aadams
I am a 32 year old african american woman who has struggled with her weight since the age of 13. At the age of 21 I was diagnosed with diabeties and have struggled to keep it under control since then. Last year doctors removed my gall bladder after I had my first and severe attack. They assured me that the removal of this non-viatal organ would eleminate the pain. WRONG..Now I am told that I have "fatty liver" due in part of my diabeties, and obesity. The doctor also informed me that if I don't get things under control now, I will lose my liver...not a good thing. I also suffer from asthma and arthritis. I'm at the end of my rope and tired of being fat and unhealthy. I am now finally ready to see the person inside..smaller than the size 26/28 I am now. I have a lot of work ahead of me and with much prayer I enter into the best adventure ever..my quest to be average!!!!!
8/22/03-I have an appointment with my PCP Dr. Bergquam vto talk about the results of my visit with the surgon in regards to my liver and to talk about having the WLS done. She was very supportive and understood why I wanted and needed to have the surgery done. Dr. Bergquam said that many of the test that are required for the surgery have already been performed in the last couple of months during the process to find the source of the pain in my side. She sent in the request to have the sleep study done that afternoon and gave me a referal for Dr. Patterson. Hopefully the process will move quickly.
8/26/03- Wow things are going well. I recieved a call from the sleep study at St. Vincent to come in tomorrow. Apparently they have had a cancelation. I'm not sure what to expect. I don't belive I have apnea, but I'm just going with the program.
8/28/03-OK..I don't have apnea, but I also didn't get much sleep last night. I was just too wound up I guess. Work was really hard today, but I'm glad it is over. Now on to the next test!!!!!
8/29/03-Last night was a bad night. Since the diagonsis of fatty liver which has prompted me to seek help for my food addiction and get professional help in dealing with my weight. I've been on a lifestyle change. Let me explain...I have discovered that if I eat high fat, sugar type foods it causes my liver to give me great pain. The only way to eleviate the pain is diet and exercise. So now I have inlisted the assistance of a Endocronologist(sp) to help with controling my diabetes, my pcp, a dietition/nutritionist(Susan Landgren she is great!)and soon a therapist to help with seperating my emotions and food. Last night I was like an addict. I couldn't sleep and decided to go to the dreaded Krispy Kream donuts..then to make matters worse I picked up a hamburger at Jack in the Box and tacos from Taco Bell. It was as if I had lost control of my body. It was awful and now I am feeling the pain both emotionally and physically. With this revelation I have finally made an appointment with the recomended therapist to help me deal with the impulses.
I also found out that the next informatin session for Dr. Patterson isn't until Nov. It's such a long wait, so I am going to check with my PCP to see if there are any other test I can have done prior to that date. I suppose I should be greatful though becuase the wait with the OHSU program is out to June of 2004!!!!
Hopefully I can be "good" over the long holiday weekend!
12/3/03 Wow it has been a long time since I have made an entry. I am well on my way! I have completed most all the list requirements and so far my insurance is covering it all. My friend Erica went to the information session with me in Nov and she had a better understanding of what I was working towards. My mom went with me to the group session. That was an even bigger hurdle because my mom doesn't really understand what I've been going through. I've been in counseling and such and it is really helping me with my assertiveness. I'm a little scared but I know with God's help I'll make it throug. I'm hoping that I can complete all the requirements and get an appointment by the end of Dec.
Onward I go!!!!!
1/28/04
My appt with the doctor is tomorrow. I 'm very nervous and excited...will write more tomorrow
9/30/04
It has been a long time since I have written...I've been going to the Dr. every month for the last 6 months per the insurance co. I also have been seeing my counsler every two weeks and the nutritionist every two weeks and the endocronologist. In one week I can spent $100.00 in co-pays. My six months was up in Sept. and my PCP wants me to wait until the first of the year to re-apply becasue I have gained weight over the summer instead of loosing. I am very confused because there is no other disease that the world or medical community would make you prove you can beat the disease before they approve you to get help. I'm so worn out and disappointed!!!!! I wouldn't want to do somehting so drastic if I didn't have a problem already. so I press forward trying to make and maintain over the holiday's. Not sure if I will make it. This really sucks!!!!!!0.
1/16/04
It has been a long time since I have written, and a long journey. But I have finally made it to the finish line! My surgery date is 2/1/05. I got through the holiday loosing 9 pounds which is great! I gained a lot of weight when my friend Linda died suddenly in July so I had to work really hard over the last few months but I did it. Dr. Patterson is on maternity leave and so Dr Hong will do my surgery. I know that God has not failed me so everything will be just fine. If I can be of encouragement to anyone out there working towards getting this surgery please feel free to e-mail me. I know how helpful it has been for me. And if I can give any advise to anyone...check your insurance policy and their web site for details on what you have to do to qualify for the surgery. I think if I had did that it would have saved me almost 9 months of greif. I can't wait to get to the loosing side!
2/27/05: 275! I'm on the loosing side and i'm feeling good!
9/23/05: It has been 7 months since my surgery and I'M feeling great. I am down to 217 lbs and planning on walking the PDX marathon in OCT. I've been traning hard and I'm excited to accomplish this goal. I am now looking into plastic surgery. My arms and legs stomach and breast all need some help. Not sure how I will pay for this but just like the surgery it will happen. I'm also in the begnning stages of applying to adopt a baby. God has given me a new beginning and I want to help someone else. Life is good and I want to be the best I can be!
God bless those who are waiting and those who have made it to the other side!!!!
