I have to have my gallbladder out with it so I will just let them think it's that. As I start to loose weight, I will tell each one on a need to know basis. I just don't want it shouted from the rooftops of this little town I live in. I plan to just tell everybody else that I am on a protein diet and let it go at that. Everybody is used to me being on a diet. I want to have more energy so I can keep up with my house and let my husband have more free time. If the insurance comes through, I will have surgery on June 18th, but before that we are taking a vacation to the Pacific Ocean. He was raised in Everett so there is family there to visit and we will do a week of that, then we will take our camper and spend about 10 days clearing our heads and getting ready for this surgery. Our six year old grandson is coming with us to add the fun. Sand castles are on the agenda to show him how tides work. etc. We should have a nice trip (taking my wheelchair with us) and come back to our new life (without the wheelchair). May God bless you all and keep you safe and happy. The happy, I think you need to do yourself.
June 3 2001
Fifteen more days to wait. Sure with I had the written approval in my hand. I could relax a little better. For now the verbal will have to do. We are back from vacation and it was wonderful. Seeing things through the eyes of a child make things seem sunny and bright. I just watched the tape from my video camera and it turned out great. There is one taken about sunset and Josh is running parrall with the ocean and the highlights are great. Still have to put in five films from out 35mm to get processed. I think having such fun with him and my husband helped me get ready for this, as I feel so calm and ready I keep wondering when the panic will set in. Boy after looking at the video film with me walking around the ocean it made me all that much more ready. Beached whale came to mind, aaaahhhhhGoodyear Blimp also. 100 pounds gone forever by Christmas--yeh! That's my goal. June 18 to Dec. 25th sounds reasonable.
June 14, 2001 I feel like a part of me died this morning when my insurance company found that I did fit the criteria, but they would only fund my surgery at 50%. That would leave us with about $10,000. to pay on our own. We aren't able to do that at this time. So I will keep working on it, but I don't see it happening any time soon. I will keep all of you in my prayers and my God be with you all.
June 23, 2001 Recieved my second letter from the insurance and they have approved me for the surgery but still only at the 50-50 option. So they have overridden an exclusion because it is a medical necessity, but it is still out of our ballpark. I have submitted another letter asking for at least 80-20, but I'm not real hopeful. With the 50-50, if I had one little complication it could put us in debt for the rest of our lives. At 55 we are trying to save for retirement. Hoping I make it to retirement. Please send your prayers my way. I am going for a sleep study tonight as I am tired of waking up with a headache. Maybe it will give me some more energy to haggle with the insurance company.
August 10,2001 Still haven't heard a word. Guess Monday I will restart my phone calls. I sure hope they get tired of hearing from me soon and just O.K. it at regular prices. I just can't give up on having the surgery because I know it is about the only way I will ever be able to get rid of this weight forever. I just want to know what it feels like to be under 200 pounds and feel attractive again. Right now I can't even walk in front of the mirror without thinking about what it would feel like to want to walk in front of that mirror.
February 7, 2002
I having to wait until August '02 to have my surgery. I keep reading the posts almost daily. I can't wait until I have a success story to print. I will keep you in my prayers, and ask the same in return. I don't suppose anyone has something that will quiet the pain of neuropathy as that is the latest thing I am having to deal with. My hands and feet constantly feel like they are charged with electricity. It is bothersome and painful. I am taking Neurotin four times a day, but that just takes the edge off. I can't wait until after surgery to see how many of my problems go away as I lose! I am counting on being a new person.
Photos
 300 Put that camera down! One of the few snapped of me. |
About Me
Before & After
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