InItToLoseIt2014

12 hours from now, I will be preparing for an 11 a.m. surgery. I am really very calm about this surgery, which kind of scares me. Things have just gone so well in preparing and getting approved, that I feel the surgery will be "textbook", as they say. The recovery is what I'm not so sure about. To everyone who has already had surgery, congrats!! To those having surgery tomorrow, good luck!! To those to have surgery in future, best of luck!! See you back in a few days.

I'm not in any of those towns you mentioned, but I am just west of Tyler. My surgery is Wednesday and I have the option through my surgeons office to attend support groups after surgery, but most are scheduled during the day and it's hard for me to take off work. They do have an evening group meeting once or twice a month that I do plan on attending periodically.

I am kind of nervous going back so soon after surgery. But I work for a school district and I don't want to take any time off of work. The first day will be a district-wide morning long in-service, just sitting in a chair. The rest of the first day will be pretty much the same on campus or working in my office. I'll be pretty much isolated in a "hole-in-the-wall" office, no strenuous activity or lifting, so I'm not really worried about it. Plus, I've had 2 c-sections and an appendectomy and know close to what the pain will be like and I have a very high pain tolerance, so I feel fairly confident about going back that soon. Things have progressed fairly quickly and smoothly, so I have to think that God is going to make sure everything from here on out continues on that course.Good luck to you and see you on the losing side.

I'm also on the 13th...at 11:15 a.m. Good luck to you!!

Congrats!! You've waited a long time for this and deserve it!! Best of luck to you!!

I just found out this morning I am August 13 as well. I think 13 is going to become my new "lucky" number. Good luck to you!! See you on the losing side!!

April - I did cry. Then I ran over to my mother's (who lives next door)....and cried some more! Look forward to being surgery buddies. See you on the losing side!!

Have been away on a mini vacation for a few days and didn't think or worry about the process while gone. Came back home yesterday and the first thing I did this morning was call the doctor's office and talk to the coordinator to see how things were progressing. You said, "I have your approval!!" I was NOT expecting those words out of her mouth. There had been some delays in getting stuff into their office and I didn't even know they had received it, much less sent it to insurance. I'm an emotional wreck right now!! I'm scheduled for August 13 and have to go back to work on the 18. She said I should be fine since I'll be in in-service meetings and sitting at my desk most of the time. I sure hope she's right. I know my dear sweet dad in heaven had a hand in this happening for me, as well as the Lord above.

August 13th for me!!

Although, I have not had surgery yet, I have read that your tastes change afterwards. You mentioned that you don't like coffee...have you tried it since surgery? Maybe you would like it now. Only a suggestion if you haven't already tried it.

While I cannot relate to the loss of a child, I can relate to the loss of loved ones. My paternal grandfather passed in October before my birth in May. I lost the remaining 3 grandparents before I reached 29. My paternal grandmother passed 10 days after my son (oldest) was born. She was in a nursing home and we took him to visit her when he was 9 days old and the nursing home called the following morning to say she had passed. For many years I felt a lot of guilt. I brought life into this world only to have life taken away. I no longer feel that way, but did for many years. I've lost several close friends in recent years. But the worst I've felt at this time just happened on June 20, 2014...my dad passed away surrounded by his family. He had a heart attack on May 28 (my birthday) over into May 29. He had 2 stints placed on the 29th and they found out he had pulmonary fibrosis (from working in a fertilizer plants for about 13 years). He came home on June 5, and my mom had to call ambulance on June 11 to go back to hospital. He never came back home. He was gone in less than a month...but he wouldn't have wanted it any other way. He wouldn't have wanted to prolong his life and be attached to an oxygen tank 24/7. The pain is still very new to me and I cry several times a day. He was a stern man, but a very loving man. Yesterday I attended the memorial services of a very dear friend (although she was my friend's mother...she was a friend also). She was like a 3rd grandmother to my children when they were younger and she still lived here. For all who have lost loved ones, words cannot express my sorrow for you. Because I know that words don't usually make it better. Just know you are all in my prayers for peace and comfort while you grieve. P.S. I failed to mention that my dad was 100% behind me having surgery. Although he and I never discussed it, he told my mom he wanted me to have it and was going to help me pay for it. So in honor of my dad I will go forward and get my life back!!

Having the energy to GO exercise, be able to go horseback riding again, to have the desire to WANT to go clothes shopping, to be able to play with and enjoy any future grandchildren, most importantly...to just ENJOY life again. These things I look forward to along with many that have previously been posted.

Finally, all of the "leg work" is done. Had psych eval Thursday and my final group meeting tonight. Talked with the person who sends to insurance company and she said she would fax tomorrow. So now, I'm on the waiting game. Hopefully, insurance will give me a quick answer so I can have surgery first week of August. If I can't get it the first week, things are going to get tricky since I have to go back to work August 18. I really can't miss that first week of employees going back and the next week is the first week for students and I HAVE to be there then. After rushing to get all the appointments done, I will be crushed if I can't get surgery. My insurance changes Sept. 1 and the new company doesn't cover surgery. So I'm praying for a quick response from insurance company.

I too am a school district employee and hate that we are losing BCBS on Sept. 1. I started the original process in May. However, my dad got sick the end of May and passed away 4 weeks ago. After dealing with the initial shock of losing him, I too have been on the fast track to get things done. I have completed 2 of my 3 visits at the surgeons office, NUT consult, and PCP has been seen. Going to psych eval later today (I can't sleep at night, so I'm writing this early morning hours), and my final surgeon office visit is scheduled for Monday. Hope the psych doesn't take long to get paperwork to surgeon's office - I will explain rush. My scheduler said she would send everything in immediately and she would squeeze me into schedule. And I'm hoping for Aug. 5 date. We go back on the 18th, so that would give me plenty of heal time. Good luck to you and I hope BCBS doesn't deny knowing they will be at the end of covering us.

I am a very private person myself and don't think it's anyone's business what I'm doing. My dad knew before he passed that I was going to do this. He encouraged it, and planned on helping me pay my portion of co-pays. My mother knows and is very supportive. My brother and sister-in-law, son, and daughter also know. Outside my immediate family, the only person I have told is a friend/co-worker who had lap band done a couple of years ago. The main reason I even told her is for a referral, who happened to be the same doctor I had already chosen. When I am asked what I'm doing, my response will simply be "lifestyle changes", which will be true.