CRYING TIME

Brenda... Do not give up. There are alot of other alternatives. My doctor in Hattiesburg did not take Voc Rehab but the hospital I was in did. You may want to check with them (I dont know if you can out of a different county)... but if you could afford to pay the surgeons fee out of pocket maybe getting the hospital paid or on some kind of arrangements would be helpful. Tammy's experience with UMC was a bad one and I dont like UMC at all but I know that Dr. Salameh is a good surgeon and you would take the bad for the good. Look at all the resources available. Were you in the impacted area of Katrina - perhaps you could file for a small business loan (its not just for businesses).. It might get what you need to please the hospital. I know how you feel.. I fought the big battle with the insurance company and it consumed my life and it was very emotional. Be strong and dont give in to this.. It will find a way.

Tammy, the first month was like that for me too, of course I had some really serious problems also. I'm worried about the way you feel emotionaly. I promise these things WILL pass. The first few months are the hardest. I'm three months out, and finally feel back to my old self. I can eat just about anything I want within reason, just small bits. Thinking back, at 1 month out and 1 week home from the hosptal, I was laying on my bed, crying, begging my mother not to leave the next day. My children had just come home, and I hadn't seen them in 3 weeks, but I didn't feel strong enough to take care of them -- and I wasn't. It was sheer hell. I secretly thought to myself - "my God, what have I done?" - but I refused to let that thinking get the best of me. Yes, I barfed almost everytime I went poo, yes I hated the way everything tasted and smelled, and yes, I even had to use a wheelchair to get out of the house because I was so weak. But, it seems like SO long ago now, and it wasn't. You ARE going to start feeling better, and you WILL start getting excited about seeing that scale move down, down, down. I can't tell you what a HUGE difference just 50 pounds has made in my life. Now - I love ya, and I'm worried about you. I've been praying for you daily (several times). I know how much you wanted this surgery, and how long you waited for it. I'm SO sorry the hospital experience sucked so bad. I do know what you are going through - but girl - you are too strong of a person to just give up now. Remember the queens mantra (adopted from someone else ) "Tomorrow it will be a little better." And it will - PROMISE! If you aren't on any anti-depressants, think about getting some. They help too. I do promise that it will get better! I don't know what else to say, but I just want you to promise me that you will quote the mantra, and try to look at the future, and what you've worked SO hard to accomplish. Put that stinky hospital experience behind you - and start focusing on the new you. The sickness will pass. This is just a bump in the road. You KNOW I know where you are coming from, and thank God you didn't have to experience what I went through. I wouldn't wish that on anyone. So I feel like I can encourage you with true knowledge. I'm not one of those people that just flew through the surgery, came home, wondering if I'd even had it. Wish I was! Keep the faith hon - and feel free to email me if you need anything. BIG HUGS! Kimberly

Voc Rehab goes thru spells of telling folks that won't pay for this and then the next thing you know they are funding it. I think it has to do with budget and money issues, but they seem to always come up with $ in the long run, so hang on. Tammy has had one of the very worst experiences with this surgery of anyone. Her experience at the hospital was hideous and then to go home to nausea, pain, depression, regret, etc has really hurt her alot. Other than Rhonda, who puked for 29 straight hours after surgery and off and on for the first month or two, Tammy has had the very worst time of it. I remember watching Christine and Melissa eating steak and salad when i was one month out and thinking, there is no way I'll ever be able to eat that as I ate my stuffed potato. It just really amazed me to see them eating REAL food. Things will get better for our Tams, but it may take awhile. And Tams, at this point, just cannot conseive of EVER feeling good again. But she will. Hang in there Tams, life gets better and better. Smoochies Arlies PS I have it on good authority that things are being done to remedy the situation at UMC.

Brenda, I'm so sorry you're discouraged. Don't give up. I'm going to say a prayer for you. God bless you! Tammy, So sorry you are having such a hard time. You and I are "sisters in surgery" as we both had the same date, I believe. I agree with whoever suggested an anti-depressant. I was off my Zoloft for several days and I was nervous and felt yucky until I got it back in my system. Please consider it. It may help you get over the hump until your body catches up. I will say an extra prayer for you. I hope things will get better soon. God bless you, too! Deborah 284/243/135