You are a Maine Coon! You are larger than life, a gentle giant. You are independent, but very affectionate with your friends and family.
Take this

9/6/06 I was cleared by the cardiologist (finally) yesterday when the results of my Holter study showed everything was normal. Turns out I don't need to start on beta blockers after all. The cardiologist said my heart rate was probably elevated due to nerves.
I met with the surgeon,Dr. Cussatti, today. He will be submitting the documentation to my insurance for approval. In the meantime, I have to have an abdominal sonogram done to see if I have any gall stones. If I do, Dr. Cussatti will remove my gall bladder during surgery. Then if all goes well and I get the approval right away, I will be scheduled for the surgery by sometime in October. OK Lord, You brought me this far.....Could You finish the task....please???????
It will be 2 months tomorrow since I started this incredible journey. I am blessed for the support I have received in this endeavor.



9/19/06 The news is not to good today. I had the abdominal sonogram done last week. I went back to Dr. Cussatti today expecting to finish up my pre op experience. Instead, Dr. Cussatti informed me that he had good news and some not so good news. There was no evidence of Gall Stones (good...) but the sonogram did show an abdominal mass by my belly button. As a result, I have to have a CAT Scan of the Abdomen and Pelvis done with contrast. He gave me the presciption and I left his office in a state of shock. I used my cell phone while sitting in my car in the parking lot to try and schedule the CAT Scan. To make a long string of phone calls more condensed, I have to call Good Samaritan back tomorow morning to schedule the Scan because their computers were down. I was informed that I would have to wait at least 48 hours for the appointment. In the meantime, I have to get bloodwork (BUN and Creatinine) done.

10/7/06 well, these past weeks have been tough. I had the CAT Scan done with contrast at Good Samaritan; and they recommended an MRI of the pelvis. I had the MRI done at BAB Radiology. Dr. Cussatti wanted me to get GYN clearance for the surgery. So, once again I spoke with my PCP, and was very blessed to be referred to an excellent GYN, Dr.Leo, who is also afilliated with Good Samaritan. I saw Dr. Salvatore Leo on Monday; he is the kindest, clinically astute person. I truly am blessed. Thank you Lord for staying closeby during this journey.Dr. Leo feels the mass is an ovarian cyst;but he referred me to Dr. Benjamin Schwartz, a GYN Oncology Surgeon.The term Oncology Surgeon was a little scary....but I am confident in who holds the future. I saw Dr. Schwartz yesterday. He is also top notch. He laid out the plan to me....He believes the cyst is benign but there is always that small possibility it is not. He will have to remove the ovary because he does not want the cyst to "spill".It will be sent down immediately to pathology for analysis. If it is benign, Dr. Cussatti will go on to do the bypass. If it is malignant, I will have to have a Total Abdominal Hysterectomy. I put it in God's Hands. Please Lord, let this cyst be benign and allow me to undergo the bypass uneventfully. Dre. Schwartz told me I do not have to return to him. He "will see me on the table" What a thought.....



10/12/06 There are no words to describe what I am feeling. I was officially denied today. I called my insurance carrier early this morning to see if a determination had been made. I was told they received the packet on Monday; and they are reviewing it. I should have an answer from the surgeon's office by Friday. Well, when I got home tonight, the answer was right there on my machine. Although I have tried every diet known to man since I was 13, I was denied because I did not have a recent 6 month physician supervised diet on file. There goes all my aspirations to be healthy and weigh less. If I start the supervised diet now; all my testing will be obsolete by the time it is completed. I do not have the time or the money to go through those tests again. So, my dream is over. Eventually I'll go to have the ovarian cyst removed; but there's no rush now.



10/13/06 My PCP is trying to contact the Medical Director at my insurance to attempt to have the decision overturned. He was not available today; so he is supposed to speak with her on Monday. Please say a prayer for me this weekend.



10/20/06 I got some phenominal news today!! While I am still waiting to see if the denial will be overturned; I learned that my company is switching insurance carriers to Blue Cross Blue Shield as of 1/1 !!!! So the worst possible scenario is that I will have to postpone my surgery for a little over 2 months. God is Good!!!!!!


11/15/05 I spoke with my PCP today. She worked with my insurance company and the outcome is ---a weigh in this week and a weigh in on 12/1. Then the Medical Director will APPROVE the surgery!!!! 2 1/2 more weeks!!!! Then I'll be on my way to being a loser.....

12/1/06 Well, I went to my PCP today for what I thought was my LAST weigh in before seeking approval; but when she investigated, we found out I have to wait one more month because the insurance company "does not count" the first month. We mutually agreed that I should stay with Cigna instead of moving over to Blue Cross because it doesn't make sense to start over at this point with another insurance company. Okay, what's one more month? I have the rest of my life to be skinny.......


2/12/07 I AM APPROVED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Surgery is scheduled for 3/12/07.