Finally some good news

Got good news, finally RE the surgical process. I am all set for the upper endoscopy on Friday morning. I also have the name and number for the psychiatrist who will do my psych eval. I go back to my doctor in a couple weeks and will get the referral for the cardiologist. I still have the pulmonary appt in July but if I get everything else done before then, maybe they will rush me in and get me pushed through. The end of the testing phase is nearing. I was told I will have to pay out-of-pocket for the fitness eval. It has to be done prior to surgery per the Bariatric Center. I'll double check on that one. If it is true, I'll figure it out somehow. I am beginning to think the end is near.

As far as the visit with little Chloe, we had a blast. She is such a doll, even when she is cranky. We played on the floor, went to a petting farm, played in the kiddy park at the local mall, and just had fun. It's hard to believe she's back home already. Here are a couple of my favorite shots taken of her while she was here:

Mandi, Tim, and Chloe


Chloe Jayne on her birthday

Gotta love those facial expressions!

Update

Went to the doctor yesterday. Gave him the what for about all the failed referrals and how it is holding things up. He spoke with the gal who does the referrals and she seemed to know nothing. That figures! He said he will call the Utilization Review person himself to see what they need and get back to me about it all. I am still waiting for the fitness consultation. Seems they didn't know who the person I was referred to worked for (the bariatric clinic, duh) so that was the problem with that one. It has supposedly been resubmitted so I'll call in a day or two to check on status.

I'm also waiting on the referral for the psych testing. That one the UR people supposedly needed info from my doctor and he hasn't responded so they just dropped it. Well, chit! That is one of the main ones he's supposed to be checking on.

I am scheduled for the upper endoscopy on May 2nd. I have to look up the info, and I have to call the hospital to make certain it has been authorized by my insurance. It was on hold last time I checked. I won't be going for the procedure until I know it has been authorized!

My pulmonary appointment is still the one that will hold me up the longest. I will have to have a breathing test, again. Why can't I go ahead and have it so the pulmonologist can just read the darn thing and clear me at my visit with him in mid-July? I don't understand why I have to be seen by him first. Also, I have this sinking feeling that he will want me to do another sleep study. That is going to torque me off. By then, I'm going to be in full swing with working night shift again and want to be up all night. I'm going to demand they do it during the day when I would normally be sleeping if this is the case. They can't expect me to sleep at night if I am used to being up all night at work. Or at least they shouldn't at any rate. On the one hand, a study that came back with sleep apnea would be one more pro for weight loss surgery! *sigh*

So, that is where everything is at. I am still waiting and still trying to get all the testing done so things can be submitted to the insurance company. Meanwhile, the scale has not been nice to me. I really need to regain my focus and get my arse in gear. Surgery is only a tool. I need to make sure I get my head back on straight and now is the time to do that!

Thanks to Maggie for the info about SB.

Chloe and Mandi will be here on Monday. They may even stay longer. Woo hoo! She and the hubby are at odds. Of course, they generally make up so we'll see how it goes. Either way, I get to spend time with that precious girl I haven't seen since last June. I am so excited!

Like a yo-yo

Up and down, back and forth, around and around ... just like a yo-yo. That is how I'm feeling these days. The scale goes up and down to the point I'm trying to only step on it once a week instead of daily. My moods are swinging the same way. And dealing with the doctor offices is just downright irritating to me!

I got a promotion at work. It means returning to the overnight shift. Tim did better when I worked nights so I guess it's a good thing. I get a 10% raise (not where I wanted but as much as they will offer) and have EVERY Friday and Saturday off. I will also be off all day on Sunday and then go into work on Sunday night 11p-7a. I'll be able to go to church every week again and so will Tim so of course he's happy.

Things have been ugly for my oldest daughter and it's been on my mind a lot lately. She is a victim of domestic violence. I've been trying to convince her to leave but she feels trapped with two children, I think. Tim and I said she could come up here and we'd manage somehow. I wish she would and get herself and those babies out of harm's way. Those of you who are prayers, please include her. It's a struggle for her, I know.

My youngest daughter is coming home with hubby and baby Chloe next week. I am so excited and can't wait to see them. Chloe will be a year old at the end of the month. It's so hard to believe she's so grown up already. Needless to say I'll likely have LOTS of pictures to share somewhere.

Have a good week! I'm going to research the South Beach diet. I've read several places that is one diet those who have had weight loss surgery can follow when they get to their goal weight. I figure maybe I can start learning it now and drop a few more pounds in the meantime. I'll keep you posted on how it goes!

Ranting about the process

Got a call from my pulmonologist office today. Seems there isn't an appointment available until July. Are they kidding me? I really wanted to have all the testing done by the end of May so everything could be submitted to the insurance company and I could hopefully be approved and set for surgery no later than June. I am so frustrated by this entire process.

I have my primary doctor who has to do referrals for everything under the sun. I have the bariatric center which wants me to get things to them they should be able to access on their own in the computer system. I have the surgeon's office wanting me to get everything done. And then I have all the others who just don't get how important this is to me now that I've made the decision.

My husband says it's all this way because everyone wants to make sure that I am committed and really want this surgery. I'm beginning to think I've lost my mind! One day at a time and I guess I just have to wait and see. It's the waiting that makes me nuts. Once I make a decision I'm a "I want it yesterday" kind of person. I know the process will not be a miracle happening over night but I didn't expect to hit roadblocks like this all along the way.

Okay, I guess my rant is over. *sigh*