WandaB
On My Way for A Healthier Me!
***October 12, 2007***
Pre-Ops Surgery w/Dr. Murayama
Toda Dr. Murayama asked me if I was nervos, I told him "no, not at all" in fact my husband, my family along with my co-workers were doing that for me. He then said good because he moved my surgery time to :45 instead of 11am. I laughed at thim and thought he was joking; he laughed back and said "yes you're have the surgery in the morning instead. (OMG) I was just sostoke! Excited was not the word. I can't wait, I'm very comfortable with Dr. Murayama and so relaxed that after my last pre-ops education classes this afternoon I went to the beach.
It was a beautiful day the water was perfect. I got to read another 12 chapters of my book and before I knew it, it was getting dark so I drove back home. Feels good to be home I think I'll cal it a nightand get some zzzz's
***October 11, 2007***
Pre-Ops w/Dr. Ramsdell
You have to understand Dr. Ramsdell she is one of the most realistic person I've ever met. Not to mention very compassionate, loving and understanding. Did I forget to say funny too! Yes she is... We went over my lab work, the EKG and Chest X-rays, besides my fatty liver, low blood and some small minor stuff things looks good for surgery. She had me do some physical testes for a moment there I thought I was at Build-A-Bear Workshop. She assured me this had to be done to be sure I was strong enough and capable of having the surgery done come Monday morning.
By this time my migraine had gone away what a relief!!!
***October 10, 2007***
I need some kind of pain medication for my migraine please!
Still have the migraine! I thought by now it would have diapered but it's still here. I can't handle it anymore. I'm forced to call QCWMP first thing in the morning. This is how wonderful the team works. Linda relayed the message for Valerie who immediately phone me back sayingit's okay to take the Tylenol extra strenght until she was able to check if my migraine medications was okay to take. Without a doubt I went to the little store just around the corner of our building and brought the Tylenol extra strenght. By the time I came back Valerie called me back to say my migraine medications was okay to take. Eventually with in half an hour my migraine went away towards the evening I was back to myself!!!
***October 9, 2007***
Dam Migraine
Dam-it! my migraine hasn't gone away infact it's gotten worst. not to mention at I have lab work that needs to be done at 6:30 in the morning. I couldn't eat or drink anything since mid-night...
***October 7, 2007***
Migraine Headache
I haven't had a migrain for a whild now until today. I tried to shake it away but just can't. I don't know if it's because I've been working 12 hour shifts. I defiantly know it's not because of not eating. I ate just about all my meals including my snacks that's what kept me so energized.
***September 26, 2007***
EKG and Chest X-ray
Because I leave to Kona tomorrow today was the only day I could get my EKG and Chest X-rays done and pick up my requistions.
Thank God I read my letter twice.
***September 24, 2007***
Got the date!!!
Guess what my friends, I got the date and no it's not October 8th as we thought, but it's October 15th. I was at the soccer field when I received the call from Valerie today. Boy was I excited when she gave me the news that my insurance approved the surgery. You hear it a lot of how some of people had been denied by their insurance company and some of them approved in just a matter of days. Well Valerie called me last Friday saying she finished with my paper work and will be sending my forms and letter my family and I wrote to my insurance company this afternoon. I just couldn't believe it really took less then 2 days because of the weekend the office was closed.
***September 20, 2007***
It's getting near!
I went to my pre-ops this past Wednesday September 18th very informative and now my husband too also knows what to expect. Thursday September 19th we met with the surgeon Dr. Murayama, his such an extremely wonderful, down to earth doctor I've ever met. Very comfortable and answered what little questions I or my husband had. We laughed and told a few jokes. I was very relaxed with him. After looking me over he said I'm another perfect candidate for surgery. I then met with Valerie who would submit my information to my insurance and said it all goes well according to her records looks like the surgery will happen on October 8th. So will just have to wait and see.
***September 12, 2007***
Last Green light!
I'm now down to 291!!! I met with my PSYCH again, she’s really a sweetheart. I never in a million years thought I'd ever be able to communicate with her, but she’s awesome she all about the well being of you and questions you can bet she'll answer them all. Anyway’s she gave me the green light too!I can now meet with the surgeon that's on the 20th. But before him I'll have to meet with Chelse for my pre-ops classes on the 19th. Hopefully by then I'll know if my insurance companies will cover the cost of the surgery.“Oh” I can now fit in some of my old jeans that I haven't used for how long now. I brought 3 blouses all XL no moa XXXLJ
***August 27, 2007***
One more Green light!
Another weigh in I'm now 297 feeling fabulous! My visited with my dietitian today and she’s very pleased with the results and my homework progress. We went over a few foods that I could eat to increases my iron. She gave me the green light too! Now just one more to go! Best of all now more homework, but I think I'll still keep on logging what I eat just to help me control myself…
***August 20, 2007*** ***August 14, 2007***
Things are looking good!
Well things are looking pretty well, everything is coming into place and I'm learning to move on. Dr. Ramsdell gave me the green light! That’s one down two more to go…
Finish PSYCH Testing
With everything that’s going on I'm still able to manage myself properly, I'm still eating my meals all 4 of them. I'm haven't had much appetite to eat all my snacks, but I knew as long as I ate my main meals I was okay. I had to finish my PSYCH testing today once I got there they took my weight again this time I lost 3 more pounds now weighing 308. According to the PSYCH despite the lost of my mother she feels I may be able to have the surgery soon, she wants’ to see me one more time before I get the green tag. This is quit all right with me. I'm still dealing with my mother’s funeral arrangements.
***August 12, 2007***
I just knew!!!
Today was supposed to be a happy day; my baby sister received her Master’s Degree! We're all so proud of her especially my mother who’s still struggling to survive with her cancer. Immediately after the graduation was over my sister rushed over to the hospital. My mother was waiting for her; by the time we got there you could smell her room from the lobby area. Her room was filled with leis pikake, maile, orchids, tuberose leis my mom was so happy! Although disturbing as it may seem, I just knew today would be my last time I'd talk and laugh with my mother. As everyone started she told everyone today will be the best day of her life. My daughter was told don't be sad be happy, don't cry when you see the big star shinning and the cold breeze on your left side that will me. Later it was my turn when I kissed her good-by she told me “thank you for everything and I love you!” As I left her room I told her I'll see you tomorrow right after work. Normally my mother would say okay 3:30 sharp! This time she didn't instead she said “I love you!” I left her room in tears. Well 10:17pm I received a call from her old man who tells me come back to the hospital it’s time. I called my sisters and brothers along with her sisters and brothers to meet us at the hospital. The doctor came in nearly an hour later and said “I'm sorry for the lost” time of death 11.24. Before we knew it, it was nearly 3: am on August 13th knowing I'd have a lot of things to do, and won't be able to sleep but I'll have to try…
***August 6, 2007*** They took my weight again and guess what I actually lost weight, wow! I lost some weight I’m now 308! That was very good for me. Turned in my homework, and talked about proteins this time. I now have to have at least 80gm of protein, and a calorie intake anywhere between 1300 - 1500 a day plus still keep up with my eating 4 to 5 times a day! “Oh, Boy!” Okay I’ll be back to finish the rest, gotta take my son to sports authority… Well you can guess with no ride my daughter and I walked from my job to the hospital after work. My husband was still in surgery so I had them call my mom’s room when they were done and I could see him. It wasn’t till the evening when he was released to come home. Boy talking about walking, before 5pm came around the corner I hit 1285 steps. Forgot to mention this did not include my lunch walk around downtown. . I then was seen by Chelse my dietitian we went over the do’s and don’t. We covered the nutrition facts on calories, total fat and protein. The importance of me eating my 3 main meals a day plus my snacks. How in the world would I do this without picking up anymore weight I thought… That was easily taken cared my dietitian gave me homework I had to log everything I ate and my thoughts. Next I was seen my Dr. Rams dell ~ talk about one straight forward person. I really admire her, she was very direct no sugar coating anything. When doing my evaluation she mentioned she had to scheduled me for a liver ultrasound. I then had to meat with the psychologist Dr. Inouye. Although I did not feel nervous at all, as a matter of fact Dr. Inouye made me feel very comfortable, we spoke of all sorts of things and concerns she thought might have imposed on my weight issue. Before we knew it our time was up! I had test immediately after but was unable to finish it, so they’ll let me finish it the next time I visit them. Overall I had a great experience, I never felt so welcome in my life when walking into a doctor’s office or clinic.
Dam I went to the wrong building L
1st of all I'm hungry!!! I haven't eaten anything since 6:30 last night. Parked at POI push my husband in his wheelchair everything was fine. We got to the PO2 on time in fact 15 minutes early. Looking for the ultrasound room only to find out it was the wrong building. We had to go to PO3 which was clearly about a block away. When that was done we went back to visit my mom to kill time. I also had to go back to visit with my dietitian who’s located in the PO1 building, not so bad this time we took the cut-short.
***August 1, 2007***
SurgeryL
“Oh, did I say that right” Well actually my husband had to have surgery this morning. So we decided to have him drop my daughter and I off at work, being that his surgery was not schedule until late afternoon and he had to pre/reg and go for blood work ended up visiting my mom in the meantime.
***July 17, 2007***
My 1st visit to QCWMP
Well my visit went well other then my weight it went extremely well. 1st thing they did was take my weight, measured my neck, arms, tummy and hips. Well I needless to say I’m 319.3 pounds “ouch”
***July 10, 2007***
Insurance Got the Referral Forms
I called and left a message for Doreen today. She phoned me back to say “I got good news for you, my insurance followed through” “let set a date to meet with the dietician, the psychologist and I think a med doctor? “ But I was driving so she said call me back when I’m at a safe destination. I called her right back as soon as I got home.
So I’ll be visiting them for the first time on July 17th at 12 o’clock. I can't wait
I just hope I don't forget to bring picture ID, insurance cards and my $85 dollars
I’m just so excited but still skeptical not knowing exactly what’s gonna happen that day.
***July 5, 2007***
Referral Forms In Place
Okay after that long battle with my PCP sending QCWMP the correct referral forms they finally did it….
I just received the call from Doreen over at Queens, she said “we finally got all the correct referral forms that‘s need, just have to give it 48 hours for my insurance.” So now I’ll have to wait cross my fingers for my insurance to take it‘s part. Once that’s done then we can officially set up my very first appointment to see the QCWMP
***June 28, 2006***
Alright we’re starting to make progress, not a lot but at least that’s something.
I spoke Doreen at QCWMP she didn’t receive the copy of the doctors referral yet. So I called and had Dr. Tan’s nurse fax it over and attention it to Doreen. Doreen called me back and said I have good new and bad news the good news to say she’s got the referral copy. The bad news she hadn’t received all the information needed on the referral form. So rather then going back and forth again. Doreen circled all the information that was needed and faxed it back to Dr. Tan. I called his office again and told Min please have Dr. Tan filled out all the necessary areas that were circled send those to my insurance companies, and fax the copies. Hopefully once that’s all in place we can get the ball rolling…
In the mean time Doreen had made a tentative appointment July 26 if I remember correctly.
I just pray that QCWMP gets all the information needed soon! 
***June 26, 2006***
Okay today I decided to call the QCWMP to check if they've received my paper work my PCP sent. Doreen at QCWMP said yes they did, however my PCP hadn't sent the referral forms yet. So I called my doctor on his cell and it almost seemed as he was brushing me off. I told him he needed him to submit a referral from to my insurance company letting them know he was referring me to see them. He didn't understand and told me to have them send me what every they needed. Hello I just told him what they needed ugahhh! I also told him they've sent him a second referral all he needed to do was fill out the paper work and forward it to my insurance. I just don't get! How hard could that be???
***June 28, 2006***
Well I phoned back Doreen and explain to her the situation she was even willing to call them!. She's been really helpful but bottom line she couldn't do anything until she received the referral form. Doreen suggested I call and talk to his nurse because they should know what's needed. So okay I called back this time his office spoke with his nurse and explained what the QCWMP needed. She too didn't understand, I told her look QCWMP received the files and lab work that was done on me. But because I have HMO QCWMP needs Dr. Tan to send the referral forms to my insurance letting them know that he was referring me to them. "Ohhhhh" now she get's it. OMG!!!! She ask for QCWMP'S address, phone number and the reason... It's frustrating when you have to push or make your doctor understand what's needed, I guess if that's what needs to be done then I'm doing it. Well Dr. Tan's nurse was going to send the referral paper by tomorrow to my insurance company and also fax what she sent to them to QCWMP just in case they sent the wrong papers. I called Doreen back by this time we both know each other's voice and comfortable with speaking with one another. She gonna watch for the forms and follow up with me. If in case they send her the wrong form she's gonna send them an example. Well that's my drama for today. To be continued!!!
***June 16, 2006***
Just got home a little while ago after taking mom to see Dr. Tan also my PCP. I wanted to reconfirmed with him to see if he had fax over my paper work to QCWMP he sad "yes, and a lot of paper work too!"
I'll just wait for a little while and see what happens.
***June 15, 2007***
Between work and caring for my mother I hadn’t had time to follow up with my doctor. That’s okay I’ll be seeing him tomorrow when I take my mom for her visit. I’ll keep you folks posted.
Have A Wonderful Weekend!!!!!
***June 13, 2007***
It’s been nearly a month since I had the sleep lab done and the QCWMP hasn’t called me yet. I took the advise from those of you who said call them. Mahalo’s to all of you who encouraged me to call. Well apparently my doctor and his team hadn’t fax over my testes yet. So QCWMP would send a second referral for me, in the meantime she had me call my doctor. I spoke with his nurse who said she would fax over my information.
***June 2, 2007***
I followed up with Dr. Tan today, needed to c/u on my sugar and blood pressure. Well sugar level is fine, however my blood pressure kinda high. Could have been caused because of my mingrain headaches I had this week. It just doesn’t go away and the medicine doesn’t help much either. He mentioned he was gonna fax over my information to QCWMP.
***May 19, 2007***
I'm finished with my sleep lab, everything went fine. I didn't need any equipment for my breathing which I've already known, because it's not my breathing that I have problems with. It's not getting any sleep. I constantly getting up through out the night at least 7 to 8 times. I some time get up just because, but mostly for pains in my back, my knees, lower legs and by my growing area.
***May 18, 2007***
It's finally here I'm do the sleep lab tonight and pretty excited!!
***May 17, 2007***
No return call yet, by this time I'm worried that my insurance didn't go through.. So I called to reconfirm my sleep study and to see if everything was all in order. I explained to them that I've been trying to return the call from the pre-reg office. So she forward me to them. Finally spoke with some one there who wanted my husband's insurance number, so I gave it to them and that went fine.
***May 16, 2007***
I call the Queen Pre-Reg again only to leave another message.
***May 15, 2007***
I receive a call the Queens Pre-Registration office saying I needed to call them. So I did but was able to leave message only.
***May 12, 2007***
I call to reconfirm my study of the sleep lab and to pre-register. All goes well, gave them my insurance information and went on my way to the weekend!
***April 23rd, 2007***
We rush my mom back to the hospital. By this time she's lost more blood and needed immediate blood transfusion again!. I'm stressing and before I'd realize it I'm eating all sorts of junk, from chips to candy, soda. She's expected to remain in the hospital for at least 2 to 3 weeks. During this time my eating habits are very poor now. It's either I'm eating or not eating, my resistant's is very low. So I start to clean up my act and pull myself together get back on track.
***April 18th 2007***
I'm excited to tell the rest of the family of my decision on the GB they too are very excited. I think this was about the best news that we've had which seemed to be a long one since mom's news.
***April 12, 2007***
I receive the bad news that my mother is in state 4 of her cancer. Despite her radiation treatment she'd had it didn't help much, the tumor was just too large and it had spread in her lower abdomen area. Surgery was out of question and be to risky. The decision to continue on with the radiation and start the chemo would help prolong her life, but the truth was we would have a year to a year to maybe a year and a half with her. Very devastating
***March 31, 2007***
Dr. Tan calls me to give me my sleep lab study appointment schedule for May 18th that the earliest we could get. That's all fine I'm doing research on this whole colon cancer trying to understand the what's and how's.
***March 30, 2007***
I leave work early to see Dr. Tan he ran some blood work, check my height, did not check my weight just ask what it was and place it on my record. He did an EKG checked my sugar and blood pressure. He tells me he'll be setting up the date and time for me to do the sleep lab... The sleep lab I say, he said yes that was also one of the requirements. So okay
***March 29 2007***
I receive a follow up call from the QMCCWMP I'm so excited about this. I was told because of my medical insurance having HMO I'd had to have my doctor referral me to them. That was a whole different story at first he was not so pleased with this. But after explaining to him this wasn't something that I thought of over night it took a long time. And after hearing all the other side affect it had really made me worry. He said I was persistent I told him I had every reason to be. Well little did I know he received the information from the QMCCWMP and phoned me back to come in first thing tomorrow morning so we can get this started without delays. I was so thrilled I called him back to thank him!
***March 28, 2007***
I attend the (The Queen's Medical Center Comprehensive Weight Management Program) for the first time. So much information and concerns. So after the meeding I signed up and received my packet. I'm now plugging away on all the other paperwork.
