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August 16, 2006

Geee - I've gotten really bad at keeping this updated. My tt is healing well. I wont be able to run in the Crim this year though. I pulled my abdominal muscle about six weeks ago and that was the end of that. The pain killers and muscle relaxers have helped it greatly, but I can't risk doing that again. When they say it takes 9 months for it to completely heal - they mean it!!!

I'm still hovering just under goal. I tend to bounce between 126 - 130. I have learned (the HARD way) that sf candy is NOT something I can eat!!! I tried sf twizzlers last fall and they made me sick. Well for some stupid reason I thought I'd try it again. Proof that I'm not so smart a girl sometimes..... I ate 1/2 a serving and was so sick I couldn't sleep last night. Instant cramping, bloating and major PAIN!!!!! Lesson learned, that's for sure - no more.

CORI picnic is this Saturday, I still haven't decided if I'm going to go or not. I'd love to see everyone again... there's been so much change in the past year!!! The food might be better this year, last year whoever planned the food was not very nice to us. Picture large bowls of MASHED POTATOES & WHITE DINNER ROLLS!!!! OMGSH - how horrible to put that out for the patients to eat. Especially us who were newbies last summer! I brought my own food, so I was good..... but many many were not so good!!

Well the kids go back to school in just three weeks here. Our summer is quickly coming to an end. We've spent major time at the beach this year. We weren't able to take a real "vacation" but we're snatching up time here and there as we can. I'm looking forward to school again though too. I like the "scheduled" life. Although this year we have TWO home football games before school even starts. (that's crazy).

"> May 6, 2006

Geee, I can't believe that I've neglected my profile this long. For anyone following this, I'm sorry. My surgery went perfect. Dr. Schuhknecht did a hernia repair, full muscle tightening, and tt. I was only in overnight. I came home with one drain in and an internal pain line in. I wasn't in a lot of pain. I took my lortab on schedule but only for about five days. Then I was off all meds. At one week the Dr. S took the drain out, wow did I feel better not having that thing in anymore. I wasn't able to do much of anything. Basically ate, slept, and sipped water for about the first two weeks. By the third week I was feeling more like a normal person again.

I'm almost a month out now. I'm still on restrictions, although he let me drive again after the drain came out. I can't do any housework (oh darn) haha. I'm resuming some normal activity now though. Taking a class on Thrs. nights now. I'm also walking again. I'm up to three miles a day. It's slow going, but that's OK with me. My goal is to run in the Crim this year. Its a local 10K, 8K, or 5K run/walk. Of course I hope to run the full 10K, but I have to wait and see what the doc says. I don't want to do anything that will not be good for me. But the crim isn't until the end of August so we'll see.

April 9, 2006

My surgery time is 7:15 am. It should take about 1 1/2 hours. I'm just praying for some good drugs!!! I'm so not looking forward to the recovery time. They said no driving until both drains are out, it could be 3 - 5 weeks!!!! OMGSH, that's a long time. I hope I dont really have to go that long. 

I'm excited!! I'm nervous!! I'm stressed!!! I'm READY!!!!

March 27, 2006

I'm approved for hernia repair and TT. I've been waiting seven weeks for my approval to come through. After five weeks Aetna requested more documentation. I sent that all in and today I called and I'm approved!!!  I called the surgeon's office and we've scheduled my surgery for April 10th.

I'm still going to the gym. Five days a week is what I've been doing and it's working out very well. Today I went and walked 5 miles!! Pretty amazing when I stop and see that 3 short months ago I couldn't walk across the room with out someone helping me. It feels so wonderful to be healthy again. My body is still struggling with the wls. It just doesn't like the new set up. I have to get at least 100 grams of protein in just to maintain my levels, anything less and they start to drop. I try to keep my protein at 130 grams per day. I'm still on the lower end of "normal" and I'd like to see it up a little higher. Iron is still near the low end of "normal" as well, but doc says just keep taking the pills - it's coming up, just slowly. It's high enough for surgery and that was my concern!!  I can't wait for hubbie to get home from work so I can tell him I am approved and have a date!!!

February 27, 2006

Wow, it's been a month since I've updated! I've been very faithful in going to the gym. I go five days a week, usually right after I drop off the kids to school. My ankle weights bother my drop foot too much so I don't use them. But I am walking 3 miles a day and 2 of those miles I use hand weights. I have clearance to do some of the weight machines but nothing with the abs or arms due to my hernia. It's not what I'd call "fun" but I do feel good after going and working out.

I've missed my 8th mth picture and 9th mth picture because our camera died. I'm bummed on that because I was doing very good getting my monthly pictures. There hasn't been much of a change in the last month. I'm a little below Dr. Woods goal of 140 lbs for me. I want to get down to 130 for my personal goal, so that gives me 7 more pounds.

I've submitted for hernia repair and TT with Aetna . I hope to hear back on that in the next two weeks. The surgeon said that he can get me in within two weeks of insurance approval. So, if all goes well I'll be having surgery the end of March!!!!

January 2, 2006 - weighing in at 143 today.

We went shopping today. Salvation Army in Rochester Hills was 50% off and WOW did we have fun. All of the kids got lots of clothes. I didn't shop for me too much, but what I got was a true WOW moment. SIZE 6 jeans!!!! OMGSH, I still can't believe it. I bought two pairs of size 6 jean and one pair of size 6 capris and they fit great!! I also bought one pair of of Tommy Hilfig. capris in a size 4 for $2.50 (but they're a bit too tight for now). I also bought an Eddy Bower button down jean shirt that was an XS (as in "extra small") I'm still laughing at that. I've had X's infront of my size for 18 years - but I've NEVER EVER had an XSMALL!!!!!

I called CORI center today to try to get in to see Dr. Wood tomorrow. I got a MACHINE!!! I hate that. The machine said that they were closing on Dec. 30 and would reopen on Jan. 2, then it said to call back during business hours (IT WAS BUSINESS HOURS)!! Good grief, they can't even get their stupid answering machine right!  So, I guess I'm going to have to call first thing tomorrow morning and see if I can get in tomorrow. ggggrrrrr they sure don't make it easy. I want to get my surgery scheduled for next week and if I wait until Friday to see him I KNOW I won't get my surgery for a couple of weeks. I don't feel that I can wait that long. I'm dropping weight WAY too fast now. I'm down 8 pounds since I went into the hospital. (usually people GAIN in the hospital because of the IV, I didnt. I'm losing) This 8 pounds HAS to be lean muscle mass. I'm not getting in enough calories a day for it to be fat that I'm losing. My legs are weak, they burn now from walking through the store today. I NEED to get this hernia and pouch fixed.

 Time to catch up here. I saw Dr. Wood on Friday. He direct admitted into Harper hospital. I spen 9 days there. I was dehydrated AGAIN, malnutrished, and vitamin levels were low. My protein stores were all but gone. I was put on TPN (artificial nutrition through an IV). He put off my hernia surgery again, and said that my pouch was fine and I didn't need to have the staples taken out.

1-19-06   My 8th Month Anniversary

My eatting has been going OK this week.

Sunday I got in 107 grams of protein

Monday I got in 104 grams of protein

Tuesday I got in 83 grams of protein

Wednesday I got in 130 grams of protein

I think I'm looking good to get the PIC line out!! The home nurse is coming today to change the dressing on it.

I got my rings sized down. WOW what a difference. My wedding ring was a size 9 (and way too small to wear) my new size is a 6.5!! My ruby ring was a size 11 (and fit well) and it is now a 7.5 but it's a little big, I may take it back in and come down 1/2 size more.  My wedding ring was a size 7 when I got married almost 19 years ago, so I'm thrilled to be smaller then that!!!

 1

Just a quick up date on me. I got my PIC line out yesterday. I had no way to get to Dr. Wood's office so I faxed down my food journal and he approved the PIC to be taken out. I called my home health care nurse and she came over and took it out!! I'm free from the pic line!! 

January 24, 2006

I got enough html down that I finally made my weight loss table. It's pretty amazing when I look at it this way. I've lost weight EVERY SINGLE month so far. I find myself complaining over a week or two with no loss but I've got NOTHING to complain about. I've done GREAT!!!

I've spent a lot of time researching vitamins, when to take them, what NOT to take them with, etc.. Here is my daily routine for them all:

7am - Citracal Plus

8am - Vitamin B12

9am - Iron and Vit. C

11am - Citracal Plus

Noon - Folic Acid & Zinc

1pm - Centrum chewable & B Complex

3pm - Citracal Plus

4pm - Centrum chewable & B Complex

5pm - Iron & Vitamin C

8pm - Vitamins A, D, & E

Yup, pretty much on the hour I'm downing something. But I refuse to accept poor labs anymore. Most doctors don't think anything is wrong until the level hits the "low" range. But by then I have problems!!! I have to act when my levels start to drop!! So, this is my regimine for the next month, then I'll get my labs done again and make adjustments from there.

I've started going to the gym too. Yesterday was the first real day there. I walked the track. Whew - was I tired. I've definately lost a lot of strength. Today was better. I put on my ankle weights and walked for 45 minutes. I notice that the ankle weights bother my drop foot just a little bit. If it does when I go again I'll probably not wear them for now. 

 December 7, 2005

I found out two things about myself today.

1. I'm NOT 5'5"......I'm 5'6" !!! Yippie, I'd like to be taller

I weigh in at 151 right now. Size 8. I can go anywhere and NOT feel self conscious about being overweight. NOT, have people look at me with that "good grief look at that tub of lard" look. I'm just normal, and I blend in with the rest of society!!!!

Now for the yucky part. I've been sick again. Can't eat/drink more then a few bites/sips... I'm instantly nausiated!!! This week I've gotten weaker and weaker. I've been quite dizzy as well. Checked the BP it was 100/55 so not too bad there. Checked my sugar level when I was having  a dizzy spell and it's not real low. Well yesterday I fainted. I've been fighting off fainting for a couple of days, and I did know it was getting worse. Luckily I was in my bedroom and didn't hit my head or anything when I fell.

Spent quite a few hours in ER. UGH - what a horrible orderal that was. Dr. Wood is "fitting" me in today. He's sooooo overbooked now, I really can't imagine how long I'll have to wait for a fit in. According to his PA Wendy, he thinks this is from my hernia and he wants to fix it right away. (like Friday or next week) I'm very apprehensive about that. I just feel so badly right now. I'm so weak, I don't know if I'm doing well enough to go through a surgery right now. Guess we'll see today!!!

Neurologist was a complete waste of time!!! (as many doctors apts are) All he did was confirm what I already knew... neuropathy in right leg/foot causing unstable gate and tripping along with drop foot.  Geeeeee, and I'm paying him for this?! He wasn't concerned in the slightest as to the REASON for this to suddenly appear. He said it will either get better with physical therapy or it wont. Just like that.... Laurie, it will either get better or you'll never walk normally again!!! ......... some doctor.

I'm very frustrated with the whole thing right now. CORI refused to see me at all regarding it (even though it's a listed complication in the CORI handbook), went to a foot specialist (to see if he could at least help me walk better) he said he couldn't treat this at all. Went to the neurologist..... got the blow off there. What the heck does it take to get taken seriously in the medical world now days???

December 27, 2005

I woke up on 12-13 and my right arm and leg was numb!! I went to the ER and was admitted for a stroke! Holy freakin' cow!!! I'm not old enough for a stroke. They ran lots of tests. EKG, EEG, MRI of the brain (yup they found a brain too), ultrasound of my neck (not fun for us claustrophbics), blood blood and more blood. My potassium was low, so I got more of that stuff - OUCH!!!! After 10 hours of constant PAIN from it I refused another bag. It was still too low, so they offered me pills. DUH - if it doesn' come up with IV how's it going to come up with pills that I MALABSORB??? But then I got an angel dressed as a nurse!!! She told me that they can put Litacane (sp?) in with the potassium and it won't hurt. Why didn't they do that to begin with?? So I agreed to try that. I got three more bags of potassium that way and there was no pain with it. I was in Lapeer hospital for seven days. I was hooked to a heart monitor the entire time as something showed up on my heart test. They wouldn't let me out of bed until day six!! It was a nightmare. Day six the doctor came in and told me the following:

1. I have had a small stroke. I probably have a genetic thing and will need to be on blood thinner the rest of my life.. follow up with the hematologist.

2. I have Beri Beri - A rare disease from severe mal nutrition and vitamin deficiency. (My B1 was gone and so was my follic acid. Most of my other levels were off as well) I (the doc) can't help you with this. I don't know HOW to treat you. I really suggest that you get with your PCP and see if he can get you in to a better hospital like U of M Ann Arbor. (Holy Cow, this is a board certified doctor telling me this)

3. I may have a small hole in my heart between the two upper chambers. I'm sending you home with medication as if you do have a hole. Follow up with the cardiologist ASAP for a more detailed test.

Then he discharged me!!!! NO kidding. I wasn't better. I could barely walk!!!!! I was so weak. Lapeer wouldn't transfer me to Harper because they only transfer/refer to McLaren affiliates.  I came home and collapsed into my bed and really didn't care if I lived or died. But then my wls angel Jennifer called and she did the work for me. She spent some time on the phone and didn't stop until she tracked down Dr. Wood and he called me that night. He wanted me to come down to Harper right then, but I begged for one night in my own bed. He agreed with my promising to come down first thing in the morning. (his "first thing" and mine are WAY different)

So I went to Harper ER. They did blood work and an exam. Said I was dehydrated (still after seven days of constant IV's). They admitted me and started their own battery of tests. I got an MRI of the neck (thank God for happy drugs to get me through these horrible tests), they also scoped my stomach. I was in Harper for five days, coming home Friday night, right before Christmas. The finding were quite different from Lapeer hospital.

1. They don't think I had a stroke. They found a herniated disk in the neck which they think is casuing the numbness. I am to follow up with a neuro surgeon and they want another MRI of my entire spine to look for more disk problems.

2. No one at Harper would use the words "BeriBeri" but they are giving me the exact treatment for it. I had already researched this quite a bit and felt 100% positive that this was what I had.

3. They don't think I have a hole in my heart but said it was up to me if I wanted to follow up with a cardiologist to be sure. DUH - who wouldn't???

4. My pouch scope showed two staples from my wls that had dislodged and made their way into my pouch. One of the staples had ulcerated. This is where my eatting problems are coming from. The ulcer is causing me to be nausiated and the hernia is giving me the pain when I try to force foods.

Finally - ANSWERS!!!!!!!!!!!!  Now we know what's going on and we can make a game plan to fix them. I'll see Dr. Wood on Jan. 6 and we'll get a date ASAP for the hernia repair (and I hope he'll take out those two staples as well). Hopefully that will get me eating better again!!!!

11-6-05

WOW is my hair falling out!!! The last two weeks it's been falling out in handfuls. I've lost about 1/2 of my hair. I'm greatful that I started with very thick hair because now it's normal thickness. I did buy some vitamins with Biotin in it, which is supposed to help hair loss... we'll see.

I'm down to 161 as of today. 21lbs from my surgeons goal for me. That's amazing to me!!! I'm really working on more protein right now. I tried the Stallone's pudding. That was good, but I can't eat a whole one. I can eat 1/2 and that's 10 g of protein, so it sure helps!! I've never hit 75 or more g of protein in a day. So my new goal is to get in 75 g. I tend to fall a little short and I need to get it up higher. I'm also trying to eat less carbs. According to the CORI book 30g of carbs per day is the limit. I'm trying to make sure that the only carbs I eat are the good ones from fruit and veggies. That means I'm done with mashed potatoes!! Even though I only took a couple of bites I was eating them a few times a week because they go down easy and sit well with me.

We went shopping yesterday. I sure love shopping now!!! My husband never used to be able to drag me into the mall. Now I still don't care for the mall, but I LOVE to shop!!!! I had a Sears gift card from last Christmas, so I decided to go spend it. OMGSH - We had a BLAST!!!! He kept bringing me more and more outfits to try on. The best one I liked was a brown skirt - size 10 and a green/brown stripped top that was fitted. The size 8 was too snug with my hernia, so the size 10 was what I needed, and of course - they didn't have it in an 8. But we still had fun. It must be the Christmas "spirit" is here already though, cuz when I came out of the dressing room to show Steve my outfit a lady waiting for a dressing room, made a very rude comment about me "hogging" the room!!!! I just laughed!! What a change six months brings. From never going shopping to being accused of hogging the dressing room!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was wonderful.

11-7-05

Went to the doctor today. I have a couple of things going on that is effecting my lungs. One, I'm allergic to just about everything in the air. There were 37 things on the list to test and darn it all, I was positive for 34 of them!!!! I am also an allergic enduced astmatic. My allergies cause my astma type attacks. So I left the office with FIVE medications. Inhaler, nasal spray, pills, the whole nine yards.  This is sooo not good for me. I am not a pill taker, never have been. I've got a hard enough time taking my vitamins.

The second thing going on is with my lungs themselves. I don't have any of the terminology for this, but I can't breathe deep enough for what my body needs. I've always known that I breathe very shallowly. I can't hold my breath for very long at all, and that machine they give you after surgery to breathe in - I really sucked at doing (no pun intended). I had some sort of pulmonary function test done today and it was fairly low. So on top keeping track of all the medications (and when to take them) I also have to use the breathing machine thing twice a day and chart the results of it.

I know that there are much worse things, and that my problems are slim compared to the health issues of so many others. But today, I'm stuck deep in the pitty party for Laurie mode. I hate the news I got today. I hate the extra orginazation that I'm going to have to do with all this medication. I hate the whole thing!!! And this could be this way for the rest of my life. I hate that the worst!!!

11-19-05    6 mth Anniversary!!!!

Wow, it's been six months since I had my surgery. It sure is a different world for me know then it was before. I have no trouble walking now. I could shop all day if I weren't the one paying for it. LOL I really love to clothes shop now, probably too much! It's a good thing I don't have any money. haha

I've lost 103 pounds in six months!!!! I've gone from a size 24W to an 8/10 top and 10/12 bottom. It's great to have more selection in my clothes. I've lost 79.5 inches total to date!!! I can't hardly imagine that. But I'm glad that it's gone. I'm getting close to my surgeon's goal for me, only 19 more pounds!!! Pretty awesome for six months out!!!!

11-29-05

Thought I'd post my vitamin regimine as well. This is starting to get easier for me, more like a normal routine.

AM

Iron 60 mg

Vit C 500 mg

Centrum Chewable

LUNCH

Zinc 50 mg

Hair Skin & Nails

Citrical Plus w/ Magnesium and Vit D

This along with my inhaler and other medications seems to be working out OK. My labs are doing all right. But I'm watching some of them VERY closely.

Tomorrow- I go see the neurologist on my leg. My right foot has been numb for two months now. I didn't think much of it until the numbness started going up my leg too. Now it's up into my knee as well. I began researching and found that it is wls related. It's neuropathy. I won't know if the damage is permanent or not until after they run tests. I'm a little scared about it. I can now feel "tingling" in my left toes as well. If it goes up the left legg too, I won't be able to walk!!!! I had wls because I was so unhealthy that I couldn't walk. How ironic that now because of the wls (and vitamin's not absorbing) could cause me to still not be able to walk.   Enough negative - I need to just wait and see what the tests say!!!!!

10-2-05

I'm feeling poorly today. I don't think I mentioned in here that I have a hernia. Yup, I have coughed for three months straight and one day I coughed and POP, there was a bulg sticking out of my shirt. This morning I was getting ready for church and I took a step and something happened. I'm not sure what, but there was a burning sensation that went through my abdomen where the hernia is. I got to church, but after being there only a short while the pain had worsened and I had to leave and go home.

I see Dr. Wood on Friday and this will be on the top of my list of questions for him. I'm currently 172. I sure find it hard to believe that I've lost 90 lbs in these four short months!!! I'm creaping up on the Century Club!!

The coughing appears to have been an environmental reaction to the mold/mildew in the basement of the house I rented. We moved out on the 15th, and my coughing episodes have almost stopped altogether (thank you Lord).

I'm also starting to be able to eat a little better. Last night I made lasagna and chesy potatoes for dinner. I ate a small piece of lasagna with the noodles pushed off to the side of my plate and a bite or two of cheesy potatoes. It was good. Today for lunch I ate the leftover and it was still good. Usually leftovers are too dry for me. Now I've just got to keep this up and exercise more (as always) and I hope to reach goal by the end of the year.

10-7-05

Went to see Dr. Wood today. I had to wait two hours!!! It was a long time. When I finally got in he was concerned about my hernia. He said though, that he can't repair it until AFTER we find out what is causing the coughing in the first place and take care of that. I understand completely why (it'll just happen again if I'm still coughing). I'm just disappointed because my coughing has gone on since June and none of the doctors that I've been to (five in all) have even CARED enough about it to run any real tests. They just blame it on cold, or allergy, or something and say it'll go away. Well, it hasn't and now it's caused this hernia!!!

Dr. Wood seemed to actually care about the cough more then the hernia. He said that we have to get to the bottom of this problem. He's sending me to see Dr. Talber to have a bronocoscopy (sp?) done. I guess it is a scope of the lungs to see what's going on down there. So next week, I go see him and get a date for that test. I don't know how involved it is. But if it's not a general I won't be doing it!!! They'd better plan on knocking me right out!!!!

Other then the hernia, Dr. Wood said that my weight loss is doing execellent and he can tell I'm doing it right. I told him, "that's right I'm you super star patient remember?!!"  It was good to get to see him again!!!!

Oct. 13, 2005

Just have to post this. I am FREEZING now. My hands are like ICE!! Guess it's going to be a long winter for me. Well I went shopping today for a coat. I found one I liked that had a zip in/out liner. I also bought 3 turtle necks and 3 sweatshirts. This IS my winter wardrobe!!! LOL  They were all a size 8/10 Medium!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMGSH, I'm amazed. I started with the large, but they were too big!!! This is so wonderful. My coat from last winter - was a size 24W !!!!!!!!!!!!!   What a wonderful new life I have now!!!!!!

10-14-05

Woooo Hoooo, the scales moved - FINALLY!!!! I only dropped one pound but hey,when you've been the same day after day, ya take any loss out there.

I met with Dr. Talbert today. He scheduled a CT Scan and my bronocoscopy for Monday the 24th. He was great. I told him that I'm claustraphobic and I was very worried about having something down my throat. But he told me not to worry, that he'll put me to sleep!! His office staff was great too. I told the scheduler that I would have a very hard time drinking the "CT juice" and she said, "no problem I'll order it through the IV" How awesome is that??!!!! Boy last time I had such a fight to get it through my IV!! So on the 24th I have to be there at 7:15AM and will be there all day and come home that night.

10-19-05

Today is my 5 months anniversary!!! I started this journey at 266. Before surgery I was 262, and today I am 169!!! I've lost 93 lbs in 5 months!!! I've lost a total of 69 inches off of my body!! Wow, that is so amazing to me. When I figure out how to put a chart on here I'll chart it all.

My eatting is getting better. I hope that I'm over the hump of being through surgery (just in time for more surgery). I have been able to eat more meat and less cottage cheese (yippie) I still struggle to get in enough food each day, but at least now my meals are expanding to a more variety of foods.

I am really enjoying being healthier. I almost forget that a year ago I couldn't walk through WalMart my feet hurt so bad. Now I don't even think about my feet when I'm going anywhere, except that they are smaller and I no longer need special shoes! I sleep great now. I don't snore and sleep apnea is completely gone. My knees don't hurt. I can go up and down the stairs all day and it doesn't hurt. My blood pressure is down, my sugar is normal. I'm loving being healthy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

10-23-05

Down to 165 lbs as of today. I'm soooo close to the century club. I sure never dreamed that I would lose 100 pounds in less then six months!!! It is incredible. I got a dress coat yesterday, size 9/10! That just floors me thinking about it. I took it out of the closet to show my kids my coat and I can't believe that I can put that tiny thing on and wear it!! It sure is going to take time to mentally adjust to this weight loss.

Before surgery I bought an extra large leather recliner to recover in from surgery. It was big enough for me, but certainly NOT too big. Now, I can sit in it with my 9 year old son. I can sit in it and curl all up in a ball and there's pleanty of room still. I am shrinking.

I have to be at Harper at 7:00am tomorrow!! I'm a little nervous, but not much. I think I'll always be nervous going under a general. As always my only comment to the doctor will be, "make sure I wake up and don't remember any of this" I'm claustraphobic and I've woke up on the table before. I FREAKED!!! So now I always ask for a memory blocker! I'm sure hope that we can find the cause of this coughing and get it stopped.  My hernia is giving me trouble all the time now. I definately ready to get this thing fixed.

Well, the hosptial was a good experience. One of my preop nurses recognized me from when I had my wls. She was amazed at how much weight I've lost. That was pretty cool. All of the doctor's (I had five of them) all had nothing but great things to say about my weight loss. It was nice to not have "quesitons" about it, like I get from most everyone else.

I started out with an IV and a CT Scan. That was fine, I still had to focus on staying calm even though the CT machine isn't totally enclosed. But I got through it. They added the iodine through my IV and I could taste and smell it. It was strange, but that is normal. They capped off my IV after that and I went down to surgery. They just hooked back up to my IV and preped me for surgery. The anestisis nurse brought me an injection of "juice". I told him to make it a double!! lol. He said that they give a 10% discount if patients give it to themselves and he handed me the plunger. Just as I plunged it all the way, he yelled, "Oh no, I didn't say to take ALL of it" ROFL the nurse, and I were laughing so much. He was hilarious. Then they took me into OR. Someone there put a mask on my face. It was too tight and very scary. But just as I was going to lose it, someone else came and took it off and then just gently held it to my face (must have been an angel).... and then I woke up and it was all over!!!

I didn't see Dr. Talbert afterwards, but he told my husband that he was able to rule out anything "major" and that it is an allergic reaction to "something". Don't know what but something. We don't have allergy testing as a benefit on our insurance and it costs hundreds of dollars. I go see Dr. Wood on Friday and we'll discuss what my options are as far as repairing this hernia or having to wait.

10-26-05

Went to my consult with Dr. Ellen today. It went well. I felt very comfortable with her and her staff. Because of my large hernia I automatically get the abdominalplasty (sp?) instead of just the skin removal. She went over everything with me, and answered all my questions. I have to get some documentation from my PCP and then it will go off to Aetna . Her insurance specialist said with Aetna it's about 50% approval rate. There is no rhyme or reason to why they approve or deny either!! So, we'll see how it all plays out.

10-28-05

Went to see Dr. Wood again today. I had quite a wait!! 3.5 HOURS of waiting in a crowded room!!! YUCK!! I was so ready to walk out, but i knew that it'd be hard to reschedule.

Their scales are 6lbs more then mine. So according to his scales I was 170lb, but he was still THRILLED with the weight loss!! First the bad news: I can not get the hernia fixed until my lung problem is fixed. He wants to wait until I have no cough! (wow, that could be a loooooooong time). I was dissapointed but I kind of already knew that that was what he was going to say. And I certainly don't want to take any risks!!! So, I'm off to an allergist to see if we can pin point what is causing it.

The good news is that he said I've lost enough to go and have the adominoplasty (TT) along with the hernia repair. He wants to see me down 20 more pounds, but by the time I get to have it, that should be done!!! I'm soooo glad that he is for that. I was afraid that he'd want me to wait until after I was over a year out.

So, it was a very long, exhausting day for me. We had to stop and eat dinner on the way home but we were in a hurry. I don't do well riding in the car while eating or just after eating. So by the time we got through Friday night traffic to get home I was pretty sick to my stomach. What a way to end the day!!!

10-30-05   Offical Century Club Member

OMGSH - I lost 100 lbs as of today!!!! It's been 5 months 1 week and 3 days since my surgery. I know that this is the goal, but somehow it never really sunk in that I would lose 100 lbs and more!!!! Even now it seem sureal to me.

Went shopping today. I have a HUGE meeting tomorrow and all I had to wear was jeans and sweatshirt. So we went to the outlet mall at Birch Run. Cassual Corners is going out of business and they had some wonderful sales!!! My husband kept bringing me more and more to try on. I knew I couldn't buy it all, but we had fun. He can pick my size much better then I can. I keep thinking "bigger" and he keeps seeing "smaller". I bought two outfits, both a size 12. They could have easily been a 10 except for this darn hernia.  But since I'm not going to have it fixed for a couple of months, I'll get a lot of use out of these outfits in the meantime. It's been a totally awesome weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

9-4-05

I got ankle weights for my birthday and today I walked three miles with them on. It went well, although I did notice them on. I’m doing a little better finding soft foods that I can eat and still get in my protein.

Breakfast:  Swiss Miss with protein powder

Snack: 20 oz water

Lunch: 1/3 of a ham and cheese omelet, but I couldn’t eat the ham. (and I turned down even one bite of hash browns and toast. I was proud of myself)

Snack: 20 oz water

Dinner: ???? don’t know yet

Yesterday we went shopping at Birch Run. Boy did I have fun. It would take me a week of shopping to go through the entire mall. And that’s what I’ll do when I get to goal. My reward (besides plastic surgery) is going to be a HUGE shopping spree to Birch Run.

I’m currently 186. I’m wearing a misses size large top (12/14) and misses size 16 pants. I have a very limited wardrobe but that’s OK with me (for now). I have four pairs of jeans, one pair of kaki pants, five or six tops, one jean jacket, and one sweatshirt zip up jacket. That’s it!!!! I’ve never had so few clothes in my life.

I’m going to really focus on getting in protein and exercising for the next four months. I want to be down 46 more pounds before Christmas. I think it’s reasonable, only 10.1 pounds a month, I hope to do that. If I did then I’d be at my pre-plastics goal weight!!! Holy Cow, it seems weird to even talk about that. Me at goal THIS YEAR???!!!!!  Who’da thought that was possible?? I just need to stay positive, active, and eating well.

9-27-05

Gee, guess I've been lax on updating my profile. I am currently weighing 177 lbs. Last time I was remotely this small was back in 1990!!!! This is so awesome. Last month I bought some clothes for my birthday and I'm already shrinking out of them. Yesterday I bought size 14 petite jeans and a size medium (8-10) top!!!! HOLY SMOKES!! I did my measurements last week for my 4 month mark, and I've lost a grand total of 59.5 inches!!!!

My eating is slowly getting a little better. Yesterday for lunch I was able to eat a piece of deli ham and a slice of cheese all rolled up. I'm still not able to eat much in the meat department. Cottage cheese is still one of my best friends. But I know that eventually I'll be eating more "normally" and then I'll wish I could only eat certain foods!!

9-30-05

Well today I weigh in at 174!!! I've got 39lbs to go until my personal goal of 135!! And only 12 lbs. until the Century Club!!! It sure is amazing to have come this far in such a short time!! I'm enjoying my new size, although I won't let myself buy a bunch of new clothes!! Next week I go see the surgeon. We'll be discussing my hernia and if it should be repaired now or if it can wait.

I am having some problems with skin on my thighs. I'm getting sores there from the hanging skin "pinching". It's uncomfortable and it's leaving a bunch of scars where the sores are. Besides, it's just plain gross!! I don't know that there is anything that can be done about that unless I can get the insurance company to pay for plastic surgery on my thighs. I'm looking forward to a tummy tuck (even though it's a long ways away). My pani is looking pretty icky, now that the fat is leaving it. It's just hangy, wrinkly, ick.... and I'd LOVE to have it gone.