IS THIS NORMAL????

I have know for almost a week that I was approved and set a date. I don't think that it has kicked in yet. I spent so long fighting with the insurance company that I didn't stop to prepare myself for when I won. It was something that was always "out there". I have 24 days until my whole life is changed and I am not sure what I am suppose to do now. I knew what to do when I was preparing my appeals. I had a plan of action so to speak. Everything is done now...there is no paperwork to push, phone calls to the insurance company...it is all set. Am I the only one to feel this way??? Is it normal?? How long will it last??? Shannon The Irish lady starting life a new on St. Patty's Day!

Yeah it is normal. And what do you do know.... Get prepared. Start buying the stuff you need in the hospital and when you get home. Sharon Neva wrote on my surgery page and she has a lot of information on her profile listing what is needed for the hospital and at home. Check it out.

Hi Shannon, I am so glad somebody posted this. I have felt the exact same way. I feel like I wrote that e mail. I was prepared for a fight too and when I didn't have to fight anymore I didn't know what to do. Things happened very quickly for me and my surgery is next Monday and I am still feeling like this. You fight and fight for months and you are so fixated on the fight that you don't even think about what it will feel like when you don't have to fight anymore. It's like you almost don't know what to do with yourself. I can't answer any of your questions regarding how long and will it go away but maybe another Marcher will hook us up with a good answer I am just going to try to really prepare myself and read all my information again from the surgeon. I don't know what else to do. I know things are about to change drastically but I am ready for this change. Hang in there and we'll all get through it together!! Jill Newbie to the Marchers

Hi Folks: I too am waiting for surgery this month on the 18th and this is what I am doing to prepare. 1 Started my preop testing. 2 I'll get copies of all to take with me to surgeon. (He is in another state) 3 Started walking yesterday - will do 30 minutes per day. That's about the best I can do with this weight and my bad knees. 4 buying my post op foods and making a list of perishables for my husband to buy later. 5 Gathering things to take to the hosp. Chap stick, back scratcher, plastic spoon (to help in wiping if needed) baby wipes, open shoes, bathrobe that ties, nightgown to return home in, extra contact lenses. 6 Blowing up balloons - I use a few over and over until they are too easy and then I take out a few more. 7 phone list for my husband - 8 to do list for husband - I'll be away for 2 1/2 weeks, at least, and he'll need to water the plants, and be here for the cleaning lady. 9 make some meatballs and sauce - so dh has something to eat at home. 10 started taking zinc, calcium and multivitamin daily. 11 reading all the pre and post op literature I can find in the library here. 12 catching up on my job - I work at home and need to finish up some things. I'm so busy right now that I have no idea why I am on this site. Good luck to all the marchers.

Top of the mornin' to ya, Lassie Shannon (and Jill, another newbie in this thread.. I'm gonna get 'tough' here and recommend both of you (and all 'newbies') do something: CONTACT YOUR SURGEON/NUTRITIONIST ASAP. THEY are the only ones who can give you technical guidance on what you have to do pre-op. Everyone's surgical team/aftercare team differs so drastically in their pre-op requirements that it's amazing. Most of us have been instructed to abandon all NSAIDs and herbal/vitamin supplements one week prior to surgery. Many of us have been told to stop smoking and have been practicing deep breathing exercises. A lot of us have been placed on liquid diets for anywhere from 3 weeks to 1 day pre-op. Everyone's instructions vary drastically. It'd be terribly dangerous and negligent for US to tell you the "technical" necessities required of you before your date. That should come ONLY from your surgical team. We can tell ya how to get thru this, we'll even hold your hand and nudge you along. We'll be there to peel you off the walls when you have a meltdown. We're can tell you where to get some of the supplies you'll need, and can add others that you may not have contemplated. But we're not the ones to tell you diets, herbs/vitamins or pre-op workups. You HAVE to discuss that with your medical team. They're your technical advisors, we're your friends. Kimmer Queen of the Niners, Instigator of All Marchers, High Priestess of Giggles Zero-minus-15 and counting!

I feel the same way...I was all keyed for a fight...got a denial one week, wrote an appeal letter, faxed it and was approved in 2 days! I guess I handle negative things better than the positive...can't quite believe it. But I have a surgery date 3 weeks away, and made 2 important calls one to schedule my pre-op appointment with my PCP and the other with the surgeon's office. I have been on a very yummy protein drink for a month already from the surgeon's office (I am lucky they have everything I need there--I forgot the name although it is 3 initials and for "sports" and says WHEY on it but I love the taste!) I am on the same vitamin and calcium regimen that I will stay on from their office and have a blender in case I need to puree, and I will buy their food products for the first 2 weeks....so I guess other than packing a few things for the hospital, I am basically ready. I gave up caffeine a month ago, don't smoke, and am trying to walk a little every day.