One week follow up...

Yup, you read that right... I had surgery a week ago yesterday. It was hell! I couldn't have anything to drink for almost 16 hrs (not to say I was dehydrated, thank you Mr. IV!) but yeah, my throat was *so dry* it was crazy! I've been on 'clear liquids' for a week, and DAMN, am I about to loose my mind! I understand why it's clear liquids only, but yeah, it's hard... same textures & tastes 24/7... Can't wait to get bumped up to 'full liquids' (which, I think should happen today!) then I get to add Greek yogurt, sugar free pudding, and I plan to make some kick-ass pudding pops & yogurt pops! Having less issues w/vomiting this week, which is good, as the first few days, if I took too big of a 'sip,' I'd puke! Yes, for real! It was *not* fun! Don't get me wrong, as annoying as all that is, I'm *not* complaining! Just stating the facts of what is going on... Though, I *could* use some more energy! For real, I"m so flipping dead tired!

A new year, a new me?

Well... looks like this *is* actually going to happen! It's been hell, let me tell you! I was in a GREAT headspace, I realized back in Oct/Nov that I *could* actually do this! However, since then, I've been dealing with not being approved, then being approved, but only for 1/2 of what I needed, doing fundraising, begging for donations (something I HATE doing!) You name it... But, it looks like it *IS* going to happen! Currently, the procedures are scheduled for next Wednesday, however, as my $$ from my school refund (the final amount I need for the surgery), I may need to wait til Thursday. Being home for the holidays was also a HORRIBLE mistake! My parents, of course, aren't really on any sort of 'diet' right now, as they claim to be going 'organic' (not the *claim* I'm not going into that right now!!) so, not doing strict Adkins, etc. They told me that *I* didn't give Adkins a fair shake, but now they've gained a substantial amount of weight back. Yet, they have the nerve to lecture me about how horrible it is to 'resort to surgery.' On the upside, my mom now FINALLY gets the whole gallbladder thing!! I had like 3 attacks when I was home (not bad for being there about 5 weeks!) And, I'd mentioned that I was having 'temperature regulation issues,' which has always been something that's happened for my 'stomach issues.' Meaning, I'll be fine one minute, then the next I'm sweating profusely & my stomach feels like it's trying to escape from my body! Apparently mom had the *exact same* symptoms! So, NOW she believes me!! She's also started to come around that I *NEED* to do all of this for my health. I'm starting to have knee issues. Anyone who's seen my mom knows that she literally 'waddles.' She doesn't bend her knees, pretty much at all! She, of course, refuses to accept this & yells at me & tells me how horrible of a person I am & how disrespectful I am for saying so! I'm like 'you yell at the dogs for being 'in your way,' all you have to do is PICK UP YOUR FEET! If you bend your knees, there's no issues...' Again, she just glares at me... I keep trying to explain that I will NOT become her in another decade! I plan to be doing yoga & bellydance, and traveling & walking around, etc. when I'm her age!! Just like I used too! I'm just trying to get to the point where I *CAN* do all of that again & not have it be too hard on my knees! So, anyway, yeah, looks like this will be happening! I'm sure that I'll be posting more in here after the procedures. (By 'procedures' I'm doing the sleeve surgery (which should also stop the ulcers I have from yrs of pain meds, as my mother refused to believe I was sick or in pain!), also having my gallbladder out, and they had 'hiatal hernia' on the orders, but I don't believe there's actually a problem w/that, as per the previous testing. But, I'm good w/checking, as they'll be in there anyway! Better 1 surgery than 2-3!) And, as the internet has been my refuge for many years now, I'm sure this is where I'll be trying to deal w/stuff after everything's done...

Back in business!

So, after the absolute insanity of the last few months, things are back on track, FINALLY!! I just talked with the clinic this morning, and I should be getting a surgery date soon!! It's been a REALLY long road, but I'm so glad that in the end it's all working out how it's supposed to! I talked with the financial aid department at my school, and turns out they made a HUGE mistake on my funding! By huge, I mean about $3000 huge! So, if all goes exactly as planned, with the additional funds from them, what was raised on-line, off line, and I have a few more things for sale/fundraisers/etc. occurring within the next month, I should *just* make it! (It'll be tight, not going to lie! But, within a few hundred bucks, which I can beg/borrow easily enough, if need be!) I've already said that if I (somehow, but highly doubtful!) wind up with any money above & beyond the cost of the surgery itself, it'll be applied to the 'other expenses' meaning testing fees, bloodwork, radiologists that need to read the films because they don't trust the radiology tech's opinion, etc. Basically, the 'medical' expenses related too, but not included in the surgery price. I'm not terribly concerned about these, as the hospital does apparently take into consideration financial status and work out payment plans, but still, it would be nice to be able to get them paid off sooner than later! (Again, BIG if!!) I so can't thank all of my friends & supporters enough! This whole thing has been one hell of a whirl-wind, I still can't quite get over how abruptly everything fell apart, and how slowly it all got put back together again! But, it is, and that's what counts!! One more week left in the semester, YIKES! That means finals! Blech! But, it'll be nice to be done! Then, home to visit my parents & furbabies, who I haven't seen in nearly 5 months! That'll be a welcomed change of pace!

So, today got a bit of a blow... Because of the wonderful thing that is America's 'Free Market' economy, our health insurance here is a joke unless you're making really good money & working at an employer that pays for insurance. Even with that here on campus, they won't pay for bariatric surgery, unless you have diabetes. Yes, seriously, so no matter what co-morbidities (co-morbidities are 'obesity related issues') you have, unless it's diabetes in particular, this insurance won't pay for it. Isn't that just peachy?

So, I was left with no other option than to finance the surgery myself (meaning get a loan) or go without, which at this weight means I may not live to see my dissertation defense, or I may blow out a knee... Yeah, not the best options, I'd say...

So, I decided that I'd take out the loan. After convincing my parents to co-sign (NOT a pleasant process, let me tell you, but that's for another time...) all should be set... almost, but not quite...

So, I hear today that I can't finance the entire procedure, as I was originally told because 'it'll cause an accounting nightmare.' Right... so 'cause they want 3 checks, I should suffer? I think not... So, Monday is still on as planned, but instead of $140 up front for the initial loan fees, it's now $336 for the initial consultation! ($231 for the first consult, $50 for the psych eval & $55 for the nutritionist consult) and, instead of paying at the time like I was told, I now have to pay all up front... yeah, NOT what I was budgeting for!!

Gotta love living in the south, they care more about how much work it is for THEM, and NOT how much help it is for the patient...

So, now we'll see what sort of time frame we're looking at, I'm still pushing for asap ('cause I don't wanna be recovering from surgery over finals!!) but, it's going to necessitate like 2-4 days out of class...

I did realize something else today, though, as I was buying soda. While I'll miss soda, and well I'll need to change my diet drastically, I *can* work things around so that it's really not that huge of a difference! For example, I bought my last Chinese combo meal tonight ('cause I now have HUGE budget restrictions for this month!) and I realized that once I'm cleared for solid foods again, I can't eat rice with Chinese food any more, but I *can* eat chicken on a stick (which I love!) and possibly even boneless BBQ ribs (depending on spices & calories, etc, of course!) Which I thought was huge! It's reinforcing that this *IS* the right decision for me!

For about the last year & some change, I've been looking into weight loss options, including bariatric surgery. I know that many people disagree with this decision, and honestly, I don't care... This is what's right FOR ME! If you don't like it, feel free to go elsewhere, no skin off my back...

For those who are choosing to be supportive, the ride starts next Monday, when I go to the obesity center for my initial consultation. So far, I have secured funding for the program, which involves A LOT more than just surgery, and need to finish all the paperwork & what not.

Should be an interesting journey!!