HAPPY FRIDAY!!! I heard from CIGNA...

Hey there everyone! Good morning, and happy FRIDAY! I got a certified letter from Cigna yesterday regarding my 2nd level appeal. They have scheduled a conference call with the "committee" next Tuesday. My attorney and I will both participate. Then, they have until Wed the 26th to decide. Say it with me "SUSAN WILL BE APPROVED!" On another note, I stopped by Panera Bread on 77th and Wadsworth yesterday to check out the "Community Room" - for our get together on the 23rd. I asked if I could reserve the room, and they said yes... for $50 So, we will just plan on meeting there, and not "RESERVE" the room... I am sure it will not be crowded on a Sunday afternoon. 5/23/04 2:30 - 4:00 Next month, however, I have reserved the meeting room at the Standley Lake Library on 84th and Kipling. Sunday, 6/20/04 2:30 - 4:30. YAY! I will try to get it reserved for 1 Sunday a month at least thru the summer. What do y'all think?? Well, I think that's it for now. I LOVE the way this board is coming to life. Susan

Susan you are the bomb!!! I am so happy for you. Good Luck with your phone call. YOu will be in my thoughts and prayers. Maybe the insurance company will pull their heads out of their butts, and you will hear a big pop on the other end, then you will know what that is. The library works for me, I know right where that is. I wish I could be there on the 23rd. I have a question/story for ya'll to help me out with. My family is totaly against me having this surgery, but I am still going through with it. How can I make them see that I will be healthier and happier after the surgery then what I am now? My family is all VERY large, and noone thinks there is a problem but my grandfather died of heart problems and my grandmother died of of cancer, and jsut because I want to change my future they think I am a bad person. How can I help them see how much better I will be after surgery? Ok, I am done babbling on and on now. Kris

Kris, Hey you! All I can say is that the few people in my life who are not supportive are not educated on the benefits of this life saving surgery. Sure there are risks, as there are with ANY surgery, elective or not. What kind of co-morbidities do you have? I keep reminding myself how bad my health can and will get without this surgery! Since the rest of your family is big, I am betting that secretly, they wish THEY were the ones to pioneer it as far as your family goes. I would bet my money (although, there is never much of it) that you will only be the FIRST one in your family to have this done. It is not all about being thin, which most outsiders (large or small) think! You are going to be able to LIVE again!!!! Shoot, I can hardly wait! Hang in there, baby! All I would suggest, is that you try to get them to be more educated about the surgery. Are they internet savvy? Introduce them to ObesityHelp.com or SpotlightHealth.com. And most of all.... this is for YOU! not them. HUGS!! Susan

SUSAN WILL BE APPROVED! SUSAN WILL BE APPROVED! SUSAN WILL BE APPROVED! HUH....Oh... hi... I think I was in a bit of a trance there for a moment. Well anyhoo, way to go Susan! I will keep every possible part of my body crossed for you to hear some fantastic news. Both palces work for me althought being fairly new to the Arvada area I don't know where the Standley Lake library is. I sorta know where Standley Lake is. Is it close? Kris, I wish I could give you some universe expanding, soul searing advice for your problem. All I know is in the end you have to be true to yourself and the rest will just have to follow. I doubt that your family will love you any less than they do now after your surgery. I think they are all afraid for you. And who knows you my be the pioneer for your family to follow in your foot steps after they see how happy you are with the results. They may indeed follow. Love ya, Leslie

SUSAAAAAAN!!! SUSAN WILL BE APPROVED, SUSAN WILL BE APPROVED, SUSAN WILL BE APPROVED, SUSAN WILL BE APPROVED, SUSAN WILL BE APPROVED, SUSAN WILL BE APPROVED, SUSAN WILL BE APPROVED, SUSAN WILL BE APPROVED, SUSAN WILL BE APPROVED, SUSAN WILL BE APPROVED, SUSAN WILL BE APPROVED, SUSAN WILL BE APPROVED, SUSAN WILL BE APPROVED, SUSAN WILL BE APPROVED, SUSAN WILL BE APPROVED, SUSAN WILL BE APPROVED, SUSAN WILL BE APPROVED, SUSAN WILL BE APPROVED, SUSAN WILL BE APPROVED, SUSAN WILL BE APPROVED, SUSAN WILL BE APPROVED, SUSAN WILL BE APPROVEEEEEEED!!! IT WILL WORK OUT! HUGS, PAOLA

Susan. I am sooo looking forward to meeting you. I love an organized person. I think it is so special how you made arangements to get us all together. I plan on being there. My family will probably come as well. Sundays are good for me. Looking forward to hearing you say ....Guys I'm approved!! Because it will happen!!

Denise, Thank you SO much for the post.... actually ALL of you have been really really wonderful. (Kris, Leslie, Paola...) I do not know what motivated me to get so involved with this board in the last week or so, it just happened, and I am very glad. I have spent so many months - almost a year - on this journey, and I need to keep motivated. So many times I have felt down, and felt like getting the surgery was just a pipe dream. My family hadn't been told, cuz I thought they would not support me. If it weren't for the people I met through my surgeon's office, support groups and message boards , I most likely would have given up. I have seen this surgery truly work MIRACLES on people. I have seen obese, unhealthy, depressed people turn into fit, healthy, vibrant people - right before my very eyes. I am here for every one of you, just like people have been here for me, and continue to be here for me. HUGE HUGS to you all!!! Susan