Getting back into the groove of things...

Everything has settled down a bit. Good news -- I have lost 23 lbs. since the surgery 1 month ago. The bariatric surgeon and the dietitian were concerned, until they analyzed my nutrition and calories, which were great. They just think it is my body responding well to what is going on. I was a little behind in that I was vomiting a lot of soft foods, and had to go back to liquids for awhile, but during this week, I've caught back up and am on "normal" foods. It is so complicated right now with the nutrition, supplements, medications, and keeping my hydration levels in balance, given that I am on 3 diuretics for my heart. I'm having to actually look for signs of low blood pressure, and dehydration, since the lap-band surgery has put this all out of whack.

Add to that, that my oxygen concentrator (the machine that produces oxygen from room air), seems to be malfunctioning. I use oxygen at night now, that flows into my bipap (sleep apnea machine) Last night, it was turning itself off (an alarm goes on when it does), and making buzzing noises. I've been having some trouble with insomnia and not feeling rested after sleep the last few weeks, which I attributed to stress, but maybe it was the oxygen concentrator. It hadn't even occurred to me to think that the oxygen concentrator wasn't working right. I have an "emergency" oxygen tank that will last through tonight, but I will have to stay home tomorrow to have them bring me a new oxygen concentrator. I have been enjoying going to sub teach this past week, so that is a bummer.....

I may have a job interview this week as a pediatric occupational therapist here in Berrien County!!! There is a small clinic in St. Joseph, which is a large town next to Lake Michigan. There are only 2 therapists, and I thought neither of them would be leaving. I actually volunteered with them over 3 years ago, when I was first starting at my previous OT job. My previous employer gave me no training, but sent me out to do therapy right away with no mentor. So I sought out these OT's to help me learn mostly how to communicate pediatric occupational therapy to their parents. I am awaiting a call back with the time of the interview.

I also had a good doctor's appt. with my new primary care doctor. I "fired" my other primary about 3 weeks ago, because for the millionth time, he deferred my primary care to my specialists, which is not good, because the specialists don't want to do his primary care, and I end up not getting care for the problem. One of his partners, a woman doctor (yeah!), is taking over my care, and we had a great appointment, which ended with hugs... I am excited that things should be better from now on. And it was my last scheduled doctor's appointment for a month!!!! Yippee!!!

Well, I have emails to write to the Michigan legislature...they are up to no good, diverting Medicaid monies from the Economic Stimulus to other programs, instead of helping people like me have full Medicaid. Uggghh...it's all about the money....
Take care,
Laurie