An early birthday present!

[serenity55 15]

After having had two psychological evaluations, going for the second cardiology exam tomorrow, being denied each time I submitted letters and previous exams, I got a letter today saying I've been approved! I think I'm still in shock! But I'm excited, too! I am on my way to band land! Yay!!!

Oh, yes, my birthday is this Sunday! Happy birthday to me!

Edited January 13, 2009 by serenity55

[jessica200588 0]

Congratulations Serenity!! I'm very happy for you. It must have been a discouraging journey for you but you've made it!! Happy Birthday to you!!!

[heartfire 4]

Oh Debbi! That is probably the best news I've had in days! I am SOOOOO excited for you!!! Your talking computer is going to have fits with this post! LOL!!! You must be bouncing off the walls!!!!

OH MY GOSH!!!!

And Happy Birthday!

I'm sure you'll let us know as soon as you have a date!

Oh I'm just so excited!

[TQUAD64 9]

Happy Birthday and congrats. Best gift you can give yourself.

[serenity55 15]

Thank you all! Yes, Michelle, I think it's finally sinking in.

I went to the cardiologist today and he gave me clearance for surgery. When I told him that I'd heard that the anesthesiologist didn't like the cardiology tests to be an older than six months, he said, "Well, that doesn't make any sense." So I didn't have to take the stress test or another ecocardiogram.

My surgeon's office was in the same building, so I went up to make an appointment. My surgery is scheduled for February 10th!

I'm gonna be a February bandster!!!

[serenity55 15]

Michelle, I think my computer has been the most expressive I've heard it since I've had it. Thank you so much! I remember when I tried to go to my first seminar and was given the wrong time. When I posted about how disappointed I was, yours was one of the responses that really made me feel better. So your post here means a lot to me.

I thank you, and so does my computer! Hahahaha!

[heartfire 4]

You are very welcome!

February 10th is a wonderful date! Well, actually any date that your surgery was scheduled on would be wonderful! LOL!

I just put your surgery date on my calendar.

I just can't tell you how thrilled I am for you. You've had a lot of ups and downs just trying to make this happen.

I really admire you, Debbi. You don't let your blindness hinder you, you take life by the horns and make things happen for you. I'm sure you have your days when you'd just love to give up but you don't seem to show it or allow it to happen. I know a lot of people with few issues just let things fall apart and blame the world for their troubles. You don't seem to do that.

Anyway, you're an inspiration! Take care!

[serenity55 15]

You are awesome, Michelle! thank you so much for those kind words!

I have a couple of questions. Did you put my surgery date on your calendar on this web site? I'm having a hard time figuring out how to do that, but it could be something my computer isn't reading. (Don't you love how I blame the computer?!)

And secondly, how much time did you take off work?

thank you again.

[NCsQueen 0]

Congratulations!! and Have a very happy and blessed birthday!

[serenity55 15]

Thank you, and congratulations to you for your band date! I hope we all have uneventful and speedy recoveries!

[health4life 0]

Congrats and Happy Birthday/Banday! I wish I had done it on my natural birthday. I would have considered that to be the BESTEST (ooh I sound like Angelica on the RugRats)ever birthday.

After having had two psychological evaluations, going for the second cardiology exam tomorrow, being denied each time I submitted letters and previous exams, I got a letter today saying I've been approved! I think I'm still in shock! But I'm excited, too! I am on my way to band land! Yay!!!

Oh, yes, my birthday is this Sunday! Happy birthday to me!

[serenity55 15]

I wish I could have done it on my actual birthday, too, but the gift is getting the approval, so I'll take it! You're right, it is the bestest present ever!

[heartfire 4]

You are awesome, Michelle! thank you so much for those kind words!

I have a couple of questions. Did you put my surgery date on your calendar on this web site? I'm having a hard time figuring out how to do that, but it could be something my computer isn't reading. (Don't you love how I blame the computer?!)

And secondly, how much time did you take off work?

thank you again.

Thank you and you are welcome! LOL!

I have a calendar on my computer that I put it on. iCal. I have a Mac. I didn't even know we had a calendar on here! And blaming the computer works for me! I do! :thumbup:

I work from home 5 hrs a week doing the financials for our church so I didn't really take any time off. Well, sort of. I made sure I was ahead on bills and payroll and then kind of took the week of surgery off. I had surgery on a Monday and by the following Monday felt up to doing stuff. Granted all I had to do was walk my butt from the couch to the chair but I kinda had to watch how I sat. I would scrunch up some and after awhile I would start to ache and have to sit up straight or get up and walk around. I wasn't intentionally doing it but it was comfortable at first and then would start to hurt.

Everyone is different but I would plan at least a full week off. I really just wanted to sleep the first few days. I took a lot of naps. But I was also walking, very slowly, on the treadmill or back and forth across the house to help with the gas and Constipation. If I had to go in to the office, I would have been glad for that week. If possible, I would take a second week off as well. By then you are more interested in consuming nutrients (don't know what your post-op diet is going to be like) and you'll need the time to figure things out for yourself. You'll also still be really tired and wanting to rest a lot. Well, I was. I've heard of others bouncing up the day after surgery and not slowing down since!

You'll also need to think about what kind of help you are going to need after surgery. I had a 6 week, 10lb lifting restriction. I have a 30lb 2yr old! A gallon of milk is 10lbs just to give you an idea. No way could I go to the grocery store by myself. Hauling laundry downstairs to the garage to do a load was out of the question. Every one needs different things after surgery so try to analyze, as you go through your daily life, what might need to change for a few weeks or what you might need help with.

Just some things for you to think about. If you have any more questions, just ask!

[heartfire 4]

Okay, just found the calendar. I feel like an idiot and I do agree you can totally blame your computer for this one! LOL!

It's at the top, under the pictures of different bandsters' before and afters.

I'm going to give you all the links across the line so you can find it. Hope this helps. And smack your computer! Well not too hard!

Here we go:

User CP

Invite Your Friends

Chat

FAQ

Community (drop down menu)

Blogs (drop down menu)

Calendar

New Posts

Search (drop down menu)

Quick Links (drop down menu)

Log Out

When you click on Calendar it takes you to a Public (everyone on line can view it) calendar screen. There is a drop down menu towards the bottom right corner that allows you to choose different calendars, such as a private one.

I just found it and glanced through it so I don't know what all it can do or what you can click on. Hope this helps.

'Night!

[serenity55 15]

I found the calendar. Thank you. I also read the stuff you can do, but I can't seem to save the stuff I put there. Oh well. I'll just add it to my signature the way a lot of people do. Thank you, Michelle.

As for taking off work, I think I will take off a full week. The 10th is on a Tuesday, so I'll take that week of course, and the following one as well. I'm a switchboard operator, and I would imagine sitting might be uncomfortable after a while, and I can't really move around that much, because the board rings a lot. Maybe giving myself almost two weeks will allow me to go back to work and sit for longer periods.

Thanks again, Michelle.