05/01/07:  Today was my first appt with the surgeon (Q&A) time and meeting the Dr that I have heard so many good and positive things about.  I have read and heard so much that I have decided that I want to change my quality of life and my health. Jody, pre-auth is so postitive that I will be approved because of my ailments (co-morbidities) and her experience.  She said as soon as I left she would send the letter on-line, saying that it would save time. 

This time last year (05/14/06) I had a small heart attack, very little damage.  I was admitted to ICU and then to CCU and then home after about a week.  In 4 months last year due to multiple infections/cellulitis, lymphedema in both legs and a blood stream infection I was admitted to the hospital 3 different times.  I also lost 50 pounds in less than 1 month and have gained it all back + 6 pounds. 

10/16/07:  I had an appt with the surgeon again (just yesterday the 15th) since all of my 'hurdles' have been jumped AND ... I have a date!   I still have to go in for an ultrasound on my gallbladder on the 18th and then I think it's the 24th that I go on for my blood work.  Thank you again for everyone, I cannot believe it's finally going to happen!

10/30/07:  Surgery day and I have to be at the hospital by 6am for surgery at 7:30am.  My Mom is here from AZ to be with me and to help me out after surgery.  We're both exhausted and looking forward to this day being over.  It's amazing the number of people who were having surgery the same day... they were lined up and we were waiting for the department to open.  It was about 11:30 or so and I am being wheeled up to my room in ICU.  I had respiratory failure and so they wanted to keep a close eye on me.  I was in there for only a day and then they took me down to the Gastric floor.  What amazing medical personnel.  They were all so wonderful, I got a lot of good TLC.  I was in the hospital for a week because of my medical background and all that had taken place after my surgery.

12/13/07: it's been about 6 weeks since my surgery and now it's time to go back to work.    I will be working a half day for two days and then will go back to working FT.  We'll see how that goes.

12/14/07:  The first day back to work and it went well, just got tired very soon after I got there.  It's a good thing I will be working only a 1/2 day.

04/17/08:  It's official I have lost 100 pounds.  I went to my nutritionist today.  Woooo hooo!  I cannot believe it.

Fast forward to 04/20/08:  I cannot believe how wonderful I feel and how far I have come with everything.  My lymphedema, my weight loss and just starting to feel normal again and to be able to move and do things that I could not do before the surgery.  My legs held me back about 95% of the time.  I am not having to rely on my cane only when I am feeling tired do I use it (at work) and I am so greatful for everything and everyone who have had a hand in this.  I have wonderful family and friends who have helped me through all of this.  I used to dread it when I would have to go to the store and I would sit out in the parking lot and more or less have to get the motivation just to get out of the car and to make it in the store or to even go and get gas.  By the time I was done getting the things I had to get then walking out to my car and having to struggle to lift my legs into my car (I have a little SUV).  NOW it doesn't even phase me.. it's a piece of cake and I don't dread it any longer.  What used to take me an hour and a half now only takes me maybe a half hour to accomplish (store etc.)


08/28/2008  I cannot believe how time has just flown by.  I am down 117 pounds in 10 months!  Woo hoo!  No cane anymore and I can walk with no problems whatsoever.  Oh my goodness!
I have had so much support from friends and family, I feel so very lucky and truly blessed!  I will write more when I have time today.