J S.

Send Message

Block

Add Friend

I know what you're thinking...but I'm talking about sizing here! I went shopping today and was able to fit into XL and size 16---HOORAY!! I need to update the photos soon.

I see collarbones!

So, Monday I had my first parent-teacher conferences since getting the surgery. Here's a run-down of the typical first day of conferences: get to school by 7:45am, teach until 1:10pm, attend staff meeting until 3pm, run home, sleep, get ready, return to school, conference from 5-9pm, get home at 9:30, and crash. It always amazed me that people would go out after conferences. I was always completely exhausted and struggling to even get home. This year was different. For the first time, I had energy afterwards! It felt just like any other day.

I am currently at State Debate. As we walked into the building, I recalled last year and how outraged I was that we couldn't use the elevator. Tee hee...man, was I lazy!! This time around, I have been working those stairs and not even giving it a second thought. How nice!!!

It truly is the little things!

Yesterday was the day. I sorted all of my clothes. I started at around 3 and went pretty much all day with a break here and there. I found myself tearing up every once in awhile. The whole experience was strangely moving--like a passage. I was left with 5 garbage bags ready to go to the Goodwill and friends, 1 bag of straight up trash, no spring/summer clothes I can wear, and a lot more closet space! The question now is when do I get to go shopping????

A couple of my colleagues were telling me how good I look and that I am disappearing!!

1. I can cross my legs.

2. I took the four flights of stairs at school from the first floor to the third floor. This is an accomplishment because I void these stairs like the plague. I even go out of my way to take the elevator. Prior to surgery, I would have to go slow and take a break after each flight because I was totally winded and sweating. This time, I didn't need to take any breaks, I definitely didn't sweat, and I was winded for a bit upon reaching the stop. I have vowed to do this once a day.

3. I am no longer so exhausted at the end of the day that I have to take a nap in the early evening.

4. I can sit in school desks comfortably.

5. I had to lower my rear view mirror because my cushion no longer makes me taller.

6. I am shorter.

7. I can sleep in different positions.

8. The LSW auditorium seats are comfortable and not bruising the sides of my thighs.

9. Emory no longer has his shelf.

10. The arms of my glasses don't leave marks on the sides of my face.

So, the other day, my grandma reminded me that I have a closet upstairs with some of my old clothes. She was hoping that I could get back into those clothes and maybe clean out the closet. I had forgotten all about those clothes!!! Monday night I was feeling restless, so I decided to take a look. I gazed on these clothes--clothes that I only wore for one winter. You see, back in the summer of 2002, I moved back to Omaha after living in Vegas for 4 years. January of 2002, I started doing the HMR liquid diet and got down to like 220 or 230. That's the weight I was when I came back to Omaha in July. Between July and November, I had put on some weight and had to buy some new winter clothes. These are the clothes that are in the closet. I only got to wear them for that one winter because I continued to gain weight. I picked out my favorite outfit from that winter and was amazed at how well it fit. I continued the fashion show and everything totally fit. And when I say fit, I mean fit. Not too tight at all and not tugging anywhere. The way I figure, this is the last winter I'll be able to wear these clothes. So, I'm going for it.

Yesterday, I wore my favorite of those ensembles--the black skirt and powder blue shirt. I wasn't looking forward to having to stuff my legs into hose/tights. I stopped that struggle a couple of years ago. But I found some tights and they went on incredibly easy and the outfit looked incredible. I forgot how fun it was to dress up. I used to LOVE to doll up before I got so heavy. Clothes are so comfortable when you can move freely in them, cross your legs, and not have to adjust them all the time. I had one last thing to check before I hit the door: the winter coat.

Back when I was student teaching, I had done Phen/fen and got down to like 190 or 200. My dad bought me long, black, wool dress coat. I haven't been able to wear this coat since that winter, the winter of 1997. I went upstairs and opened the closet. Damn, that is a nice coat!! I put it on. It's a tiny bit snug at the buttons, but looks fine. Besides, this is the last winter I'll probably be able to wear it.

Tuesday of this week turned out to be a a day of firsts, lasts, and time travel. Since switching on 12/17/07, I have undone 5 years of damage and struggle. I have rediscovered some amazing clothes that I can wear again, but that will be too big next winter. I'm almost ready to join the I love my DS club!!

So, I was sitting in my classroom during an off mod and preparing to relax as is my usual routine since surgery. The strangest thought crept into my mind: walking laps around the halls would be good idea. This sort of madness has NEVER happened before! And you know what, I actually got up and did a few laps--imagine, me walking laps for fun! This must certainly be an indication that my energy levels are up!!!

I finally got around to updating my photos. I decided just to focus on the photos from my monthly updates.

School has been tough, but I'm surviving. My energy is slowly returning.

Besides losing 27 pounds, another wonderful thing happened at my appointment. Dr. A removed my feeding tube!!! Life is good now; I feel like I am truly healing now.

I will be posting new photos next week at the 4 week mark. I've decided to pose in the same outfit that I wear weighing in.

Feeling good! I also went into school for a few hours. It's really neat that people are supportive and interested in what I had done. Kara, Nancy, Alan, and Amy all deserve special mention for being cool.