And the Journey Begins...

  I got home Friday from work, I had a message on my VM.  It was MMPC calling and asking me to return their call and get an appointment set up with a surgeon.  I called at 4:30 and wouldn't you know their phone hours are only from 8am to 4:30pm so I just missed them.  I called MMPC today and I have an appointment with an Internist on July 31st at 9:15am.  The scheduler said that you MUST be nicotine free in order to schedule and appointment with the Surgeon.  I am SO glad I started my Chantix on July 1st.  I have not smoked since then!!  **Jodi pats herself on the back**  I never knew it was going to be this easy to quit smoking.  I was a heavy smoker, and I have NOT craved one at all.  I LOVE THIS DRUG!!!  She said they are going to do the basic physical and check me if I have any nicotine in my system.  I looked it up how long nicotine stays in you system, and it only stays in your system for 72-96 hours.  So I should be good there.  I'm so excited yet very very nervous to get this going.  I know it will all be worth it in the long run... but still am scared.   Please let me know what kind of questions they might ask you at this appointment, and what consists in a physical besides vitals and belly pushing...:O)~   Much appreciated...   Thanks Jodi :O)

Well, Jodi, congratulations on quitting smoking!!!  I'm assuming you will be seeing Dr. White.  I wish I could give you a good review of her.  Here is what I wrote about her after my visit:

• Our last appointment was with the internist who is a woman. She seemed very cold compared to everyone else. The first thing she said after asking my profession (sign maker) was that I would be denied by the insurance company. I think she thought that I had bad insurance based on my profession. She thought signs were still hand painted. DUH! I cried all the way home thinking about rejection.

However, my mother recently had an appointment with her and it was pleasant.  Maybe she's worked on her personality a bit. I remember that she had an EKG done and basically went over medical history.  She also went over labs.  That's all I remember.  I hope I didn't scare you away.  It really wasn't so bad. Good luck to you! Jenn

Thanks again Jenn.. You always have wonderful information for me.  Dont be sorry about what you said about Dr White.  I like to hear the good, bad, and ugly.  So I can form my own opinion. 

Jodi,  Congrats on your appointment and not smoking!   When you have your physical, they ask you family history, personal history regarding your medical condition etc.  I had an electrocardiogram and basically just a quick physical and extenstive lab work, I think it was 15 vials of blood. That's about it.  Take a list of your meds with you...and that's about it. Good Luck.

Thanks for the congratsulations....What you are telling me about the appointment seems like a piece of cake.  I can do that.. NOthing to worry about. Thanks again..  Jodi :O)

First of all congrats on quitting smoking. That is a huge obstacle that is very hard to overcome. It took my my a very long time.  Second congrats on getting this journey started. Keep us posted for sure to let us know where you are at.  Suzanne

Quitting smoking is the easiest thing I have ever done.  I LOVE THIS DRUG!!  I have not had one bit of problems.  I am pretty much over the herdle.  I am a week out... and have not craved a single "treat".  I will keep all you posted.  Definately!! Thanks again.. Jodi :O)

Jodi, congrats on getting the first appointments.  Way to go on quitting smoking, it's very important that you continue to quit.  I had a very positive experience with Dr. White.  She was very pleasant and thorough.  I too had the EKG and some poking but I had my blood tests done up in Big Rapids (9 tubes) and those were faxed down to MMPC since my insurance didn't cover the blood tests being done by MMPC.  This is the first step and the rest come pretty quickly behind.

Thanks Ann...I hope it does come quickly.  When on the phone with the scheduler, she said that you cannot even have a Dr appt with a surgeon until you are smoke free.  I'm so glad I started these pills on July 1st. and my Appt is July 31st.  That gives me 31 days to get the nicotine out of my system.  BUT I looked on the internet and it says that nicotine only stays in you system for 72-96 hours.  So I should DEFINATELY be nicotine free by then. Thanks again Ann Jodi :O)

Jodi, Congrats on your appt.  My husband is finishing his 3rd month on Chantix, and feels like he can make it on his own.   Best of Luck Pam