MADE IT!!!

Well, I've conquered two Christmas parties and a dinner before a show ... I'm good to go!!
We had our annual ornament party at my daughter's house last Sunday and even though I had been sick and was really tired after the previous week of the feeding the homeless ministry at church which I was chairman of, I didn't give in to the spread of delicious looking and smelling food!! I took some of my homemade chicken salad and had that along with a couple of crackers and didn't feel as though I was missing out on anything! Before surgery, times of fatigue and sickness was a time to EAT!! Actually, it didn't take much to have an excuse to eat, but those two stress factors were big “reasons” to eat. To top things off, that evening, we had the Tree Trim Service at church which is followed by lots and lots of goodies to eat ... I fixed myself a cup of flavored caffeine free hot tea ... that was it, all I needed ... no worries, no feelings of missing out ...no problems!! Last night my mom, my daughter, her mother-in-law and I went to see Cirque Dreams, Jungle Fantasy and dinner before at Freemason Abby's .. they all ordered Prime Rib and I ordered a Chicken and Pasta dish. I ate a bite of their salad, a pinch of a roll, my 2 or so ounces of the chicken, a small bite of prime rib, a bite of roasted potato and an asparagus end ... taking a bite of this and that (from foods that are allowed) from other's plates along with the protein portions I need are all I need to satisfy my appetite for the variety of foods others are eating. I can't explain it ... I just don't have the cravings for food .. I do like to taste this and that on special occasions like last night's dinner, but once I get my 3 ½ or 4 ounces of food, I'm DONE!! Even taking my husband for dessert Tuesday night at Ruby Tuesday's didn't bother me .. I drank my water with lemon and organized my last minute Christmas gift list .. although that Blonde Brownie smelled wonderful ... never once did I want to take a bite! It's been six months, yesterday, since surgery and I've lost 111 pounds ... NOTHING TASTE AS GOOD AS FEELING THIN IS!!! I have gone from a size 26-28 to 16-18 ... WHOO HOO!!!! I truly feels fabulous ... I can't wait to hit a size 14 ... haven't seen that in I cant remember when!!!! AND THE JOURNEY CONTINUES!!!!

FIRST OF MANY CHRISTMAS GET TOGETHER'S TOMORROW

Well, tomorrow is our annual "Ornament Party", where a bunch of us gals get together to share in laughter, love, an ornament exchange and FOOD! I really am not anxious about it though cause this morning on the scales I was down once again ... a total of 109 pounds!!! I am in a size 16 Gloria Vanderbilt jeans, I started this journey wearing a size 26-28!!! WHOO HOO ... a saying that has been passed on to me which is my motto now is ... "Nothing tastes as good as being thin is"!!!! YeeHaa!! I still have 46 pounds to go to meet the Doctor's goal and 66 to meet mine :-) Full steam ahead!!!

Preparation for events like these during the Holidays, I believe, is preparation, preparation, preparation! I am taking homemade chicken salad which I will be able to eat with a cracker or two and if anyone brings veggies or fruit ... BONUS!! I also am making fudge, not for me to consume ... hehehe ... but I'll tell everyone as I always do ... eat a piece for me and tell me how good it is. That seems to satisfy me ... give it a smell and let me know it's yummy! It's all a mind game you know ... and I intend to outwit my mind :-)

On my way for labs ... my 6 month check up in coming up in 2 weeks. My projected goal for my 6 month mark which will be December 11th is to have lost 111 pounds ... by golly, I think I'll make it!!!

WOW ... Where have I been?

Very busy and very active!! As of today, 5 months out, I've lost 107 pounds!!! I made it through Thanksgiving with no worries :-) Went Thursday, Friday and Saturday and lost 3 pounds ... whoohoo!! This has been the best thing I have ever done in terms of weight loss and I can't believe I've waited as long as I have ... if you have struggled with your weight and thought about surgery, I strongly recommend getting more information. Research for a specialist close to you and get informed!!! I will be keeping my blog updated and hope to be a means of encouragement for anyone considering or who have had weight loss surgery .... it's the bomb!!!

11 DOWN ... and counting !!!!!

One week out ... and doing great! Surgery went well, however I do want to share one thing for anyone who might be looking ahead at the surgery. They tell you that you will be uncomfortable from the gas they pump into your abdominal cavity in order to perform the laparoscopic surgery and the best thing for it is to get up and walk .... listen to them!!! For me, that was more uncomfortable than the surgery itself. I got up and walked 4 times the day of surgery. Whenever I would get too uncomfortable, I'd ask to get up and walk ... it helps!!!! I'm feeling great now ... having some issues with my blood pressure, but we're working on getting that straight, but the best news is I've already lost 11 pounds!!!!! It's just unbelievable .... one week post surgery and 11 pounds dropped .... WOW!
The diet is, for me, very easy to follow. Canned white chicken meat, tuna in water, low fat cottage cheese, rotisserie chicken, baked fish ... not much to remember .... but the amazing thing is ... I am always full!!! I don't get hungry, I have to remind myself it's time to eat. I have found the protein drinks are more like a dessert to me ... chocolate and vanilla ... yummy! The chocolate tastes like chocolate pudding ... I sometimes make the vanilla with sugar-free, non-carbonated, caffeine free orange drink ... tastes like a dreamcicle ... double yummy!!
I have been extremely blessed having my family and friends supporting me, it makes the journey much easier when we have a support group helping us along. I am looking forward to the weeks and months ahead ... getting my blood pressure normal, getting more and more active, feeling more energetic, and oh yes, let's not forget ... shopping !!!!! The journey to a healthier, happier me has begun .... I can't wait to see what's ahead!!

Surgery day is set and things are moving forward! Wednesday, June 11th is the big day... it's right around the corner ... I'm getting very excited!! We have some things we want to get accomplished before the big day and this past weekend we worked on several of those projects. We're still working on getting the backyard landscaped since the pool was installed last summer and we want to finish the kitchen remodel and paint the living room and dining room. I'm finishing some art projects for the kitchen and plan to make new curtains for the LR, DR and Kitchen ... we have 7 weeks!!

This coming weekend I'm taking a few days for some relaxation ... it's girl's weekend at Nags Head .... a cottage full of scrapbooking chicks ... fun, fun, fun ... all I know is it has a hot tub ... can't wait!!! Then back to the grind ... Relay For Life is two weeks before surgery, so in addition to the house projects, I'll be busy getting last minute things done for the Relay event.

I'm so looking forward to this new chapter of my life where so many doors will be opened ... we went to see the Virginia International Tattoo at Scope this weekend ... I kept thinking how nice it will be next year when the seats won't be as uncomfortable!! The projects will go a lot faster when I don't get tired so easily ... and oh yeah ... I can't wait to go shopping for some cute outfits!!!!!

Thank you all for the support you have shown ... God has surrounded me with friends and family that are truly wonderful ... I am so blessed. The Lord speaks to us in many ways and I feel He often speaks to me through those around me and the love they show. His strength is what makes it so easy to step forward in this journey ... I trust in His guidance as things move forward.

Stay tuned ........................

Pre-Op Preparations Continue ...

Well, things are moving forward. I've had several doctor appointments including the psychiatrist (I think I even passed the test!!! ... LOL) and I've met with the dietitian. Eddie has gone with me to every appointment with the exception of the psychiatrist, I didn't want him to expose my true craziness!! I've gained volumes of information so far and know I'll be learning more and more as this journey continues. We are looking forward to the next support group meeting where chefs from various local restaurants will help us with choices when ordering from menus post surgery. My labs will be done this week and I have a colonoscopy (yee ha!!) scheduled for the middle of May and I will get the surgery date the week of April 21st.

I'm very busy these days with a number of projects. In addition to my full time job as daycare provider, during nap time and when the kiddies are cooperative, I'm busy planning for our local Relay For Life Event to be held the end of May. I'm in charge of the activities for the children that attend the event and am working with local businesses and student and adult volunteers to provide fun activities for the children into the wee hours of the night. I also am planning a Church Wide Cookout at our church, Port Norfolk Baptist located here in Portsmouth, VA. In addition, Eddie and I have been doing some renovations to the house for the past year and are in the middle of remodeling the kitchen, getting some patio and lawn work done in the backyard in preparation for the opening of the pool and we're doing some painting and redecorating in other areas of the house ... FUN, FUN, FUN!!!

I can't wait until I'm able to do activities like this with ease and I'm sure I'll be able to complete the tasks much sooner as I loose the weight. I'm very excited about the future and look forward to getting the surgery date soon, hopefully it will be the middle of June ... more to come :-))

Scheduling ... Scheduling ... Scheduling

And I'm off ... the scheduling is in full mode. I have appointments with doctors, dietitians, for lab work ..... and more appointments to come. Eddie once again went with me to a support group meeting. They are not like anything I expected. This month a gal from Nordstrom's Department Store spoke and shared ideas of putting together outfits without having to buy complete wardrobes as you transition from heavy to healthy. There is a question/answer session where you have an opportunity to ask or share resolutions to issues you may have regarding your weight loss journey. A doctor is available and shares answers regarding medical questions you may have. I plan to attend these meetings monthly as I'm sure I'll have questions along the way and the information from the speakers has proved to be helpful.

I went to a “girl's night out” supper with my Sunday School Class Friday. They had asked me what type foods I would miss and pizza came to mind, so we chose Eastside Pizza. We had a good time and as I was eating my Stromboli, I came to realize that I just don't feel I'll miss these foods that much after all. I was asked what feelings I had regarding having the restrictions ... my response ... I'm so ready to be able to do things I have been physically restricted to doing for so long, that the thought of not having certain foods on the menu will be well worth the joys I'll receive from being able to play “trains” on the floor with my almost 3 year old grandson.

The support I have received from my husband, children and grandchildren, family and friends has been overwhelming. I feel privileged to work for such supportive and understanding families. In over 20 years of providing daycare in my home, I have never had to take as many days off as I have taken so far this year and we still have two weeks plus at least two days ahead. The journey would not be as easy without all the support I am receiving and for that I am extremely grateful!!

I'll post again as I have news as I move forward in my journey.

My PCP refered me to Tidewater Surgery Specalist and so far I've gone to a seminar, attended a support group meeting, had the initial consultation with Dr. Spencer and tomorrow I go to schedule all the pre-op "stuff". I only wish I'd gone this route much sooner !! I'm ready ... my husband, family and friends are very supportive ... and I am looking forward to all the things I'll be able to do that have been impossible and/or extremely uncomfortable. The simple things, like getting on the floor to play “trains” with my 3 year-old grandson. Being able to spend a day in Busch Gardens without being completly exhausted and feel like I have to "rest" for the next two days. Fitting in a booth at a restaurant with ease. Not having to use an expanding belt in an airplane seat ... the list goes on. Oh, yeah ... I can't wait to go shopping .... we're in such trouble !!!!!!!I'll post soon as I learn more dates and news as I move forward in my journey.