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!!