If you are looking for support in ABQ or any where in NM please feel free to join our little grass roots group at the link below: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ABQNBB/join For some reason folks seem to frequent this yahoo group more then the OH board. We also have a grass roots support group 2x/month (the 1st and 3rd Wednesday) if you are interested. Peace & Joy! Valerie

Hello New Mexico, Well, I've had an interesting week. Last Thursday I found out my May 3rd appointment was being bumped to Aug 29th. Since then my wife and I have moved it to October 3rd, to give us some breathing room. Our first child should be born before that date, so that don't have to risk missing the birth. I was (and still am a little) upset about the large delay. Eventually I came to my senses, and realized that Dr. Blackstone had something bad happen and I needed to be sensitive to her as a human being. I have contacted her office several times since getting the news and got some piece of mind. I understand that two new Doctors are coming on board in June, and the office staff is working closely with Dr. Blackstone to try to tweak out a few more surgery dates... In short, Dr. Blackstone and her staff are doing all they can to get me (and everyone else) in ASAP. They truly are a center of excellence! I also got a call from my insurance company and found out that I can switch surgeons, but they would refer me to someone. They said it would be Dr. James Swain, at the Mayo clinic Scottsdale. I have tried to do research on the Dr. but have had little success. OH has little information on him, because he is not registered with them. I even went to the Mayo Clinic website and got some information, but there is no mention on how many surgeries this doctor has performed or anything. He will accept all the tests I have had done for Dr. Blackstone, but I would have to see an internist or endocrinologist prior to my consult with the surgeon. I am happy to have options, as it makes me feel like I am apart of the process instead of its victim. For now, Marcie and I are going to wait until March to decide what to do, because Dr. Blackstone's office said that any changes that would see me with an earlier appointment would happen by then. We want Dr. Blackstone, because she has experience with High BMI's like mine (one might call her a Specialist with high BMI ). I really feel she is the best option for me, and so for now we are going to wait and see what happens. Besides, my insurance has already got a signed contract with her office and that means one less headache for me. Ohh Yeah, I got my results from my visit with the cardiologist. I have been given clearance for surgery. My echo showed a healthy Left ventricle, with mild enlarging of the rest of my heart. My blood volume was normal, I have some thickening of muscle tissue in one chamber, and I have sclerosis of one of my valves. Of course I thought I was dieing when I heard this, but they assured me it is mild and not a concern... YET!!! My Stress test showed the same issues, but I had a normal response to the stress. I have a green light for surgery, and for exercise (except for heavy weightlifting). Hooray for our team!!!! Keep Dr. Blackstone, My wife w/ unborn child and me, in your prayers. Richard I.

Thank you, My wife and I are very excited. We found out about 4 weeks ago that she was pregnant. We has been trying for over a year, and so were pleasantly surprised. My largest hope is that our child is healthy and happy. I know my child will have a wonderful mother, and grandparents who will love him/her with every fiber of their being. We enjoy the privlage of a wonderful, careing, joyus family... Perhaps I just need time to cool off, but at the moment, I am ready to pronaounce this wls option dead. I don't think I can handle getting my hopes up, just to watch someone smash them on the ground again and again and again. Three surgons, and two insurance compinies have done this to me over and over. Every one keeps saying it is Gods way of telling me that the date was bad and that something would have gone wrong. That could be, but judgeing from my history, I'd say God is telling me that I am not ment to have this surgery.

Oh yes, I would be interested in sharing a room; otherwise I'll probably commute from San Diego area where I have family. But I'd rather stay close to the conference at least Fri. and Sat. nite. I live in Albuquerque. 249.0996 Carol M

Yes! I'm going to the conference in April! I haven't made my reservations yet. Are you traveling with SWA? Are you looking for someone to room with while staying for the conference?