Good Sunday morning, it is Labor Day weekend and I am 10 days out of wls (RNY) surgery. I am so glad it I had it done even though I am still in the recovery stage. Taking into consideration that I weighed 260 when I was discharged and now weigh 241.8 lbs.almost 20 lbs in 10 days. I can't wait till there are 40 plus lbs gone and then the rest for a total of 130 lbs.
IS it possible? Why Not!!! I had an idea. I was surfing the net and thought I would check out the local colleges and see what it would take to earn a degree in nursing. Sound crazy? Maybe, considering my age (51). How ever my parents always said your never too old to learn. I have about one half of the credits that I would need to complete the course so that means only about 18 months of classes and I would finally do something I started a long time ago. Finish a degree in something.
If I can get a degree in nursing I will have knowlege that no one can take from me. I will have the skills to make money and not be dependent upon another. I will hae a sense if accomplishment that I can really do anything if I set my mind to it. (even tho I have proven to that more than once to myself).
Of course the classes that I am seeking admission to will not start until september or 2010. That gives me time to get my wls out of the way, the tkr if it has to happen and to decide if that is what I really want.
Imagine me a Nurse. Something that may happen after 33 yrs of trying to finish my education.
I was supposed to have surgery today and begin to get healthier. We all know that didn't happen and why. I refuse to take things lying down or to take NO for a FINAL ANSWER.
I have spent too much time on the sidelines. I have made an appointment with a trainer at my gym to see what kind of intense work out I can get into. I need to take charge and do what I have to try get things under control.. My bp is up again ( 160/90), the knee is almost like it was before the surgery. Zell dosen't like taking me on the bike too far for fear of me getting ill or other things. I have a great deal of difficulty getting on an off of his motorcycle and its not big either. My knee does not want to bend as well as it did when the surgery was first done in April. I want to be included in EVERYTHING and left out of NOTHING. I want to wear a smaller size, be able to walk and not "bump"into anyone. To squeeze through small places just because I can. I want to stop taking all of the meds that have so many side effects.
I deserve to have a fulfilled life. I deserve to be healthy and I will be.
I refuse to take this hand I was dealt lying down.
The sky is the limit and I will SOAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I feel I should explain why I posted the request for clothing for my son. I will try to be brief as not to bore anyone.
I was married for 25+ years to a man that was manipulative to every one in his life. We had two children together and since I never had the opportunity to get to be with my real father growing up I decided that no matter what my children would have two parents together. BIG MISTAKE. I had little self esteem when I married ( pregnant and "had to do the right thing") and he continued to destroy the rest over the next 25 + years along with any I tried to establish in the two kids.
I had no support from family, friends, or social services. I could not go any where or do anything with out my ex-husband finding out where I had been, what I was doing, and who I had spoken to. He, his family and my stepfather were all conected with the law enforcement and clergy in the area and I was watched every minute of every day.
As a father my ex-husband abused the kids mentally, physically and emotionally to the point of having my son at the age of 12 on his knees begging for his musical CD's that he had just bought. His father had a hammer and was threatening to smash them because the boy had made some smart remark to me. At times my ex-husband would get angry over something only he knew about and would grab our son out of a sound sleep and practically throw him down the stairs.
One of the worst things my ex-husband did was dis enroll my
son from high school two yrs in a row just because a grand parent was ill ( old age) and I was in need of a hysterectomy.
Our son tried to going back to school as a Jr. at the age of 19 and of course that didn't work.
every time my son would do something good his father would minimalize it and not be the least bit excited about it.
my ex-husband would run hot and cold with his temperment and
would let the kids have no freedom at all.
My son just got his GED and is still living with my ex.
Like I said my son is the reason I moved to md in the first place. It was not easy trying to raise two kids alone even tho I was married and not being or having good role models for them.
I had planned ot move to md to be with Zell just not when I did. My son got upset about me spending time here and not having wheels to get around and got very upset and threatened to cut the tires on my vehicle. After a huge argument, I left for work and decided over the week end I was not returning to NJ.
It took my son from February until Mothers day that year to call me and just say Mom I love you.
My children and I grew up together since I was only 18 when my oldest was born. We are still very close.
I understand that my son needs to stand on his own, that is one reason why him comming to md is not an option. But he is still my son and me assisting him in any other way is not wrong.
My ex husband reaction to him not qualifying for job assistance was yelling at him and saying it was going to cost him money because I was going to come after everything I could get. Ie its my sons fault again.
Sorry this is so long and boring but I needed to get this out of my system
I am up , down and all around this week. I try so hard to stay focused on the end of the journey but it gets so difficult when all you hit are road blocks. Not that I did't expect a fight at the very begining. Just gets frustraiting when something is needed and can not be easily obtained. I am curious to see what happens with the National Health Care Reform. Does that mean that jobs like mine will go away? I sure hope not, I at least earn enough to pay my bills and have some bennies. Plus if jobs like mine go away what will that do the current job market. I know some people that have been out of work for almost a yr and some even longer.
When I read the letter from the insurance company I cried in frustraition. One person reviewed the appeal that was sent and decided NO period. Then in the next few paragraphs the letter informed me who to contact to file a complaint with and how they could help me get what I was looking for.
I have been in contact with the Maryland Health Education and Advocacy Unit here in Baltimore and when I told them the situation the opened a complaint right away and will try to mediate a solution to the situation. They aslo wanted the date that had been set for the surgery. ( 09/08/09).
We will see what happens .
so in the mean time I will try not to be up, down and all around.
Hello all, my name is Lori and look at myself as a budding rose because I am just beginning the journey of WLS. I am going through the preliminaries of the pre-op testing and nutritional counseling that is required. I have been struggling with my weight for more that 40 years. Most of the pictures of me growing up are of me overweight. There are a few during my adolescence that show me "thin" but that due to growth spurts. I now paying the price for being over weight. I have developed hypertension, hyperlipidemia,osteoarthritis, and sever anxiety; all of which will dissipate once the weight comes off. I also have been told that if I have the wls. that I may be able to delay the need for a total knee replacement for 10 years or more. At this time I can not walk very far, stand very long, house work, sex, and driving are all difficult due to knee pain and having to carry all the excess weight. I stand 5 feet and 5 1/2 inches tall and weigh 269 lbs.
I get embarrassed by my size, inability to keep up and having to set on the sidelines when my boyfriend and I go out to various social or business events. I can't share his love of motorcycle riding because I either weigh the back of the bike down, or i can't swing my leg over the bike. I love walking, horseback riding and being active but just can't it right now and this is not only frustrating for me but my boyfriend feels he can't /or shouldn't leave me alone thus he is denied his true enjoyment of life. I have gotten letters of medical necessity from my orthopedist, my family dr and asking my cardiologist for one as well as collecting as many medical records as can find to support the need for wls.
The only testing i have to do now are the sleep study and my psych work up and Finnish my nutritional counseling then all preliminaries will be complete. After all of this done the surgery date is set 2 months later.
I have United Health Care insurance through my employer and WLS is excluded on our coverage. I have done quite a bit of research and found the policy is written in California and governed by California state law and the California Insurance Commission offers Independent Medical Reviews for those that are denied the benefit. I also live in the state of Maryland ; one of the four states that requires group health plans to cover bariatric surgery. Now i am seeking a defintion of the terms " group heath insurnace delivered in the state of Maryland" any one out there have any idea what it really means?
I will be posting a pic soon, can't believe i am actually thinking about this. but why not. Its time for me to enjoy life and take an active roll; I am tired of being a wall flower and want to go on motorcycle trips, dancing, and horseback riding and what ever I feel like doing instead of setting on the sidelines and watching everyone else.
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I am up , down and all around this week. I try so hard to stay focused on the end of the journey but it gets so difficult when all you hit are road blocks. Not that I did't expect a fight at the very begining. Just gets frustraiting when something is needed and can not be easily obtained. I am curious to see what happens with the National Health Care Reform. Does that mean that jobs like mine will go away? I sure hope not, I at least earn enough to pay my bills and have some bennies. Plus if jobs like mine go away what will that do the current job market. I know some people that have been out of work for almost a yr and some even longer. 
