legal-diva

Send Message

Block

Add Friend

Well, I am six years post-op and I consider myself to be still blessed.  I never got down to a size 10, but in living, I found that it was not meant for me to.  I am so happy in my life with the me that I am that all that I can do is thank God for having given me this opportunity.  I am healthy and on no medications, which is a far cry from where I was when I began this journey.  I can shop just about anywhere that I want to shop.  I did go through a divorce, but I have found love again with a man who loves me not for how I do or do not look, but for the woman that I am.  I am now a practicing attorney.  For those that do not know, I had my surgery during my first year of law school.  I now am a Domestic Violence Prosecutor and I absolutely love what I do.  I am affectionately known as the Lady Pitbull, lol.  My children are now very grown up--my daughter is 18 and about to begin her last year of high school and, my son is 15 and about to be a sophomore in high schoo.  They have been with me throughout every struggle that I have endured and I love them with every fiber of my being.

People, including some of my immediate family, said that I changed after I lost the weight.  I used to argue with them that I did not.  However, after reflecting, I guess I did change.  It was not in a bad way but a necessary way.  They just were not prepared for those changes, nor accepting of them.  I ceased to be the woman who would simply take what was given to her because she thought that was all she could get.  I now demand respect and accept no less than what I feel that I deserve--from ANYONE.  I do me and no can do me better than me.  That's just how it is. 

Gotta get back in the courtroom soon, so i'd better have some lunch but, I just wanted to post a little update since I have not done so in a very long time.  I look forward to reconnecting with some old friends and maybe some new ones here.

Take Care,
Tracey

Well, it has been quite a while since I updated my profile. My life has just changed so much since having this surgery. I feel good and I look good. I have never been able to say those things about myself before. I love shoppint! It is so nice to go shopping and your problem is that the stuff is too big instead of too small. I have been so blessed. I am fininshing up my second year of law school and only have one more to go. My husband and I were approved to have a home built and will be moving in July. I have to admit that due to my hectic schedule, I have slacked off my workouts, but I am happy to say that as of last week, I resumed that. To anyone out there reading my profile, just know that this was so worth it for me and I would do it again in a heartbeat. My life has changed 200%! Just remember to make the decision for yourself and no one else. Stay up.

Today was a wonderful day. It started yesterday when I went to the mall to look for a sweater for my son. I decided to stop in a store and look at some Baby Phat jeans. One of my goals has been to be able to fit into a pair of them. They only had a pair of 18's. I went ahead and tried them on with the mindset that if they did not fit, I at least could see how far I had to go to get into them. Well, SURPRISE, they fit. I spent $74 for that pair of jeans and $79 for a coordinating sweater. I did not care. It felt so good! It was my first pair of designer jeans. I could not believe that it was me in that dressing room mirror. Today, my kids and I went to have portraits done at a Glamour Shots studio. It was so much fun! The different poses that I was able to do, the make up, everything. When we were viewing the pictures to pick out the one's I wanted to order, I just could not believe the difference. Just six short months ago, I was 367 lbs, suffering from high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc., and taking 5 pills a day. Today, I take NO MEDICATION except my vitamins. I am able to take the stairs at school. I even gave up my rolling back pack for a traditional one so that I can take the stairs. I don't worry about getting the closest parking spot when I go to the store. It is so amazing. I have been so blessed, and to top it off, I have great friends and family that accompany me on this journey. The other day, I went to Macaroni Grill with two of my best friends and they came in with balloons with "100" on them in celebration of my reaching the century mark. I could not believe it. It is truly amazing. If I could tell pre-op individuals anything it would be to surround yourself with positive people that will uplift you and to go into this with an attitude that failure is not an option. This is a tool and it can and will work for you if you work it.

CENTURY CLUB CENTURY CLUB CENTURY CLUB

I know that it has been a while since I last updated my profile, but the second year of law school is no easier than the first. Needless to say, my time is very limited. I don't even get the check the boards like I used to. But, I still have love for everyone.

Today is my six month anniversary for my rebirth. I went for my six month appointment yesterday. My surgeon said that I should be his poster child for this surgery because I have had no problems and am doing everything that I should. That made me feel really good. He just doesn't know. I must succeed at this. Hell!! I have succeeded at this. I have lost 100 pounds!!!!!! I am over half way to my goal, and God is with me and I know that he will NOT let me fail.

I have not worked out in 2 weeks. I lost my father on Halloween and it has been extremely difficult. One good thing is that I did not turn to food as I would have in the past. I see now that I don't have to lean on food. I have friends for that, and they more than stepped up for me. If I could tell others anything, it is that food has its purpose, but it should never be a crutch and it is not a best friend.

I will try to do better updating. Hopefully, at least once a month. I also need to post new pics. Well, for now, I'm out.

I am so pumped!! I have achieved yet another goal in this fantastic journey. I AM UNDER 300 POUNDS!!! I have not been under 300lbs in over 13 years. I could not believe it. No, I take that back. I believe it. I have been doing what my surgeon and nutritionist tells me to do and I have seen results. I am so happy for this tool. I went home to visit my mom and grandma over the weekend and I am proud to say that I got up every morning and walked. My family is proud of me and that makes things even better. I have also added strength training to my workout. I went to the YMCA yesterday and met with a wellness coach who helped me to set up a workout. I felt great after completing the workout. Tonight, I went back to the Y and did 10 minutes on the eliptical machine and 30 minutes of cardio on the treadmill. My wellness coach said that there should be 48 hours between workouts w/ weights to allow my muscles to heal. So, I will not do those again until Thursday.

I am also pumped because I will be going to Michigan this weekend to check on some family. However, while I am there, I will get to see PRINCE again. I cannot wait! Of course, I will have front row seats again. If I am lucky, I will be chosen to go on stage. If I am, Lawd have mercy on that man!!!! Cause it will be ugly. Well, I need to go take a shower. I worked up quite a sweat tonight. I'll holla!

I know that it has been forever since I updated, but, I AM NOW ON THE LOSING SIDE!! All praises to God. He brought me through this and my experience has been exceptional. Thanks to my angel, Keisha. I know that she thinks that she was a bad angel, but she was not---in any way. Thanks also to Cookie Luscious (Hope) for calling me in the hospital. Thanks also to those who prayed for me.

On 5/11 at 5:15am, my wonderful husband, who was unable to sleep the night before, drove me to St.Vincents Hospital. He was so nurturing. I have seen this side of him before, but this time was different. I was checked in and then a nurse came to get me so that I could change my clothes. My hubby could not go back with me at that time. The staff was phenomenal. Each person that I came in contact with was caring and understanding of what I was about to undertake. I was given a gown, TED hose and footies. Unfortunately, I was on my period, so I had to wear those wonderful mesh panties and a sanitary napkin. My vitals were taken and some blood. Separately, Dr. Huse and the anesthesiologist came in to speak to me. They told me exactly what was going to happen and were very effective at putting me at ease. My husband was then brought back to join me. We talked and shared together until the nurse came to get me. She walked me down the hall to the OR and I got on the very narrow table. My legs were strapped down and my IV was started. It was sooooo.... bright in there. The anesthesiologist administered the medication and asked me if I felt anything. I said "No." The next thing I remember was waking up in my room!!! I'd made it to the other side.

I don't remember much from that first day except what people tell me. Basically, I was out of it. The worse part was the NG Tube that went through my nose and down my throat. That shit was painful, but, it was taken out the next morning. I was blessed and had no drainage tubes. I had a PCA pump w/ Morphine so the pain was very manageable. I was on a ice diet for that day. The following day, the NG tube was removed as well as everything else except for my IV. Dr. Huse was extremely pleased at how well I was doing. I began walking the first night and walked several times during each day of my stay. By the 3rd day, I just felt like I was there watching television. My surgeon came in on 5/14 and asked me if I had pain and I said "No". He said, "What are you doing here then?" I called my husband immediately. Got my happy ass in the shower, said my goodbyes, and I was out.

As of today, 8 days post-op, I have not had any pain meds since the day of my release. Praise God. I have had trouble getting in my fluids and protein, but, tonight, I finally did it!!! I am finding that, generally, I must make myself eat because I am never really hungry. Again, I have to thank my angel, Keisha, for being their to answer all of my questions and encourage me.

I also don't want to forget the ladies that walked the halls with me. They were awesome and I hope to talk to them again. Until later, Peace.

Well, I know that I said in my last post that I was not going to cut my hair until after surgery. I lied. I went and had it cut really short. It is similar to Fantasia Barrino's on American Idol w/ the spikes in the top. Rather fly if I say so my damn self!!! I am so tired right now, it is unreal. Last night, I went to see PRINCE, yes, I said PRINCE. It was awesome. And, to top that, I had FRONT ROW SEATS. That is one fine 45 year old man. He was as sharp as a tack!! Cream colored suit w/ red pin stripes, a red high collar shirt, and a red hat. I'm telling you, if he had propositioned me, my husband would have just had to be mad---he would have gotten over it!!! He played for over two hours and coups de gras was that he concluded the show w/ a stirring rendition of Purple Rain. This was the 20th anniversary of the album and movie and the last time he is going to perform his old hits. It was too much.

I am now in my last full week of class and it is now less than 30 days until my re-birth. I am pretty calm right now. I don't focus on the surgery any longer. Just taking it one day at a time. I ordered some protein samples tonight and will probably go out and buy a hand mixer etc. this weekend. I don't think that I am going to buy too much ahead of time because everyone says that your tastes change after surgery. My grandmother has told me that she is going to make a "Christmas Dinner" for me for my last meal/mother's day. You know the usual--turkey, dressing, fried corn, mac and cheese, caramel cake. Yeah, she is going to throw down.

Well, I am gonna lay down. I had not updated in a while so I thought that I ought to do so. Peace