A major bump in the road

November 23, 2001

Hi all,

I haven't posted in a long while, but I lurk and read every day.

I started my journey back at the beginning of this year when I first

started researching WLS. Along the way I found the DS website and

this list, read, read, read and decided DS was the way to go. I

called my insurance carrier, UHC and was told that this " may be " a

covered procedure provided it's medically necessary, blah, blah,

blah. I'm sure you've all heard the insurance company line.

I then found a surgeon here in West Michigan, Dr. Scholten, who not

only does the DS (although he primarily does RNY), but is also a

preferred provider in my PPO. In August I started the procedures his

office required before I could even get a consult with him. I jumped

through all Dr. Scholten's hoops; orientation meeting, extensive

questionnaire, psych evaluation, and support group attendance and

after I had met all their requirements got a consult date of December

6, which is now, finally, just around the corner.

I was so psyched! I thought that finally something was within my

grasp to help rid me of this extra person I've been carrying around

for the last 10 years, and the high blood pressure and the swollen

legs, and the shortness of breath, and, and, and... but I know I'm

preaching to the choir here.

Anyway, Wednesday afternoon (that's right, the day before

Thanksgiving), at 4:45 PM, I was told I'm laid off. No warning it

was coming, just BAM, 8 of us in my department, gone; 25 altogether

throughout the company (we only have 175, make that 150 now,

employees).

Now, you'd think being a single mom I'd be more upset about losing

the job, but no... right now I'm more upset about losing the chance

to finally get my weight and co-morbidities under control. But yes,

the thought of job-hunting at 43 and 240 pounds terrifies me, I've

had this job for 12 years!

Anyway, thanks for letting me vent, and thanks for all the

encouragement y'all so generously share with each other. You have

all been a big inspiration for me.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.

Grand Rapids, MI

Age 43, 5'1 " BMI 44

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