They are canceling my surgery

Okay, Robin... First, you're not cancelled, you're delayed. Sux, don't it? But you're DELAYED. Your surgery has been approved - THAT, Robin, is the most difficult barrier to jump over. I received my approval on Dec. 26, 2003 and was supposed to have my surgery on January 28th. God threw a speedbump into my line of travel, 'n I was, like "Oh, c'mon! Pleeze?!?" Due to an oversight at the first place, I had to find an entire new set of surgeon/hospital. This all happened at 4:45 on a Friday...just the time when everyone's offices were closed/closing and of course, I think my PCP is the ONLY doctor in this nation who works on a Saturday, so it's not like I could call surgeons the next morning. So I was on the internet ALL weekend (like over 20 hours) looking at doctors and their credentials, etc. I looked at what had happened and figured out that the 1st place was NOT the Dr/place/date that God had in mind for me. I put on my hightops and started walking FASTER in faith, as this entire journey has been a walk in faith for me. I found another surgeon/hospital that following Monday, and he wasn't a "second best" choice: had I known of him in the first place, I'd've gone to him from the start. But God made me work at it a little harder...I appreciate things so much more when they're more difficult to attain. It's a definite character flaw, I think. ANYway, this new Doc wanted a new set of labs...a HUMONGOID new set of labs, and all I could think was "Well, heck, my yearly deductible is already met just with these." (I have a talent for looking at the positive in things/situations.) Well, these labs showed me something that the old labs didn't: I was "stroke-bait", that despite the 5 meds I was on to lower my cholesterols (my triglycerides started off at 733 in September...when my new surgeon saw this, he smiled and said "Very impressive! 2nd highest I've ever seen!" Thank GOD he has a sense of humor, too!). Anyway, the meds I'd been on for 5 months didn't TOUCH my cholesterol levels, much to the AWE of ALL my doctors. This showed them that my RNY is the only thing that will keep me from having a stroke in the VERY near future due to the malabsorption factor of the RNY (I'd've stroked within 2 years according to the Docs...and we had no idea this was going on). Anyway AGAIN, the SNAFU from the 1st doc/insurance provided me with serious medical information we'd never have gained otherwise. My surgery was immediately slated for March 9th, and that's where I'm at now. My delay was a kick in the rear for a mere second. I immediately looked at it and realized that "All things work together for good...", that everything happens for a reason. To top it off, on January 28th, my original date, we had a serious snow storm here in The Winter Wonderland (sheeya, bite me...), and I wouldn't have been able to get to the hospital anyway. I found a different surgeon who I'm 150% confident in (versus 99% with the 1st one), and we found some things we needed to know for my future health. So it worked out to be "a good thing". I know your heart is broken right now. Mine was for a while...'til I looked at it from a different angle. I took advantage of the extra 1.5 months I had to wait to take care of other stuff that I'd've never had the time to do if I'd've been re-plumbed on the original date. 20/20 hindsight shows me God's hand in all this...and what a WAY better deal I got! So TRY...TRY to look at it from a different perspective. Had you not known about how serious your anemia/sed rate was, you'd've had one HECK of a worse time post-op. For all you know, you could've ended up staying in the hospital a lot longer. If nothing else, THAT's a good thing to have avoided... We're here....come 'n vent anytime. There's always someone here to give ya a shoulder. Kimmer Been There, Done It, Have The T-Shirt Zero-minus-14 and 8 workdays to go!

Everyone and Kimmer, Thank you so much. I know there is a reason and I know I'll look back glad this happened. Only a WLS patient can understand the disapointment. I have my chin up and will find good in this. Thanks for your encourqagement and sharing. I'm officially out of the dumps. Blessings, Robin

Dear Robin: I am so very sorry to hear that your surgery has been postponed, but it's better to be safe than sorry. Anemia is a serious matter, and with a low iron count in your blood, it is difficult for it to clot and keep you from bleeding out. Your doctor could surely have used some sensitivity in explaining this to you, but not all doctor's have good bedside manner. I do hope you find out what is causing this problem and that it can be remedied sooner rather than later. You are a Marcher, and there are lots of days left in the month to reschedule your surgery. I will keep you in my prayers and hope that everything will turn out for the best. Sincerely, Rita

Robin, I'm sooooo sorry about this. It's bad enough that they have to cancel, but your doctor did not have to treat you so badly that was soooo unprofessional. It really is for the best of reasons. If you are anemic or have some sort of infection, it could cause you lots of unwanted trouble post op. They'll get it all straighten up before you know it and you'll be back on track. Remember, once a Marcher, always a Marcher!!!! Whitney Angels: baby angel Lori and Momma Angel Va

I'm sorry that you're upset but you should thank your docs for not going through surgery when you are not in optimal conditipon for recovery. Anemea - Not having enough red blood cells - means that you will not heal properly. Red blood cells bring oxygen to the tissues and take away waste. The sed rate indicates a possible and probable infection. If you want this surgery in order to lead a healthy life then you will cope with your disappoinment, get the proper medical care so that when you are rescheduled you will be in the best possible shape for a speedy and uneventful recovery. Good luck.