Pamela P.

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Smsliberty04 19 years, 9 months ago

May I call you Pam? I feel like I know you already! I was in Dr. R.'s office one day when I saw you there and you looked great. You were the only tiny person in the room. You were just chattering away, so bubbly. I have to say, I listened to your every word, eventhough you were not talking directly to me... ha ha. You talked about Dr. R being the best and how much you had lost and all that good stuff. I have been on diet after diet and we probably both have the same story to tell. I'm about the size you were pre-op, and I'm getting bigger. I am starting to ache more and I just don't feel good! I was so skeptical about the surgery, I still wonder if it is going to work. Isn't that silly? I have failed so many times that I told my husband if it wasn't going to work it would be me that it wouldn't work for --- that's how life's been treating me lately! When you hear my story, you will understand. I was all set for surgery and everything, in February. I went and had all of my pre-op tests, and met with the psych. and the other members of the team. My surgery was scheduled for the very next morning!! I was so happy!! I just wanted to squeal, and I hadn't smiled so much in a long time!! I knew it was going to be a positive a new beginning to my life. Well, I got home and on my answering machine was a message. It went like this: "Hi, this is Rita from Dr. R's office. Your surgery has been cancelled, due to Medicare guidelines. I'm sorry but there is nothing I/we can do. Give me a call when you receive this message." I was frantic!!! I wanted to cry! From then til now it's been very hard for me. My hopes have just gone out the window. It is now August and I still have not had my surgery. I told my husband that God must want me to be fat because I've prayed and prayed to be healthy and strong, and happy again, and I'm sure he has answered it. I do not question god. Or I am being taught patience... lol Which I have none!! I'm at the end of my patience rope! LOL I am one of those people who go out and MAKE things happen, I don't just wait for it to fall in my lap. You know what I mean? My weight is the only thing I have had trouble with making happen. Like I said, I have tried and tried (since 1984) to lose and it just hasn't happened for me. I am so disgusted! I have suffered from depression for several years and I feel myself falling back down in that dark hole. I am trying to stay as patient as I can and keep praying. I am one of the most positive persons you will find when it comes to giving others support and encouragement. And you probably won't meet a more patient person, my family says. But when it comes to myself, well, I have just about run out of both where I am concerned. I haven't felt this down in a while. I just feel like I'm on a roller coaster, and the attendant ran off somewhere and left it running... ha ha. I have called Dr. R's office so many times that they probably know me by my voice now. I have been through 4 or 5 different people. They have had a big turnover or something. I don't now what is going on there, but they aren't very personable! Their reason for the cancellation was that Medicare said they had to be approved as a "Center of Excellence". I don't understand. Doesn't EVERY insurance company require that? If they do, how are they doing all of the other surgeries without the approval? Am I missing something here? They told me it would be three more months before they could schedule me. That was in February. They told me the same thing the second time I called, and that was in March! I waited three months and called again. Then someone else took over, and I asked them when I would be scheduled for surgery; they said it would be another three months and that was in June!! Her name was Shelley. She said they had their inspection on June 15th and it could be 90 days before they were approved as a Center of Excellence. So that would be around September 15th. I received a statement from Medicare just a week ago, where they paid for my tests I had done in February. I called Dr. R's office yesterday (8/3/06) and told them about it and they still gave me the same story. I thought maybe since they paid the bill that they were approved now. But, I guess not. The last three times I have called I talked to Shelley, Dr. R's new Assistant. So, I have no choice to trust her word. So, here I am now waiting for September 15th ro roll around. Then....what? I mean, what should I do? I really want Dr. R to do the surgery. I have thought about going somewhere else, but I just feel comfortable with him, having the experience and all, and being an at-risk doctor makes it a plus. Because if there were any complications, I'm sure he would be the best person for saving my life, or trying to. Do you know anything about Medicare vs other Insurance guidelines? I kind of felt that I was getting the run around..... but, then again I don't know. I mean--so many people have been handling my file that maybe someone just keeps dropping the ball and passing it on to someone else. I have never been through this before. Have you ever come up against anything like this guideline issue with anyone you know? Do you think I should call Medicare myself? I don't know what to do. All I know is I am suffering from major anxeity and depression here. I won't go ANYWHERE because I'm fat and I can't sleep so I look terrible!! I am an emotional eater and I've been trying not to eat, but I catch myself all of the time poking something in my mouth. I'm a wreck!! I'm just waiting on the phone to ring so I can see the ID telling me it is them calling, hopefully to schedule my surgery!! I want to have my surgery!! NOW!!! ha ha Do I sound like I'm losing it here? ha ha I keep taking deep breathes and trying to concentrate on other things, but I always end up right back to my weight and surgery!! I just want my life back!!! I'm anxious to get out there and get moving. I have tried but, I can't now because it hurts too much, and I get out of breath and light headed. I'm sorry, I didn't mean for this posting to be so long, but I had to see if anyone else had Medicare and had this problem. If so, how long do YOU have to wait? To leave this with a more positive outlook for us all ....... I love your webpage (Pam) and all of your postings too. They are very incouraging. It makes me even more anxious. I found you by accident on the site....lol I was browsing through the pictures and I said to myself, "There is that lady I saw in Dr R's Office!! I could still tell it was you because of your facial features. And, then it mentioned you were a nurse, which I had heard you say. And about your husband (I'm so sorry!) And, about your new marriage. Congratulations!! I already knew all of this because of the conversation you had with another person in Dr. R's office. I kind of eavesdropped... ha ha But, everyone did!! You were so positive and seemed to know everything about WLS. I never did get to speak to you because I was called back and when I came out, you were already gone. :( But, I knew I would find you someday! Problem was --- I didn't know your name!! ha ha You are a great inspiration. I hope I am fortunate enough to have someone like you as my angel to get me through. Heck, I need an angel right now!! LOL Sorry, I have talked your leg off here. So, I will let you go. Oh, and you didn't post your wedding picture. I would love to see it. I saw you just this year and you were NOT a size 12!! I bet you were a size 7 or something....maybe even a 5. ha ha I know you were wearing a SMALL sweater because someone asked you and you said you went from a size 3X to a small. I said, maybe there is hope for me. Wish me luck that I can make it through until my surgery. I wouldn't want to miss it!! ha ha Thanks for the ear(s)! I'm sure it took both ears to take all of this in! Please e-mail me at Smsliberty04@aol.com. Thanks! Sharee'

Smsliberty04 19 years, 9 months ago

May I call you Pam? I feel like I know you already! I was in Dr. R.'s office one day when I saw you there and you looked great. You were the only tiny person in the room. You were just chattering away, so bubbly. I have to say, I listened to your every word, eventhough you were not talking directly to me... ha ha. You talked about Dr. R being the best and how much you had lost and all that good stuff. I have been on diet after diet and we probably both have the same story to tell. I'm about the size you were pre-op, and I'm getting bigger. I am starting to ache more and I just don't feel good! I was so skeptical about the surgery, I still wonder if it is going to work. Isn't that silly? I have failed so many times that I told my husband if it wasn't going to work it would be me that it wouldn't work for --- that's how life's been treating me lately! When you hear my story, you will understand. I was all set for surgery and everything, in February. I went and had all of my pre-op tests, and met with the psych. and the other members of the team. My surgery was scheduled for the very next morning!! I was so happy!! I just wanted to squeal, and I hadn't smiled so much in a long time!! I knew it was going to be a positive a new beginning to my life. Well, I got home and on my answering machine was a message. It went like this: "Hi, this is Rita from Dr. R's office. Your surgery has been cancelled, due to Medicare guidelines. I'm sorry but there is nothing I/we can do. Give me a call when you receive this message." I was frantic!!! I wanted to cry! From then til now it's been very hard for me. My hopes have just gone out the window. It is now August and I still have not had my surgery. I told my husband that God must want me to be fat because I've prayed and prayed to be healthy and strong, and happy again, and I'm sure he has answered it. I do not question god. Or I am being taught patience... lol Which I have none!! I'm at the end of my patience rope! LOL I am one of those people who go out and MAKE things happen, I don't just wait for it to fall in my lap. You know what I mean? My weight is the only thing I have had trouble with making happen. Like I said, I have tried and tried (since 1984) to lose and it just hasn't happened for me. I am so disgusted! I have suffered from depression for several years and I feel myself falling back down in that dark hole. I am trying to stay as patient as I can and keep praying. I am one of the most positive persons you will find when it comes to giving others support and encouragement. And you probably won't meet a more patient person, my family says. But when it comes to myself, well, I have just about run out of both where I am concerned. I haven't felt this down in a while. I just feel like I'm on a roller coaster, and the attendant ran off somewhere and left it running... ha ha. I have called Dr. R's office so many times that they probably know me by my voice now. I have been through 4 or 5 different people. They have had a big turnover or something. I don't now what is going on there, but they aren't very personable! Their reason for the cancellation was that Medicare said they had to be approved as a "Center of Excellence". I don't understand. Doesn't EVERY insurance company require that? If they do, how are they doing all of the other surgeries without the approval? Am I missing something here? They told me it would be three more months before they could schedule me. That was in February. They told me the same thing the second time I called, and that was in March! I waited three months and called again. Then someone else took over, and I asked them when I would be scheduled for surgery; they said it would be another three months and that was in June!! Her name was Shelley. She said they had their inspection on June 15th and it could be 90 days before they were approved as a Center of Excellence. So that would be around September 15th. I received a statement from Medicare just a week ago, where they paid for my tests I had done in February. I called Dr. R's office yesterday (8/3/06) and told them about it and they still gave me the same story. I thought maybe since they paid the bill that they were approved now. But, I guess not. The last three times I have called I talked to Shelley, Dr. R's new Assistant. So, I have no choice to trust her word. So, here I am now waiting for September 15th ro roll around. Then....what? I mean, what should I do? I really want Dr. R to do the surgery. I have thought about going somewhere else, but I just feel comfortable with him, having the experience and all, and being an at-risk doctor makes it a plus. Because if there were any complications, I'm sure he would be the best person for saving my life, or trying to. Do you know anything about Medicare vs other Insurance guidelines? I kind of felt that I was getting the run around..... but, then again I don't know. I mean--so many people have been handling my file that maybe someone just keeps dropping the ball and passing it on to someone else. I have never been through this before. Have you ever come up against anything like this guideline issue with anyone you know? Do you think I should call Medicare myself? I don't know what to do. All I know is I am suffering from major anxeity and depression here. I won't go ANYWHERE because I'm fat and I can't sleep so I look terrible!! I am an emotional eater and I've been trying not to eat, but I catch myself all of the time poking something in my mouth. I'm a wreck!! I'm just waiting on the phone to ring so I can see the ID telling me it is them calling, hopefully to schedule my surgery!! I want to have my surgery!! NOW!!! ha ha Do I sound like I'm losing it here? ha ha I keep taking deep breathes and trying to concentrate on other things, but I always end up right back to my weight and surgery!! I just want my life back!!! I'm anxious to get out there and get moving. I have tried but, I can't now because it hurts too much, and I get out of breath and light headed. I'm sorry, I didn't mean for this posting to be so long, but I had to see if anyone else had Medicare and had this problem. If so, how long do YOU have to wait? To leave this with a more positive outlook for us all ....... I love your webpage (Pam) and all of your postings too. They are very incouraging. It makes me even more anxious. I found you by accident on the site....lol I was browsing through the pictures and I said to myself, "There is that lady I saw in Dr R's Office!! I could still tell it was you because of your facial features. And, then it mentioned you were a nurse, which I had heard you say. And about your husband (I'm so sorry!) And, about your new marriage. Congratulations!! I already knew all of this because of the conversation you had with another person in Dr. R's office. I kind of eavesdropped... ha ha But, everyone did!! You were so positive and seemed to know everything about WLS. I never did get to speak to you because I was called back and when I came out, you were already gone. :( But, I knew I would find you someday! Problem was --- I didn't know your name!! ha ha You are a great inspiration. I hope I am fortunate enough to have someone like you as my angel to get me through. Heck, I need an angel right now!! LOL Sorry, I have talked your leg off here. So, I will let you go. Oh, and you didn't post your wedding picture. I would love to see it. I saw you just this year and you were NOT a size 12!! I bet you were a size 7 or something....maybe even a 5. ha ha I know you were wearing a SMALL sweater because someone asked you and you said you went from a size 3X to a small. I said, maybe there is hope for me. Wish me luck that I can make it through until my surgery. I wouldn't want to miss it!! ha ha Thanks for the ear(s)! I'm sure it took both ears to take all of this in! Please e-mail me at Smsliberty04@aol.com. Thanks! Sharee'

kylakae 22 years, 7 months ago

<table border="0" width="100%"><tr> <td width="15%"><center><IMG SRC="http://www.dwarfworks.com/kyla/pictures/angels/autumnangel.gif" width="182" height="251"></center></td><td width="85%" valign="middle"><b><font face="Lucida Sans" color="#CC3300">Happy re-Birthday, Pamela! Isn't it amazing how fast the time flies by? I hope that you are doing fabulous, that all your dreams are coming true and that you are living life to the max!</font></b></td> </tr></table>

Vennie B. 23 years, 6 months ago

Pam, I am still praying for you that you are doing well and adjusting well to your new life. I was hoping we would be in the hospital at the same time,but I'm so happy that you have had yours and now healing. Sounds like you were very spunky after surgery. I really want to get up and do what I need to do to move on too. You give us all a lot of encouragement!! God Bless! Vennie B.

LM O. 23 years, 7 months ago

Pamela, Wishing you the best on your upcoming big day! Praying that your recovery is quick and uneventful. Sending positive thoughts your way. God/Goddess bless you and keep you safe.

curiousjane 23 years, 7 months ago

May the Lord Jesus watch over you, always. Let His will be done through your surgery.

Gwendolyn A. 23 years, 7 months ago

Hello Pamela, Congratulations and best wishes for a speedy and uneventful recovery with your WL Surgery today! Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers on your big day. Gwen Allen

SHERRY K. 23 years, 7 months ago

*****************ANGEL ALERT******************* PAM IS OUT OF SURGERY AND DOING OK! SHE SAYS SHES IN PAIN RIGHT NOW BUT SHE SOUNDS WONDERFUL! IT TOOK THEM A WHILE TO GET HER A ROOM BUT SHES THERE NOW. SHE ALREADY WANTS TO WALK BUT THE POWERS THAT BE SAY NOT YET(SIGH) OH WELL SHES NOW OFFICIALLY A LOSER WOOOOOO HOOOOOO. GOD BLESS PAM AND A SPEEDY RECOVERY FOR YOU.>>>>>>>>HUGS>>>>>>>>> SHERRY

SHERRY K. 23 years, 7 months ago

ANGEL FLUTTERING AROUND. WELL TOMMORROW IS PAMS JOURNEY TO THE LOSING SIDE. PLEASE SIGN HER PAGE AND LET HER KNOW WE ARE THERE FOR HER. WE LOVE YA PAM GOD IS HOLDING YOUR HAND. AND GUIDING THE SURGEONS. SEE YOU ON THE FLIP SIDE!! SHERRY

Melody D. 23 years, 7 months ago

Pamela: Sending you my prayers for a quick recovery. I'll be thinking of you tomorrow. Melody DeRose