Another month...

Jun 28, 2010

I am to that "fork in the road" moment.  I have read through my records from UW and Dr. Petek, found some glaring in consistences, but what can one do?  What I have done: Left a message for the last person I was working with at UW Social Work, hopefully I will know by the end of this week if I am done with UW or going forward.  Saw Dr. Oh with St. Francis - but concerns over pernicious anemia have been brought up, so still in a holding pattern there.  Put in a request with Virginia Masons' Dr. Hunter Seminar, in case I need another venue.

The biggest hurdle I thought would be that I have Medicare, but it isn't.  I continue my education, learn from mistakes, and figure that if this is meant to be, it will happen.  I fight frustration, and I have not given up. 

Looking at medical challenges... Pernicious Anemia - Dr. Flum saw no problem, Dr. Oh did.  Okay, so here is how I see it: I am already taking sublingual B12, and shots, which is what from what I have read & talked with people, most need this post operatively for Gastric Bypass.  Positive side: I am already compliant, so no problem getting me to follow directions by doctors and/or nutritionist.  Negative side: Can my levels get any worse?  Next medical question is going back to hemochromotosis.  I do not have it, but my RBC is high, which shows that I could possibly be diagnosed with it.  Funny, I can have anemia based on B vitamins, but I run high levels of Iron (which is the opposite of having anemia).  From some of the research I have dug up, four Gastric Bypass patients with hemochromotosis actually found their RBC becoming a normal level after the surgery.  So I raise my shoulders, and wonder if I am a medical oddity that will ever be figured out.  Gee, the human body is a puzzler!

I have an appointment with Dr. Fleming on July 12 (my primary doctor), have her look at my bloodwork, maybe show that my vitamin B levels are fine, and double check my Thyroid (it was a tad high in March - from my bloodwork at UW).  I like to check in with her, and then I can tell her about my journey.  She may be able to lead me in the right direction, otherwise, it is great to get a little reassurance that I am actually doing what I am supposed to be doing (I have my big girl pants on!).

The weekend was rough for me, but I got through it.  Frustration is passed, and I am back on track to work on myself...
B  : )~

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FRIDAY!

Jun 11, 2010

My last post somehow did not post - I got bumped off, hmmmmmm.

I'll keep this brief, explain more later!  I have a GO! to see Dr. Oh with St. Francis WLS, Jeff is almost home, Kate is receiving a Boeing Scholarship tonight, I did lots of Spring Cleaning, and I may have a new surgeon/hospital to post on my page!

I will see Dr. Oh face to face June 25, and hopefully will have GREAT things to say.  I had all my faxed requests to transfer all medical records done today.  So, all I have to do is continue exercising, lose more weight, and show all my records to Dr. Oh. 

Good things were achieved this week, and I am feeling so happy.  I may be started fresh with a new doctor, but I will not have any thoughts bothering me.  I am still unsure how to tell UW why I am leaving, I will try not to be "finger pointy," but in this case, in my opinion, it was one person who was holding me back.  Oh well, it is (hopefully) over, and I am moving on.

B  : )~
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Monday, that dreaded day...

Jun 08, 2010

Most Mondays are not as full as yesterday.  I had a lot to cover from Friday, not to mention other obligations.  Long, sweaty, but fulfilling is how I would describe this last Monday.  Phone tag left me without the results from my Mental Evaluation with Dr. Petek, but I did go to the Weight Loss Seminar at St. Francis Hospital (Dr. Oh), and I was 90% sure if I am covered with them, I will switch surgeons.

Tuesday Morning I did speak with Dr. Petek, and he read me his report, and I was cleared for surgery by him.  In his report he stated I "would benefit POST OPERATIVELY from counseling," not therapy specific, but for adjusting my life after surgery.  Hearing this, I am 99% sure I will change surgeons.  I have an appointment with Dr. Oh on June 28, so that gives his scheduler time to see if my coverage is adequate, or if moving to an HMO would get me into their program.

I have spent a lot of time "soul searching" with regard to "starting over" with a new surgeon, and I am sure I need a more positive environment to work with.  It saddens me that one person, who wouldn't be truthful, is what has left me with weeks of anxiety and further delay.  The social worker (in my opinion) wasn't going to take the evaluation and test into consideration, so I should have been allowed the courtesy to leave the program at that point.  I still have NOT found anyone who will accept Medicare as full payment for therapy.  The least I would be paying monthly would be $120, which is a bargain for most, but I unfortunately cannot afford it.

Today, I have to get all my paperwork ready for Dr. Oh, and hope that I will be allowed to enter the program at St. Francis.  The other positive twist to this whole change, I live one town over from St. Francis, not like the 30+ minute drive to the University of Washington.  Jeff is also interested in going to the seminar, as I told him the mortality rate for Dr. Oh is .01, impressive.  The other aspect of Dr. Oh that compels both of us, he also is skilled in tummy tucks - and his description was quite impressive (including muscle, not just skin and fat removal).

I hope I will not have to start back at square one, that my work to this point will be considered.  Worst case, I will not be accepted at St. Francis, next worst case, I start at square one -- which in my opinion, isn't all that bad.

Being proactive is key!
B  : )~
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Sunshine, Fresh Air, and Water, Ahhh!

Jun 05, 2010

I hate to admit this, but today was the first time I actually went to a park around Lake Washington (in Renton), and it was lovely.  I have always felt best living near water, and had been spending time in Des Moines, but this other park in Renton was so fabulous, I have a new place to get some miles in.

This weekend was a good one.  I am looking forward to a little more yardwork (weather permitting!) and maybe I'll reward myself with more lovely scenery!  For those who aren't big fans of rain, this is probably not a good place to settle in.  I enjoy rain, even the buckets we had earlier this week.  When the sun comes out, all that rain brings life to everything.  Corny, but that's okay with me, I am a happy camper, today!

When you feel like you are stuck, get up, and walk it off!
B  : )~
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Taking steps...

Jun 04, 2010

I am registered for Dr. Oh's Seminar on Monday, the last spot open.  If I ever had a reason to stick up for myself, this is it.  I will contact Dr. Petek's office Monday, and if he says he feels I am in a stable place, I think it is time I look at my medical coverage options.  If I switch to the Medicare HMO, I will be limited to which hospital I can use.  If I am told the HMO would cover mental health services, I will no longer be banging my head against a wall.  This just may be a win-win for the tenacious girl with fire in her belly.

Today, I posted on multiple forums, support groups, even Craigslist, trying to find help with the required therapy UW is saying I need.  I sent emails to eight mental health providers, received replies from three - none accepted Medicare, but one offered to see if I can qualify for $25 sessions.  Hmm, at this rate, I will be owing more to mental health than to the surgeon.  It bothers me that I have to wait the weekend to get my legwork done, but what's another week, right?

All I wonder is, do these people actually see what lengths I am going to to show I am worthy of their attention?  I asked for help repeatedly, to meet their standards, yet got so little.  Worse case scenario, I have to find a new program.  From what I have been told & read about Dr. Oh, I guess this isn't the worst thing afterall...

B  : )~
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Stuck, a little frustrated, but not giving up, yet!

Jun 04, 2010

I am stymied.

I got a call from the Bariatric Team at UW late Friday, and it wasn't the good news I had hoped for.  Last week, I paid to see a mental health professional to get an evaluation for Bariatric Surgery.  Sadly, I was unable to reach anyone at Dr. Petek's Office to get an overview from his evaluation - was I stable or not.  Upon getting the phone call saying UW does NOT feel I am stable, I wondered, what was in the report.  Well, hopefully on Monday I can find out for myself.  The lady from UW did not say what the report said.

UW has said, they will not set a date for surgery until I find a therapist.  Easier said than done!  I am on Medicare - NOT Medicaid, and have yet to get any offices to give me an appointment for a therapist.  I have a *possible* therapist in Burien, but she did NOT return any of my calls for a date before she took off for vacation.  Anyone know of a therapist who can see a patient with MEDICARE?

My other option actually came calling me on Wednesday.  A representative from AARP offered me an HMO paid through Medicare - Evercare.  We talked at length, told him I was in line for Bariatric Surgery - at UW.  He said UW did NOT take the plan he told me about, but St Francis does... Hmmm, goes Brenda's mind on Friday, "If I need a therapist, maybe Evercare is the way to go.  If UW cannot take Evercare, St Francis WILL..."  I may be making a few more calls come Monday.

So, I have cross posted ALL OVER Obesity Help, maybe I can get this all taken care of, before I get frustrated & give up.  I knew it was a long row to hoe, but come on!  We all have a past, and I agree therapy is a great thing, but in the meantime, I am a fully functioning - SANE - adult.  Hindsight being 20/20, I would have done things differently!

On the mat, but the Ref hasn't gotten to 10, YET!
B  : )~
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Gardening without the Dodge...

Jun 03, 2010

For those who know me, I have a very bad habit of doing things a little differently.  Some may say I do it the wrong way, I say I do it the "other" way ;)  With Jeff gone for two weeks (actually looks longer, he had a death in his family today...) I had such high hopes to tackle my front yard.  The weather had not been cooperating, until today!

What is gardening "without Dodge"?  I have just enough "redneck" in my family tree to actually tie rope around trees & use my big old red Dodge to assist!  Last time I did it, I was just trying to yank a limb (my chainsaw is a wee electric one, and the chain jumped halfway through the cutting process), and took HALF the tree down - onto the tailgate!  This is the reason when Jeff isn't around, I am NOT allowed to fell any trees... But, today I DID!!!

Jeff actually drove my truck to California - he must have known my plans!  After mowing the lawn in the front, I started weeding my flower patch.  I was chatting with the next door neighbor when my daughter showed up.  I have a tree - errr, had - in my front yard that had been dying the last 3 years, so Kate joked that "maybe we could push it over," sadly, I agreed!  It took about  half hour of pushing, pulling, rocking it back in forth, then "TIMBER!"  We knocked that ornamental cherry tree DOWN!  I actually feel like George Washington - but a LOT fatter!

The problem isn't always knocking/chopping a tree down, it's the REMOVAL that gets tricky!  Much of the limbs were able to be yanked off - as I said this tree has been dying for a while.  Getting the trunk out of the way & sawing it into pieces was a chore that gave me more than my usual workout ;)  Kate, my daughter, said, "I guess that counts as a couple days of workout, huh mom?!"  I have three chunks of tree three feet long, and LOTS of limbs to be broken down.  Oh, and we also took a 6 foot maple down, as I don't need another tree growing in that section of the yard.  I filled a 55 gallon garbage can with weeds - and I am still considering more work the next day it is sunny ;)

I laugh to myself - my weight helped knock the tree down, but I cannot wait (pun!) until I lose half my weight to tackle MORE garden projects!!!  I am a little sore, and a lot tired, but proud that I am not just sitting on my butt waiting for surgery to lose weight.  I live life LOUD, and look forward to be more energetic when I get most this weight off!

B : )~
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hemochromatosis and gastric bypass...

Jun 01, 2010

I had this little thing itching in the back of my head for awhile, so off to the Internet I went.

My family has the genetic marker of hemochromatosis, which is too much iron in your blood.  The positive thing, I never needed iron supplements beyond prenatal vitamins during pregnancy.  I remember the stories my great aunt told us about our great uncle having to have blood drawn and thrown away (which makes a small child wonder "what the???").  She used to tell my mom, "If you want some for your roses, I can get it for you..." and she wasn't kidding.  The joke my boyfriend likes to tell is "Keep all magnets away from Brenda..."  Geez.

Anyhow, I did start to wonder, "Am I taking TOO MANY supplements?"  I also mentioned to the nutritionist that I have familial history of hemochromatosis, when she saw I already have high hemoglobin levels.  From what I have seen, the gastric bypass might actually help me NOT develop hemochromatosis, I saw three cases stated in a medical journal.  Upside, I may never have to take additional iron.  Downside, I doubt my roses will want my blood! 

I wasn't satisfied with my 90 minutes or so with the nutritionist, she did not seem to give me enough solid information regarding supplements.  One worry that I think is valid: Am I getting TOO MUCH of any one (or more) vitamin?  The adage, if a little is good, a lot is better does not ring true in this case.  So, I guess I may need to study more on blood levels, so I can intelligently journey through life with my innerds rearranged.

More to learn, but then again, it may also be more I can share ;)  Information is a crazy thing, the more I get, the more I want - I sure do miss the old days of going to the library! 

B  : )~
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About Me
38.8
BMI
RNY
Surgery
11/16/2010
Surgery Date
Mar 16, 2010
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