Ok folks, here we go! I go to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Montefiore @ 5:AM on Tuesday, 23rd. The surgery starts @ 7:15 AM. It will take about 10 hours. We will keep you updated!

So I went to some appt.s on Tuesday. Wednesday was my big 8 hour day of appts. 2 nurses were talking with me and found out I had all of my large intestine and a gastric by-pass. They were grinning from ear to ear!!! They thought the Dr. could just put me back together and I'd be fine. Then the Dr. came in and said the same. So I get to have a 7-10 hour surgery on Tuesday the 23. No waiting for parts!!!!!!!!!!!!!This is great! I don't know much more the surgical team will call me before Tuesday to let me know when to be there and all that garb.

Stay tuned for the next amazing turn of events in my life!!

Thanks for all your support, love and prayers!

Sue

I'm in Pittsburgh!

Count Down

Ok - I leave in one week and one day. It's starting to get a little anxious for me. Let's see, we got the AC fixed in the house. Then Bob was fired. On our way to church on that 1st Sunday that Bob could go to church with us (because he didn't have a job), the AC in the Yukon quit! Just QUIT! Now we all know that this is not a good time of year to go without AC in a car. We got it in the shop and they needed to keep it over the weekend. It was quite a sight to all 6 of us in the Sentra going to church the next Sunday! Kara and Brad were in front and Bob, Dallin and Trevor were in the back with me on Bob's lap. Oh what a hoot!!!!

Marjon from the newspaper came over to interview us for an article for the Az Republic. She listen to our story and asked some questions. We entertained her for over an hour. She was very nice and compassionate. She said she would send a photographer over to take some photos for the paper too. Saturday, June 6, our story was released in the local area paper. I think that the big story goes in the Republic on Tuesday in the Living section.

The Cobra info finally came. We were able to pay that. Now we have to let that update and EVERYTHING goes back to normal.

The date has gone from June 10th to July 1st to June 24th to June 17th. That's were it stays. I leave June 15th for some undetermined time. I can't imagine being gone that long! Mom and Dad are meeting me in Pittsburgh. They are staying as long as I am.

Just keep your prayers with me and my family! Thanks for all you do for us!

Later,

Sue

Yesterday was a SHOCK

Shock, yes that's what it was like.  I'm still not over it but we will deal with it! On Friday at about 4:00 Bob's team leader call him here at home. He terminated his employment at American Express as of that time. He was told he fell below the 5% matrix he must maintain. This was in March and they received these numbers that day. Bob did the math and called them back because he was not below but at the 5% mark. HR said the they have to no go below 10% and he signed a paper saying that. Bob did not remember signing any paper like that. And they are always saying  "don't go below the 5%".

Bob has come home daily telling about people that have been fired for ticky-tack reasons. There have been several stories. Bob has not been worried because he has done nothing wrong. OH WELL - there goes that theory!

I felt so bad for Bob! He looked like he had just given me the death sentence. I have to have TPN (feeding tube food - about $1500 a bag that I use daily) or have this small intestine transplant that I should be leaving for in 2 weeks. The Insurance was already approved! We will have to get a new job asap and pay for cobra insurance so I can still have the operation.

So if you know of any opportunities for Bob, let us know!

Somehow, someway, we WILL get through this. We are letting the Lord lead us.  He knows the big picture.  We just know the here and now!

Pittsburgh called! 5-12-09

I got a call from Jocelyne from Cigna. She told me everything was in and I was totally approved with the insurance. I asked what I'm to do next. She said my referring Doc would send a request to UPMC for and evaluation. I called Dr. Shapiro's office and told them that Jocelyne called and that they were to request me to go to UPMC. But of course, they were used to this but I wanted to know what I need to do. They told me to get all the records I can for anything I can think of!  Within 2 hours, UPMC called me. After several question she told me she would get all the info from the Dr.s and the hospitals.  So I don't have to get as much info as I thought.  She Said it takes about a week to get all the info. then she calls and makes an appointment for me in Pitts.  Dr. Kareem is out of town until the end of May.  Appointments for evaluations start on Wednesdays, so possibly June 3rd will be my appt.

I called Pitts. Bishop Johnson and he is checking in to a place for us to live in Pitts for our duration. I have about 3 and 1/2 weeks. sounds like a short amount of time!

Hope all goes well!!

From Sue

Got it! 5-10-09

I got the call on Thursday from Dr. Shapiro's office that they faxed in my letter I have been waiting for now for 4 weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yeah! Now the waiting game is for the transplant nurse to call and set up an appointment for my transplant evaluation.  That takes 10 to 14 days in Pitts. My Mom and Dad will meet me there. I got 2 web cams for Mother's day so we can see and talk to each other while I'm gone. I have no idea how long it will take to make the appointment in Pitts.

I have a couple of people to talk to here about places to stay in Pitts.  Barb is from there and Mike worked there for some time. We are also going to go through the area Bishops to see if they know of any places to stay or rent.

It's getting closer! I did go to the Dr. on Thursday and found out I don't have swine flu but I got put on antibiotics for strep throat. Its Sunday and I do feel better. I did get to the point where I would rather spit than swallow because my throat hurt sooooooo bad!

I also found out that once you have a transplant, they don't want you to have elective surgeries, tattoos. or piercings!!! SO - I need to have that boob job complete with piercing and tats before the transplant!LOL!

Chat Soon,

Sue