csrodriguez
My blogs 2001-2004
Jan 14, 2009
1/7/02......Major set-back today. I just got the word I have been layed-off. Not a total shock, since company was sold to someone else after bankruptcy. Needless to say still hurts pretty bad, not to mention the insurance issue. I had made an appointment with Dr. Ediger in Boise, ID for 3/18, but called Dr. Oakley, also in Boise, ID, this morning and got an appointment for 1/23. Think I can get this done by the 31st??? LOL...wishful thinking, I know. Has anyone ever dealt with Cobra? I dread the thought of going back into the job market as I am now, since I honestly feel I had been passed over for promotions I had applied for due to my weight. Well hopefully VERY soon, that will be a non-issue.
1/8/02....Called BC/BS of ID today to check on a pre-authorization to see what I was going to be up against. The service rep could not find anything under the covered procedures for my particular group. I then asked her if that meant there was nothing about it being excluded, and she said not necessarily. She said because there was nothing in the authorized procedures, it would more than likely be denied. However, she did state that once my surgeon sends in all of the info for a pre-auth, and the review board has everything in their hands, it is a completely different story. I am in the process of gathering all my paper-work from PCP, and I will be speaking with him later today regarding the referral. I will also be utilizing some of the letters some of you have posted here as far as medical history and justifications for surgery. I plan to go to my appt with Dr. Oakley with EVERYTHING in hand, including all the research I have gleaned from this wonderful site. Thanks to ALL of you who have kept us posted on your trials and tribulations that we may know what to expect and and maybe circumvent the issues before they arise. The AMOS family is the BEST!
1/9/02 Well as promised, I utilized one of the letters provided by an AMOS member to send to my PCP requesting the referral. I faxed it to his office first thing this morning. They just called back to say the Dr. had read the letter and was very impressed. They also said he did not have any problem giving me the referral, but that he did want to meet with me since I had not seen him since last summer. Appointment scheduled for 1/15/02. I would sincerely appreciate any information emailed to me, that I could give him to include in the letter, since it will be included in the paperwork I plan to send to the insurance company. God Bless you All, and know that all you pre-ops are in my prayers. Post-ops keep up the great work! Hopefuls like me........keep the spirits up. It's this wonderful AMOS family that is keeping me sane right now, especially after the lay-off. Cindy
1/11/02 OMG.....my pictures are finally in my profile.....YUCK! I did has some better news today, however. Since I was layed-off on Monday, I had been really stressing big-time about everything. Not the least of which is my sincere hope to have this surgery and the battles with my insurance company. I am following numerous posters advice, and put everything in God's hands. My original insurance (BC/BS of ID) and the group I was with, had an exclusion for weight loss and obesity treatment. Today, however, I got the packet in the mail describing what benefits the COBRA policy covered, and more importantly did not. Drum Roll PLEASE!!!!! The have a medical necessity exception!!!! In my book, my PCP's, and my surgeon's, that will hopefully mean all is good, and I might avoid the fight I was prepared for. Thank you Jesus.......now just help me not to pick it up again. You all have been such an inspiration and comfort over the last few days, I can honestly say you are the ones who have helped me stay sane during this "feeling worthless" period. Once again there is a ray of hope. Thank You AMOS family!!
1/14/02 "The Continuing Saga of Insurance Issues". I have always know I was a determined sort, but once I knew I wanted this WLS I decided NOTHING was going to stop me. Since my current insurance policy/plan with BC/BS of ID PPO, ends on 1/31 and insights from others tells me COBRA would be the same plan, I decided to go insurance shopping. Not easy to find an individual policy these days, especially in a backwards state like Idaho. It typically takes them 10 years to catch up with the rest of the nation due to the highly "conservative" population here. I knew (after checking the insurance page on AMOS) that some of BC's policies covered WLS if medically necessay, the trick was finding out which one without saying to much. Well, I have decided on BC's Major Medical 2000 policy. It has a $2000 deductible, but covers EVERYTHING after that 100%. When I asked the agent what kind of exclusions it had, he stated it covers anything that is deemed "medically necessary". With a BMI of 44-45, that should be the only qualifier I need. My rates will be a little expensive, but well worth the outcome. Besides, I will only need to keep it until I am employed, and able to qualify for group rates again.
I also spoke with Jennifer (the insurance person at my surgeon's office), and explained what was happening. She saw no problems that my apt is 1/23, and my new policy doesn't kick in until 2/1, since I have had continuous coverage. Thing are looking more promising every day, and it is all thanks to the wealth of info here on the AMOS site. Reading the message board and profiles all day, in addition to to the other valuable information I am finding has kept my spirits and hopes at a very high level. Thanks again all you beautiful people, you are the BEST!!
1/15/02 Had my appointment with my PCP today, and the first question out of his mouth was asking if I had written the letter that I faxed to him requesting the referral. We both kind of laughed a little, and I fessed up to having an enormous amount of help. *GRIN* He said it almost sounded like a marketing letter for the surgery. Any way we talked a little, and he explained that because physicians are trained in the "old school" ways regarding weight issues, many of them do have a difficult time seeing the benefits of WLS. He says they are stuck in one groove, and don't want to accept anything new, even if that "NEW" has been around for 25 years. Any way, he had no problem at all giving me the referral. How could he, I went in there loaded for bear...LOL! He told me I had obviously done my homework, and as long as I knew what I was getting myself into, he did not feel it was his place to deny me that chance. THANK YOU DR. HEMPHILL!
I also dropped off my insurance app to the BC ins. agent, and wrote him a check. I actually feel as though I may have cleared some hurdles today, and I have made some progress on my journey. Still a little anxious with the insurance issue, but lots of prayers and support is aleviating some of the MAJOR fears I had last week. Thank You all for keeping your profiles updated, as that is what is sustaining me in this journey. God Bless and Good Luck to all of you.
1/22/02 How Funny!! I got a "reminder" call from Dr. Oakley's office today reminding me of my appointment tomorrow. I have thought of NOTHING else since the first of the year when I finally made my decision to go forward on this journey. I explained to her that I have been literally living on this site, and it has actually helped me get through the "poor me" stage after the lay-off. She asked me about my co-morbidities, which aren't that bad compared to so many of the beautiful people on this site. I have been very lucky SO FAR!! Since my sister was diagnosed with Diabetes in December, however, I have been scared to death. Her BMI is no where near as high as mine, and my grandparents also had it. I figure it is only a matter of time. I have pain in my ankles and knees, amenorhea (sp), and I'm constantly tired. I don't think I have sleep apnea, since I seem to get several GOOD hours of sleep, just not enough of them. Self esteem and depression has been i BIG issue, especially due to the lay-off. I get winded just walking to the mailbox, and we won't even discuss stairs. I am beginning to have a very difficult time with personal hygiene issues, and I refuse to let THAT get any worse. It is time!
1/23/02 My consultation day has finally arrived!! I am up at 5am just because I am so excited. Unfortunately my appointment isn't until 3:45pm. Just I'll just have to kill some more time reading even more posts and profiles.
Dr. Christian Oakley in Boise Idaho is fantastic!! He was so supportive and so interested in my particular case. He was extremely surprised I had never had my intestinal by-pass reversed, and had never had any problems that I am aware of. Little note here, I am not one to go running to the doctor for every little ache and pain, so who knows what could be going on inside my gut. Any way, he has definitely said I am an excellent candidate, particularly because of the JIB. He wants to reverse it, now before anything DOES go wrong, especially since I am getting older. He says with the RNY, it will be like having a brand new section of intestines (well almost, I was 17 when it was bypassed) to go along with my new tummy. I would also be able to leave behind "the side effects" I have dealt with for 25 years. YIPPEE!!!!! My husband will sure appreciate that. Can't recall how many times he threathened to bottle it sell it off to Intermountain Gas, and make millions. LOL. Love may be blind folks, but you know its the real thing when they can handle the silent but deadly ones. LOL I am so excited to have this done while he is still out of the country until June. What a surprise that will be, huh. Thank God my Mom will be here to help me get through this. She is the only one I have told, and plan to tell until it is all said and done. Don't want to here any of the comments from the uninformed. My family is great, and I know they will support me, but not without sticking their two cents worth in. I will let them do that after I have the surgery, and they have no other choice but to accept it. Mom has been sworn to secrecy, and even she is trying to get me to try one more new diet she has found. She knows its fruitless, she was the one there with me at 17 years old when I was 300+. She just hates the idea of surgery of any kind. Bless her heart she has been there for me through soooo much. I Love You Mom!!!
Well now I get to play the insurance waiting game. Dr Oakley isn't going to submit my paperwork until the first of Feb when my new policy kicks in, but he does seem to think we have a pretty good chance, especially because of the JIB. Hope he's right. I told him I was so ready. He said we could have set a date today, but will wait until the day the paperwork is submitted. He also made my day when he said we may be able to get this done in 3-4 weeks. How cool is that!!!! Keep your fingers crossed for me, and say an extra prayer for the powers that be at BC/BS to realize the help these surgeries can do for people like us.
1/31/02 Called BCBS today to check on the status of my application, and was told it is still in underwriting. However, my check for the premium did clear the bank last night, so maybe that is a good sign.
2/1/02 I am soooo upset!!!! I was assured the day of my appointment, that they would not send the letter to my insurance company until I had my new cards in hand and called them. Well today I received a copy of the letter that THEY SENT to the insurance company already!! When I called to see if they had actually already sent it, she said "well of course". UUUGGGHHHH!!! Then I reminded her I was the one waiting on the new insurance cards. Since my OLD plan is also BCBS, I am really praying this hasn't blown it. I answered all questions on the application truthfully (I am NOT scheduled for surgery), but now I am concerned they will either deny my application or jack the premiums so high, I won't be able to afford them on unemployment. I can only hope that since my old ID number is on the letter, they will just automatically deny it, and then I can resubmit it to the new policy. Please keep your fingers crossed for me and add me to your prayers.
2/15/02 I am soooo bummed. I just got off the phone with BC/BS of ID. It seems my individual policy has been rejected because of my JIB 25 YEARS AGO!!!!! Can you believe that BS!!! I am so frustrated right now, I am just going to take the weekend and figure out my next move. I will go ahead and get my COBRA benefits started so I have no lapse in coverage, and I will probably have Dr. Oakley go ahead and submit to that even with the exclusion (it is a self-funded policy). Looks like I still have a major fight ahead. Right now, I just want to cry and wallow in self-pity. Not good, I know, but I will be back to full steam by Monday. I could sure use some special words of encouragement right now.
Hello AMOS family. I can't believe it has been over 15 months since I have updated this profile. While a lot of things have happened in that time, unfortunately surgery was not one of them. At 43 years old, I decided to go back to school. I began classes in the summer session, in addition to working a temp job in the evenings. Since the government (TRA/TAA) is paying for school, I have a 2-year window to get my degree. Since my love for computers is more than a hobby, I decided to go into the Computer Networking program at Boise State. I will have my Associate's degree in May of 2004, but plan to continue on for my Bachelor's degree a year later. I found out a couple of months ago that my weekly paycheck from the unemployment, extensions, and TRA benifits will run out in October. So, I knew I had to find a full time job...SOON! Well thanks to a wonderful AMOS member, I had learned that a local company had excellent insurance which paid for WLS. I initially applied March of last year, but never heard anything. Well, they opened more positions this spring, so I applied again. This time I had a name and number of the head recruiter. I am happy to report, my persistance paid off. I just found out last week that I got the position and start my 6-week training period on June 16th. Now, of course, I will need to wait at least 6 months, possibly 12 months before I can schedule surgery, BUT there is finally hope and an end in sight. If it is possible, I will try to schedule surgery during winter break this year. It all depends on how my new job feels about me taking 3-4 weeks after only 6 months of employment. I will be beyond the trial period, but will be ineligible for FMLA. If having it that soon jeopardizes my great job in any way, I will wait until next June when I will hit the 12-month mark and be eligible for FMLA. I have waited this long, I suppose I can wait a little longer knowing it WILL happen eventually.
I finally feel things are looking up......my education is going great, (3.8 GPA), wonderful new job which is an entry level into my chosen field, and the knowledge that I will soon be rid of this burden I have strapped myself with.
September 13, 2003.......I can't believe it has been almost 2 years since I began this journey. My emotions have run the entire gambit, from extreme depression to absolute joy. I have been pretty quiet for some time after the initial denial from my previous insurance. After getting layed-off and deciding to go back to school, I tried to focus what little energy I have into other areas. WLS was NEVER far from my thoughts, however, since I felt like crap every single day. Well, in May of this year, I finally regained new hope. Since then I have been impatiently biding my time, waiting for my new insurance to kick in. Then I was waiting for the insurance cards to arrive, and after faxing them to Dr. Oakley's office, waiting for them to submit to insurance. Well, FINALLY, on a day that started out with sadness and lots of reflection (September 11), I got a call from Jennifer in Dr. O's office. Having dealt with my insurance AND my particular plan before, she anticipated no problems, and went ahead and scheduled me for the date I had requested. I finish my classes on Dec. 5th, and I will be having surgery on Dec.8th. That will give me 5 weeks before classes start again, and I will finally be able to keep that long-standing New Years Resolution. I don't think it has really set in yet! I guess I am holding my breath for the "official" word from UHC, as I have had my hopes crushed before. I know that my particular plan is great, and they don't ask for a bunch of extra GARBAGE, and they have approved several people I work with who have the exact same plan. I just can't help but feel some sense of aprehension until I get that beautiful approval letter (which I already have a frame for.....LOL).
I have gone into preparation mode, which is sorely needed as I have several things to take care of in 12 weeks. Number one and most important is to finally give up these infernal cigarettes. I now have the biggest incentive I have ever had, and it WILL BE DONE! I am also in the market for a treadmill, since I don't relish the thought of walking in these unpredictable Idaho winters. In addition, I want to lose a few pounds before surgery to reduce liver size, and make it as easy on Dr. O as I possible can. I need to cut out the Diet Coke, Diet Dew, and coffee, and work on the water thing. I have never been a big fan of water, so that one is going to take some work, but I know it is an absolute must. I have never been much a big sweets person, so that will not be near the problem the carbs will be. I am a total Carb Addict, and will have a very difficult time giving up breads, pasta, rice, potatoes, corn, tortillas, and the Marie Callendars pot pies and meals I currentley use for my meals at work. I also have issues with the convenience of meal preparation, especially with my schedule. Working 40 hours a week, and school 20 hours a week, I find it difficult to get scheduled sit-down time for a meal, let alone take time to prepare something nutritious vs. pop-it-in-the-microwave convenience. It is something I will be working on over the next 12 weeks, as I KNOW it is something I HAVE to do.
I have already screwed up one surgery, I can't and WILL NOT allow it to happen again. The JIB never forced me to change my eating habits. I was able to eat anything I wanted, and then just spent time in the bathroom. I chose the RNY (with my Dr. in total agreement) specifically BECAUSE of the control it will give me. I am actually looking forward to doing it right this time. Since I have been there and feel all the pain associated with losing the "thinner" me, I have all the motivation and incentive I need to make this tool work for me and me work for it. I have been gathering information for 2 years, and I am going into this loaded for bear. Never again will allow food to control me. I am an intelligent person who knows what needs to be done, but just needed a little help. I thank God that will finally happen in 12 weeks. Plenty of time to get my head in the right place and be prepared for a LIFE change. I will never again eat like I do now and that thought, although a little scary , is also very comforting. After all, it has only caused me more pain so why put myself through the torture. All comments, suggestions, and words of wisdom ar welcome as I continue on this journey for the rest of my life. Thank You Jesus, Thank You Dr. Oakley, and Thank You AMOS!!
Sept. 26, 2003.....I called UHC today, 2 weeks after my paperwork was submitted by Dr. Oakley's office. I didn't really expect anything yet, because everyone in my HUGE company (14 states), who is considering this surgery is trying to get it approved before the end of the year when our plan will change to an exclusion (union contract change). So, UHC is being totally overwhelmed by the requests. Well, to my shock and amazement......I AM APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!
The poor girl on the other end of the phone is probably going to need surgery on her ear drum, and I just KNOW Boise, ID seismologists registered activity off the charts. Those simple words have been so long in coming, it almost feels like a dream. My December 8th date is only 10 weeks away. Other than the announcement I made on the message board, I have only PERSONALLY told my Mom, and 3 local AMOS members. My Mom is sworn to secrecy, because I don't want my uninformed sisters and Dad to know until after it is all said and done. I used the gall bladder story on them, and they are none the wiser, LOL. Of course, they will eventually begin to wonder.....since all of our family gatherings revolve around food, and I will not be eating my normal plateful. For my explanation, I am going with a strict New Years Resolution and Dr's orders for as long as I can...hehehe. The cool thing is, my sister's fiance' is a personal trainer and I have every intention of taking him up on his offer of assistance after I recooperate.
I am so excited about this life changing event, that I want to make it a TOTAL life change. That includes not only the eating habits, but many other aspects of my life as well. I have become such a hermit in the last few years, and can not wait to get out and enjoy life again. When I graduate in May I will be able to dance across that stage instead of waddling, and that definitely holds a special place in my thoughts. I am looking forward to the changes to come and the possibilities of what my new life will hold.
October 26, 2003...........WOW so much has happened since I last updated (I will try to do better as a postie). I read the message boards daily, and saw a post from someone back east that scared the hell out of me. They reported that insurance companies that provide malpractice insurance for doctors are now trying to deny them coverage if they perform WLS. I was so afraid that it would be just my luck to have come so far, and waited so long, that my surgery December 8th would get canceled. I called Dr. Oakley's office and left a message (before office hours Oct. 14) that I would be willing to take any open date they had instead of waiting (for school semester to end). Well to my shock Jennifer called me back at 1:00 pm and said she had a November 3rd date that was mine if I wanted it. OH YEAH!!!! Jumped right on that one!
Sooooooo, now I have my PATs on the 28th, and surgery Nov. 3rd at 7:45am. OMG......7 days and a wake up!!! Can this really FINALLY be happening????
Well after 6 months I figured it was about time I got in here and updated my profile.
It really did happen......I FINALLY had my open RNY surgery on 11/3/04. I woke up that morning at 5a.m. to be at the hospital by 6. When I arrived I was immediately taken back to get ready, and I was in the surgery room by 7 and knocked out by 7:15. When I woke up in recovery, all I can remember is the nurses telling me to breathe. Apparently my oxygen levels kept dropping every time I dosed off. They eventually gave me an oxygen canula and sent me off to my private room. The first thing I did (about 11:30)when I got settled was call my mom at work and let her know I was OK. She was really upset that she had used up all of her timeoff 2 months before with a broken ankle and could not take the day off. I told her not to worry, I would be so out of it and would want to sleep any way, to just come after work. After I assured her that I was fine, I promptly fell back to sleep. When she and my stepdad did get there that evening, I asked the nurse if I could get up. She looked at me like had 3 heads and said not to push it they would get me up the next day. I decided I was cool with that.
I was in the hospital from Monday to Saturday because Doc wanted to keep an especially close I on me since he had taken down the old intestinal bypass along with doing my RNY. Everything was going beautifully. I had my leak test on Wednesday, and was off my pain pump by Thursday. By Friday I was doing double laps around the halls. On Saturday Doc kicked me out and said I was too healthy to be in the hospital. My Mom came to pick me up, and while the 30 minute ride home seemed forever it wasn't too bad. We even stopped and got my scripts filled before getting home. By then I was exhausted and sooooo glad to see my recliner. I promptly sat down and fell asleep. Mom puttered around a little making sure I had everything I needed then went home. For the first time in a week, I was on my own. It was a little scary at first, but I just concentrated on resting and my clear liquids. Bathroom trips were a little tricky, but I finally got the hang of it.
Sunday evening things started taking a turn for the worse. Early in the day I had thrown up some bile, but just chalked it up to drinking to fast, or too much, or something not agreeing with me. By that evening I was doing it about every 2-3 hours. By Monday morning I started to get worried. Monday afternoon it was about every hour, and by Monday evening every 30 minutes. Now I was scared shitless. I called Doc and he told me to immediately get my butt to the ER that he would meet me there. He did and promptly took me in for emergency surgery. Apparently my anastomosis was so swolen that none of the bile my old stomach was producing was going down, it was all coming back up through the new connection, pouch, and out. He put a G-tube in the old stomach and then left me open to heal from the inside out. Having an open wound had been my biggest fear going into this and now it had come to pass. When they woke me up in recovery and told me I started to cry uncontrollably. So much for getting back to work in 3 weeks. Well they got me up to my private room and kept me pretty well drugged up. In fact I don't remember Tuesday at all. Wednesday during one of the numerous vitals checks and bandage changes, my stomach muscles started spasming. OMG I have never been in so much pain in my whole life. They gave me a shot of something which knocked me out and I slept the rest of the day. By Thursday the spasms were still occuring every time I moved but the pain wasn't as bad (I think they must have increased my morphine pump). I even got out of bed and walked to the nurses station and back. Friday I managed to get out of bed 3 times and each walk was a little longer. Do you realize how hard it is to make yourself get up and walk when you have a 10 inch open incision from your belly button to your bra line???? I just knew all my innards were going to fall out....LOL. Any way, kept getting better every day. Sunday was a little rough because a major depression had hit me BIG TIME! I just cried all day. I think back now, and am certain it was from anesthesia, but at the time I was blaming it on the open wound. When I finally got to go home Monday evening, I was scared. Glad to be going, but none-the-less scared. I now had this open wound that had to be changed and packed twice a day and a g-tube that had to be hooked up to a pump to suck out the excess bile. Needless to say I was not real happy with the world at that point. I never did regret my decision, only the way things had turned out.
Over the next few weeks, I slowly recouperated and started getting around better. My wound was healing slowly, but surely. By the end of December, I had lost 50 lbs and my opening was closing up in the middle first, so I had a 1 inch hole at the top and a 1 inch hole at the bottom. By January 12th I was getting around well enough to get back to class when the semester started. By the end of January the top hole had closed and I was down another 12 lbs and finally went back to work after 3 months. The bottom hole was being stubborn due to some "tunneling" and didn't close up until the end of April. By that time I had lost about 75 lbs and finally went below 200. That has probably been the happiest time along this journey. I had met my first major goal, and my wound was finally healed completely. I have the ugliest scar in the world, but I still do not ever regret my decision. On May 15th I was down 81 lbs and I graduated and actually wore heals and a dress. That in itself was an accomplishment since I had not done so for 7 years. Even with everything I went through, I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Below are some pics of that very proud day. The first one is with my Mom and Stepdad and the second is with my 2 beautiful sisters. (LOL.....See what I had to deal with growing up, they only put on a few lbs during the last few years)
I'm baaaack
Jan 14, 2009
About Me
Before & After
rollover to see after photo
