I have real hope again!!

, After the ordeal of being told that Eugene would be a Center of Excellence any time now, only to have it be next week, next month, next year, over and over, I finally went to the orientation at OHSU in Portland tonight. It was TERRIFIC! I'm fairly confident that I qualify with no problems (first time I've seen a list of all the co-morbidities). I have the paperwork to fill out and I have an appointment with my Internist tomorrow. I can give him all the referral forms and release of records then. The ball is already rolling!! I felt so good when I left there, I hardly noticed the long ride home. It may be only a couple of months before I'm on the loser's bench with the rest of you!! Linda

Congratulations! I am very glad to hear that you have an opportunity! I have heard great things about the Dr.'s up there in fact my aunt went up there a couple of years ago for her surgery! Good luck with your continuing journey it all seems to go so fast from here (or at least it did for me!) Tara

That is great, Linda. Keep us posted. I am so happy for you!

Linda, that is really good news. I was in the same situation of needing Eugene to get the Center of Excellence. Once I decided to stop waiting for Eugene and headed to Portland it was only 6 weeks from orientation to surgery. Hope it works out as quickly for you. Take care. Kathy

Linda, Great news. Step by step!! Bil

Yeah Linda! Congratulations and I wish you all the best and a speedy approval. Darla

WTG LINDA! I'm glad things are moving along so well for you and you can make the transition to Portland! I was shocked when I saw that list too! Ole looked over at me & said that it was me up on that screen, and I think that scared him a little. Hopefully I won't be too far behind you on that looser's bench! Jackie

Its always great when things start working the way they should in the first place. Good luck! Lori

That is wonderful. I am sure it will work out this time and the date will come quickly. Julia

Thank you all. I have filled out all my paperwork already. As luck would have it, I am seeing my doctor this afternoon, so I can give him all the paperwork. I am hoping to be tested for sleep apnea, not that I need that diagnosis (I've got a whole list of problems already ) , but I have been waking up coughing and sputtering lately and I know that's not good! I'll be popping around to the offices of the docs I have visited recently (geez, what a list), so they can send in all the records on my parts that are disintegrating. I have not felt this up-beat and alive in ages. It is so wonderful to be able to see the possibility of surgery -- it is the tool I need to help me get to where I want to be! Linda