Pulmonary Gets the Go Ahead

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

I'm just back from the appointment with the pulmonary doctor. He said he sees no reason not to give the go ahead for surgery, from a lung standpoint. He did caution me about using the breathing apparatus post surgery so I don't get pneumonia. He also gave a couple other cautions that I cannot for the life of me remember right now. I also had chest x-rays done.

Status now is to check with the bariatric center tomorrow to see if they have everything they need. Chart gets sent to the surgeon for a once over and his approval. Then it all goes to the insurance and the wait begins. I pray they don't keep me waiting and approval is swift. Now that I've decided to do this, I just want it behind me.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

ATRANSFORMATION 6/27/2008 3:19PM

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D3DONNAD3 6/19/2008 5:33PM

Good Luck, I know a couple people that have had the surgury before and they are doing really well. Keep in touch. Donna Report Inappropriate Comment

TEABIRD 6/19/2008 2:04PM

Boy -- what a lot of work they make you got through before you can have the surgery. I'm excited for you though -- this is an exciting new chapter of your life. Keep us posted on the next step in this journey! Report Inappropriate Comment

SHANTODD420 6/19/2008 12:31PM

Good luck Karon, Hope every thing gets done quickly. Good luck with the surgery and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I will keep checking back to see how things went. Hugs, Shannon Report Inappropriate Comment

Water Aerobics

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Okay, so I finally went to water aerobics last night. The pool has glass windows over it and the sun was shining yesterday. The water temp was 86 though it didn't feel that warm to me! The rest of the group assured me it was definitely warmer than usual.

Who knew one could sweat in the pool? I had it running over my face and into my eyes. I got quite the workout. I managed to pull something twice (once in my inner thigh doing a move and the other I twisted my knee). But no worries. I managed to keep up with everyone else and it was kind of fun. We lifted and pointed. We jogged. We did jumping jacks and scissor steps. We played volleyball. We used some kind of hand weight things and did a lot of movement with them. We did cross country skiing. We used "noodles" and rode bicycles in the water. It really wasn't like working out at all. After all the bouncing, we ended with stretching.

My knees ache, but I know that will pass in time. I have some aches in my thighs and in my arms and shoulders. I figure that's a sign that my muscles did some work. I will definitely go back and am enrolling in the class, twice a week for six weeks. I figure by the time the class ends, I will hopefully be headed for surgery. Everyone was very nice, though most of them were people who have been going to this class for more than a year, they welcomed me right in.

No one cared that I had on shorts and a t-shirt. One gal even said you'd be amazed at some of the outfits that people wear there! Now I just have to get my clothes dried out so I can go again tomorrow!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

VICKIINPA 6/4/2008 11:23AM

Hi! I am totally out of the loop. What surgery? I am glad you had a good time at water sports. It is a lot of fun, I did it a couple of times but ultimately, my shoulders couldn't take it because they were not in the water. So, be careful with your shoulders. Oh and as my instructor said, work with the pain, not through it. Report Inappropriate Comment

KITT52 6/3/2008 10:31AM

Sounds like a great work out. I'm glad it worked out so well for you. Keep us in the loop so we can follow your progress. Have a happy and Healthy day. Kitt Report Inappropriate Comment

Fitness Evaluation

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

I went yesterday and met with the fitness person at the bariatric center. We talked for over an hour and then I had to sign a contract saying I would start exercising as of today. I have to do a minimum of 30 minutes of planned physical activity at least 3 days a week. Within four weeks she expects me to be doing a minimum of 30 minutes 5 days a week and I am to maintain that. I also have to track it on this paper she gave me and send it in to her.

So ... I am going to a trial water aerobics class tonight. It will meet on Mondays and Wednesdays 7:30-8:15 PM. I get to go to one class free and the new session starts next week so I'm starting at a good time. They would pro-rate me if I started mid session but I'm getting in at the start. Tim is going to go with me and he can even join the class if he wants but will first have to get medical clearance from his doctor. That may take a bit so I'll start without him. She said if I don't like this class (held in cold water, whatever that means) then there is an earlier class for people with arthritis and other medical conditions held in warm water which I'm assuming is in a hot tub like environment. At least that's what it sounded like to me. She said that there are people in all stages of the surgery process and some who are only doing medically managed dieting who attend so I'm going to go give it a shot.

I also have to walk, do my exercise tapes (Leslie and Richard), and increase physical activity on a daily basis by parking farther away, taking stairs instead of the elevator, etc.

She also wants me to start doing some strength training using handheld weights and fitness bands. I got one in the box with the ball Teresa sent me a couple years ago so will start using it to stretch. Also she said using the ball is a good idea as well.

So ... there you have. Gotta get my butt moving and maybe I'll drop a few pounds before the surgery. It won't be enough to consider cancelling the surgery, but any loss would be good.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

KITT52 5/30/2008 3:58PM

Good Luck Karon. I'm proud of you for moving forward and taking control of your health. Take care, Kitt Report Inappropriate Comment

NCJUNE 5/30/2008 9:38AM

Hey Karon, You are so close g/f. Just keep up the good work. As far as the water aerobics, I'd do it in the warm water class not the cold one. Cold water is hard on us weight challenged people. Cold water is better for distance swimmers but for water aerobics it's better for a warmer pool. AT least that's what my physical therapist told me last summer. I do the water aerobics in a warmer pool and I love going. Right now it's getting my hubby motivated to go that's the problem. Well, that and me being so sick does have something to do with it. There's lots of things you can do that are considered physical exercise. Mopping the floor; vacuuming; those are just a couple of things. Just turn on the music and start moving. If you dance to a fast beat song, there's aerobic exercise right there. Believe me, when you think about it there are lots of things you can do for physical exercise. Oh yeah, by the way; watch the stairs until you've taken off a lot of weight. According to my surgeon, primary care dr, nutritionist and physical therapist, climbing & descending stairs are very hard on the knees. Just be careful that you don't blow out a knee while doing the exercise. That's one reason my dr wants me doing the water aerobics vs. land exercises for now. Less stress on my joints. Great job and good luck to you. If you ever need any support, or want to talk to someone who's had the surgery and knows what you are going through, feel free to contact me here or at jgsjune96@yahoo.com. Love & Good luck g/f, June Report Inappropriate Comment

JUDYSPOSITIVE 5/29/2008 4:13PM

Karon, Just more steps heading to where you want to be. I will be wishing you well along your path. Hope that waters not to cold. Have a great time. That's great that Tim is there to support you. Way to go to both of you. Judy Report Inappropriate Comment

SHERRY528 5/29/2008 3:31PM

See Karon---Janie and I, and your Friend below---you have LOTS of "mermaid Friends"!;-) "I" am excited for you, too, Karon-and all the activity you have planned sounds good. Sometimes it's hard when ya first start out but it changes so quickly to feeling LOTS better physically AND emotionally-I want so much to know you're healthy and happy, Karon-GOOD JOB making the committments---we're RIGHT WITH YOU! Can't wait to hear what ya think 'bout it all---Luv ya! Sherry Report Inappropriate Comment

ATRANSFORMATION 5/29/2008 12:06AM

You will LOVE water aerobics! It is the one place where all sizes are equalized...the joints don't hurt, and the stretching is SO much easier...but then, I'm half fish (didn't know that did ya?) so under water is where I thrive... Keep up the good work...I am excited for you! Report Inappropriate Comment

And another one set

Saturday, May 10, 2008

I will meet with the physical therapy person to discuss my exercise for before and after the surgery. She will help me come up with a fitness plan that I can live with. I know on my end I'd like to do water aerobics and then fitness training where they will teach me to properly use gym equipment like the treadmill, recumbent bike, rowing machine, weights, etc. And of course there will be walking. LOL

Pulmonary is still the hold-up. Going to talk with my doctor this week and see if he can them to see me earlier. I'd love to have the testing over by the end of the month. Everything sent to the insurance by early June, get approval, and schedule surgery in July. My brother will be off work at the end of June because the company he is working for is closing. He would then be able to come up and stay with us for a bit, driving hubby to and from the hospital, helping me when I get home, etc.

I'll keep you posted. Thanks so much for checking in on me and keeping me in your prayers. I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends here!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

KITT52 5/14/2008 5:40PM

Karen good to hear your moving forward. I pray it all turns out for the best. Yes we are always here for you. Kitt Report Inappropriate Comment

Endoscopy Complete

Friday, May 02, 2008

Had the upper endoscopy today. The doctor said everything looked normal. He will have the results of the h-pylori biospy back in 7-10 days. He didn't expect that to be any problem either. Yahoo! Another test behind me.

I got a call from the psychiatrist today. I have an appointment with her two weeks from today. She's off all next week. The nerve! Anyway, I meet with her for an hour and then do a two hour personality test. Whoopee!

See my doctor in two weeks and will ask about the cardiology referral. Need that one and a walk on the treadmill to clear my ticker for surgery. Then I have the pulmonary breathing test and clearance from that to get done and I'm well on my way. Gosh, this may just happen! LOL

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

ATRANSFORMATION 5/10/2008 12:27AM

I'm prayin' for ya! Report Inappropriate Comment

GREYHOUNDER 5/2/2008 8:10PM

Girl, just checking on you. I and many others will be with you all the way thru this adventure. You are in my prayers, always. Report Inappropriate Comment