Karen Wright

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I have to keep reminding myself that any weight loss is a good thing and to be patient!! I still look in the mirror and have a hard time seeing any significant change, but after losing 68 pounds, I know that others are seeing what I can't seem to.
 
I've been struggling with a cold for a couple of weeks, and I'm sure spending last weekend outside for 19 hours straight in the damp weather hasn't helped. But, I proved that I can still pull and all nighter!  Aug. 7 & 8 was the Allegan Co. Relay for Life, and as a member of my church team, I hung in there until the heavy rains forced us to pull up our tents about 7 am and leave 5 hours earlier than we were supposed to.  However, I did manage to walk 3 1/4 miles, and would loved to have done more. But, I still have a few gout issues, so I took it pretty easy. Six months ago though, I would have struggled to make 1/4 mile, so I've come a long way!

In the past month, I've seen two of my bariatric classmates, and boy...DO THEY LOOK FABULOUS!!!!  Way to go Marcy & Elaine!! 

There's not much else to report at this time, so until next time...good luck to all my OH friends and KEEP LOSING!!

   Murphy's Law states..."Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong". That's me in a nut shell!! Just as my left foot was starting to get better from that dreaded gout, and I was starting to walk and ride my bike for exercise...the right foot started feeling left out! Yep, you guessed it...GOUT ATTACK!! The good thing is it isn't nearly as bad, and although I can still wear shoes, I'm not able to do much walking. After speaking with the dietitian, it was determined that I can't lower my protein intake any more than I already have, so I have to resign myself to the fact that my weight loss will be slower than I'd expected. Notice I said "slower than I'd expected", which only proves that it isn't me that's in control, it's my Almighty God! I've professed from the very beginning of this journey that I was putting this all in His hands, and now I'm facing the reality of those words. Besides, I have no reason to be discouraged! I've lost 58-60 pounds (depending on which scale I weigh in on...I choose the one that shows the greater loss!!), and as was posted by one of my OH friends, my tummy doesn't hit the steering wheel, plus I can talk without getting out of breath, the undies are starting to bag, and even my shoes fit differently! But best of all was the reaction of a cousin I hadn't seen since just a few days after my surgery. Her reaction was priceless, and meant the world to me! OK, I guess my number 1 reason to keep going and succeeding is the look of love, admiration, and encouragement I get from my husband. His eyes speak volumes!!
   So, for any of you that are feeling discouraged...fight it! You can do this!!! We've all come too far to give in to negative thoughts! Keep checking this fabulous website for encouragement, support and helpful suggestions.
   Until next time "loser's"!

   The past two months have been unbelievable! Of course things never go as planned, and you'd think that with my advanced age I'd have learned by now to expect the unexpected.
   As previously reported, I developed gout in my left foot a few days after surgery, and it has been an uphill battle ever since. Exercise has been non-existent, and that has really bothered me...until this week. I had an appointment with my cardiologist this past week, and his words gave me a new perspective. He reminded me that, even though I've had the surgery, my heart is still damaged from the heart attack I had  7 years ago. So, was the foot issue God's way of allowing me to take it easy and give my body time to heal without causing undue stress to my heart? Something to think about! It's funny how things can work out for our own good even though we don't see it at the time. Now, when the foot has healed and the exercise routines begin, my body and heart will be in sync! I have an amazing God who truly knows best!
  After meeting with my dietitian today I'm thrilled to report that, after 2 months, I've lost 46 pounds and have graduated to the "general diet". My prayer is that I'll be able to tolerate salads, because that is one thing I have missed immensely! I love fresh vegetables, and with summer at our doorstep, I can't wait to experience the "crunch" of lettuce, cucumber, and all that good stuff!
   As I continue this journey, I am more and more aware that there are others like me that need, not only the love and support of family and friends, but the support of OH.com friends that lift us up, know what we face, and are willing to reach out and give encouraging words and support to complete strangers.
For the first time in my life, I'm proud to be a "looser" and to have an amazing bunch of "looser" friends!
  
 

The bad news is...the left foot with the gout is still giving me grief! The good news is...I'm down 31lbs. from my pre-op weigh in.  My cardiologist put me back on all my meds, and that seemed to make a world of difference, since it turned out I was retaining quite a bit of water, and that's why I hadn't been seeing much of a weightloss. I am continuing to pray that I'll soon be able to start an exercise program once this foot quits hurting so much. Guess it's time to hit Craig's List to check out some equipment.

It's been 10 days since my surgery, and I HAD been doing great! So great I thought I'd bop into the surgeon's office this past Tuesday and have them amazed at how well I was doing! God always has His own plan though...last Saturday night my foot started to hurt a bit, and then a bit worse on Sunday. On Monday it hurt to walk, and by Tuesday it was double in size and I couldn't even stand. Because of this, I entered the surgeon's office in a wheel chair where I was told I had gout, although from the surgery standpoint I was doing great! After spending 2 hours in my primary physicians office trying to find a medication I could take that wouldn't affect my new pouch, I went home and cried like a baby. Mostly because of the pain and the fact I was scared, but also because I knew this was going to affect my weight loss by not being able to walk...and I had really been trying hard to get in as much walk time as possible. My husband's time off work ended on April 1, and it was back to work for him that night (he's a 3rd shifter), so my daughter came to spend the night and she took very good care of me. Today I'm able to walk without the crutches, although there is still quite a bit of swelling and pain. I also had my post-op dietician appointment today, and as I expected, the weight-loss wasn't what I'd hoped for. The good news was that I got great marks for my fluid and protein intake. In fact, Krista (my dietician), said I could even cut back on the protein! WOW, I guess all my efforts at keeping a good record, scouring bariatric websites for protein shake recipes (variety is the spice of life), and other options for using the protein, really paid off! I'll start the blended/pureed diet on Monday. I'm praying my foot will be even better tomorrow, and when my granddaughters are at my house next week for spring break, we'll be able to hit the sidewalks and start walking. By my next appointments with the surgeon and the dietician, I fully expect to see a significient weight loss! Thanks to the wise words of my daughter..."Mom, the weight will come off, but the most important thing is to get healthy"  (I raised a very smart kid!!), I've decided she's right and I'm forgetting about the scales for now! For those of you that are struggling for whatever reason...hang in there, the results will be well worth it, and also know that you are not alone.

I arrived home around 1:30pm today, March 25th, and I must say, I'm so glad to be home. So far so good, but I have a slight cough, so those that have gone through surgery already, you can imagine how uncomfortable that it for me!
My surgery went extremely well, for which I as so grateful. I have to admit that I was a bit concerned. Not for lack of confidence in the incredible Dr. V and Karen, but because of my past heart attack and the damage that resulted because of it. Anyway, I had nothing to fear, because my God was right beside me the entire way and I had the best doctor and PA in the Kzoo area!!!!!
My last day in the hospital was incredible too! The nurse that was assigned to me this morning was my very first OH.com friend, Julie! What a wonderful experience to meet her after befriending her here on this web site only a few short months ago. And to hear her story and how far she has come since her surgery in January...well it was all too amazing for words.
I'm getting a bit tired after this very exciting day, so I'll close now thanking you, my dear OH.com friends, for all for your prayers, words of encouragement and support. And to offer any encouragement that I can for those of you that have yet to arrive at your surgery date, or those that may be undecided...it's never too late to take control of your life, and I for one am completely positive that this was the right decision for me!!
There will be more to come as I continue on this incredible journey.

   The road I've been traveling for the past few months is about to come to an end, and a bright new one is just around the corner. Monday (March 23) is the big day, and I'm like a kid at Christmas! My insides are just shaking in anticipation!!
   Yesterday I was on some sort of adrenaline rush trying to get as much work done ahead of time at the church as possible. Today, I think I crashed! I had my therapeutic massage last evening and I could feel most of the tension leave my shoulders. Now if I can just make it through tomorrow (Sat.), I'll be ready to start the prep on Sun. and then it will certainly become real!
   Congratulations to my classmates that have gone before me. Your words of encouragement mean the world to me. The truly wonderful thing about all of this is that you ladies are ahead of me on this new road I'll be traveling, but not so far ahead that I can't hear you cheering me on!

Well, I guess my system isn't used to so much milk.  I spoke with the dietitian today about my "little problem", and it seems I'm showing symptoms of being lactose intolerant.  It may improve or I may have to switch to soy milk. Today was a tad better, but luckily I was home all day. I've never had a problem with milk/milk products before, but I've also never been a milk drinker, so I'm sure my body is freaking out. It's probably wondering where the ice cream is!
Other than that, things are going pretty well. The Carnation Instant Breakfast doesn't taste half bad, getting in the required liquids is not problem (I've always been a heavy drinker hehe), and I have yet to feel hungry.
I can't wait for my red letter day to arrive! March 23rd will be here before I know it, and the start of something truly exciting and amazing!

I've made it though the first day of liquids, but boy, last night was rough! Not that I wanted to eat, but the Carnation Instant Breakfast played havoc with my system, and let's just say I'm glad the bathroom is right across from my bedroom!!  Doing much better today.

I went for an Upper GI, all of my pre-surgery testing and met with my surgeon for my final consultation before surgery. The next time I see him we'll probably both be wearing funny hats and I'll be in the lovely hospital gown! Oh, and that Upper GI...wow! I've never had one before, but I pretty much knew what to expect since hubby is an x-ray tech. Although rolling around on the table so that the barium could coat the stomach had to be a sight. I just hope that there wasn't a hidden camera...I'd hate for it to show up on "America's Funniest Hospital Video's" !

Looking ahead at the calendar, I realized that on my birthday, March 12th, I'll be enjoying that "scrumptious" full liquid diet!! So...what's a girl to do?  Celebrate early, that's what!!! I had a most pleasant evening with my kid's and their spouses, and of course that great man that has put up with me for over 38 years!!! I know I asked the question in an earlier blog about why people think everything we do has to involve food, but there we were the six of us, having a great dinner at a great restaurant! 

I couldn't help but wonder as I looked at my daughter and son, "How has my food issues and obesity affected them throughout their lives?", as I'm sure it has. Maybe not my son so much, but certainly my daughter. My own mother has struggled with weight, as have my husband's mother and sisters. While in high school, I remember my daughter thinking that wearing a size 12 made her huge. While she's never had an eating disorder, I have been concerned in the past that she isn't getting the proper nutrition. She mentioned last night that she feels very healthy (she does look much better), but she no longer wears a size 1!!! Hello....my leg is larger than a size 1!!!! I'm sure that the family history of obesity (on both sides), has had a deep affect on her and how she deals with food and the fear of it happening to her...for that I am deeply sorry.

Anyway, the evening was very pleasant, hugs and kisses all around, along with undying love and support. I have to be the luckiest woman alive, and I intend on keeping it that way. March 23rd will be here before I know it, and with a family like mine...FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION!!!!!!!