Its Muh Birthday! And I Am Depressed And Stressed.

I have had so much going on in my life here lately, i just happend to look at the date and realized it was my birthday. Boy did it slip up on me. My surgery date is March 22nd and my Insurance claim is still in review. I am so stressed out about that. Please Please approve me......... But I am prepared if it does not. I will know god put a delay on it for a reason. And then there is the stress of ...if it is approved ...I am so scared. I ask the doctor on line last week if i was a high risk because i have asthma ..he said yes. I was like OMG am i pushing fate. I have been so stressed over all this all i wanna do is sleep. And listening to all the complications of after the surgery well thats got me worried to. I am just venting please forgive me. I am sure all of you go through this before surgery. All I can do is leave it up to god. Thanks for listening (((Hugs))) Misty 7 days and a wake up call

Misty, before going into surgery you must have absolute total confidence in your surgeon. If you do not, you really should delay and look around for another. A surgeon with an excellent reputation, one who will put your comfort and well being first, one who knows your medical background inside and out and has talked to you thoroughly about all the issues, is the best way to get through this without a hitch. I am post-op 7 days. The day after my surgery, I thought I was going to die. No one can prepare you for the pain. I never thought I'd recover, and I absolutely regretted my decision to have the surgery. Today, 6 days later, I am full of energy, virtually pain free. I am totally self-sufficient (no one needs to bathe me or help with hygeine issues). I am walking almost a mile a day and sleeping on my side again at night. The miracle is that hunger has been totally eliminated from my life! No hunger pains, no missing food, none of it. I am so glad I did this! You will be too. Make sure you have the right doctor. Good luck and chin up! Your heart will tell you what to do. Follow your heart. Best, Maureen

Melissa, I hope your insurance approval goes through quickly. The most stressful situation to deal with is the UNKNOWN because you are trying to deal with all possibilities at once. As far as the asthma, yes it is a risk factor, but only one of many, and if they are aware of it, it can be kept under control. I'm concerned about your depression. You should discuss this with your doctor. You may need some medication (or dose adjustment) to get you though this period. Try to stay busy, that is about the only thing that helps pass the time, and time passing will resolve this. Vent all you want! Joy

Melissa honey, You know that I am here for you always!! And you know what I have gone through with my surgery. I have asthma too and made it through just fine. I dont have the gas pains as much anymore and I have been sleeping on my side almost the whole night. Yesterday, me and my son walked all the way to the end of the block and back, I was exhausted but it felt great!! I would so do this again and will thank God everyday for giving the opprotunity to have this surgery!!! ~Nicole

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Dont worry. Next birthday you will be a loser. The ins will go thru in time and all of us are at higher risk. They told me I was at high risk cause I have a thick neck or something like that. Just have confidence in your Dr. and in your decision and that is all you need. LaDonna -20lbs

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!! I know you're sad worried and scared... and IT SUCKS to have someone else in charge of your life right now (Insurance Company) the not knowing is enough to make ya a little nutso Just log on and we'll keep ya busy Just think.... by your next birthday how much happier and healthier you'll be!!!!

Happy Birthday Misty!!!!!!! Chin up girl. You are gonna do fine. I too have asthma and they just wanted to make sure that I had my meds before surgery and Iwill receive respiratory therapy in the hospital to keep everything in line. It's gonna be OK. I'll keep my fingers crossed about the insurance. Just remember "the squeeky wheel gets the grease!!!" As far as venting, no need to appologize. That's what we're here for girlfriend!!!!!!! Whitney Angels Lori andVa Angelettes Lori and Va 8 days to go

I have asthma as well. I don't compare mine to yours, just pass along how it was for me. My asthma is the kind that comes out when I get an upper respiratory infection. Since I've been pretty healthy this year that way, I didn't have any inhalers at home. The fact that I didn't get one here was just really silly of me, so don't make that mistake if you aren't on regular meds for your asthma. After the surgery, you should have a respiratory routine to follow. (Please ask your surgeon or whoever your expert on the hospital care is to explain it and verify that your hospital takes these precautions, which should be standard.) In the case of my hospital, I was asked to inhale into the tube and push the ball up as high as I could once an hour. Walking and being upright, even if it's only sitting in a chair is important. I also received a visit a day from the pulmonary specialists. This was laid on for all patients, not just asthmatics. I was also told to take deep breaths and cough at least once an hour. This was not the most fun but you better believe I did it. Therefore, about 24 hours after surgery, maybe a little longer, I coughed up a bunch of stuff. They took a look and concluded it was irritation from the breathing tube. My chest felt better after that, prior I could feel some phlegm. It is not uncommon for folks to have a little problem with a collapsed lung and that's why the specialists. Two weeks after surgery, I am going to mention to my surgeon today that I'm having a bit of a problem catching my breath. I doubt I will even register as wheezing, and I have some sugar-free Hall's cough drops (which I also should have pre-bought). I wish I had had an inhaler around this weekend and didn't want to do another emergency room trip just to get one. That is probably stupid, do as I say don't do as I do. In short, the issue is not so much whether we have these problems but finding out and insuring that the contingency plans and precautions are a good one. What other special precautions does your doctor recommend? For example, I was asked to really work on getting my pulmonary and caridovascular functions up before surgery. This is constructive and beats sitting around worrying. Worrying doesn't help reduce the risk. So, I kind of have it in for doctors who bandy about high risk terms and don't engage patients in planning for and reducing those risks. I hope your doctor does not fall into this category.

Thanks everyone for your kind words, they sure have helped me alot. Just wished this whole thing was behind me. Nicole I am so glad you are doing better. Been worried about you. It is great to know there are so many kind people out there, this board is what gets me through each day. (((Hugs))) Misty

((((Misty)))) Happy Birthday, sweetie!! I am so sorry you are going through these emotions. I wish there were some wise words of advice I could give to you but truth being, I felt kind of similar to you. I do not have asthma but I know that many many asthma sufferers go through this surgery and come out wonderfully!! You will be one of those people. We will put our total trust in God and he will see you through this. God Bless Bethany AKA Da Offishal Riddler and Bertha 13 Days into NewPouch and feeling great! -25 lbs!!!! Yayyyy A riddle a day will keep the Marchers pounds AWAY!