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Remember back in May when I wrote about my encounter with the Collector at the hospital and she hinted at my not being able to have my surgery because of an old bill?

You're going to love this.

The Collector sent my financial paperwork back to me (three months after the fact) about two weeks ago. Scrawled on the front of the manilla envelope inside was the following: "It's still considered  bad debt unless you make a payment." She signed her name and put her phone number underneath. I was furious.

I obtained the name of the director who ran the department the Collector worked in and sent a letter (overnight). I explained my dealings with the Collector, included copies of emails and added all I wanted was something on their letterhead confirming the bill reduction and monthly payment plan. I stated I refuse to deal with the Collector any further, and I attached the original manilla envelope the Collector scribbled all over.

Honestly, I expected to get stalked by the collections department and start the whole ordeal over again. Today I received a rather fat envelope from the hospital. My heart sunk.

I opened the envelope, pulled out all the paper and shouted "oustanding!" after I saw the statement used as the cover. Not only did I get my confirmation of the bill reduction, the hospital gave me my original payment I offered, AND payments aren't due to start until the end of August.

This may all sound stupid to someone who's fitter financially than I am, but in this day and age a simple letter resolved the entire outcome...in my favor.

Woot!

Side note: I have pictures on Facebook which show my weight loss, which is up to 60 pounds. Pretty cool. Now if I could actually finish an entire cup of coffee before the end of the day...

"Your past does not define you. You can step out of your history and create a new day for yourself." - Oprah Winfrey

There are things I take for granted: technology, vehicles, laundry soap, stores within close proximity to my house...

...being able to poop.

Seriously, I would just kill (hypothetically speaking, of course) for a stick of dynamite if I thought for one second that would help.

Apparently, this would be a side effect of too much protein and not enough fats. At least that is what the web site I frequent tells me. I am hitting my protein goals and thought fats per day too.  Obviously, not the case. But (oh look, a pun!) it would appear many who have had RNY surgery do struggle with this problem, and there were oodles of suggestions. From sunflower seeds - I loved sunflower seeds - to raisins, prunes, diluted prune juice (I would think diluting prune juice would defeat the purpose, but it's to lower the sugar content), Activa, Benefiber (which sucks, in case you were wondering), Colace, Miralax. Actually, the last two were severely popular.

Needless to say, I hit the drug store on the way home from work.

So, there you have it. A little peek into my personal life dilemma.

Other changes you might be interested in: I can no longer wear the uber big & tall shirts I purchased at KMart.com last winter. My over-sized lounge lizard sweat pants fall off (I can't even wear them to bed because it's like I got wrapped up in the sheets). The pants I had been wearing all over the place are too big (Christine pointed this out when we went to dinner - three shrimp fiesta - for my birthday). I found another pair of pants I haven't worn in well over a year, and you can only imagine my excitement when I put them on and they fit! I have also pulled out some t-shirts which have been buried in the dresser for almost two years. It was weird. I told someone today, it was like "all of a sudden" BANG! Clothes are bigger.

If that concept would work with my bank account...

I was hoping to hold out until the end of August before I purchased any clothing out of the need to keep pants on my butt. However, I fear I may have to invest in a new bra soon. The girls are having a hard time keeping up.  :P