I've done a lot of thinking about my mood the last few days and I think I've figured a few things out. I waited so long for my insurance to change so I could have insurance that covered the surgery, but I don't think I was prepared for the 'hurry-up-and-wait" that happens when jumping through the hoops of getting surgery covered. Making the doctor and surgeon appointments, getting to all those different appointments, trying to make sure I cover all my bases so I don't have to deal with appeals, quitting smoking, starting to take vitamins and calcium a million times a day (ok - I exaggerate a bit - lol) and always worrying something may not work out as I've planned - It was all just driving me CRAZY!! So, I'm working on letting go. I have to remind myself that I truely believe divine intervention led me to this path - and I must continue to trust it.  If He leads me to it, He'll lead me through it - this is my motto!!  And reminding myself of that has eased my mood a bit. 

In other news, I had my first meeting with the nutritionist. She was absolutely terrific!! I felt sort of 'validated' in a way because the nutritionist was amazed at how much I already knew, and commented several times that she couldn't believe how fast she was moving through the information. I see her again in a couple of weeks, and she helped me set some goals to meet between now and then. I'm incorporating a multivitamin w/iron and calcium into my daily regimine. Along with that, I'm having 8 oz. of skim milk for a snack 3 times a day. I don't mind this, but it's just odd having to remember it. I may have drank my last soda - ACK! The nutritionist won't 'sign off' for surgery until that has happened. I could wait a while, but I figured what the heck. I may as well bite the bullet and do it - and I imagine I'll save some money doing so!  Given how expensive vitamins are, that's a good thing!

I also met with my PCP so he could draft a letter supporting my need for surgery. He has been so incredibly supportive! I will give my arthritis doctor a call next week and ask her to do the same. On a technical note - I'm having all this 'supporting evidence' faxed to my surgeon's office (per his instruction) and it will be all sent together in one big packet. The surgeon said if it's not done this way, the ins. company may open separate cases for each thing submitted, and that could be disastrous!

I had my first appointment with my surgeon last week. I'm still processing it all. I was a bit irritated because he was running late and rushed through my appointment. I still have some questions I want answered, but I'm not worried about them right now. One thing that has be a bit concerned was that he is in the national guard and may be called up for a 3 month stint. This could screw up my plans to have the surgery during my summer break. I have to admit that this has me in a bit of a funk - I've been feeling quite depressed. I hate feeling this way. I suppose that's why I've been avoiding the boards and such for a while.