Deborah Joyner
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05/24/05 Went to see Dr. Yared, my local gastroenterologist due to epigastric pain. He ran alot of blood work with the results coming back negitive my greatest concern was the liver enzymes which I was told are normal. I'm having a CT scan of the abdomine on Friday so hopefull it's just my gallbladder acting up. Went my local primary doctors office today and got weighted I had lost 7 lbs since my last visit there. It's a start. I also signed the release of information for Dr. Nye which I'm going ahead and getting it faxed there.
07/18/05 didn't get to go see Dr. Nye yet due to disability backpay not coming yet. It's really messed everything up here financially. I can't wait to reschedule my appointment. To much water under the bridge right now. I've been so depressed lately cause of everything not happening on time like I hoped. My father said not to count my chickens before they hatched he was right this time.
12/01/2005 Some good news. I'm dropping BC/BS of Georgia as of January 1, 2006 and using my new Humana Medicare Complete Policy:) Yipe! Looks like I might have that surgury yet. I've got to get the taxes paid first for next year then no big problem since my Medicare thru Humana does pay for the Surgury!!! and I have a $5,000 maximum so I'm not a major huge out of pocket problem.
12/21/2005 I have my appointments set to see Dr. Nye and the Nutritionist on 1/10/2005 for my first appointment. I just did the MMP1 thru Dr. Campbell here in Moultrie and have all the information faxed to Dr. Nye that they requested I've got to get in touch with Dr. Yared for a referral letter from him also he's my Gastroenterologist. I have already had a whole series of tests done here this past year due to having had 2 surguries this past fall. I've already got most of my diet diary written been keeping that for about 2 weeks now. Already have reservation to stay at the Microtel Suites in Pensacola when Dad takes me since Jeff can't untill it's time for me to go to the Surgury if I'm approved.
1/03/2006 It's only 1 week until the appointment now to see Dr. Nye. I went to CRMC medical records and picked up as much of my chart there relating to stuff like my heart Catheriziation, Stress Test, Labs, Previous Surguries for the last few years. X-ray results and EKG results. I hope this helps. I've got Dr. Trebony's office looking thru my chart because for some reason I'm only listed as having tried Meridian and they don't show it or the girl who was looking thru the chart couldn't find my trial on Xenical which were done about maybe a month or so apart. I've got to get my results of the MMPI from Dr. Campbell today. It's funny when your reading about yourself in your own chart what you find. Hopefully the results of my CAT scan of the abdomine won't hurt me having the surgury. I guess I just have to wait and see.
01/09/2006 Well tommorrow is the big day to see Dr. Nye and the nutritionist. I'm so nervous right now. I woke up very nauseated like I was going on my first date. I picked up the last of the papers my MMPI from Dr. Campbell. I hope Dr. Nye will accept me.
01/11/2006 I'm back from Pensacola and I'm so excited I've been approved for surgury. I just had to get some stuff fixed with my medicare by dropping Humana at this time due to hospital and MD not accepting Humana Medicare PPO. I had gone in with all my paperwork required 1.) Weight since 1998 2.) physican documented weight loss I had 3 attempts thru my current MD had done several thru other doctors but their offices no longer there. 3.) All my previous medical procedures done in the last 5 years like heart catherization, sleep study, echocardiogram, surgury, labs especiall Lipid profile, TSH Level, A1C 4.) I cam in with 2 letter from two different physicans who recommended me for this surgury and why with documentation. 5.) Food Log for 3 weeks which I did on the computer much easier to read 6.) I wrote a letter also explaining my I felt I was a good canidate for this surgury. I found out the hardway that make sure your insurance is going to pay and that the hospital takes that insurance. I had to go just straight medicare because medicare does cover this procedure if it's medically necessary. I Qualified cause my BMI was over 44 also. Waiting now for the upfront money of $1800 to pay and the $250 fee for the program should be here next Tuesday where I'll call Alice to schedule the surgury. Dr. Nye accepts what medicare pays just medicare is slow to pay. When we go for the Surgury we're going to have to go 2 days in advance to take the Pre-Op class where they will explain how everything works and the diet to be followed post-op. My stay will be a little longer then those who do this in the area cause of my 5 hour drive home here to Georgia.
01/20/2006 My money for the surgury is here called Dr. Nye's office the official surgury date is for 02/22/06 I have to be in Pensacola for my pre-ops on 02/03/06 I'm bring the kids so they can see where I'll be while I'm gone. We will be staying overnight in Resident Inn in Pensacola. It's a really nice hotel from what I understand we got a one bedroom suite that has a living room, kitchen with all the necesseties. I'll be in Pensacola on 02/20/2006 for Jeff to meet Dr. Nye and for my Nutrition class. Then do my start my pre-op prep on 02/21/2006 with clear liquids the day before surgury. Hmmmmmm can't wait to get this ball moving.
02/22/06 Had surgury at 7:00AM got to the hospital like 4:45AM for pre-ops. I know I woke up in post-op hurting a little, but what woke me up was a jugular access that had accidently been partially pull out of my neck. I felt blood dripping. They took the access out applied pressure and bandaged the area. I had a NG tube very gross feeling made my head all stopped up. I was on Oxygen at 4L due to low pulse ox level less then 90%. Was taken to my private room where my hubby waited me. I think the think that hurt the worst was the transfer from the stretcher to my bed. I have a JP Drain in my left lower abdomine to drain off the 3000 or so of IV and irrigation fluids used during surgury. Also I have a Pinrose drain in my incision to keep it dry. They had a problem keeping my BP down since they took me off oral meds. I really didn't require that much for pain just uncomfortable. The next day the GRAPE JUICE TEST was performed which I passed with flying colors so my NG was removed. I was discharged on saturday to go home back to Georgia.
03/01/06 First post-op visit lost 8lbs. JP drain removed and Penrose removed.
03/02/06 7lbs lost feeling great
03/03/06 8lbs lost for total of 22lbs 1 week and 2 days post-op. Hope it keeps rolling off like this. I'm down to 366 now. I start the phase 4 diet on 03/07/06 Can't wait I've tolerated everything well with no nausea, vomiting or very much discomfort. I'm eating only 3 meals a day with fat free milk twice a day. I've started taking ISOPURE shakes. Now these taste good like that they say they are. Well worth the only. I only do 1 to 2 a day using only a 1/2 for a shake since each one is 300cals and 50GMs of protein down want to much carbs and protein to slow the weight loss. My blood sugars are coming down today mine was 195 which is way better then in the hospital at 350. I had to restart my PO BP meds my blood pressure is normal right now and have been reassured it will get lower as the weight comes off. Hopefully I won't have to take those meds much longer, but I do have a family history of HBP. I walk for 30 minutes or more daily sometimes twice a day. My energy is starting to pick up so are my spirits.
03/05/06 Down 27lbs the place where the JP Drain was has quit oozing and now I can cover it with just a bandaid not a dressing. Thank God cause my poor skin couldn't take much more, I'm allergic to all medical tapes so I've got blisters now that have to heal also. Oh well this happens all the time. Tuesday I'm starting Phase 4 of my diet. I haven't had any problems tolerating anything so far. I guess one of the lucky few with that. My BS still tend to flucuate a bit still lowered has been 195. My BP is normal now which I'm greatful for. Yesterday we went to Sam's Club in Albany and I walked all over the store for almost 2 hours. I was exhausted when I got out of there. That was the most I've walked in a long while. Mentally I feel great no signs of depression, I'm still taking my Wellbuterin 200mg XR and Lexapro 40mg daily it keeps me on an even balance. I'll always have to take these meds since I'm bi-polar and when I come off then for very long I really lose it and end back in the hospital. Thinking seriously about going on the walking trail in town today to see how far I can get. I'll bring my hubby of course.
03/07/06 Had a bit of a set back to day started vomiting last night then this morning also. Call Dr. Nye's office and they adviced me to go back to a liquid diet and give my stomach a rest since the vomiting has irritated the end of the bottom of the stomach. I'm tolerating the liquid diet well right now. I've got to call back to Dr. Nye's office to let them know how I am tommorrow. Today I went shopping for my "incentive" clothes I got 3 really cute outfits from Cato's I had to have something to shot for. Down 30 lbs right now.
03/22/06 I'm taking Levaquin for a kidney infection apparently I've had for a while since surgury. I'm better now, but man when that infection made it's prescence know I was having hard chills that sleeping with 4 blankets couldn't get me warm enough. I started running a fever it got up to 102.8 when I was in ER. So so dizzy and lightheaded, defiantely couldn't eat everything made me nauseated. I'm eating normal now and have dropped down 52lbs I was at 50lbs yesterday so wierd it's falling off so fast. I'm drinking more then enough fluids since I'm a water drinker. I call Rose Dr. Nye's wife and reported what has been going on and that I was doing better. Schedule to started Phase 5 diet Next Wednesday. I go back to see him on the 04/05/06 I'm the lowest I've been since before being pregnant with Gabrielle my youngest who will be 10 on 04/02/06 My clothes are loosing up a lot still walking and starting to be more active at home.
05/12/2006 It's been a while since I've actually posted I'm down 80lbs now at 318. For some freaky reason my blood pressure is up and Dr. Trebony my PCP upped my cogreg from 6.25mg to 12.5mg it was origionally at 3.125mg I've been coughing a bit lately not sure if it's possible mild CHF which would explain the b/p problem. I have started working out at the YMCA now doing swimming at the present and am suppose to start my orientation for the gym there so I can get going with a cardiovascular workout. Still feeling really tired, but I'm defiantely more active now sleeping basically only at night now. I'm on Cymbalta now for depression and diabetic neuropathy which seems to be helping a lot I stopped lexapro.
05/21/2006 It's wild over night I seem to have drop down in less then a week almost 10lbs with 3 lbs love just overnight. I've got to go back to see Dr. Nye on July 12th for f/u. I'm working out at the YMCA now doing the Cardio stuff on the tred mill and also swimming. I'm going to start an water aerobic work out 3 days a week with hopefully several hours spent at the YMCA. I don't want to start weight lifting yet cause it would slow down my weight loss a lot.
06/22/06 I'm down 100lbs now can't believe it. I can really tell the difference everyone is commenting on how I'm looking I want to get down to at least 140 or possible 125 my IBW not sure yet. I haven't been back to the YMCA recently since the kids have been sick and so have I. I've had a touch of what I think is a gastrointestional bug for several days now. I'm eating more Yogurt trying to get my "intestional FLora" regulated again. I'm pretty much eating okay. I don't tolerate Pasta's well or breads unless their toasted. I do good with crackers or hard taco shells can't do the soft taco's they get to gummy in me. I found I really don't like eggs hardly at all anymore unless their a "Jimmy Dean" 3 cheese Omelette all the other stuff just comes back up on me. I'm taking Biotin 5mg daily for hair and nails. I've started shedding hair really bad lately. I'm also taking Feosol which is slow Iron now once daily also Caltrate 1600mg daily with my Women's Centrum Multi-vitamin twice daily. Also have started taking phazyme for the gas I use the Ulta version 185mg I believe. I'm taking more time for myself more now. I've started a garden in my front yard and on my porch where I can sit and chat instead of handing out inside all the time as had been my norm. I'm still going to my psychologist bi-monthly to talk. She's really proud of me and so am I of myself. I'm really trying to change for my sake as well as my families. We're talking now about buying a trailer down the road in about 6 to 8 years after put our annual tax funds back for this. We will have to wait till my Van is paid for it's now 5 years. I'm hoping we can get a fairly new used double wide with an acre or two to call home. So far all my dreams are happening slowly but surely. If I need surgury for skin remove and modification I guess I'll have to apply to "Extreme Makeovers" for help.
08/28/2006 It's been a while since I've actually posted I'm down to 281lbs now and feeling great. I'm in a size 22 pants and 18 tops. I have found out that my depression for some wierd reason is trying to come back. I'm now on Vistaril PRN for anxiety attacks. I had a cervical biopsy done in July which turned out to be okay just hormonal changes apparently I'm starting to go thru menopause. I've started taking Premarin Vaginally my gyn told me it isn't absorbed to well orally especially since I've had this surgury. I am suppose to go back to see Dr. Nye on the 6th of next month but finances won't allow it. I'm taking everything like I'm suppose to and doing my shots of b12 as ordered. Cynthia at Dr. Adcock's office she's the Nurse Practicioner thinks I might need to up my b12 shots to bi-monthly. Wonder when I'm due more blood work. I'm 6 months post-op now.
09/07/2007 Been a long time since I've written here I'm down to 205 now fluctuating maybe 5lbs. I've gone thru some major life changes I've almost gone thru a divorce which my husband left me in 09/2006, but we're back together. He just couldn't deal with all the changes my body has gone thru. I'm gone from size 32 clothes down to a 14 now and size 11 extra wide to a size 9 normal width which I haven't seen in years and years. I'm currently in college studying for my degree in Web Design and Networking. I'm to see Dr. Nye for the first time since July of last year on the 24th of this month. I finally got medicare to pay off everything after a major screw up on their part they had me in a PPO when I was only in a PDP and refused to pay any of my claims. We finally got the mess straightened out after many many hours of phone calls.
