The Results are In (well most of them..)

I just called my doctors office today. I had 4 preop tests left before I can get a surgery date. I finished them last week and first part of this week. 1) LOTS of labs 2) Chest Xray 3) Abdominal Ultrasound 4) Overnight use of a Pulse Ox The labs came back SUPER. I am diabetic and got diagnosed in June. I have brought my hgba1c from 9.1 at diagnosis down to 6.9 with medicine and dietary changes, this is considered non-diabetic range = excellent control of my diabetes. My cholesterol is down from 204 to 143, HDL is 36 and LDL 89, yeah! This is with lipitor another drug I got put on 3 months ago. Chest xray was clean. Ultrasound said I had a fatty liver (duh, I am obese and this is normal). Pulse ox not in yet (fingers crossed it is ok). Don't want a sleep study, cpap, etc. Have to wear the cpap for 30 days prior to surgery. Don't want anything delaying me! Nurse at my office said she would follow up on that today. I am so happy, granted I know this is with medications, but I am so happy that I could get as healthy as possible before my surgery! I have had to wait amost 11 months total before approval, but I was able to get myself prepared for surgery - lost 30 pounds so far. Hoping with the 2 week clear liq diet I have to be on I will lose 10-20 more! Just had to share. Say a prayer for me about my pulse ox..

Yey!!! This is actually going to happen! Now your job is to "try" to be patient & wait, probably the hardest part, for me at least. I hope the pulse ox turned out good cuz then you're on your way. Be sure to let us know what you hear. Nuring school is going well, at least the classwork is OK. In lab, I'm struggling with taking blood pressures & getting the same results as my instructors. Today is orientation for our first clinical experience and uniform inspection & next Friday is my first clinical. I feel very unprepared & scared but I guess you have to start somewhere. I'm even surviving A&P! Again, Melissa, congratulations on your good results. Even this early in my training, I know they are good. Heck, I'd love to have your cholestrol readings and as far as the fatty liver, yep, very common & that's part of the reason for the 2 weeeks of clear liquids. Dixie

Hi Dixie! Pulse ox was*NORMAL* YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No cpap for me thank goodness. They said I never dropped below the mid 90's. I am thrilled. So we have to wait for a thaimine level to come back (this one had to be sent to mayo) and when that comes back my pcp will fax everything over to Dr. G's. I am sooo excited. When do they check to see if I am finacially cleared with covenent? Would they have done that already? I know now I am starting to get some eob's through my email about that stress test and echo I had done, but no bill yet to pay.. will this hold me up? Hope not. I plan to pay them as soon as they come in (all 1200 whopping dollars.. geez) but at least it goes towards my max out of pocket. Which Dr. G has already given me a bill to pay at my preop appointment (80 percent of my max out of pocket) I hope they will readjust that once I pay these huge bills for the echo and stress test. If not the insurance should refund me I suppose. Whatever I don't care! I am gonna have surgery soon! yeah! Glad nursing school is goin gwell. Don't worry about the blood pressure thing. It gets better with practice. I thought it was harder to hear with those "dual" stethoscopes they use. You are going to do great on Friday. Remember like you said you have to start somewhere. I am here for any questions.. always. Remember that too. Keep me updated. I remember those years, they aren't the easiest, but the reward is a great career that is fulfilling and versatile. Keep trucking.. you are doing great! Melissa