Kelly C.

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Feelin pretty darn good.  Got through my first night with no pain meds -- i ran out -- had a little bit of a restless night but not too bad, not like I had to get up and go to work or anything!  Total lost now is 56 lbs!  I'm going to go ahead and count the pounds that i had to lose prior to surgery.. i earned the right too.. after all it was not easy at all!  

I'm getting around a bit better now - don't need the walker at all but still need the aid of the shower chair and someone to wash my hair.  For some reason when I put both my hands up on my head to wash it myself I get to the point of passing out and I get a huge pain in the incision area.. so I have to accept that I still need help.  I went out on a few birthday errands this week.  My son's parties are this weekend.  I didn't feel it would be fair to post pone on my account so we decided to have 2 - one for family the other for his friends.  I was pretty good when we were out and about - my body pretty much tells me when I need to stop and take a rest so I pay attention to that.  I did hav one incident in the grocery store.  I chose not to have one of thoose rascal carts so decided to push one myself instead - after 30 minutes my energy was drained and I was ghostly white.  A friend of mine stopped me at the store and told me to wrap it up.  If I hadn't listened probably would have passed clean out.  So, i've been a good girl ever since so that I can have energy to play hostess (sort of).  Basically it will be my husband doing everything for the parties I will just be there like furniture.. feelin kinda bad about the inability to make my own kids cake but I know that next year will be different.  Who knows.. maybe we'll have a skating party next year and mom will get up on some skates!!

The surgery went very well - my doctor has been really impressed with my recovery.  On the firstday I got up and walked like a trooper and was even able to drink with no troubles.  I was out in 2 days which is absolutely fabulous since I had the open incision which can keep you in for 5!  I couldn't wait to get out.  they put me in with an old bitty (she was 83!) she wouldn't leave me alone - she was obviously very lonely but cornsakes.. i needed to heal tooo!  Had virtually no prolems -- at least not caused by the surgery.. the 1st day post op I had issues with the care received at the hospital.  All my IV bags were empty except one that actually needed the aid of the saline solution - so that bag was empty and i noticed my hand swelled then burned then major paid spiking up and down my arm!  My little old lady friend help me alert the nurses who did not answer my call button (15 minutes!) and determined the cuase.  the swelling is finally down and I can wear my rings again!

the only post op complaint i have is the sweating.  This is a girl who usually does not sweat now suddenly I do.. what is up with that?
Also I have turned INTO a girl.. i found myself pretty weepy on Halloween - i missed trick o r treating with kids because i couldnt' move.  i cried all day - that just isn't me!

but.. on the lighter side - doc appt today shows that I have lost a whopping 46 pounds since I started the special diet in September! Yeeha!

Wow, time sure does fly - i feel like its getting away from me now! Today we went out to get the pumpkins for the kids to carve - its important to me that we do this before I go in.  that is the control freak in me i guess - or just tradition who knows.  so today we will enjoy the gooey sweet smelling yuck that is pumpkin carving!  I still have a ton of other things I will do on wednesday.  I decided to work tomorrow but took the day off Wednesday because I figured I would be a nervous wreck.  Still not really nervous - just get all giddy from time to time.. is everything ready, do I have eveyrthing I need.. oh no what if I don't???  oh well, like everything in life we will just have to cross that bridge when we come to it!

Boy to get this over with would be great! This liquid diet thing is killing me - i'm really sick of jello!  Actually the thing I'm most sick of at this point are the questions - "are you scared yet?" or "aren't you worried about your family?"  

do people not realize that these types of questions are destructive?  i mentioned yesterday that I have made everything right about this surgery - my decision has not faultered and I am not at all nervous but those darn questions are just getting unnerving - I just want to yell "ITS A DONE DEAL FOLKS.. DEAL WITH IT!"  I do realize that all these people do care - if they didn't they wouldn't say anything at all but honestly.. enough is enough!

Houston.. everything is clear for take off!  I went in for my pre-op with the doc.  He was absolutely ecstatic about my weight loss (33 lbs in 4 weeks I might add!)  I was so happy that he was pleased.  My doctor is very good, he is also very straight forward and to the point - however, as many of you know we at this stage of the process can be a little hyper sensitive!  Yes folks, sad to say i cried at our last visit.  I had gained 2 lbs and he was very upset with me.  But, I stuck through the restricted diet and pulled through like a trooper!

I can honestly say I am ready.  I have read that others may be apprehensive - fear of the unknown and the possibility of death.  I am choosing not to think about that.   The reality of it is - if we continue to be this way, our quality of life will further deteriorate and lead ultimately to an early grave for the majority of us. Faith will pull us through to the end!

I have made peace with my decision and I have FAITH that I will pull through.  I am the first to admit have not been the best Christian.. I have a little problem waking up early on the Sundays in fact I have really lapsed in the last 2 years.  I believe that prayer has helped me get this far.  Honestly, my health has vastly improved since the beginning of my journey.  When I started I was diagnosed with hypertension (high blood pressure) I had chronic low back pain and ran great risk of Diabetes. I was put through additional tests to ensure I could make it through the surgery. I was really scared for myself - what would I do if I could not do this? Can I continue to live this way? I asked God for a favor, I began to pray about the outcome of my test results and praying for the strength to endure more - I let God know that my intensions were good and that I am doing this for the sake of my family.  I know that God believes me and knows this is not for the sake of vanity but to be able to live a better quality of life with my children and husband and live a longer life with them.  I have faith in my doctor - he has a proven reputation, over 50 individuals in my own office alone that have had the procedure.  I have faith in the hospital staff.  Check it out online St Francis Hospital (part of the Franciscan Health network) is one of the leading bariatric facilities in the nation.  I know that I will do well!

Wow time is rushing by so fast!  I made it to 30 lbs lost - - this is in 4 weeks mind you so this is a tremendous feet for me.  I see my surgeon tomorrow for preop visit then fill out all the paper work at the hospital.  not looking forward to that part - i have issues with bureacracy :D

Overall i am doing well, except for tremendous energy loss, this is due to lack of food.  This all liquid diet does wonders but its a killer on the energy - especially when you're kicking caffeine.  found myself in the coffee aisle at the grocer for a little too long today - just smelled too damn good!

I will write more after I see the doc!

Yup folks only 12 more days to my surgery! I'm stoked.  I know its not going to be easy but i'm just so darn glad to come to the finish line.  I have lost a whopping 25 pounds on the diet the doc put me on.  I see my doc for the pre-op appt on Monday.  

About the only thing I can't stand at the moment is this darn liquid diet I was put on.  He said no protein shakes - the hospital says yes to clear liquids and protein.  i put an email in to his nutritionist today because my energy level is WAY down.  I attribute this to lack of caffeine - one of the other drawbacks of prepping for surgery, you must purge the coffee from your system.  I have not had a drop of coffee nor bite of food since Sunday - pretty good but my halo is starting to look like a strobe light! Its getting harder to resist the temptation of having a nibble of dinner with the family.  I'm not sure how others block this out but I'm sure we have all been through it.. and there are only 12 more days left right?