Another update

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/31/2000 7:28:44 PM Eastern Standard Time,

elan214@... writes:

<< , my

dh, 15 months and counting, was offered a job today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And he is actually going to accept it >>

Ellen, you made me smile today...didn't think that was possible at this time

thanks...I wish you all good things!

Lynn

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/31/2000 7:28:44 PM Eastern Standard Time,

elan214@... writes:

<< , my

dh, 15 months and counting, was offered a job today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And he is actually going to accept it >>

Ellen, you made me smile today...didn't think that was possible at this time

thanks...I wish you all good things!

Lynn

[Guest guest]

Ellen!

What wonderful news! When does he start - and most importantly - does it

include benefits? ;o)

Let's hope that this is the turning point in your lives that you have been

waiting for all these months....

take care, wendy, in canada

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[Guest guest]

Hip hip hooray! This is great for your whole family, but most especially

for , that he's feeling well enough to accept the job. Solving the

money problems--and insurance, I hope?--is a wonderful step in the right

direction.

Will he miss those soap operas too much, do you think? <vbg>

Great news Ellen. When does he start?

Kathy R. in Indiana

----- Original Message -----

From: <elan214@...>

> thought I would post a little good news in my life for a change-- ,

my

> dh, 15 months and counting, was offered a job today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

> And he is actually going to accept it. Think this will make all the

> difference in our lives, and I am jumping for joy!

[Guest guest]

Lara!!! I'm overjoyed for you!!!!! *hugs*

About getting insurance to cover removal of excess skin.....

-If you get any rashes in skinfolds-

-If your bellybutton gets rashes and/or weeps-

**Take pictures.**

That establishes a medical necessity, and provides indesputable

documentation. The worse the rash/weeping looks.... the more

likelyhood of being approved for, " reconstructive surgery. " (Never

call it, " plastic. " )

I hope that helps. It sure helped me to get it covered. Now I'm

encouraging my Mom and Cat to do the same. (After Mom has her RNY

and Cat has her revision, that is.)

My best from rainy Vancouver, WA!

Jenn

11-1-00

300/150-155

> Hello Everyone,

> I just wanted to pop in and say HI!!! All is well with me. I

> reached a plateau after I had Ciera and did not think I was going

to

> lose any more weight. However, the MGB still keeps working for me

> and after 29 months I am still losing weight. I am at an amazing

205

> pounds now. I have lost 245 POUNDS!!!! It is hard to believe that

I

> started all of this at a whopping 450 pounds. I am working third

> shift at Wal-Mart and I have met a fella. Things are going very

well

> for us. I am excited about the picnic and seeing everyone again.

> Last year we could not make it to the picnic because of money

> problems, and the Christmas party was out because I had just had

> Ciera so look out because I am coming this time!!!! There is

> something that I have been wondering, I know that it has been

brought

> up several times so please bare with me. I am interested in

finding

> out about having the excess skin removed from my body and I was

> wondering how much luck there has been with insurance paying for

the

> procedure, the amount of time it took for recovery, if you were

> pleased with the results. I never thought I would consider this

type

> of surgery so I am just a little curious and after I get some

answers

> I may decide not to do anything about it. I mean after all I will

> take all this excess skin on me ten times over than to be unhealthy

> and miserable like I was before. Thanks for any help that you can

> provide

> Love,

> Lara

> 11/08/2000

> 450/205

[Guest guest]

Wow Lara,

245lbs. How wonderful!!! If you haven't already done so please

submit your follow up form online, this is a great way to keep Dr

Rutledge informed of your wonderful progress. You must feel like a

million bucks. It's a whole new world isn't it? We would love to see

pictures. So if you can send us one ( you can send it directly to my

email address if you'd like) that would be great

Take care and again Congratulations

Penny Belcher

Business Manager/Dr. Rutledge

704-871-0031(office)

704-682-1226 (cell)

800-248-8961 ( fax)

www.clos.net

PennyClos-AIM

Another Update

Hello Everyone,

I just wanted to pop in and say HI!!! All is well with me. I

reached a plateau after I had Ciera and did not think I was going to

lose any more weight. However, the MGB still keeps working for me

and after 29 months I am still losing weight. I am at an amazing 205

pounds now. I have lost 245 POUNDS!!!! It is hard to believe that I

started all of this at a whopping 450 pounds. I am working third

shift at Wal-Mart and I have met a fella. Things are going very well

for us. I am excited about the picnic and seeing everyone again.

Last year we could not make it to the picnic because of money

problems, and the Christmas party was out because I had just had

Ciera so look out because I am coming this time!!!! There is

something that I have been wondering, I know that it has been brought

up several times so please bare with me. I am interested in finding

out about having the excess skin removed from my body and I was

wondering how much luck there has been with insurance paying for the

procedure, the amount of time it took for recovery, if you were

pleased with the results. I never thought I would consider this type

of surgery so I am just a little curious and after I get some answers

I may decide not to do anything about it. I mean after all I will

take all this excess skin on me ten times over than to be unhealthy

and miserable like I was before. Thanks for any help that you can

provide

Love,

Lara

11/08/2000

450/205

[Guest guest]

Lara,

Great post! Congrats on the wt loss AND the guy!

I am recovering from a TT which was done 8 days ago and approved by

my insurance: United Health Care. My plan is managed by Capital

Administrators in GA.

I was approved for the TT because my excess abdominal skin was

interfering with the circulation in my right leg when I sit at my

desk or in my car - which comprises the majority of my workday.

I also had an inner thigh lift, and a fanny lift for my poor little

saggy butt, for which I paid. Even though the recovery process is a

pain in the posterior - both figuratively and literally - it is well

worth it!

Just think - If you decide to proceed with some of these procedures

you can almost be assured of getting down to 1?? lbs, by that alone!

I wish you continued success!

Judith

DrR 1/8/02

230/ 110 Ht 5'0 "

> Hello Everyone,

> I just wanted to pop in and say HI!!! All is well with me. I

> reached a plateau after I had Ciera and did not think I was going

to

> lose any more weight. However, the MGB still keeps working for me

> and after 29 months I am still losing weight. I am at an amazing

205

> pounds now. I have lost 245 POUNDS!!!! It is hard to believe that

I

> started all of this at a whopping 450 pounds. I am working third

> shift at Wal-Mart and I have met a fella. Things are going very

well

> for us. I am excited about the picnic and seeing everyone again.

> Last year we could not make it to the picnic because of money

> problems, and the Christmas party was out because I had just had

> Ciera so look out because I am coming this time!!!! There is

> something that I have been wondering, I know that it has been

brought

> up several times so please bare with me. I am interested in

finding

> out about having the excess skin removed from my body and I was

> wondering how much luck there has been with insurance paying for

the

> procedure, the amount of time it took for recovery, if you were

> pleased with the results. I never thought I would consider this

type

> of surgery so I am just a little curious and after I get some

answers

> I may decide not to do anything about it. I mean after all I will

> take all this excess skin on me ten times over than to be unhealthy

> and miserable like I was before. Thanks for any help that you can

> provide

> Love,

> Lara

> 11/08/2000

> 450/205

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/26/2003 12:53:41 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

sujerlam@... writes:

> owever, at 25 days post-op, if this new scale is correct, I'm down 43

> pounds. I'm hoping the scale is correct, but that also seems like an

> aweful big drop in such a short time.

Hi Jerry!

Congratulations on the great 25 day drop! I have seen men list larger drops

in that time period, so your scale is probably pretty close. Best wishes for

your continued success.

Hugs and blessings, Ann

[Guest guest]

Jerry,

Great Update! You will fit into that suit in no time and then it will

get too big! The leaky incision will heal in time. I had a yucky leak

for about 6 weeks - seems like a blink now!

hugs, cindy lee

[Guest guest]

Kathy,

Sounds like is doing well and making some strides in using

his newest ci.

Kids do tend to pick up a lot of words when you think they aren't

paying attention and this is true for deaf and hearing children.. I

remember my kids and the grandkids seeming to pick out the " naughty "

words very quickly.. even though we never thought they were in close

enough range to hear them..LOL.. I guess the expression " Little

pitchers have big ears " still holds true today.<smiles>

Keep up the good work !!

Thanks for the update Kathy.

Hugs,

Silly

In , " kathysk2001 " <kathysk2001@y...> wrote:

> Hi All

> Been a bit quiet lately so thought I would send another update.

The

> loop sees to be working quite well and uses it all the

> time. I try to get him to use it with just the new implant

whenever

> I can but he still isnt keen on that at all. However, not really a

> CI moment but more like a big leap forward, in the last couple of

> weeks we have noticed that 's vocabulary is growing. He

has

> always had a large vocabulary but we are really noticing him using

a

> lot of new words that we have not taught him so he must be just

> picking them up by listening. Our loop system also has a icrophone

> with it that I can talk on to, so I am going to try talking to him

> thru that and see how he goes. Will post a bit more soon but just

> wanted to drop in and say Hi.

>

> Kathy

[Guest guest]

- Good to hear from you, have been wondering how you were

doing. Congratulations on the marriage and the weight loss. You

need to post new pictures. Keep us posted on how you are doing.

Elma in Graham, WA

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/10/2004 4:13:25 PM Pacific Standard Time,

hobbes@... writes:

I feel like I am having a set back on this CI Journey. I started noticing

on Wednesday evening when talking to a friend that her voice sounded so

faint.

You scared me!

I am trying to understand if you had only one mapping or two, not sure what

" adjustment " mean. Good news,, what you described is very common.

At first everything seemed loud, right? That because your hearing were not

used to sounds. In days, as it get used to it, it " seems " like you are having

a set back. My audie told me that on day one, what you hear as " loudest " is

actually moderate to everyone else. The more you hear, sounds do level out.

Your next mapping will " expand " your hearing range, with lower (softest) sounds

and higher tolerate.

Hope this help. No, you are not having a setback, you are getting used to

sounds. I have noticed that with each mapping, my hearing range do expand.

Lee

[Guest guest]

,

Sounds like you are running out of map. Not sure when you were

activated but this seems normal. A new map should fix this.

*---* *---* *---* *---* *---*

" Lord, Help me become the person my dog thinks I am. "

--Dawn Ewing

& Gimlet (Guide Dawggie)

Portland, Oregon

N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup

rlclark77@...

http://home.comcast.net/~rlclark77/

[Guest guest]

activated april 2.. adjustment to sound on april 5 and going for new map on

april 29th. i seem to run out fast

susan & hobbes

michigan

At 04:28 PM 4/10/2004 -0700, you wrote:

>,

> Sounds like you are running out of map. Not sure when you were

>activated but this seems normal. A new map should fix this.

>

>*---* *---* *---* *---* *---*

> " Lord, Help me become the person my dog thinks I am. "

>--Dawn Ewing

> & Gimlet (Guide Dawggie)

>Portland, Oregon

>N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup

>rlclark77@...

><http://home.comcast.net/~rlclark77/>http://home.comcast.net/~rlclark77/

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

No . This is not fast at all. I'm not surprised that you need a new

mapping. You should probably just call and request one. You are adjusting to

the sound so your brain is saying - I want more! This is not a bad thing. I

bet your comfort levels will be raised.

Alice

activated april 2.. adjustment to sound on april 5 and going for new map on

april 29th. i seem to run out fast

susan & hobbes

michigan

[Guest guest]

,

Ok, that is to be expected. Sometimes the brain adapts so fast

that we cannot keep up with it. As to teh abtteries going flat so

fast, at your next mapping, ask the audie what the battery meter shows

on the computer. If its not in green, he/she can tweak the map.

*---* *---* *---* *---* *---*

When I hear somebody sigh, " Life is hard, " I am always tempted to ask,

" Compared to what? "

--Sydney J.

& Gimlet (Guide Dawggie)

Portland, Oregon

N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup

rlclark77@...

http://home.comcast.net/~rlclark77/

[Guest guest]

Only one mapping so far. All they did when I went in on the 5th was to

increase the volume up two notches. I wanted it more but they felt it will

last me the next four weeks when I go in for my second mapping. Voices are

nothing but a whisper even with the louder program they gave me. Even cars

and Hobbes barking are a whisper.

susan

>I am trying to understand if you had only one mapping or two, not sure what

> " adjustment " mean. Good news,, what you described is very common.

>

>At first everything seemed loud, right? That because your hearing were not

>used to sounds. In days, as it get used to it, it " seems " like you are

>having

>a set back. My audie told me that on day one, what you hear as " loudest " is

>actually moderate to everyone else. The more you hear, sounds do level out.

>Your next mapping will " expand " your hearing range, with lower (softest)

>sounds

>and higher tolerate.

>

>Hope this help. No, you are not having a setback, you are getting used to

>sounds. I have noticed that with each mapping, my hearing range do expand.

>

>Lee

[Guest guest]

on 'tweaking' you mean make it weaker? :>

susan

At 06:04 PM 4/10/2004 -0700, you wrote:

>,

> Ok, that is to be expected. Sometimes the brain adapts so fast

>that we cannot keep up with it. As to teh abtteries going flat so

>fast, at your next mapping, ask the audie what the battery meter shows

>on the computer. If its not in green, he/she can tweak the map.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/11/2004 11:33:45 AM Pacific Standard Time,

hobbes@... writes:

All they did when I went in on the 5th was to

increase the volume up two notches. I wanted it more but they felt it will

last me the next four weeks when I go in for my second mapping.

I am still at a loss here,, call your CI center and ASK for 2nd mapping

ASAP... many of us had our first 3 mappings within the first 2 weeks. I had my

first on first day, 2nd on 2nd day and 3rd on 8th day.

You have a right to hear. Waiting til April 29 (was it?) is more than 3

weeks apart is so unreal to me.

Tomorrrow, do yourself a favor, call your CI center and say " hey, i want

mapping now, not the 29th " . I hope you do.

Lee

[Guest guest]

interesting how the centers deal with mappings

first mapping was on hook up/activation day,

second mapping two days after hook up

third mapping will be four weeks from second mapping,

however my audie gave me one map and a second map to switch to and use for

the two weeks just before our next appt as she said i may grow out of first

map.

probably a good idea for anyone who is not hearing much with processor to

explain the situation to the audie and request that you come in sooner. even a

few days without sound is too long.

jb

[Guest guest]

,

No. Tweak it, fiddle it, mess with it. End result is, hopefully,

a map that works better. LOL

*---* *---* *---* *---* *---*

Hellooo....Hellloooo, well if you won't talk to me maybe you'll talk

to this machine, it's at home and I'm not, leave a message and it'll

give it to me when I return.

& Gimlet (Guide Dawggie)

Portland, Oregon

N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup

rlclark77@...

http://home.comcast.net/~rlclark77/

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/11/2004 5:45:40 PM Alaskan Daylight Time,

hobbes@... writes:

> on 'tweaking' you mean make it weaker? :>

>

> susan

>

Doesn't *to tweak* just mean *to make adjustments* or *fine tune*?

Pam

[Guest guest]

Toni,

I'm thinking that maybe Immunex is now helping with co pays because so many

people have plans that require them to pay 20% and so many people can't

afford the copays. I've heard others try to get help with copays and

Immunex didn't have patient assistance for anyone other than those with no

insurance. This must be a new assistance program.

The notarized statements is probably income verification. Only certain

income brackets are eligible for assistance.

I hope the Bextra helps and you find a new doctor.

a

> My rheummy's nurse finally called me back after I left a message almost a

> week ago that I was off all meds due to lack of finances to pay for them. She

> referred me to some company that specializes in IV and injectable meds. They

> were totally useless. They asked me for my insurance info...which there is

> none...then asked if I was cash pay patient. LOL I just laughed and told the

> lady if I could afford to pay cash we would not be having this conversation.

> She

> suggested calling the Enbrel company.

>

> I contacted Enbrel and found out they have co-pay assistance as well as

> patient assistance for those with no drug coverage. The co-pay assistance

> really

> pisses me off, because I asked about this a year ago when I was really

> struggling with huge co-pays for the enbrel. Now I finally had to drop my

> insurance

> and they have assistance. Well they are suppose to be sending me an

> application in the mail, which I have to fill out and have notorized.

> Hmm....wonder

> what info they want that needs to be notorized?

>

> My rheummy's nurse also called left me a message stating that they now have

> plenty of Bextra samples for me to have since its expensive. Hmm..funny when

> I

> didn't even have two nickels to rub together and asked for 7 days samples

> until I got paid so I could stay on my meds...I basicly got blown off by my

> stupid doctor. Now Mr. Stupid is being so helpful. I learned a lesson...skip

> a

> few days periodicly so you always have at least anywhere from a week to a

> month

> of meds saved up just incase you run out of money.

>

> I really need a new doc and if here was another one in my area I would jump

> to go see him.

>

> I was told there is no assistance for MTX injectable, which really does not

> bother me because I refuse to take it. Its not very expensive, but there is

> still a shortage and the stuff makes me really sick anyway. I told my doc

> find

> another med because I AM NOT taking MTX ever again. The expensive part of the

> MTX therapy is all the frequent labwork plus the need for folic acid and

> leucovorin. The leucovorin is expensive for 4 pills a month!!!!!!

>

> So basicly I have gotten no where, other than to get more disgusted and sick

> of the whole mess. At least I will get a some Bextra samples to take in the

> meantime. I figure if I only take it if something hurts then it should last a

> pretty long time. I have a very busy weekend coming up and I will be moving

> none stop the whole time. Now I just need to find time to drive 30 mins two

> the rheummy and get there before they go home at 12 noon on friday. I will

> also

> ask for copies of my lab results. Maybe you guys here can help me review

> them and see if I really need all these meds to begin with!

>

> Toni

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Toni,

I'm thinking that maybe Immunex is now helping with co pays because so many

people have plans that require them to pay 20% and so many people can't

afford the copays. I've heard others try to get help with copays and

Immunex didn't have patient assistance for anyone other than those with no

insurance. This must be a new assistance program.

The notarized statements is probably income verification. Only certain

income brackets are eligible for assistance.

I hope the Bextra helps and you find a new doctor.

a

> My rheummy's nurse finally called me back after I left a message almost a

> week ago that I was off all meds due to lack of finances to pay for them. She

> referred me to some company that specializes in IV and injectable meds. They

> were totally useless. They asked me for my insurance info...which there is

> none...then asked if I was cash pay patient. LOL I just laughed and told the

> lady if I could afford to pay cash we would not be having this conversation.

> She

> suggested calling the Enbrel company.

>

> I contacted Enbrel and found out they have co-pay assistance as well as

> patient assistance for those with no drug coverage. The co-pay assistance

> really

> pisses me off, because I asked about this a year ago when I was really

> struggling with huge co-pays for the enbrel. Now I finally had to drop my

> insurance

> and they have assistance. Well they are suppose to be sending me an

> application in the mail, which I have to fill out and have notorized.

> Hmm....wonder

> what info they want that needs to be notorized?

>

> My rheummy's nurse also called left me a message stating that they now have

> plenty of Bextra samples for me to have since its expensive. Hmm..funny when

> I

> didn't even have two nickels to rub together and asked for 7 days samples

> until I got paid so I could stay on my meds...I basicly got blown off by my

> stupid doctor. Now Mr. Stupid is being so helpful. I learned a lesson...skip

> a

> few days periodicly so you always have at least anywhere from a week to a

> month

> of meds saved up just incase you run out of money.

>

> I really need a new doc and if here was another one in my area I would jump

> to go see him.

>

> I was told there is no assistance for MTX injectable, which really does not

> bother me because I refuse to take it. Its not very expensive, but there is

> still a shortage and the stuff makes me really sick anyway. I told my doc

> find

> another med because I AM NOT taking MTX ever again. The expensive part of the

> MTX therapy is all the frequent labwork plus the need for folic acid and

> leucovorin. The leucovorin is expensive for 4 pills a month!!!!!!

>

> So basicly I have gotten no where, other than to get more disgusted and sick

> of the whole mess. At least I will get a some Bextra samples to take in the

> meantime. I figure if I only take it if something hurts then it should last a

> pretty long time. I have a very busy weekend coming up and I will be moving

> none stop the whole time. Now I just need to find time to drive 30 mins two

> the rheummy and get there before they go home at 12 noon on friday. I will

> also

> ask for copies of my lab results. Maybe you guys here can help me review

> them and see if I really need all these meds to begin with!

>

> Toni

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Toni,

I understand your frustration. This is all difficult enough without

the doctor make it harder to get proper treatment.

Jennie

> My rheummy's nurse finally called me back after I left a message

almost a

> week ago that I was off all meds due to lack of finances to pay for

them. She

> referred me to some company that specializes in IV and injectable

meds. They

> were totally useless. They asked me for my insurance info...which

there is

> none...then asked if I was cash pay patient. LOL I just laughed

and told the

> lady if I could afford to pay cash we would not be having this

conversation. She

> suggested calling the Enbrel company.

>

> I contacted Enbrel and found out they have co-pay assistance as

well as

> patient assistance for those with no drug coverage. The co-pay

assistance really

> pisses me off, because I asked about this a year ago when I was

really

> struggling with huge co-pays for the enbrel. Now I finally had to

drop my insurance

> and they have assistance. Well they are suppose to be sending me

an

> application in the mail, which I have to fill out and have

notorized. Hmm....wonder

> what info they want that needs to be notorized?

>

> My rheummy's nurse also called left me a message stating that they

now have

> plenty of Bextra samples for me to have since its expensive.

Hmm..funny when I

> didn't even have two nickels to rub together and asked for 7 days

samples

> until I got paid so I could stay on my meds...I basicly got blown

off by my

> stupid doctor. Now Mr. Stupid is being so helpful. I learned a

lesson...skip a

> few days periodicly so you always have at least anywhere from a

week to a month

> of meds saved up just incase you run out of money.

>

> I really need a new doc and if here was another one in my area I

would jump

> to go see him.

>

> I was told there is no assistance for MTX injectable, which really

does not

> bother me because I refuse to take it. Its not very expensive, but

there is

> still a shortage and the stuff makes me really sick anyway. I told

my doc find

> another med because I AM NOT taking MTX ever again. The expensive

part of the

> MTX therapy is all the frequent labwork plus the need for folic

acid and

> leucovorin. The leucovorin is expensive for 4 pills a month!!!!!!

>

> So basicly I have gotten no where, other than to get more disgusted

and sick

> of the whole mess. At least I will get a some Bextra samples to

take in the

> meantime. I figure if I only take it if something hurts then it

should last a

> pretty long time. I have a very busy weekend coming up and I will

be moving

> none stop the whole time. Now I just need to find time to drive 30

mins two

> the rheummy and get there before they go home at 12 noon on

friday. I will also

> ask for copies of my lab results. Maybe you guys here can help me

review

> them and see if I really need all these meds to begin with!

>

> Toni

>

>

>