Hellen

Send Message

Block

Add Friend

I was running a couple of errands today & dropped by my PCP's office so I could pilfer a moment on her scale....

NO MORE DOO-HICKY! I weighed in at 350 pounds on the dot...  I'm in shock, folks. That means I've lost 34 pounds in 19 days. Now - before everyone goes 'OOOHHH, AAAHHH, WOW...' you have to remember that I started out needing to lose 234 pounds, so I've still got 200 to go.

But this is a definite WOW moment and I'm proud to share it with everyone here!

Love & hugs, 
Hellen

I went & checked in with my PCP today - the first time I've seen her since surgery approval. And, yes, I weighed in her office.

On her scales (the older model where you have to add the little doo-hicky for those of us over 350...), I weighed 361.  That's a total of 23 pounds lost, 12 since my MUSC follow up. 

Wow...

I know I don't sound excited, but I think I'm really in shock. I see a little difference & Debbie says she sees some.

Wow...

In 2 more weeks, I go back to Dr. Byrne for my 1 month checkup.  Who knows what it'll be then?!

Folks, I'm not gonna lie to ya'! (And for those who've already been thru this stage, you know I'm telling the truth) It's NOT easy!  Robin warned me about the boredom of pureed foods & frustration.  I am feeling some of that now.  HOWEVER! That in no way means I'm giving up!!! FAR FROM IT!!! 

It's like when I quit smoking (yes, 24 years of it!), I pretty much quit cold turkey after having a near-fatal bout of influenza & bronchitis.  Every day after that was a challenge, but it did get easier & I thank the good Lord for making me smoke-free for 5+ years now.

If I can do that - I know I will stick with this for the rest of my life because I've got plans!  They involve:

A motorcycle
Road trips
Shock therapy for family & friends
Enjoying life all over again!

Thanks for listening -
love & hugs always...

This is the first of what I aim to make MANY, MANY happy posts, folks!

I had my first post-op check up at MUSC, saw Debra (the financial wizard who has lost 101 pounds), the nurse Robin (has to be a gem with that name), saw my PA (a doll named Diana) and Debbie, the dietician.

I have lost 10 pounds 4 ounces and had the drain removed (thank heavens!), everything looks fine.  I did have a chat with Debbie, tho - I seriously didn't think I would have such a challenge getting in all the water, fluids, protein, vitamins, etc., etc., etc. But I do know it will take time.  EVERYONE has stressed the importance of sip, sip, sip, so I'm going to set goals for myself at several points throughout the day to have a certain amount of fluids in.  So for everyone who keeps telling me to sip, sip, sip - keep it up, up, up!  I will do the same...

Well, I have about 1/2" of my right butt cheek on the loser's bench now - thanks for making room everyone!

Love you all!  {{Hugs}}  Hellen

  

I am home folks - in my own bed, my own chair & doing fine. Debbie is the best caretaker a person could ask for. Last night (my first night home) I took some pain meds, slept 4 hours, got up, took some more, went back to sleep, did this one more time & got up about 9am.  So far I've emptied my drain twice, drank some juice, and watched a little tv.  I promise, I'm not overdoing it. As soon as I finish this post, I'm going back to my living room to nod off a while.  Gonna get some protein in me & some vitamins, calcium, B12, etc. slowly but surely.  I do still feel like a Mack truck hit me, but I know this will ease off quickly.

Thank-you EVERYONE for your kind thoughts, prayers & visits.  It was soooo fantastic to see Robin, Rebecca & Kay! I'm sure I was a horrid sight, but luckily friends don't care...  

Love to you all!  Gonna go crash now...

{{Hugs}} Hellen

Well, to be perfectly honest, it didn't start out a good day at all. 

My stepson, Bryan, called us after midnight (yes, it's true - calls late at night usually mean bad news).  He'd gotten home after being at a friend's and noticed the dogs (our "grans" the pit bull "Buck" & the mix "Uno") were acting really funny.  It took some work, but Bryan got them in the house & discovered they'd both been bitten by a snake.  To make a long, sad story short - he got them to the emergency vet hospital on Montague.  Uno was beyond redemption, so they had to put her down.  She was a sweet puppy & we'll miss her.  Buck seems to be okay, he's on Tylenol & antibiotics.  Bryan has him over here at our house and they'll be staying here while I'm in the hospital and Debbie's with me.

It's 10:15pm & I'm somewhat packed.  I have to be at the hospital at 8:30am & the surgery's between 10am & 10:30.  So it's 12 hours and counting down!  I'm excited, nervous, anxious, but REALLY READY TO GET THIS SHOW ON THE ROAD!

Thank-you ever so much to each & every person who is supporting me thru this journey.  I get so tickled at Robin - she was about to bounce out of the chair at lunch today!!  You're a trip, girlfriend, & I love you dearly.

Rebecca - take good notes at class next week & hopefully I'll see you at MUSC!

Love & Hugs (as this will be my last post 'til I get home)...
Hellen }i{

The countdown continues...  According to my little clock (set for 8am on Wednesday, 9/12/07), it's 5 days, 10 hours, 38 minutes, and some seconds...  Cute, huh?

                           }i{  
Before I go into any details with my post, I have to recognize & thank THE most important person in my life - the ONE that I've spent the last 15 years of my life with (9/5 was our anniversary), who has loved me & accepted me under ALL conditions & ALL sizes (small, medium, large, x-large, you get the picture):

                                 My Debbie
 - thank you is never enough, but I hope "I love you" is.
                            }i{

I am a mix of emotions - excited, anxious, scared, happy, etc., etc., etc.,

I ordered some liquid protein (New Whey 3.1 oz) with 42 grams of protein each and some liquid calcium (Tropical Oasis) and both came in today.  So that is my initial entourage along with some chewable Centrum Silver Vitamins and B12 Dots.  The only thing left to do is wait and have Debbie pick up a few things at the grocery store when I get home from the hospital.

We're gonna go do a little shopping this weekend. I'm going to see if I can find a half-way decent robe/gown and a pair of slippers.  If not, I'll submit to hospital gowns & socks with non-slip (sure...) soles.  I'm not gonna care what I'm wearing anyway. 

I just pray for a successful surgery and quick recovery! So to whoever reads this, I ask for a short prayer, crossed fingers, and good wishes...

My love - Hellen 

#1: My grandson Sebastian had his first day at school & wants to go back!!!!  He said he liked it & will go back tomorrow to learn some more 'stuff".  Makes a grandmother proud... 

#2: I had my pre-ops today & passed!  I didn't think there'd be a problem, but I'm just glad that the next step is over with.  I had the gall bladder ultrasound, met with the dietician, Dr. Byrne's assistant, the assistant's student, Dr. Byrne (about 45 seconds, but I don't mind), the financial person (who by the way, is one of the most awesome women I have ever had the pleasure to meet - also a WLS proponent!), was pre-admitted, had blood drawn, an EKG, & met with the anesthesiologist's RN.  Next step: stocking my kitchen. After that: surgery on 9/12/07!


Thank-you, Lord, for being with me and my friends during this exciting journey to a better life! In Jesus' name, Amen.

This post is purely selfish. I just wanted to sit down and write what I feel, what's going on, what's NOT going on, etc. My day started fairly routinely.  D & I got up, got our showers, left for work. We both cross a bridge before going into Charleston & it's one of my most favorite spots on earth because I see the sunrise in the morning & sometimes the sunset coming home. It goes over the river that separates Johns Island from the mainland.  I usually say my prayers as I'm going over that bridge, even if it's just a simple "Thank-you, Lord".  Today, tho, before I got to the bridge, I discovered the most wonderful sense of peace had come into my soul.  I can't really describe the feeling.  Just know that I pray everyone feels it sometime in their life.  God has blessed D & I in so very many ways.

Work is great! I'm really enjoying my new position at Verizon Wireless.  I'm learning something new every day.

Monday, the 27th, I go for my pre-op tests.  Mainly a gall bladder ultrasound.  Afterwards, I go for my pre-op work up & meet with the anesthesiologist.  I'll find out exactly when my surgery is.  It's only 19 days from the writing of this post.  Like I told a friend today - I'm nervous, excited, anxious, and impatient all in one! 

Thank-you, Lord & Thank-you, my friends!

Epiphany - a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.

I went to the feed store yesterday to get a bag of dog food for our two "grandkids" - a pit bull & a mix.  Now these two can eat, so we get a 50-lb. bag that lasts a while.  When I got home, I backed up the SUV to the front door, slung the bag over my shoulder & took it in the house. When I reached the kitchen (their food bin is in the pantry), I suddenly stopped (with the bag still on my shoulder) & realized....  Hellen - YOU weigh almost 8X this bag of dog food!  No wonder you hurt when you walk, can't breathe, have trouble sleeping, don't fit in a car, etc., etc., etc.  Y'all know the drill.

But by the grace of God, family and friends who support me, and the intervention of an appeals committee - that's going to change starting Wednesday, September 12th, 2007.  

And I proclaim here & now to every person that reads this that I am going to have that date tattooed somewhere on my body when I get to goal!  

Whatcha think, gang?!   or

I HAVE BEEN APPROVED!!!! My surgery date is September 12th!!!!


I have to share the story with you all: 

My 2nd appeal went to the appeals committee (I think I bored everyone with my pleas of help...) and today was the day. I was supposed to be called at 9:55am to state my case & answer questions. Well, at 10:10am I still hadn't heard anything so Robin (my pushy little angel), said call the processor NOW! I did. He said they must be running late and right then, my phone beeped with an incoming call. He said it's probably them, but if not, call him right back. 

I answered the call & this angelic voice came on the line, saying "Hi, Hellen - my name is Carolyn & I'm the facilitator of the committee. I'm sorry we're running a little late, but I wanted to call you to let you know that we've already reviewed your case & you've been approved." I practically shrieked in the woman's ear "REALLY!!!!???". I could hear her smiling when she answered, "really". Well, after I finished thanking her a 101 times, I hung up & immediately called Lisa at Dr. Byrne's office. She set me up with my surgery date in 10 minutes and called me back with my pre-op tests in 30. I love that woman!

I then went across the building at work, found Robin & told her.  We hugged & cried & cried & hugged. In front of God & everybody at Verizon Wireless in the COOS department! We didn't care!

So, again - thanks to everyone who contributed to saving my sanity thru this step. I'm a little closer to starting a new life.  AND REMEMBER - I'M HERE FOR ALL OF YOU, TOO!  

Hellen