Mama Bear
April 29, 2004 The "A-Z" About Me:
Welcome to my post-op journal
October 2006
We were on a cruise ship from Stockholm to Estonia
(this was really my husband's cigar) 
The first pic is at my grandson's first birthday party 4 months before surgery. The second picture is taken at 13 months post op
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These entries are included with the most recent listed first.
Feb 2006 I have a normal BMI score this week! That's really been my only set "goal" and I didn't push myself to get there. I've started walking with a group of women from work during lunch time and restarted journaling with a food diary. It's helping me keep track of what I've eaten. I'm not due for bloodwork again until July. Everything is sorting out, labs have been back in normal ranges.
Dec 2005 I guess I've reached maintenance, I'm not losing but not trying either. I'm in size comfortable 8's. My BMI is still registering "overweight" - between 25.1 and 25.4. My goal is to get to "normal" and stay there.
October 1, 2005 -127lb (90.1% excess weight lost) I'm still losing inches but weight loss is slowing down. I'm just teetering on having a "normal" bmi. It was 25.7 or so last week. My thyroid functions must be leveling out - I'm not losing as much hair and I'm sleeping better. I'm almost ready to try size 8 pants - my 10s are getting a little loose. I wouldn't have ever dreamed that! I still need to get new pics up. I'm finally getting used to my new body and my new look. It's taken some time but I'm getting there!
August 4, 2005 -124lb (86% excess weight lost) Not a lot to report. I'm still losing - fairly consistently, now going on 14 months. I'm in comfy size 10 pants - pretty much across different brands. I can wear size 8 skirts and medium sized shirts. My shoe size has even changed and gone down a size. I need to get some updated pics on the profile. I'm about 13 lbs from my original goal -- which is in the high end of the normal range for my height. I guess we'll see how it goes. "Maintenance" is a curious prospect, considering I've spent the bulk of the last several years focusing on LOSING weight! I had finally got my H&H up to the "low normal" range in the first part of June. Then I had another episode of excessive bleeding. The gyn dr thinks it was related to the thyroid levels being out of wack. So my internal med dr has been adjusting my meds to try to get it back where it belongs. I still have "bad belly" days occasionally. Sometimes it is unpredictable and just happens! ARGH. I still play it safe with trying new foods if I know I'll be out in public!
June 16, 2005 7:30 pm This time last year I was a sniveling lump of lard, telling my husband I didn't want to do this anymore and I wanted to go home... But considering I'd just had my guts ripped open and had IVs, a pain pump and a foley catheter to boot -- I wasn't really ready to put on my traveling shoes. I'll admit I was a really big whimp right after surgery. I had a horrible first week post-op. I regretted the DAY I ever decided to have gastric bypass surgery and I thought I'd made a huge mistake. And then I gradually got to feeling better and started becoming stronger and started seeing results. Now, 115 lbs lighter -- this afternoon on my anniversary for wls, my husband and I spent the afternoon with my daughter and grandson at the pool. Me, wearing a 2 piece bathing suit -- and not looking "that" bad! I still need plenty of toning and need to lose about 20 more lbs, but this time last year there was NO WAY I would have been seen at a pool in any kind of bathing suit! What a difference a year makes! I'm only 20lbs from my goal and feeling better and looking better than I have for YEARS! I can remember when I was 32 - that was about the best year of my life. I was healthy, strong, able to do anything I wanted to do. Then I got graves disease and my thyroid went out of wack. I gained 100+ pounds in a matter of months and I went from having a whirlwind active life -- to becoming a miserabley obese person, aches and pains all over, poor to little endurance for exercise and one who didn't want to do anything that meant I'd be seen in public. I quit doing everything I had enjoyed doing before and I looked, moved and FELT like an OLD woman! Now, at 43, I can say I'm having the another "best" year of my life. I'm back on track - weight loss is going well, my overall health is almost back to "normal" and my physical endurance is back! I don't feel like an old woman anymore. AND I don't look like one either! It's like I've been given a second chance at the second half of my life! For those of you who are second guessing yourself about going into this journey -- JUST DO IT! For those of you newbies who are asking yourself, "what the heck did I do to myself?" -- give yourself some time to heal and start feeling better.
June 15, 2005 Tomorrow is my 1 year anniversary. It's hard to believe, it seems like it flew by. I've lost almost 115 lbs and have gone from a tight size 24 to a loose 12/snug 10. I have about 20lbs to go to meet my personal goal weight. Now the only downside -- my backside and thighs look like a deflated rafts, but good "undergarments" hold everything back up and in place fairly well! I had my 1 yr followup bloodwork drawn last week and will visit with the surgeon next week. Last time, he said I was still a little anemic, but I've been much more diligent with taking iron every day - so hopefully it will be better. I read an article about the most common long-term life threatening complication of gastric bypass surgery is caused because people don't take their vitamins as they should. That article helped motivate me and convinced me to make a better effort of taking them every day. The other two goals I've accomplished is getting back on track and exercising more regularly and drinking more water every day. The best CHANGE over the past year has been with making "eating healthy" my way of life. I can easily say "NO" to desserts without hesitation. I choose proteins over carbs consistently. I get my sweet fix from fruits. And when I need a little extravagance, a "bite" really is enough. The biggest difference is in how I feel overall. I feel GOOD. I feel healthy. I feel "normal".
May 22, 2005 -107.3 I don't have a mirror in my house except for the one in the bathroom medicine cabinet. So I don't "see" what I look like on a regular basis. When I was so grossly overweight, I didn't WANT to see it and I avoided looking at any reflections when I'd go out shopping. Anyway, every now and then I catch a glimpse of "me" in a shop window or mall mirror and my first question to my husband or daughter (which ever one happens to be with me at the time), "Do I really look like that or is that image distorting the way I look?" They assure me most of the time it's "yes", I do look like that. It is taking me a while to get used to the newer me and yet, I still see flaws. I'm MORE self conscious of my body now than I was 100lbs ago. Even with seeing the apparent difference the weight loss has made, all I seem to focus on is the left over bulges and flab now that I have excess skin and gross puckering where the skin is sagging. Hmm --in my head I think I still look like I did 100lbs ago. In other ways I'm more confident and not so resistant to go and do things and been "seen" in public. I was so ashamed of how I looked that I was basically becoming a hermit and avoided doing things I once loved. That's changing -- I'm back to "DOING" the things I'd given up and I LIKE IT! I think eventually my head image will catch up with my true body image, it's getting there.
April 20,2005 I finally hit the 100lb lost mark today! My BMI is right at 30.2 and I've lost 70.4% of my excess weight. I've lost 9.75 inches from my chest, 11 inches from my waist, 10 inches from my abdomen, 11 inches from my hips, 6.5 inches from each thigh, 3.5 inches from each arm. This time last year was about the time I met with the surgeon for my first consultation. Wow. That's amazing. A year since the first consultation and now 10 months since surgery. I'm 42lbs from my goal weight. It really seems attainable now. 100lbs and a year ago it seemed unimaginable. My blood work was better, the H&H was on the low side of normal and iron level was still a little low. the dr says to increase iron to 3x a day and get blood work again in 2 months. I still have "bad belly" days that tend to be a little unpredictable. Other than that I'm doing well physically. My endurance is SO MUCH BETTER. In a crowd, I'm no longer the largest person in the room. I still feel like a "fat person" even though I'm wearing "normal sized" clothing now. Crazy huh!
March 22,2005 Life is more "normal". I'm just over 9 months out, 92.8lbs down. My weight loss is slowing to 1-2 lbs a week, but still losing fairly consistently. My BMI is 31, so I'm still "obese", but down from 46.3 which was "morbidly obese". I've dropped 6 sizes in clothing. Watching fats/sugar contents has become a habit. I can eat rice and wheat grains, but I'm steering away from most breads, pastas and "white" foods. I'll get my routine bloodwork next month to see how doubling up on the vitamins and iron is working.
Feb 20,2005 I haven't weighed yet this month, but I can tell I'm still losing (at least inches) - I'm almost ready to go down another pant size. I finally have "before & after" pictures loaded down at the end of the profile. This morning I only had a light breakfast, then we went bowling and I forgot to take any snacks with me. Usually I keep a protein bar in my bag in case I forget to eat enough (forget to eat enough, ha what a concept!). Anyway I told my husband I feel so close to "normal" that I forgot I still have to pack snacks to take with me. Last night we went to the driving range and hit balls for the first time in a very long time. I was telling my husband, my losing weight is costing us more money because now that I FEEL like doing things I haven't done in a long time! Oh well, I guess it balances out since we're not eating out as much anymore! I'm having problems with a distorted body image. I don't believe the camera and mirrors. I think they must be set at strange angles because I "look" smaller than I "feel". I've read others have reported feeling the same way. I know I drive my husband and daughter batty when I say "do I really look like that?" and they say "Yes". Health wise, I feel GOOD! I will be due for 9 month bloodwork soon and will be curious to see if my iron and H&H have improved. My guts still are cranky depending on what I eat (which is a good thing) - it's keeping me honest, in that I can't eat certain foods (which is also a good thing).
Jan 23,2005 A little over 7 months out, I've lost around 80lbs. Wow the time has flown! Last months blood work came back with severe anemia and low iron levels. The dr bumped up iron supplementation to bid. I was also having more trouble sleeping (not for any good reason that I was aware of - not worried, not particularly stressed about anything). I was thinking maybe my thyroid levels were out of wack but those blood levels came back ok. What ever it was, seems to be better now, because I'm sleeping better too. I'm still losing hair, but I think that's slowing down too. The food munchie thing from last month seems to be gone too, maybe it was just the low iron levels making me want to eat more. Who knows! In any case I'm feeling better all around.
Dec 31,2004 I'm just over 6 months out - 70 lbs down and still 70lbs to go. All of the sudden, the negative feedback is gone. I'm amazed at how quickly this honeymoon period went by! You'd think that 6 months of choosing "good" foods, eating smaller portions and avoiding fats/sugars/high carb foods - would be long enough to make that the "norm" and help me break bad eating habits. But, no - the bad habits are not broken. Maybe the bad habit/tendancies are still there because I haven't really had to work all that hard changing the underlying behavior. It has been "easy" to lose weight the last few months and "easy" to say no to bad foods because my body would go into revolt. Now, I can see how it is going to take more effort on my part. NOW is the time the real behavior modification begins. A lot of foods are like "drugs" for me. I know that if I do eat them, it will set off a chain reaction of craving more. The concept of eating "anything in moderation" just isn't an option for me. Just like the old commercial about teaching kids about avoiding drugs, I have to "Just say NO!" to certain foods. I'm consciously not buying trigger foods, and make sure I have high protein foods/snacks around so I don't try to graze on quick junk food.
December 7, 2004 Approaching 6 month anniversary Yikes it's been a while since I updated. Had my 6mo lab work drawn today, will get results in a few days. Just after the 3 month mark I started having gyn problems, abnormal bleeding. I hoped it was only a hormonal imbalance induced by the weight loss. Dr wanted to operate to remove a fibroid, I wanted to try bcps to see if my hormonal levels would balance out. THANK GOODNESS, the medical approach worked out. I had a pretty dramatic blood loss, so it's taken a while to get back to feeling normal. Post-op recovery has continued without a lot of difficulties. I'm sticking to low-carb, low fat, low sugar food options. I've just reached the half-way point of my excess weight loss goal and my BMI is now indicating I'm just "obese". The biggest challenges continue to be remembering to take vitamins every day and surprisingly enough -- now it is a challenge to eat enough to get the protein requirements met. My hair is falling out by handfuls -- pretty disturbing, but I expect it will stop as my body balances itself out. The other challenge I need to conquer is getting back to the gym on a routine basis. Overall, it looks like I should be able to get back on track. I'm still a little anemic but it's getting better. I'm down 4-5 clothes sizes (depending on the cut). I'm buying new clothes too tight so that I can wear them a while as I'm losing. I put on a new pair of jeans the other day and got a "WOW!" from my husband. I couldn't sit down, but his reaction was worth squeezing into them for!
September 17, 2004 (-47.2) I saw Dr. Thrift for my 3 mo checkup. No real news. He said labs are all good. Although, the iron level is in low range of normal, so wants me to add a supplement. I won't see him again until next June, unless problems come up. Will get labs again in Dec and March. I haven't had any more gall bladder issues since I started taking the urso separate from the vitamins. I am beginning to have clothes that are ready to retire but for the most part I'm still wearing mostly what I wore before.
September 1, 2004 (-39.4lbs) 11 weeks today Got blood work drawn today, so it will be ready for my 3 month followup visit. My endurance overall is better than it was pre-op. People are starting to notice a little weight loss. I'm still wearing the same clothes, but they are beginning to feel loose. I tried on clothes yesterday and found I'm down anywhere from 2-4 sizes, depending on the cut. I've been around all kinds of foods in social settings and (so far) I'm not tempted to eat "bad" foods. I hope I can still say that in a year. I'm eating normal foods, except I've greatly limited breads, pastas, rice. I'm trying to focus on eating mostly proteins and adding fruits and vegetables. Getting enough fluids and supplemental protein in and remembering to take vitamins every day is still a challenge. That's a goal I'd like to accomplish in this next month. I'm going to the gym 3-4 times a week, working on the elliptical machine, recumbent bike or treadmill. Also starting to incorporate some weight training.
August 8, 2004 First day back to work, went well. I was surprised I wasn't more tired afterwards. Physically everything is healing well, I'm eating more "normally", just avoiding high fat & sugar foods.
August 5, 2004 (-31/9 lbs) I saw Dr Thrift on Wednesday (8/03/04). Post-op recovery is going well, except I'm having symptoms of gall bladder problems (pain under the right rib cage and through to the right shoulder). I'm taking URSO, he says it is early at 6 weeks to have gallstones. He says avoid red meat, and see if there is a pattern established regarding what triggers it. I had the second refill of URSO filled at the hospital pharmacy, and the patient instructions on it were more specific than the first bottle filled at eckerds. It specified the medication was not to be taken within 2 hours of mvi/iron or antacids. The patient directions from eckerd's didn't mention any drug interactions- so I've been taking the mvi, zantac and urso in pretty close proximity. I'll try spreading out more time in between to see if it helps. Nutritionally, I've been advanced to eating regular foods, fruits and vegetables. Also will begin taking calcium supplements. Kelly the dietitian is not on the band wagon of getting protein ONLY -- says carbs are ok, especially those from vegetables and fruits. She said breads are ok in moderaton. I went by Employee Health to get my release to go back to work on Monday. I sure have enjoyed the time off, but reality strikes -- time to go back.
July 26, 2004 I'm beginning to see and feel a difference. My clothes are starting to become loose, but I'm not ready to go on any shopping sprees yet. I will go back to work in 2 weeks, will probably try to spruce up my clothes before then. I'm REALLY conscious of the fact that this surgery was just a tool to assist with weight loss and not the cure for my problems with food. My biggest concern is re-gaining again sometime down the road. I've been looking at the before/after photos of some of the others who use these boards and I can't fathom that I can have those same results. Along with losing weight, my biggest goal is to break the bad habits I had with abusing food. I'm working toward making consistant "good" choices for eating now. I HOPE I CAN KEEP IT UP! My biggest fear is going through all this, to gain weight back. So far,I'm doing "OK" with saying "No thanks" to bad food choices. But at the same time, I havne't been experiencing real hunger or cravings yet. Time will tell. ********** I saw my pcp, got some blood work drawn again (thyroid levels are out of wack).I'm having a little hair loss, but it's hard to say if the diet is the problem, I had the same problem when my thyroid levels were off. Guess I'll wait and see how it goes. I have one small gap on the incision line that is not healed, it's right at my waist band area - so it's been hard to keep it intact. I've advanced to soft foods. I'm trying to get in the protein and fluids with regular foods, instead of having to use protein drinks. We have an unexpected cold front move in -- it was 67 degrees this am (unbelievably cool for JULY)!! It sure made the morning walk easier to get finished.
07/21/2004 From what I've read, it seems like everyone has their own experience. It seems like some have no complications and others have complications. I don't think it's ALL just luck of the draw -- I think finding an experienced doctor and hospital that specializes in bariatric patients makes a huge difference in the post op recovery period. I've read some posts and it sounds like some folk's surgeon did the "rip and stitch" and basically turned the patient loose afterwards - with little to no follow up care and/or instructions. The clinic I used specializes in bariatric surgeries (Barix) and they have a complication rate less than the national average. The doctor sees bariatric patients exclusively, so he actually has more time to spend with his individual patients. He's not being called in at all hours of the night, so he's operating "fresh" on his surgery days. I LIKE that they take the preventative approach to potential complications rather than waiting until symptoms occur to begin treatingthe problem (like ulcers, gallstones, strictures). For example I will be taking Zantac 2 times a day for 2 months, to prevent ulcers. Since my gall bladder was healthy and was left it in -- once I started soft foods, I started taking bile salts and will continue for 6 months to help prevent gallstones. The only other thing is chewable vitamins 2 times a day. They offer an extensive post op follow through, medically and nutritionally. The day after I came home one of the nurses called to check on me, even though it was a Sunday! The nutritionist called the first week and has called each time my diet has advanced to make sure I'm tolerating the new stage. Nutritionally, the re-introduction to food is much more conservative than some of the posts I've read here online. The routine is like this: clear liquids for 1 week, full liquids for 2 weeks, pureed food for 2 weeks, soft food for 2 weeks. It might sound extreme compared to some folks mentioning eating soft foods by the end of the first week -- but it's all to assure the anastomosis sites heal adequately. Followup office visits to see the doctor and nutritionist are at 2 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and then yearly thereafter as needed. Anytime I've had a question, they are just a phone call away. AND, when I've left a message THEY DO call back. I had severe morning sickness and vomiting throughout my pregnancy, but I never had to be hospitalized. I came out of the delivery room weight 18 lbs less than I was when I first got pregnant. But ofcourse I gained it all PLUS a lot more over the next 20 years! Post-op, I've not been nauseated one time since my surgery (I'm 5 weeks post op) --but I did have a period of having a lot of gas (took GASX for it) after my guts started working again. A couple of times when I didn't chew well enough I got a temporary pressure in my esphogus area; and my bowels haven't been happy the couple of times I tried a food that I just shouldn't have (like a tamale -- ugh what a lesson!). Except for the tamale episode, I've tried to play by the rules my doctor prescribed. And so far so good. I can't say that's the reason I haven't had as many problems as some experience -- but I think it's helped. If you have a Barix Clinic in your area, they are well worth looking into. If you don't -- then just don't settle with a surgeon who performs this surgery. REALLY investigate him and the hospital you'll be using. I really think the aftercare is a HUGE consideration in choosing who you'll use.
July 20, 2004
I really liked coffee pre-op but haven't had any desire for it post-op. I used to be a Starbucks-o-holic. Today was my breakthrough day -- and I finally wanted a cup of coffee again! I know, no big deal. But, boy was it good! Physically, my endurance feels like I'm back to "normal". I'm eating extra small portions of mostly normal soft foods. I'm chewing extra well and using the food processor to blend up foods. I'm eating mostly tuna mixed with a boiled egg and lite ranch dressing, or the same as a chicken salad and drinking the protein drinks. I gave up trying to be creative with adding protein powders to other foods. This is working well. Spicy seasonings aren't bothering my cast iron pouch (woo hoo!). I've had thai soup, chili, taco meat made with lean ground beef. I'm eating picante with scrambled eggs or cottage cheese. Today my daughter and I were out shopping and stopped at Boston Market. I ate a few bites of chicken and some of the creamed spinach. I haven't really missed most of the unhealthy things I used to like (except potato chips - they were my comfort food). Mainly I'm too scared to try too many things. I don't want to dump and I don't want to barf. Worse than that, (this sounds a little wierd) I don't want to find that I CAN eat any of those things and find that I can get away with it. So far, I don't really have any desire for sweets. I HOPE that loss of desire lasts!
July 9, 2004 (-22 lbs)
I'm finally feeling like my head is clearing. I've felt like I've been walking behind a veil. I think maybe it's because I've now advanced to pureed/soft foods a couple of days ago. I don't think my blood sugar was being maintained well enough with just fluids. My taste buds are still off, some things I liked pre-op, just don't sound good anymore, but I'm craving weird things like saurkraut & neckbone (not that I'd try it). I'm walking 2x around the trail around the park with better endurance now.
July 1, 2004 (-16 lbs)
Saw Dr. Thrift for 2 weeks post op. No big issues. There is a small gap in the incison just inside my belly button that isn't healing. I started cleaning with hydrogen peroxide and dabbing antibiotic cream. Tolerating full liquids well. My tastebuds are all out of wack (2 weeks post op). I saw the nutritionist today too, she says the change of "taste" is temporary. I can't stand the taste of artificial sweetners, and protein drinks were too sweet, so I started mixing 1/2 scoop plain with 1/2 scoop flavored powder to cut the taste. I'm also drinking crystal light at 1/2 strength to keep it from tasting bitter sweet.
June 23, 2004 Saw my PCP, for thyroid levels. He increase my dosage. The first week, I was not convinced this was worth it. I was crying for no reason. I didn't expect the emotional upheaval. I couldn't sleep in my bed and had to sleep in the recliner. I did't have much pain, took liquid children's tylenol a couple of days. Day 7 was better, I finally moved back to my bedroom and stopped crying at every little thing. Also I was able to move to full liquids, so I had a little more variety in my diet. Getting in 64 oz fluid has been a challenge -- which is weird because before surgery I could chug down a "big gulp" in 2 or 3 swigs! If I never see Jello again, it will be too soon. My endurance was shot the first week. I could barely walk to the end of the street and back. Gradually increased to walking around the block.
June 16, 2004
After my doctor explained the risks involved with lap vs open - I had agreed to go with the open, which in my case turned out a really good decision. Unexpected findings while in surgery: After my dr opened me, he found my organs were transposed, meaning some weren't where they were suppose to be and some were "routing" in the opposite direction than they should have been. He said they had to basically draw a map to make sure things got things put back where they started. He said he went ahead and took my appendix because in an emergency situation, the surgeons would have a hard time finding it. A couple of years ago I had a motorcycle wreck and the bike foot peg broke off leaving a sharp metal spike. The bike rolled over and the peg punctured my belly. I had an abdominal cat scan at that time, and no one ever mentioned any problem with my organs being transposed. It was the first time in my life being "fat" was a good thing, because although the puncture was 4-5 inches deep, it didn't penetrate my abdominal cavity and nothing was perforated. The wreck caused a lot of scar tissue and adhesions in my intestines that I wasn't aware of and thedrs weren't expecting - so it took some time for them to remove the adhesions. The dr said it looked like I had a major abdominal surgery because of the amount of adhesions he found. In my case, I can't imagine how they would have sorted through all that with a laproscopy
June 9, 2004
Pre-admission testing. The admissions lady informed me the hospital was "out of network" for UHC. I called the insurance co and confirmed, it so my out of pocket expense will be doubled. I met with Dr. Thrift for preop visit. Dr. Wiltse has moved to private practice. Dr. Thrift informed me LAP procedure wasn't available. I was disappointed because I considered it "less invasive" and just couldn't image being spread "wide open". Dr. Thrift explained the biggest problem with LAP is the stapling that is completed. With a LAP, one staple at a time is feed through the laproscope and the tissue is stapled basically "hit and miss" ONE staple at a time. And the pouch and the stomach have to be stapled separately. With open, the stapler is a "cutting stapler" so that BOTH the pouch and stomach are stapled and cut at the same time. He said the LAP version has a higher risk of leaks and gaps in the tissue because there isn't a consistant amount of tissue between each staple. Also he said with an open, the stoma anastamosis is hand sewn, whereas the lap uses staples. The problem with this is that the stapled site has a higher tendency of developing scar tissues/strictures. The hand sewn sutures heal without as much potential for scarring. So after talking to him about this, I agreed to go forward with the open.
Early June --
Dobutamine stress test -- outpatient was completed and confirmed fit for surgery. Called the clinic and got a surgery date. After hearing all the "horror" stories about waiting lists and refusal letters, I was really shocked at how quickly this process has been for me.
May 27, 2004
Received approval letter from insurance company. I met with my PCP and arranged to see a cardiologist for stress testing.
I met with Dr. Wiltse at the Barix Clinic in Wylie for the initial consultation. we discussed risks and benefits of both the LAP and OPEN RNY procedures. The clinic submitted the paperwork to the insurance company for approval. Dr. Wiltse recommended cardiology consult and stress test. He said it was up to the insurance company re: psych evals, and if mine requested one, we would get one then.
A - Age: 42
B - Band listening to right now: the Muppets Movie soundtrack (it's in the grandbaby's cd player)
C - Future Career: World Traveler
D - Dad's name: Dearly Departed
E - Easiest person to talk to: My husband
F - Favorite song: "Someone Like You" from the musical Jekyll & Hyde
G - Gummy Bears or Gummy Worms: I like sour worms
H - Hometown: A hop skip and a jump from Dallas
I - Instruments you can play: Nada
J - Job: RN, Computer System Admin and Web Developer
K - Kids: 1 daughter 21 years old
L - Longest car ride ever: 30 day trip from Texas to Canada (I was about 10, riding in the back of one of those pickup camper toppers with 2 other kids -- not exactly fun)
M - Mom's name: Dearly Departed 2
N - Number of siblings you have: 2
O - One thing I would like to change about myself:Procrastination
P - Phobia: bridges
Q - Quote: Isaiah 40:31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
R - Reason to smile: babies
S - Song you sang last: "Clean up, clean up, every body clean up" (last night to get my 18 mo grandson to get him to help pick up his toys)
T - Time you wake up: work days around 4:30, other days around 8:00
U - Unknown fact about you: I like to test drive sports cars
V - Vegetable you hate: brussel sprouts, lima beans, butter beans,turnips (but I like turnip greens)
W - Worst habit: I'm a terrible housekeeper
X - X-rays you've had: head, neck, arms, chest, abdomin, knees
Y - Yummy food: Cheesecake Factory Cheesecake or Dave & Busters 10 Mile High Chocolate Cake (that was in my pre-op days)
Z - Zodiac sign: Capricorn
Photos April 2005 I've been cleaning out my closet and found these pants. 
I thought I was so "cute" when I wore these! 
-31.9lbs and -92.8lbs These pics are taken in our RV during camping trips
Mama Bear & Baby Bears Spring 2004 and Spring 2005
