I promised myself that I would not get stressed out over this whole pre-certification waiting period. I promised that I was just going to sit back and let the process take care of itself. I was going to be "relaxed" and "calm." I don't know who I thought I was kidding.
I just called Aetna and spoke to Colleen (who was great, btw). I explained that my doctor's office had sent the documents on Thursday. I told her that I knew they had not had time to process everything, but that I just wanted to confirm that they had received the documents and that everything was in order, etc. She looked, and looked, and put me on hold to check with her supervisor (because if they were sent on Thursday they should be in the system), and then looked some more. Nope...no documents anywhere.
Now I'm waiting to hear from my doctor's office so that I can find out if the documents were faxed or mailed. So much for taking it easy...
In other news, I've had a headache for 2 days and nothing seems to help. I am also fighting off nausea (it comes and goes). Is this what a migraine is all about? I'm still functional for short periods of time. But, a dark room does make things better. I always thought migraines put you 100% out of commission. Not so with this one. But I don't know how else to explain the nausea. Any ideas?
Monday, April 26, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
BYOC #5
1. Name a career you would NOT want to do and tell why.
A Mom (don't start hating me just yet--I have an explanation). I don't hate kids. I actually like some kids. I just don't want any for myself. I am an extremely generous person. I love to help people and have literally given the shirt off my back to someone in need (well, actually, it was my coat). But, I'm selfish. I don't have it in me to give 24 hours a day. I worked in a public library...I hated storytime (so loud and too much whining and crying). My friends have kids...I usually only think they're cute for a couple of hours. And, my friends don't really have lives outside of their kids. I don't want that. I like my life. I like having my husband all to myself. I like that we can go places at the drop of a hat (no planning for babysitters, or worrying about soccer practice, etc). I like being child-free.
2. What’s the best present you ever received for your birthday?
My birthday is January 6: 12 days after Christmas; 8 days after my sister's birthday; and 6 days after New Year's Eve (for which we generally have 20+ people at our house for several days). By the time my birthday comes around, I am just plain t.i.r.e.d. The best present for my birthday is not making me do anything. My husband and family started doing this for me about 3 years ago and I love it. On my birthday, I get to sit home, order pizza, and watch TV in my PJ's. (no cooking, no cleaning, no conversation) It's heaven!
Oh, and the fancy self-grinding coffee maker that my husband (then boyfriend) got me the first year we were together. He knew the way to my heart was through good coffee. ;)
What do you hide behind?
Attitude. If you met me in real life, you'd meet someone with a lot of confidence. You'd meet someone who doesn't take any B.S. You'd meet someone who is not afraid to tell the truth, even if it's unpopular (or gets her in trouble at work). You'd meet someone who is tough and can take anything.
But, I'm also very sensitive. I CARE what people think of me. I want people to like me and will cry if I think I've hurt someone's feelings. I'm not at all confident. And, I still worry about things that I said to people 15+ years ago.
I pretend to be tough, but I'm not.
4. Where were you born?
Decatur, GA
5. A little twist on this one..usually we ask – what blog spoke to you the most, stuck with you, had the most effect on you this week? This week I’m adding to that which comment may have affected you greatly? Sometimes a blog can lead to amazing comments and they deserve their own claim to fame here in this question.
Lori's (A Journey to Embrace) post from yesterday really got to me.
All day yesterday, I was thinking about my journey to where I am now--waiting for approval. I was thinking about my eating habits over the last couple of weeks and my "unweightloss" program of the last 3 months. I just read all of Lori's blog from beginning to end over the last few days and was thinking about how I didn't measure up. I didn't take the 3-month diet seriously. I didn't make consistent, healthy choices. I didn't clean out my refrigerator. I went on a 2-day liquid fast before my last weigh-in because I had been eating Doritos and chocolate cake for the last month.
And, I was comparing myself to her. She had such dedication and, while she had to actively try not to lose too much weight, she took her 6-month unweightloss program seriously. She made some real, positive changes in her life and eating habits. And, she started her pre-op diet early "just in case." And here I am NOT starting mine and using this time to "stock up" on junk food and fried chicken.
So then today I read her post and find out that the whole time I've been feeling bad about myself and looking up to her, she's been really scared and doesn't feel like she's doing a good job. I know that "oh crap! what have I done?!?!?!" feeling and my heart was pounding as I got toward the end of her post. I think I cried. The honesty was both refreshing and heart-breaking.
A Mom (don't start hating me just yet--I have an explanation). I don't hate kids. I actually like some kids. I just don't want any for myself. I am an extremely generous person. I love to help people and have literally given the shirt off my back to someone in need (well, actually, it was my coat). But, I'm selfish. I don't have it in me to give 24 hours a day. I worked in a public library...I hated storytime (so loud and too much whining and crying). My friends have kids...I usually only think they're cute for a couple of hours. And, my friends don't really have lives outside of their kids. I don't want that. I like my life. I like having my husband all to myself. I like that we can go places at the drop of a hat (no planning for babysitters, or worrying about soccer practice, etc). I like being child-free.
2. What’s the best present you ever received for your birthday?
My birthday is January 6: 12 days after Christmas; 8 days after my sister's birthday; and 6 days after New Year's Eve (for which we generally have 20+ people at our house for several days). By the time my birthday comes around, I am just plain t.i.r.e.d. The best present for my birthday is not making me do anything. My husband and family started doing this for me about 3 years ago and I love it. On my birthday, I get to sit home, order pizza, and watch TV in my PJ's. (no cooking, no cleaning, no conversation) It's heaven!
Oh, and the fancy self-grinding coffee maker that my husband (then boyfriend) got me the first year we were together. He knew the way to my heart was through good coffee. ;)
What do you hide behind?
Attitude. If you met me in real life, you'd meet someone with a lot of confidence. You'd meet someone who doesn't take any B.S. You'd meet someone who is not afraid to tell the truth, even if it's unpopular (or gets her in trouble at work). You'd meet someone who is tough and can take anything.
But, I'm also very sensitive. I CARE what people think of me. I want people to like me and will cry if I think I've hurt someone's feelings. I'm not at all confident. And, I still worry about things that I said to people 15+ years ago.
I pretend to be tough, but I'm not.
4. Where were you born?
Decatur, GA
5. A little twist on this one..usually we ask – what blog spoke to you the most, stuck with you, had the most effect on you this week? This week I’m adding to that which comment may have affected you greatly? Sometimes a blog can lead to amazing comments and they deserve their own claim to fame here in this question.
Lori's (A Journey to Embrace) post from yesterday really got to me.
All day yesterday, I was thinking about my journey to where I am now--waiting for approval. I was thinking about my eating habits over the last couple of weeks and my "unweightloss" program of the last 3 months. I just read all of Lori's blog from beginning to end over the last few days and was thinking about how I didn't measure up. I didn't take the 3-month diet seriously. I didn't make consistent, healthy choices. I didn't clean out my refrigerator. I went on a 2-day liquid fast before my last weigh-in because I had been eating Doritos and chocolate cake for the last month.
And, I was comparing myself to her. She had such dedication and, while she had to actively try not to lose too much weight, she took her 6-month unweightloss program seriously. She made some real, positive changes in her life and eating habits. And, she started her pre-op diet early "just in case." And here I am NOT starting mine and using this time to "stock up" on junk food and fried chicken.
So then today I read her post and find out that the whole time I've been feeling bad about myself and looking up to her, she's been really scared and doesn't feel like she's doing a good job. I know that "oh crap! what have I done?!?!?!" feeling and my heart was pounding as I got toward the end of her post. I think I cried. The honesty was both refreshing and heart-breaking.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
progress...
So, I called the Bariatric Call Center today to check on my paperwork. I emailed my documents on Monday and asked for confirmation of receipt. I have not heard anything. I wound up talking to the Scheduling Coordinator who explained that the person to whom I had sent the info has been out all week because her son was in an accident. She asked if I could email it to her and she would make sure it got sent in today. Sure enough, I received an email from her just 5 minutes ago confirming that the documents HAVE BEEN SENT to Aetna. And, so it begins...
saga? is that wise?
I don't like the name of my blog. It just sounds so depressing!--and long--and boring in the minutest detail.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
i love a$$...
I've been looking back at my posts and I realized that I don't think the real me is coming through. I seem so serious. I'm really a bit kooky and have a really wacky sense of humor. I do take things seriously, but often try to liven up a serious situation by cracking (often inappropriate) jokes. And, I love a good pun! So, I figured I'd finally do one of these survey things so that maybe...just maybe...you could start to get a sense of the real me.
1. If you ever won the lottery – what’s the very first thing you’d do?
Faint? Pee myself? Start laughing hysterically because I'm embarrassed that I peed myself after I fainted? Seriously, after all the obligatory "invest" & "take care of family" I'd probably buy a boat. My husband loves the water (but I hate the sand). I think a boat would be a great compromise.
2. What is your favorite curse word?
Ass. You can do so many things with "ass"--smartass, dumbass, assface, kiss my ass, spank dat ass...AND, it's just fun to say. Ass, ass, ass, ass, ass...
Speaking of ass, have you guys seen the Jones Big Ass Truck Rental and Storage commercial? It's just toooooo funny!
3. What is your favorite holiday and why
I'm sort of a holiday grinch. I love to buy gifts for people, but I like to do it because I was somewhere and saw something that made me think of that person. I don't like to be forced into it because it's a holiday.
4. What turns you on?
Recently, my husband and I were at the airport waiting to board the plane (don't worry...it's not one of those stories). He was standing against a wall a few feet away to charge his laptop before the flight. I happened to look up and catch his eye and he smiled a little half smile and winked at me. I suddenly had butterflies and was thankful to be sitting down because I got all weak in the knees. Who knew a wink could affect me like that? Oh...and cowboy boots. And...a nice soft kiss on the back of my neck.
5. Whose blog spoke to you, stayed with you, meant the most to you, stands out to you this weekand why?
Amy W...she's so honest and will talk about ANYTHING!
1. If you ever won the lottery – what’s the very first thing you’d do?
Faint? Pee myself? Start laughing hysterically because I'm embarrassed that I peed myself after I fainted? Seriously, after all the obligatory "invest" & "take care of family" I'd probably buy a boat. My husband loves the water (but I hate the sand). I think a boat would be a great compromise.
2. What is your favorite curse word?
Ass. You can do so many things with "ass"--smartass, dumbass, assface, kiss my ass, spank dat ass...AND, it's just fun to say. Ass, ass, ass, ass, ass...
Speaking of ass, have you guys seen the Jones Big Ass Truck Rental and Storage commercial? It's just toooooo funny!
3. What is your favorite holiday and why
I'm sort of a holiday grinch. I love to buy gifts for people, but I like to do it because I was somewhere and saw something that made me think of that person. I don't like to be forced into it because it's a holiday.
4. What turns you on?
Recently, my husband and I were at the airport waiting to board the plane (don't worry...it's not one of those stories). He was standing against a wall a few feet away to charge his laptop before the flight. I happened to look up and catch his eye and he smiled a little half smile and winked at me. I suddenly had butterflies and was thankful to be sitting down because I got all weak in the knees. Who knew a wink could affect me like that? Oh...and cowboy boots. And...a nice soft kiss on the back of my neck.
5. Whose blog spoke to you, stayed with you, meant the most to you, stands out to you this weekand why?
Amy W...she's so honest and will talk about ANYTHING!
i'm going to Chicago!!!
Talked to the hubby last night and he was SO EXCITED about our "little meetup" in Chicago. No begging, pleading, or convincing necessary. I just told him what was in the works and that I'd like to go and he said....wait for it..."ok." ;) A bit anti-climactic, but, he's a pretty chill fellow.
If you don't know about Chicago, check the inspiration post here. And then, check out the details here.
So, I need a roommate. I'm 39, non-smoker, light snorer, early to bed/early to rise, morning coffee addict, not a girly-girl (no curling irons or hour long make-up sessions for me). Oh, and the first thing I do when I get to a hotel room is unpack everything and hang it or put it "in it's place" in the room.
I'm friendly and outgoing, but I'm technically an introvert. Which means that I need a little bit of quiet time...especially after a full day of activities and socializing. Usually this means an hour or so of reading after dinner (hopefully, on my new iPad!--keep your fingers crossed).
If you're going and are interesting in rooming with me, say so in the comments (or, email me justlynda@gmail.com--put "chicago" in the subject line).
Caio!
Lynda
If you don't know about Chicago, check the inspiration post here. And then, check out the details here.
So, I need a roommate. I'm 39, non-smoker, light snorer, early to bed/early to rise, morning coffee addict, not a girly-girl (no curling irons or hour long make-up sessions for me). Oh, and the first thing I do when I get to a hotel room is unpack everything and hang it or put it "in it's place" in the room.
I'm friendly and outgoing, but I'm technically an introvert. Which means that I need a little bit of quiet time...especially after a full day of activities and socializing. Usually this means an hour or so of reading after dinner (hopefully, on my new iPad!--keep your fingers crossed).
If you're going and are interesting in rooming with me, say so in the comments (or, email me justlynda@gmail.com--put "chicago" in the subject line).
Caio!
Lynda
Thursday, April 15, 2010
out of the crapper...
I've been scouring some of the other forums (Lap Band Talk & Thinner Times) and it seems like the average approval period for Aetna is 3-5 days. According to the paperwork from my surgeon, I should be able to do most of my pre-op stuff in one day. So, best case scenario is that I have a couple more weeks of prep and then it's all up to the surgeon's office to actually schedule the surgery--dunno how long that will take. Worst case scenario is that it takes the full two months.
Here's my question: The Aetna requirements state that the 3-month program must be done "proximate to surgery" (i.e. within 6 months). If I started this on December 29, then June 29 will be 6 months. It makes me a little nervous to be pushing it that closely. Maybe I can use that as leverage with the surgeon if they try to stall.
I'm feeling better about things today. No use in staying worked up about something I can't change.
On another note--all of my "Last Meals" over the last couple of weeks has resulted in a 4 lb gain. Not ideal, but it could be worse...and I had a lot of fun eating all that yummy food! ;)
Ciao!
Lynda
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)