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I guess the following is my story. It is everything from my old profile from April 29, 2006 to October 9, 2006.
April 29, 2006
Hi! Welcome to my profile. I just spent over an hour working my first entry, just to drop the mouse on the floor and for some reason, it disconnected me from the internet and I lost EVERYTHING I had spent so long typing in!!!!!!! I guess I will give you all the short version for now....I am 36, single and have two fur kids (Newfoundlands named Molly and Tucker). I may like to have a baby someday, but my doctors feel I may have fertility issues. I am an 8 year thyroid cancer survivor so I have hypothyroidism (I lost my thyroid completely due to the cancer), insulin resistance, knee and lower back pain, and nerve damage in my right thigh which I hope will improve with weight loss. I have been overweight on and off since I was in 3rd grade, but the majority of my weight (120 pounds) has been gained since the cancer.
After tons of research on WLS and careful consideration, I attended a seminar given by the Barix Clinic on January 30th. In March I had my consultation with Dr. Brader and had the approval from my insurance company one week after it was submitted by Barix. I am still pre-surgery, but hope to have it done by the end of August. I am being very patient...I didn't get this way overnight, so I certainly can't expect to be on the losing side overnight either. Dr. Brader is very careful and wants to make sure I go into surgery with as few risks as possible. He required me to get a letter of clearance from my oncologist and wanted the results of an endoscopy and a colonoscopy I was getting done for another doctor for side pain. I had also made sure to fax any tests I had done over the last year to Dr. Brader before my consult so he could look at them beforehand. I am now completing a sleep apnea study (this coming Wednesday) and if that comes out OK, all I have to do is wait for my turn in line to schedule PAT's and surgery. In the meantime, I am going to spend the next couple of months before surgery getting myself as healthy as I can. I am going to get my butt back in the gym on a regular basis and really watch what I am eating. Improving my cardovascular health and my stamina, as well as taking off some weight, will help during surgery and will make recovery a bit easier. In reality, I KNOW I will slack off at some point, so feel free to give me a virtual kick in the pants if I need it LOL
Well, I have rambled on long enough (and this is the condensed version LOL). Sleep well....
May 2, 2006
I can't believe it is May already. It seems the older I get, the faster time flies. I have my sleep apnea study tomorrow night and the follow up appointment with the sleep study doctor next Thursday. I don't think I have SA, and the sleep study doctor said he doesn't feel I have it either, but of course, neither of us know for sure. Eight years ago when the lump was found in my neck, all the doctors said I would be fine, that they were sure it wasn't cancer, and it was...much to everyone's surprise. Anyway, I am hoping that the sleep study place will fax the results to Barix that day so I can work on getting a date for surgery.
The weather this spring has been so beautiful. I took the dogs for a walk last night and they LOVED it. Actually, I think it was me that was being taken for a walk at first because they were so excited.
Til next time...
May 4, 2006
I had my sleep apnea study last night, although, I think they need to take the word "sleep" out!
I was extremely tired yesterday evening, so I figured I wouldn't have any trouble falling, or staying, asleep. I even took two excedrine PMs once I got there to assure I would sleep (the doctor said it was OK). I arrived at the office at 9:30pm and a young kid opened the door...I thought...this CAN'T be the person doing the study, the technician must have brought his/her kid to work!! Much to my surprise, he WAS the technician. (I think I am just getting old and everyone under the age of 30 looks like a kid to me) He ended up being great...professional, personable, friendly and he very patiently answered all of my never ending questions...he even offered me some of his pizza...just what I needed!! I declined! It took about an hour to hook me up to all the wires and I was in bed by 10:45. It's kind of funny being tucked into bed by a strange man who is going to watch me on video all night. Once I settled in, despite all the wires, I fell asleep. It wasn't long, though, before I disconnected something and he had to come in and re-hook me. I am a rough sleeper, so all night I was semi aware of not wanting to pull a wire off. Despite my efforts, he had to come in about 3 or 4 times to fix things. By 4:45am, I had to get up to use the bathroom and rang the bell for him to come in...he said he had enough information and that I could go if I wanted to. By the time he unhooked everythng, it was just getting light out and I was on my way home.
I am a little concerned that they didn't get an accurate reading of my typical sleep patterns, etc.. because the study got interupted so many times. This was not a typical night for me. I usually sleep straight through and if I get up at night, it is only about a half hour before my alarm goes off.
I got home around 5:45, let the dogs out and fell asleep on the sofa until they wanted to come back in. The rest of the morning i cat napped, between being sniffed, kissed and sat on by the dogs (they missed me) until i had to get up for work. It took me 3 shampoos to get the glue out of my hair, and my face and neck broke out in a rash from the glue, but my skin is extremely sensitive, so I wasn't surprised. I was pretty cranky and in a daze when I got to the office, but I fought it off with LOTS of iced coffee. Regardless, I did find the whole thing very interesting and I am eager to see what the results are. I would love to spend a night in the observation room to see behind the scenes.
Ok..time for bed and a good nights sleep!
May 13, 2006
I got the results of my sleep study on Thursday. NO SLEEP APNEA!!!!!! YEAHHH!! However, I DO have a very very mild case of sleep disturbance. As I understand it, my brain keeps getting "aroused" during the night and disrupts the quality of my sleep. My oxygen levels were fine, except for once when the level dipped below normal and I was actually awake at that time. The doctor recommended I get and use a CPAP up through surgery and then I can stop using it once I am no longer taking post-op pain meds. I figure, I might as well get the CPAP so I don't come across as being non-compliant. I can deal with it for a few months, and who knows, I may end up liking how I feel once I am using it. The doctor also said, the slight sleep disturbance that I do have, will go away once the weight starts coming off. I have to go for the overnight CPAP fitting tonight...what a wild Saturday night!!! LOL I called my surgeon's office Thursday to make sure they know I got my results and to make sure they recieved the letter form the sleep doctor. I asked that they please call me to let me know what the next step will be, but I haven't yet heard back. I think my surgeon has to review the report and then hopefully pass my case onto the varification department where they find out from the insurance company what they will cover and what I will be responsible for. Then, I think my file goes on to scheduling. I know a few weeks ago they were already scheduling into July, so I am hoping I can get a date for August, but I am thinking it will probably be September.
May 16, 2006
I went back to the sleep study center on Saturday night. I tried 3 different masks and thought I had settled on one that covered both my mouth and nose. It hurt the bridge of my nose so much that after a couple of hours of not being able to sleep and getting agitated, I had the tech switch it to one that only covers my nose. I actually fell asleep with it and slept from about 2am to 6am when she woke me up. I was amazed that I was so refreshed and I didn't even go home and go back to bed. I am now waiting for equipment company to call and set up a time to come out and deliver my mask to me.
I also got the call from Barix today that my file has gone to scheduling and that they should be calling me with in the next week or two. I hope it's sooner than later. I am a bit concerned that my insurance approval will expire, but I am almost certain I was told it is good for 6 months.
June 5, 2006
Well, it's been three weeks since I got the call from Barix saying my file was going to scheduling. They said I would get a call in one to two weeks so I gave them 2 weeks and one day to call. I left a message last Wednesday and haven't heard back. I know they are busy, but I want to get this moving on to the next step. If I don't hear today by 4pm, I will call again. Come to think of it, I haven't heard from the place that will be providing my CPAP. I guess I will have to call them today as well.
June 9, 2006
I got my CPAP yesterday and wore it for the first time last night. I was expecting to sleep like an angel and wake up refreshed, but unfortunately, I tossed and turned all night. I was so afraid of pulling out the hose or knocking the machine off of the night stand. I was also afraid the dog would be curious and chew on it. I posted on the main board asking others what their experiences have been and got a lot of great responses. This really is a great website with awesome people on it! Anyway, I am sure it will get better and I will get used to it. I only need to use it short term until I am off the pain meds after surgery, so there is an end in sight. I can handle anything for a few months, I have certainly had to deal with worse things than a CPAP.
I found out earlier this week that the September surgery schedule for Dr. Brader opened up today. I was told on Tuesday that there are 13 people before me that need to be scheduled and then it will be my turn! I am guessing I will get a date for early September. I always take vacation in September, so this will work out well.
June 15, 2006
I got my surgery date today. I was given a choice of 5 dates and went with Wednesday, September 6th. I had originally picked Tuesday the 5th, but then realized that because of Labor Day, I would have to drop the dogs off at the kennel on Saturday and I didn't want to do that. One, it costs me an arm and a leg to keep them there because they are considered extra large and they charge a higher price because they weigh so much (everyone I know is either afraid of them or doesn't like their slobbering LOL so I don't have options for "babysitters" other than the kennel). Two, I would miss them too much if I didn't have them at home with me for 4 days before surgery. I am now going to drop them off either the morning of surgery if my surgery time is later in the day, or I am going to drop them off the day before. Anyway...enough about my dogs LOL. I am not as excited about getting my date as I thought I would be. In one way I want it to come fast, but in another, I hate wishing away time. One thing that having cancer taught me is that you must cherish every minute you have on this earth because you never know what they next day or minute or even second will bring. I found out on Tuesday, as I was walking out the door to go to the pre-op support meeting at Barix, that my aunt, who has been battling breast cancer since December, now has a spot on her liver as well. The doctors told her that she may have two years left. She is only 63 and just became a grandmother for the first time in January. Last Memorial day weekend, I lost a good friend to ovarian cancer. One day she was fine and in a heartbeat, she found out she was in the late stages of cancer. She fought for 3 1/2 years before it took her. She was only 45. OK, enough sad stuff.....
I am still at work, and its almost 7 pm so I am going to get out of here and go home and take the dogs for a nice long walk. It is such a beautiful night and too nice to stay in. They have not been able to go out in the yard because i have a nest of baby bunnies out there and my one dog already killed three of them on Sunday before I knew the nest was there. Now I have to take them out on a leash...what a pain. And I know the neighbors think I am a wack job for walking my dogs on leashes in a FENCED IN YARD LOL I want to go out to see how the remaining bunnies are doing. I am hoping they grow up and move out real quick! As cute as bunnies are, they are a pain in my butt! I also found a nest of baby birds on my front porch on Tueday night and watched the mother bird feed them. How cute!! I am starting to feel like Dr. Doolittle LOL
Oh yeah...I forgot! My surgery will be covered 100%!!! The only thing I will have to pay for is my insurance co-pay for the pre admission testing and, I believe, co-pays for my follow up appointments. I know that follow up appointments used to be covered in the surgery costs, but from what I heard through the grape vine, Barix might have changed that policy and insurance co-pays will be required.
July 4, 2006 
Happy 4th everyone!! Happy birthday America and thank you to all of our men and women in the military protecting our freedom.
2 months from tomorrow I will be having my surgery. It also comes out to 9 weeks....where did we get the extra week???? And, why did we have to get the extra week while I am waiting for MY surgery! Geeze! LOL
August 30, 2006
This time next week I will be a loser. It seems like yesterday that I had 3 months to wait, now I am down to 6 days! Where did the time go? I am glad this weekend is a holiday weekend. I want to get some things done around the house and, if it ever stops raining, I want to get the yard mowed and the gardens weeded before Wednesday. I certainly won't be able to lug around the weed wacker for the rest of this season. Sunday, I spent the day tearing everything out of the kitchen and putting it back together...it feels so good to throw out!! I found 14 pot lids in the drawer under the oven and I only own 3 pots....HUH?? Last night I rearranged furniture in the familyroom. I have stocked up on dog food, so I now have over 200 pounds of food out in the car that I need to remember to bring in this weekend. I buy dog food in 40 pound bags because the dogs go through 40 lbs each a week. I won't be able to lift that much weight for a while, so I needed to get enough to last us. For the most part, I think I have my ducks in a row. I haven't felt nervous yet, but I know that will come closer to Wednesday.
September 2, 2006
My surgery has been cancelled for Wednesday. I got a call from the president of Barix this morning giving me the heads up. He said I will get a call on Tuesday to reschedule for either Thursday or the following Monday or Tuesday. This is more of a pain in the butt than anything. Now I have to reschedule the dogs for the kennel and hope they have space for them the following week if I don't have surgery until then. I haven't told anyone at work except my immediate supervisor, so I will have to tell people my vacation plans got pushed off...which is the truth...they just don't know my vacation plans included surgery. Oh well, there are worse things than a postponed surgery.
September 5, 2006
My surgery will be on Monday, September 11th. I got everything arranged with work and the kennel. It's tough trying to work when you are already in vacation mode!!
September 8, 2006
I got the call! I have to be at Barix at 8:30am on Monday morning.
September 22, 2006 (Announcing the birth of Oscar the Pouch)
Name: Oscar the Pouch
Date of Birth: September 11, 2006
Time of Birth: Around 10:00 AM
Weight: 1 oz
I had surgery on the 11th. Everything went well, no complications. The first day was rough, but after that I was feeling pretty good. I had some discomfort the first week, but then I woke up one morning and felt normal. I still have an occasional twinge, but over all I feel great. I had my 2 week follow up yesterday, which was actually 11 days out, and I had lost 19 pounds since the day of surgery. As of this morning, I have lost 21. Dr. Brader gave me the OK to go back to doing everything I was doing before surgery, but I still can't lift more than 30 pounds.
I started using vitamin E on my scars last night. I used vit. E on the scar from my thryroid surgery and it can barely be seen so I am hoping to have similar results with the lap scars. I started back to the gym earlier this week just for the cardio workouts. Last night, after my follow up, I went to the gym and started back with the weight training. I took it easy, but it was so nice to be doing it again. At least now I know there will be visible results for my efforts. Before surgery, I could work out 7 days a week and never drop a pound. I did build muscle easily and have always been able to increase my stamina and caro fitness quickly, but after the thryroid surgery, I couldn't lose weight no matter what I did. I am so grateful for this surgery and the new lease on life I now have. I am not going to take this new tool for granted and plan on working it to the fullest extent. I didn't go through all of this to f*%# it up. That's not to say I won't have struggles or screw up from time to time....NO ONE is perfect...but I vow to give it everything I've got! I do understand that my pouch isn't a magic cure to my obesity, so I have to take care of it and treat it right.
OK....I'm out of here...there is a lawn mower calling my name!
October 9, 2006
I had surgery 4 weeks ago today. So far I have lost 28 pounds and that's with two weeks worth of stalls. I had my first stall at 12 days out. That lasted a week. Then I lost for a few days, then hit my second stall that lasted until this morning. I have a feeling I am going to be a stop and go loser.
Goals:
1. Wear misses sizes again. (it's been 8 years) (Tops....Spring of '08...teetering still on the bottoms)
2. Run in a 5K. (I walked one on 7/4/08...still working in the running part!)
3. Run in a cancer related event (Ovarian or Breast CA)
4. Cross my legs again. (Done-12/06)
5. Wear a bathing suit in front of others. (Not happy about it, but I did it...8/07)
6. Take a karate class. (Done!!!-10/6/08)
7. Wear "real" jeans again. (Done-3/07)
8. Bye bye insulin resistance. (Done-2/07)
9. Weigh less than my two dogs combined (300lbs). (Done-10/30/06)
10. Meet my doctor's goal of 160.
11. Meet my goal of 145.
12. Climb up the steps (6 flights) at the office without getting
winded. (I RAN up the back stairs...3 flights!!! 4/3/07)
13. No longer hide from cameras. (Done-5/07)
14. No longer worry about whether I will fit into a booth or not. (Done 12/06)
15. Be able to get up and down off the floor without struggling. (Done 6/07)
16. Go on a date again. (Done-5/07)
17. Go out with friends on a Friday/Saturday night and NOT feel
self conscious. (Done-2/07)
18. Have a healthy relationship with a man...no more settling for
Mr. OK or Mr. Right Now.
19. Say good bye to Lane Bryant and Catherine's!!! (Said good bye 6/07)
20. Feel FREE within my own body. (Done-10/08...don't know when it happened, but I finally realized it did)
21. Fit in those God aweful seats at the Forest Theater in Philadelphia. If you have ever been there, you know what I mean!
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Humor is no longer something to hide behind....I'm am just plain ole funny LOL 
I never thought about it until now, but pre-op, the combined weight of my two dogs and I was over 600 pounds!! Yes, my dogs are big, but so was I!
.... I said "are you on crack??" (ok, not really, but I was baffled at his remark) and took my sun glasses off....he said "oh yeah...you are WAY over 18!!" LOL Thanks jack ass!! People tell me I look 10 years younger, but I guess 20 years is a bit too much to ask for!!
)
