ggoens
I have been overweight my entire life. A pretty strong statement granted, but the sad fact of the matter is, I have been overweight my entire life. The few exceptions being just after the latest diet and I’ve tried them all. I have been on almost every diet that comes up the pike and I have lost hundreds of pounds. I always got a return on my investment; a two for one deal for every pound I lost. I maintain very well for a while but it seems all of a sudden I’m right back where I started. With each endeavor, I end up weighing more than I did in the beginning. I am 45 years old, 5’2 and currently weigh 259.
I have read so many profiles and it’s like reading about my own life! I don’t know whether to rejoice in the fact that I’m not the only one or to cry for other’s who obviously feel the same torment. I am at the beginning of my WLS journey. Dr. Neil Hutcher at Commonwealth Surgeons, LTD is my surgeon. I am very pleased so far with the information and treatment that I have received. Just after I made my initial call, they sent out a huge packet of information and a video to explain WLS to me and information to help me get started. The information session I attended was led by Dr. Hutcher and he provided quite a bit of additional information. I was very reassured and at ease when I left the session and happy that I had made the decision to pursue surgery. My husband attended with me and he is pretty relaxed and supportive as well. Yesterday I had my one on one visit with Dr. Hutcher. He seems to be such a nice man and very eager and willing to answer any and all of my questions, some of which I’m sure he thought were a bit off the wall. He really seemed to be interested in me and my health. I am beginning to feel hope for the first time in a long time. Dr. Hutcher said they would start the approval process and that it usually takes about 2 weeks or so to hear from the Insurance Company. After I am approved, Hillary will call and we will schedule the classes, test and everything else that needs to be done. Finally I am on my way! I have been married to a wonderful man for nearly 25 years; have three great kids, a fantastic daughter-in-law, and the most perfect granddaughter in the world. I don’t want to die because of obesity and the complications that go along with it.
Thanks for posting all of your information on the sites; it has really helped me in my research and in making my decision. Keep me in your prayers. God Bless You All!
5/29/03 - It has been a week since my one on one visit with my surgeon and I am eagerly awaiting information from the insurance company regarding approval for surgery. I know it could still be a couple of weeks yet before I hear from them but I am like a little kid waiting for Christmas! I hope everyone is having a great week! Ger www.singingforhisglory.com
6/5/03 - Hi folks, things are going well, extemely exited and impatient. Two weeks and one day waiting to hear about approval. They said two weeks and seriously, while I am anxious to know, I suppose I can wait a little longer. I really can't let myself get too exited(uh huh), I'll be sooo disappointed if I have to appeal and go through all that. Keep me in your prayers! I'll be praying for all of you that have dates this month! And everyone else too! Have a great day! God Bless You! Ger www.singingforhisglory.com
6/23/03 - Hi folks, thought it was time for another update. I am still not approved but it appears as though things are moving along. It just never seems to move quickly enough when it something you want. I did get a letter from my insurance company and they need additional information. I had what they ask for already thank the Lord so I sent it to the surgeons office and they are going to send it out tomorrow. Maybe this week or next,I'll hear something. Please keep the prayers going up for me. I know it will work according to God's plan and in His time. Other than my own anxious state, things are going well. I recieved my CPAP machine the same day I had my one on one with Dr. Hutcher, May 21st. The Sleep disorder center said I have severe Sleep Apnea and stopped breathing and woke up 70 times an hour! I knew I wasn't resting well, I had no idea I wasn't breathing! The machine really makes a difference for me though. I feel much more rested. It's not so good for my hair and the marks on my face in the morning leave much to be desired but at least I am breathing and sleeping like I should. Praise God for technology and the people He gifted with the knowledge to use it. Thanks for all the encouragment and support that has been offered. It has made this part of the journey easier to bear. Thanks again and God Bless you all! - Ger www.singingforhisglory.com
7/24/03 - Hi folks! Finally, I have a date! My friend Sheryl and I were talking about the stages that I have been experiencing lately. First I was anxious and aggrevated because it was taking so long(8 weeks yesterday). Then when I learned yesterday that I had been approved, I was so exited that I couldn't sleep last night. AND THEN... when I got the actual date today, reality hit and I felt totally overwhelmed at the thought of what was actually happening. Sheryl assured me this was normal and that it would pass. I'm surprised because I have been waiting and wanting this for so long and now all of a sudden I'm nervous. I don't doubt for a minute that I am doing the right thing and that God is taking care of everything but WOW! I guess maybe somewhere in the back of my mind I didn't really think I would be able to do this. I am so, so glad that the option has been made avialable to me and I am so thankful for my friend who is supporting me more than she knows. Now I can stop sitting around waiting and get busy doing something! I am so happy(and nervous) right now. Keep me in your prayers as I am keeping you in mine. God Bless! Ger www.singingforhisglory.com
8/7/03 - Hi Folks! I hope you are all doing well. Tomorrow I am going for my Psych. Evaluation. I will be glad to get this part over with. The other classes and tests are scheduled to begin next month. I really thought that 80+ days would really drag, but that doesn't seem to be the case. There are only 57 more days until my surgery, but who's counting. I still have so many things to do here at home, my ministry and the office to make sure everything is taken care of while I am recovering. With the Lords help,I'll manage. Like the song says, "He may not come when you call Him, but He'll be there right on time!" AMEN! He's already blessed me with a great support system and I am so thankful for my family and friends. I am so very blessed to have them. They are being very supportive through this whole thing and if they're getting tired of me talking about it,they aren't saying so. I need to run now, I just wanted to give a quick update. Again, I hope that you are all doing well. My prayers are with you, have a Blessed evening! Ger - www.singingforhisglory.com
9/26/03 - Hi Folks! Only 6 more days! My word where has the time gone? It seems like I was just approved yesterday! I am now an official basket case. My nerves are really starting to get a little jangled now as the time draws near. I am almost overwhelmed at the prospect that I am about to begin a new life! I am almost afraid to let my self believe that this "this time" is really going to be the turning point for me and will allow me to really live the life that God has intended for me to live. I am so grateful for all of you and the advise and encouragement that you have provided! Keep me and my family in your prayers! I'm almost there! Thank you very much! Have a blessed evening! love, Gerri
www.singingforhisglory.com
11/28/03 - Hi Folks! Yes,I made it, although at times I wondered if I would! I am finally feeling "normal" and able to get back online. My surgery went as scheduled on October 3rd. There were a few complications and extra work had to be done. I spent the whole next week in Surgical ICU before being moved down to a regular ward for two more days before I went home. I had my gallbladder removed (it was diseased), a Hiatal Hernia repaired and a few other things in addition to the Open RNY. Just after surgery they discovered a potential leak and went back in and fixed that before I was brought down to the ICU. All in all I recovered nicely from the surgery itself. Everything seemed to be going well, I was doing well on the full liquids but two weeks out I developed a upper respiratory infection. Pretty rough just having surgery and then this. Not as bad as I thought though because it would get worse in a couple of days. It seemed to start right out of the blue with no warning what so ever. I started throwing up virtually everything I attempted to eat or drink, with the exception of ice chips. I've got to stop here and say that my Surgeon, Dr. Neil Hutcher and his Nurse Practioner, Janine Moss, are two of the most wonderful people I know. They and the entire staff at Commomwealth Surgeons are simply awesome. I mean, honest, genuine and dedicated to the health and welfare of their patients and I am very blessed to have them looking out for me. Having said that I called Janine and told her what was going on. She said it sounded like a stricture and that I would need a Endoscopy. She immediatly set it up with Dr. Louis Gelrud, who is another awesome dr. and one I am blessed to have. After the Endoscopy all seemed well for three or four days and then I was throwing up again. The procedure had to be repeated. All was well for about a week and then I was getting sick again only this time it was much worse. I had been almost a week without being able to eat or drink anything and I actually dehydrated and had to be hospitalized. I was about 5 weeks out at this point. They did the Endoscopy again and I had 5 wonderful days before the bottom fell out (or closed up I should say). I struggled with it for alittle over a week and I couldn't eat or drink anything, not even ice. I went back to see Dr. Gelrud for yet one more Endoscopy only this time I didn't get any relief at all. I was able to drink a little juice and ice chips that night, Friday, and went the rest of the weekend with literally nothing. I was put in the hospital on Monday (dehydrated and mal nurished). On Wednesday we did another Endoscopy with a larger balloon. A upper GI revealed that I have a Fisula(sp?)little tiny leak. Nothing to worry about and they generally heal themselves. That was 11/12 and today it 11/28. So far so good! I certainly hope that fixed it but Dr. Hutcher warned me that it may not have, but at least additional surgery may have been pushed out for a while. Keep me in your prayers that this worked. On the bright side, I have lost 46 lbs.!!!! It doesn't seem possible but I am so grateful! In the beginning I was quite a bit discouraged and wondered more that once if I had made a terrible mistake. Now as things seem to improve each day and my strength is returning, I am very glad that I had the surgery. I am going back for a follow-up visit on 12/5 and will return to work on 12/15. I am looking forward to getting back to complete normal, whatever that is! I hope you all had a very Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving! Keep me in your prayers for a continued recovery as I keep you all in mine. God Bless - Gerri
www.singingforhisglory.com
