Baaaadddd Week - I need a hug!

I've had a reallllly bad week and need a major infusion of sunshine! On Monday, I found out from my insurance carrier (Horizion BCBS of NJ) that my surgeon's office had been mis-informed and I have NOT yet been approved. In fact, my 23 page packet had not even been routed to the correct department until I called Monday to ask about the appoval letter that was supposedly mailed to me on 9/13 that I had not yet received. I spent over 2.50 HOURS on the phone with BCBS getting transfered from one person to another and one dept. to another. I was so upset and frustrated by the news that I couldn't even bring myself to post my sad news. I've been totally bummed all week. Then yesterday, I began having pain in my upper right side which got progressively worse, until I was feeling queasy. After it got bad enough that I couldn't concentrate at work, I called my PCP. Of course, he is out of town, so I saw another doc in the practice late yesterday. He immediately had me admitted to the hospital - wouldn't even let me go downstairs and cross the lobby into the hospital, I had to go in a wheelchair. He was afraid I was having an acute gall bladder attack. I've never had problems with my gallbladder. They gave me meds for the pain & did an ultrasound test about 8:00 pm. but wouldn't know the results until this morning. The only good news I got, was that the surgeon that was called in let me have water until midnight (I had nothing to eat or drink since lunch and was soooo thirsty!). The ultrasound showed no gallstones so they were going to do a test in nuclear medicine this morning so nothing to eat or drink after midnight. Today I couldn't have any pain meds but that was OK b/c the pain was pretty much gone. At NOON, they took me do down for the test and I had to lie flat on my back & still for 2 HOURS while the radioactive tracer worked its way through my liver, gall bladder & intestines. By the time the test was over I was having muscle spasms in my back and asked for pain meds as soon as I got back to my room, not for my tummy, but for my back! Test results were mixed - I don't have gallstones, but bad news, my gallbladder is "malfunctioning" and I need surgery. I explained that I was awaiting approval for Gastic By-pass surgery and would rather not have 2 surgeries within a month or two. Doctors agreed that since I was not in pain (at least not from the gallbladder) that I could hold off on the surgery until RNY & gallbladder could be done at the same time or until I have another gall bladder attack, which ever comes first. After letting me eat at 4:00 pm and waiting to see if I'd get sick, they released me to go home about 6:00 pm. Once, I got home, I just flaked out on the sofa. But what REALLY STINKS is that today is my 50th birthday and I spent most of it in the hospital. Needless to say, we did no celebrating for my big 5-0 !! All I can say is that I'm glad this week is over! Thanks for letting me gripe! Vickie J.

happy birthday to you... happy birthday to you!!!!!!!!! glad you are feeling better... xoxox and big hugs

Alexa, Thanks for your wishes & hugs! Both are greatly needed and appreciated! vj

BIG HUGS AND A BIG BIRTHDAY WISH.....

Vickie, So sorry you have had such a bad week, but on the brighter side, you didnt have to have your gallbladder taken out on your 50th b-day . Good luck with your "real" approval, your next big day to celebrate will be your new rebirthday! Hang in there Amy -92lbs.

Sorry you have had such a bad week. Hope you start feeling better really soon. I know you are bummed out about the approval thing but hopefully you have it all headed in the right direction now. AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!! I turned 50 this also and I just decided that my warranty must have run out. Seem like something happening to this old body. Now I am going to get an overhaul and I will have a new warranty. Soon we will all be doing better and 50 will sound better. Carol

First of all, Happy big 50 Vickie Insurance companies in my opinion are liscensed thiefs. Having said that,considered yourself HHHHHHHHUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGEEEEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You just have to think atleast this could be the last birthday that you deal with this. Maybe this will help the insurance company get off of the lower part of the seating area. I hope they would rather pay for 1 surgery than 2. Good luck and I hope that you feel better soon.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX -- Inusurance companies suck, they cause so much greif and sometimes I think they just want to be a pain in the @%*& -- I hope next week will bring good news -- think happy thoughts and HAPPY BIRTHDAY ! 51 will be even better. XOXOXOXOXXOXOXOXOXXOXOXOXOXXOXOXOXXOOXOXOX

Thank you all for your hugs & happy thoughts! I'm still having muscle spasms in my back but overall, feeling better and definately more hopeful. It is wonderful having friends that understand my frustrations! Thanks again! Vickie J.