New in Des Moines!

Oh, how I wish there was a Saturday morning support group closer to me!  Welcome to Iowa and our lovely winter weather.  Just wait, it will be spring soon and the weather will be much warmer than it is today.

I am not in the DM area..........but wanted to say *HI* none the less.......I am in upper eastern Iowa.  Was it hard to leave Portland to come here??  I lived just over the bridge in Vancouver and I miss it a lot.....I go back to visit as often as I can.  Best of luck finding a support group......we don't have many options up here either   Take Care!  ~Jesi

Hi Jesi,

I am Carol and want to say congrats on your success!  Five years out is wonderful!

I am in the Dubuque area too and wish, wish, wish we had a support group here.  Maybe they would accomodate us in some way.  I do think that Dr. Glas**** in Waterloo is trying to get into this area from what I have heard so maybe his team would offer something for us.

Hang in there with your struggles because they will improve.  Remember why you did the surgery and what you had to do for that to happen.  Glad that you are back on here and posting.  We newbies need you seasoned folks to help us along. 

Stay warm and hang in there,
Carolia

*Hello*

I used to drive down to Davenport.....Genesis has a support group that is open to anyone.  They are great down there.....but I got busy with life and got out of the habit of going.  Maybe when the weather is nicer I will start going again.  If you hear anymore about Glas**** heading this way, let me know.....that would be great to have something here. 
Take Care  jesi

Thanks, Jesi.  I didn't know Gensis had a support group.  I checked them out a few years back when I started this process for surgery, but didn't keep the information from there when I was given the thumbs down by my insurance.  It's about the same distance to go to Iowa City and since that's where I'm having my surgery, that's the support group I'm planning to go to.  It would be really nice to have one in this area though!  

I will post if I hear that Dr. G is coming this way.  He has been doing seminars here so it wouldn't surprise me if he started doing surgeries somewhere in Dubuque.  Let me know if you hear anything about him or any other surgeon coming to Dubuque.

Take care and thanks for the information.
Carol

When I went to the UIHC they didn't have a support group.  I had my surgery there also, with Maher who left to go to Virginia Common Wealth (or some place like that)  I saw Samuel one time post-op but they never offered support groups back then :(  My insurance has since changed and I am no longer authorized to go to UIHC.  I wonder if they would allow people farther out to come??  I know Gensis has two different types of support group, one for regular post-ops still learning the ropes and one for grads who have been out awhile.  Let me know about the IC support groups...I should just call Debi, she is great, I remember how helpful she was when I was there :)

Absolutely you can attend the support group there, Jesi.  It is for anyone who has had the surgery or is contemplating having the surgery and I am sure you could go to the support group.  It is on the second Tuesday of each month and there is a different topic/focus for each group.  I know the next one is on Feb. 3rd. from 6-7 if you want to go to one.  Yes, definitely call Debi or Chris Melichar.  Both have been spectacular at helping me.

I am trying to go to the Feb. support group but I'm not sure it will work out for me this time.  I am hoping though, so I might see you there if you go.  Would be nice to meet you in person! 

Carol

Welcome to Iowa Amy.     Sorry it's been such a hard winter for your first winter here!      

Jody