February 2, 2006

Hello, all. Just wanted to post an update on a couple of things. First of all, I contacted the insurance company this morning, and DH, Brian's case is officially under review. Shouldn't be much longer now before he gets his approval...I am not worried about him being approved...he has type ll diabetes, high blood pressure, hypertension, as well as other co-morbidities. It is just a matter of formality with him now. I now have an angel. Her name is Angela Russell and she is the one who turned me on to this site. Thanks Ange, love ya girl! Please pray for her step-son, James. He is 12 and is having some potentially dangerous medical problems. Also, my mom is having outpatient surgery Monday on her ankle. Please pray for a fast recovery. GOD is the great physician and he is STILL in the healing business! Good luck to everyone reading this no matter where you are on your journey. Future loser, Donna
(2Kings 20:5)





February 7, 2006

I am jumping for joy right now! Hubby also got approved!! Thank you again God! I just called the insurance company and his letter is going out today. He doesn't know it yet, because he is away from his desk. Hopefully, the worst of the waiting is now behind us. I will update again as soon as I know what the next step is. Now I am really pumped!! Good luck to you no matter where you are on your journey! Also, thank you Myra for sprucing up my profile. Very pretty!! Donna (2 Kings 20:5)





February 8, 2006

I HAVE A DATE!! It is March 2nd...of THIS year. I can hardly believe I got one so quick. Of course, this may have to be rescheduled due to the fact that I am not sure now that Dr. Torquati will do both surgeries on the same day! That upsets me a bit for the day is...My son, Josh and his wife Tammy found out today that the contract offer they put in on a new home has been approved, so they will officially be homeowners hopefully by the end of this month. Way to go kiddo's! I have so much to get done before my big day. I had no idea it would be this soon. Good luck to those still waiting. Donna (2 Kings 20:5)





February 10, 2006

I just got off the phone with Dr. T's nurse and she says he absolutely will NOT do the surgeries on the same day. At first I thought bummer...but I am now thinking that is GOD'S way of saying we don't need to have them on the same day. I must admit I am feeling a little bit guilty about mine being first. I guess the main thing is that we both will be having it. Besides, in general, men lose weight quicker than women, so, don't worry Brian, you will catch up to me in no time. I have a consultation scheduled for Feb. 14th @ 9 a.m. Then @ 9:30. I do all of my pre-admit stuff. I am so excited, I can hardly contain myself. I only hope that DH doesn't see what I go through and then back out. Please pray for both of us but especially Brian. He has never spent a night in a hospital or been put to sleep. He has seen a documentary on people "waking up" during surgery, and is a little apprehensive about the whole thing. ***THE FOLLOWING IS A SPECIAL NOTE FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS. YOU MAY THINK THIS MORBID, AND YOU MAY NOT WANT TO READ IT. IF NOT, SKIP DOWN TO WHERE THE CAPS ARE OFF.*** DEAR FAMILY AND FRIENDS, PLEASE DON'T WORRY ABOUT ME. INSTEAD, PUT ALL OF THAT ENERGY INTO PRAYING FOR ME. IF SOMETHING WERE TO GO TERRIBLY WRONG, THEN IT WAS IN GOD'S PLAN THAT MY TIME WAS UP. PLEASE REST ASSURED THAT I WILL BE IN HEAVEN WITH JESUS. I AM A WINNER EITHER WAY! I LOVE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU VERY MUCH AND HOPE THAT I HAVE SHOWN THAT LOVE TO YOU. IF YOU DON'T KNOW JESUS, PLEASE SEARCH HIM OUT SO THAT WE WILL BE TOGETHER AGAIN. I don't forsee anything going wrong, but just in case it does, I just feel that the above statement needed to be put there. The countdown has begun. 20 more sleeps and a wake-up! Good luck to everyone awaiting approval. Donna (2 Kings 20:5)





February 15, 2006

Hello to all of my OH buddies! We finally got huubby's approval letter in the mail on Monday. We are now waiting to see when his big day is. I met with Dr. T, the surgeon, yesterday, am am at peace with him doing the surgery. I asked him if he was a praying man, a Christian, and he informed me that he is a praying man, attends mass every Saturday, and relies on faith. Whew, what a relief to know your surgeon is a PRAYING surgeon. I also had bloodwork, a urinalysis, and an EKG done. Now I just have 2 nutritionist appts. to get behind me and then the big day will be here before I know it. Only 15 sleeps and a wake-up! Oh my gosh...I haven't even started packing yet! LOL! Dr. T was impressed with how much I knew about the surgery and was proud that I had done my research. A lot of that information came right from this site. Thank ye! His nurse Maureen told me she knew I was going to be a "fun" patient. She even told me today that she wanted me to keep her informed on our progress...she really likes me. ((big grin)). Hubby went with me so he doesn't have to see the surgeon when he goes for his consultation, he will just have to be weighed in. I have put in a call to find out when his date is, and am still waiting for a return call. I am also trying to get his nutririonist appts. for the same day as mine so we don't have to make so many trips to Nashville, about 45 minutes away. Many thanks to Myra, who placed my first ticker for me. I just couldn't get it to pop up! Myra, you're the bomb! DH and I had Valentine's dinner at Ruby Tuesday's and I ate my "Last Supper" complete with a huge piece of cake, called a Blondie. For those of you who don't know what that is...it is a HUGE chocolate chip cookie in the form of a cake. They give you this gigantic piece topped with ice cream and caramel sauce. Very good! Now I have to try and lose 5-10 more pounds by surgery day. No problem, I will just start my liquid diet today, two weeks before surgery. LOL A special thanks to you Brian, for escorting me around Vanderbilt yesterday. I would've been so lost without you! I am so looking forward to a healthier life with you! Good luck to those still awaiting approval. Donna (2 Kings 20:5)*****LATER SAME DAY***** Brian has a date! His surgery is scheduled for March 23rd @ 7:30 a.m. YOU GO BOY!!





February 21, 2006

Hello, all. Tomorrow is my first meeting with the nutritionist. Brian's is also tomorrow, same place, same time. I can hardly wait to see exactly what I can have to eat and when. I want to make sure everything I need will be there when I get home. And of course, I will have to share with Brian. That's ok...we've shared lots of things over the years. Please pray for him as he seeks direction on pastoring a church. He knows he has this calling on his life, and is praying for the door to open. Pray for me also that when that time comes that I will be the pastor's wife that God would have me be. I have been in a cleaning frenzy the last few days. Doing things I haven't done in months, just trying to make sure the house is in order so Brian can devote all his time to taking care of me. LOL. Brian, I know you are reading this and I want to thank you up front for taking such good care of me, as I know you will. I draw so much energy in the fact that I know you are my # 1 cheerleader. What worries me is that I also know you will be my # 1 coach...HE HE HE!! I love you and thanks for all you do! You losers slide over and make room on that loser's bench. You got another team mate coming...9 sleeps and a wake-up! (2 Kings 20:5)





February 23, 2006

Hello to all. I went for my first nutritionist appt. yesterday and am now on a liquid diet until surgery day...7 sleeps and a wake-up! My "food" now consists of 8 ozs. of skim milk and a packet of carnation's instant breakfast mix (no sugar added) 6 times a day, about every 3 hours. That along with LOTS OF WATER seems to be doing the trick. I had one more "last meal" last night and probably could've had anything I wanted, and you'll never guess what I chose??? McDonald's! I wanted a double quarter pounder meal, go large, and an apple pie, and that's exactly what I had! Still not nervous at this point, just really excited!! I need to go ahead and pack a hospital bag so I won't forget anything. My DH has taken off of work and will be with me, so I can keep him busy retrieving things from the bag and then returning them! Good luck to all those awaiting approval. Donna (2 Kings 20:5)





February 27, 2006

Hello. Just wanted to let everybody know that I am doing okay with my liquid diet. I am on day 5 and other than a bad headache and feeling a little weak, I am doing fine. I have lost 8 1/2 pounds since Thursday on the liquid diet. I am anxious to see if the nutritionist' scale says the same. I go back for my last pre-op visit today. I still am not the least bit nervous. I think it is because I have God's peace and he is holding me high above the anxiety level. Thursday may be a different story, so keep those prayers coming. I also want to take this time to thank everyone that has signed my surgery support page. I plan on printing it out and taking it with me to the hospital. This will probably be my last post until after the surgery so take care and polish my seat on the loser's bench. I'll be there in three sleeps and a wake-up! Good luck to all other March "re-births" and to those still waiting. Happy birthday Brian (tomorrow), I love you, and will try to make this as easy as possible on you! Hugs, Donna (2 Kings 20:5)

January 4, 2006

Happy New year! I hope and pray everyone had a good Christmas. I had a great one and didn't worry about the WLS during this time. But now, it is full speed ahead. 2006 is my year. I am so excited, and at the same time trying to be patient. I spoke with the insurance company again this morning to be sure what they wanted and was told they needed something from my PCP about any weight loss attempts that I've had over the past two years! So, I typed up a letter to my PCP stating what diets I have tried and have asked him to put that in a letter and fax it to the insurance company. Keep your fingers crossed for me! Has anyone else had luck with that actually working? I am trying really hard to deal with my knee pain which is constant in one knee and the other one is hurting more now. I have gotten a new blender so I will have that for my new "gourmet" food. My DH got me an indoor grill, kinda like George Forman, only Hamilton Beach makes it. That will come in handy when I graduate from the"gourmet" food. LOL . I am addicted to the OH website. I can't stop reading it for information. My DH says he doesn't want to read anything on here so that he won't be assessing his situation by someone elses. This surprises me because he is a very analytical person, likes to analyze things that don't amount to a hill of beans. I love him though, he is my rock on this earth. I am trying to read as much as I can so that I will know what to expect and how to handle it when it comes. I've learned alot. Today I learned that the effects of alcohol are intensified after the WLS. Good thing I only like a glass of wine every now and then! I had tried to post a pic, but it's not on here, so maybe I didn't do it right. Will work on that. Better get back to work now. Looking forward to being called a LOSER. Good luck to all who are awaiting approval.





January 5, 2006

I just called my PCP to find out if he accepted requests via fax and he does! So, I faxed him a copy of the letter telling him EXACTLY what I needed. Hopefully he will type it up and get it to the insurance company soon. If I have to do the monthly weigh-in thing, then I'll just have to do it. I just don't want to do it. I want to get this surgery out of the way so I can start living again. My DH and I are going on a cruise next year for our 20 year anniversary and I so want to be at least a size 14 by then. You can find some really cute formal dresses when you get down to that size. Good luck to all who are awaiting approval.





January 10, 2006

Hello, all. I went to the doctor Friday about my knee and they think I have soft tissue damage, a direct result of me carrying all this weight around. I came home and proceeded to get very sick. Losing liquids from both ends, bad headache, achy, couldn't sleep. Must have been flu, not sure. The letter that I had sent to my pcp was paper clipped to my file, so I know they got it on Thursday. I will try to call them today to see if anything has been done on it. Wish me luck! Good luck to all those still waiting. Future Loser, Donna





January 11, 2006

Today is a good day for me. I just got a call from my pcp's nurse. The letter is ready! YIPPEE! She is going to fax it to the insurance company today. PLEASE pray that it will work and this is the last big hurdle I have to jump. I tried Slim Fast's extra protein shake and it is not bad. I think I can live with that one if it meets the protein requirements. Now I have to concentrate on helping hubby get what he needs. I am feeling better today, other than still feeling a little run down. Also, today is my son's 21st birthday. I am starting to feel old. I know this surgery will help with this problem. RIGHT!! Future Loser, Donna





January 12, 2006

I just called the insurance company and they say that it could be 10-14 days before it shows up in their system that they have received the letter. I am going to make a committment to call them every other day. I will bug them until they have to approve me to get me out of their hair. I am not downhearted yet. I expected the first denial. I know that some of you have waited months and now it is my time to play the waiting game. I know they are going to put it off as long as they can, hoping I will just change my mind and drop it. FAT CHANCE!! (lol) They don't know who they are dealing with. I am a very head-strong person and I WILL HAVE THIS SURGERY. My PCP did an excellent job typing my letter. He didn't leave anything out. I am so proud of him. Thank you Dr. Sherley!! Good Luck to those who are in the same boat as I am. Waiting for the day I can be called a Loser, Donna





January 20, 2006

Hello all. Sorry I haven't updated in a few days. I called the insurance company on Wednesday. They told me they hadn't received my letter from my PCP. I called my PCP and sure enough, it wasn't sent until Monday. Why did it take them from Thursday until Monday to fax a letter? To make matters worse, Monday was MLK, JR day, and the insurance company wasn't even working that day. So I called them again yesterday, Thursday, and it isn't noted in my file as being receive yet. I did have a nice gentleman by the name of Adam tell me that while it does sometimes take 10-14 days for the letter to be scanned into their system, there will be a notation in your file within 2-3 days showing that it has at least made it to their office. I will call again in a few to see if it has made it into their office. My knees are not in as much pain since they prescribed me mobic. My spirits are still high! I have been reading every profile I can get my hands on. I want to know the good, the bad, the ugly...I want to know it all. I am fixing to call the insurance company back. I told them yesterday to be prepared to hear from me every day. Every other day is too long to wait. Good luck to all of those still waiting on an approval. Don't give up. If you are as committed as I am , WE WILL HAVE THIS SURGERY!! Future Loser, Donna

P.S. This is the power verse that will help me make it through the surgery with no worries:

2 Kings 20:5 - "I HAVE HEARD YOUR PRAYER, I HAVE SEEN YOUR TEARS. SURELY I WILL HEAL YOU."

Victory is mine, I am claiming it right now in the name of Jesus!!





January 25, 2006

FINALLY! The insurance company just told me that they do have the letter; received it 01/20/06, and that is was in review. Could be 7-14 days before I get my answer. PLEASE SAY A PRAYER IN MY NAME! I will definitely be calling every day now. Today is the 3rd business day and counting! I have started trying to drink 100 oz. of water a day, and boy is it hard. The good thing is I'm not hungry and haven't had much problem with head hunger. I now understand when of members have said it is so hard to get your liquids in. I haven't even had surgery YET and it is hard to get in 100 ozs. I just can't imagine having to drink 64 ozs. of water plus the protein shakes with a stomach the size of a shot glass....but I am so looking forward to doing it! My DH has sent his request for his letter to the PCP, and hopefully they have done it by now, and he is well on his way too. I am hearing that I need to make some goals for myself, so here is my list. Some are immediate, some are in moderate time, and some are long-range. In random order they are:

TOP TWELVE LIST OF PERSONAL GOALS

1. Be approved for WLS - ACCOMPLISHED
2. Weigh less than my husband - ACCOMPLISHED
3. Cross my legs like normal people - ACCOMPLISHED
4. Tie my shoes AFTER I zip up my pants - ACCOMPLISHED
5. Roller skate-HAVEN'T TRIED, BUT SURE I COULD
6. Be at a healthy weight -ACCOMPLISHED
7. Be a size 14 by cruise time with my hubby-ACCOMPLISHED
8. Have energy to burn - ACCOMPLISHED
9. Run, Run, Run - ACCOMPLISHED
10. Ride all amusement park rides, not just ones with wide seats
and big seatbelts. ACCOMPLISHED
11. Fly on an airplane without having to ask for an
extension. ACCOMPLISHED
12. By cute clothes, not just ones that fit - ACCOMPLISHED

I will update as soon as I know something else. I am still looking for a couple who has gone through or is thinking about going through the WLS at or about the same time. Email me, I'd love to talk with you. Good luck to all those still waiting. (2 Kings 20:5) - "I HAVE HEARD YOUR PRAYER, I HAVE SEEN YOUR TEARS. SURELY I WILL HEAL YOU". I have such an overwhelming sense of peace come over me every time I recite this verse. It is this assurance that lets me know that God is on my side and this WLS will go as HE decides it should go. Thank you Lord for your blessings on me!
Good luck to those who are still in limbo. Don't give up!! Half of the battle was won when you made the decision to have WLS. Future Loser, Donna





January 26, 2006

4th business day and still waiting. WAITING definitely is the hard part...tell me yes or tell me no (be ready for an appeal) just tell me something!! I am happy to report that I have my first support on my surgery page. It is from my bestest friend in the whole world. We have been friends for over 20 years now and have managed to stay in touch (she was an army brat, went in herself, and then married one). Thanks Michy, Love ya girl! I can also report that I have lost 9 1/2 pounds because of all the water I'm drinking. My DH is drinking too, so we race to see who can get in more. (I have to admit he won yesterday, but, ah, today is a new day). Remember what I said on a prior post...we like doing things TOGETHER. I love you Brian. I love you more. I love you mostest. You are my source of earthly rock and mean the world to me. WE WILL HAVE THIS SURGERY! I am going to read more profiles now. If you live in TN and have had the WLS, I have read your profile. AL...I am working on you now. I have just been consumed by this site. Thanks again Ange for turning me on to it. It is so cool that you can come on here and read a profile, and shake your head (again and again), and say "yep, I know how you feel." Oh, by the way, Brian had called his PCP and she SAID she faxed his letter today, so we will be checking on that in a couple of days. Move over BC/BS...the Hanvey's are in town. LOL! Good luck to those who are in the same waiting mode as I am. Future loser, Donna (2 Kings 20:5)





January 30, 2006

Just wanted to let everyone know that I kidnapped my DH this weekend and we went to Chattanooga, TN and from there we went to Huntsville, AL. Had lots of fun and did a couple of more "firsts". We went to the IMAX theatre and saw a safari movie in 3-D. Very cool! We also shared a jacuzzi in our private suite. Very, very cool. (BIG GRIN) I am fixing to make my daily call to the insurance company. Will let you know the outcome. APPROVED, APPROVED, APPROVED! Thank you God!! My letter was sent out today. I am anxiously awaiting my copy. I have called Vandy's Pre-determination dept. to find out where I go from here. I am SO excited. Thanks to all who said a prayer in my name. I went from being all calm to having about a zillion butterflies in 60 seconds. This has gone from a far-fetched dream to a reality. I am so psyched! Now we have to make sure DH gets his approval. Good luck to those still waiting. Be persistant...it really does pay off. Future loser for real, Donna (2 Kings 20:5)