Where have I been, you ask????

Well ... here's what's been up with me ...
I thought I had a touch of a bug in late February ... then the weekend of the 21st with the help of our grandsons we began tearing up the floor in our kitchen in preparation for the new linoleum laminate ... LOVE IT BY THE WAY!!! ... the demo meant breaking up ceramic tiles and removing 3/4 inch subfloor which had been laid for the tiles. Well, I thought I had pulled a muscle and didn't think much of it. By Monday it was a bit worse and becoming isolated. Tuesday afternoon I was pretty much doubled over in pain and by the evening was running a fever. I thought it was a combination of a bug and something I had pulled but was concerned I had done some damage to something in there from the gastric by-pass, so Wednesday morning I called the surgeon, who told me to cal my PCP and was in the office that afternoon at 3:15. A twenty minute visit explaining all my symptoms led to two possible explanations for the pain and fever one of which was a possible appendicitis ...WHAT ... NOT ON MY LIST OF POSSIBILITIES!!! They set up a Catscan appointment at the hospital for 5:00 and by 5:45 I was went to the ER to get admitted and wait for the surgeon to arrive. By 9:30 that night I was being rolled into the OR for an emergency appendectomy. Home the next day around 2 and back to work the following Monday ... no problems!!
The recovery has not been bad, but I have had some lingering pain in the abdominal muscle ... I guess it doesn't like being cut into so many times ... 5 years ago for gallbladder, 9 months ago for gastric by-pass and now for this. Anyway, I still have to take something for the pain occasionally and am not doing much in the way of lifting and straining.
The good side of this story is that the little bit of appetite I had before is even less now! As a result I have lost the 10 pounds I put on following the surgery and 12 or so more!! As of today, I am 3 pounds from my goal weight !!! This is very exciting for me ... but also a bit overwhelming ... it has happened so fast. I am wearing a size 10 dress ... size 8-10 tops ... size 10, 12 & 14 pants, depending of the style!! I hit a super sale on shorts in Walmart Saturday ... 4 pair of shorts for $12.00 ... WOW!!!!
The journey continues ... this weight of 156 pounds is one the Doctor set ... it's 80% of the extra weight I had going into surgery ... not an ideal body weight for me, but loosing 80% of that ideal body weight for my height and age. I would like to get down to 135-140 pounds, so I have another 19-24 pounds I'd like to loose ... so, yes the journey continues ... but it has been a wonderful journey!!!!!!

GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT'S DUE!!!

I want to share a bit of something today. I teach a Sunday School class at our church where I am blessed to be in a class of "youngsters" who are about the age of my children. Even though my title is teacher, they teach me so much more than I could ever teach them and for that I am so thankful. They keep me focused on sometimes the more simple things of life. In the past few weeks we have had a lot going on in our class with visitors coming to be part of our family, to some coming back we have not seen in a while, we have had some fabulous lessons placed in our path at just the right time and we have just recently watched together and are doing a follow up study of the movie "Fireproof". I received an email this week and last that has truly touched my heart and made me look at the basics of my relationship with the Lord and how I put that relationship in perspective in my daily living. This email helped remind me of the importance of giving God the credit where credit is due and that's what I am talking about today.
When I made the decision to have gastric by-pass surgery, I did so after YEARS of diet after diet ... with many ups and downs. I have gained and lost hundreds of pounds in the course of the past 40 years. The difference this time was that when I made the decision to have surgery, I did it with God on board as my pilot. I made the decision that if I was going to take such drastic measures as to have surgery, I wasn't going to do it alone this time. I know that this is only a tool, and that the surgeons are excellent, and their staff very informative and supportive, but that it would ultimately be up to me ... and that frightened me, because by myself in the past I had not succeeded ... so this time, I needed help ... I needed the help of the only one that could do what I had tried to do by myself and failed at ... I needed the Lord! So before taking on this journey, I prayed that I would allow Him to be my guide, my strength, my pilot on this journey ... but again, I have let Him down. Because, I have not given credit where credit is due ... and it was through communication with one of the "youngsters" in my class that I became aware of that ... I have let Him down just like I let myself down many times before, but you see, He has not let me down!! I am 9 months out this week from surgery and I have lost 131 pounds!! I HAVE NOT done this by myself, because, I still would love to have a bite of chocolate candy tomorrow .... but I am so much stronger this time, but not because of my strength ... it's because of God's !!
So now it the time to share ... I just can't believe I have not shared it here before now. Sharing that although I feel so much better, sharing that I look so much better, sharing that I can get into size 12 & 14 pants, sharing that I made it through milestones of food temptations ... I have failed to share how I have done it ... it has only been through the strength of Jesus ... truly His strength, unconditionally love, unending care ... He is always there, even when I forget to recognize it. Ain't He great!!!!
So thank you Beacons of Light class of Port Norfolk Baptist Church ... and thank you God!!!! Today I give total credit to the Lord, for placing me in a place in my church that I can continually learn from those you put around me and most especially thank you for being there for me, for not giving up on me, and for guiding me on this journey .. my prayer is that I continue to allow you to be in control!!

Everyone needs to give themselves 30 minutes a day

Found an old Pilate's DVD today and decided to give it a go ... am planning on making it a daily 30 minute routine. One thing I have not done as directed by the doctors since surgery is to adopt a workout routine and that needs to change NOW!! Thirty minutes a day is not too much to ask of myself, now is it?? I eat my three small meals a day, I drink my protein drinks and other fluids to equal the allotted amounts required, I take my vitamins daily, now it's time to put the exercise in place. Although I do try to get to the YMCA twice a week for aquasize, that's not cutting it!! Suck it up ... and get to it!! Military drill instructor is what I need ... but for now, just the knowledge that these last 30 or so pounds won't be as easy as the first 130 is enough to get me motivated to WORK IT OFF!!! As my weight tracker shows, the doctor wants me to loose another 14 pounds, but I'd like to get more than double that off .. so 'Move it, Move it"!!!!! Wish me luck, cheer me on ... and Pray for me!!! The challenge is on ... but I need to remember, I deserve that 30 minutes each and every day for me!!!

HAVEN'T SEEN A SIZE 12 IN OVER 30 YEARS ...

... and boy does it feel good!!! Except for the sweat pants, they are stretchy, they don't count ... LOL!! Last night I went to the mall to get a good pair of tennis shoes for the workouts at the YMCA, found a great pair and thought since it was early, I'd go on down to Dillard's to try on some clothes. Sunday my dress pants (size 18) were hanging off of me, but I had made up my mind I wouldn't buy any pants until I could get into a 14. Give it a try I told myself. Unwilling to pay much for clothes these days until I get all the weight off, I searched until I found a sale rack ... all dress pants $19.99. I grabbed several pairs of 14's and proceeded into the dressing room, thinking I was going to be very disappointed and probably shouldn't have done this yet. To my surprise, not only did they fit, but they had room to move in!!! I was in tears ... in a large dressing room ... all alone, crying to myself saying over and over again ... I can't believe I can get these on!! A friend of mine texted to tell me she had just gotten Wii Fit and I should come over to "play" it with her and the kids soon ... I texted her back telling her my thrill as I stood there with a size 14 on. Once the shock wore off, I quickly went back to the rack, I actually went with the store pants on ... no shoes!!! I grabbed two pair of size 12, thinking again these certainly would NOT fit ... Whoot Whoot ... they fit, a bit snug, but in a couple of weeks they won't be .. I could not believe it .. I have not had a size 12 on in over 30 years ! I ended up with 4 pair of pants, 2 12's & 2 14's and two blouses, a size 8 and a size 10. I am going in a day or two to look for some jeans, again, won't get anything bigger than a 14, so we'll see how that goes, but for now ... I'm wearing a size 12 dress pants ... Can't believe it!!!!!

WHOO HOOO!!!

Went to Wallyworld Saturday and of coarse had to browse the clothing department ... first of all let me say it's SOOOO much fun to be able to go to the regular section to look for clothes!! I noticed a sale rack ... won't buy anything at full price these days! ... anyway, on the sale rack were sweat pants and hoodies for $9.00 so I just HAD to check them out! I gave them a look and decided to get a size medium in both tops and bottoms ... not thinking I'd be able to get into the pants yet, one of my grandsons reassured me if I can't get in them now, I'd soon be able to ... oh the support I have!! Well .... got home and tried them on ... I'M WEARING THEM NOW!!!!! I don't know when I've been able to wear a size medium, much less in pants!! That's a size 8-10 folks ... who'd a thunk ... me wearing 8-10 ... WHOO HOO IS IN ORDER HERE!!

Here are a few pictures of me with my husband, Eddie and daughter, Mary at our local Relay For Life Kick-Off last week ... am going to try to get more pictures of me as time goes on ... but for now here I am 126 pounds lighter than 7 1/2 months ago.

A big thank you and a new year's resolution put into action!

First of all, I have to give a big shout out to all my friends and family who have been so very supportive though this journey so far. There is no way this would have been as easy as it's been without the well wishes, encouragement and support I've received from all who know and love me as well as some I've not even met, but who have seen though this blog the journey I've been on and have wished me well. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

There are times when people want to do things on their own, their own way and all that, and that's fine, although it does take a big amount of will power, I guess you could say, to travel down this road, but for me, it's not a journey that should not be traveled alone. First of all, I don't take the credit for what some may call will power, I call it God Power!! I know the Lord has given me the power (actually He was there offering it all along, I was just too stubborn to see or take the help!) to travel this road to recovery, recovery from overeating. The one person I need to thank the most, however, is my husband of 38 years, you see, when we met I weighed a mere 115 pounds ... 7 months ago, the day of surgery, I weighed 304 pounds. That's the second part of this posting .. the new year's resolution part. I made a decision before the New Year to announce, disclose, put out there, whatever you want to call it, my weight at the beginning of this journey. Why, you may ask, well, because I fell that keeping it a secret may just be a "tool" to hamper continued weight loss or to maintain the loss. You see, us "food addicts" as I tend to call myself, want and need ways or should I say excuses to start overeating again and I certainly don't want any secrets that could result in failure! So honesty is my new policy. I mean after all ... when people see me and hear that I've lost 120 pounds ... oh yeah, I've hit the 120 pound mark today!!! YEAH!! Anyway, when you hear I've lost 120 pounds and you can clearly see that my weight loss journey is not complete .. duhhh .. you can eventually do the math!! So here it is ... I started at 304 (and I'm only 5 feet 1 inch tall) and as of today I'm at 184 pounds ... the doctor wants me at 160 (I'd rather see somewhere in the 135-140 range) ... but I'll have to see how things are when I get to 160 and below ... it's been so long since I've seen those numbers, I'm not sure what to expect!

So back to the thank you part .. the part about the biggest thank you, my husband. Never did he stop loving me ... never did he "turn me down" ... never did he act any other way except with love. As I look back at photos of me, I can't imagine how I got there ... I didn't really know I was there, to be honest. But I live in reality now and from now on!! I did get there .. and I never intend to get there again!!!

So THANK YOU ... THANK YOU ... THANK YOU ... to all my family, all my friends, and all my cyber friends .. the journey continues, but not without your help, support and encouragement ... and thank goodness, for that makes it so much easier!!!

Something New ... Recipe Book Give-Away ....

As you can see from my two blogs, I am actively involved in a Relay For Life Team to help raise money for the American Cancer Society. We developed Recipe Books last year as a way to raise money and still have a few. You can visit our Team Webpage and make a donation of at least $5.00 and I'll send you a cookbook ... also, I'm offering one for give away here on this blogsite and my Magnolia Blossom Art Blogsite. This is how it works ... try this or one of the recipes I enter here from the cookbook then let me know how it turned out. I'll put the names in a "pot" and randomly choose a winner and send a cookbook out to the winner!!

This week's Recipe ... GIVE IT A TRY ... let me know how it is !!

BEEF STROGNOFF

1 pound beef sirloin, cut in 1/4 inch wide strips

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 clove fresh garlic

salt and pepper

1/2 cup flour

1 medium onion chopped in medium sizes

6-8 fresh mushrooms, sliced

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1/2 can milk

1/2 pint sour cream

1 bag wide egg noodles, cooked

In large skillet, heat oil. Dredge beef cubes that have been seasoned with pressed garlic, salt and pepper in flour. Brown beef in skillet of oil and add onions and mushrooms. Then add cream of mushroom soup and milk. Simmer 10 to 15 minutes or until beef is tender. Add sour cream and stir through. Serve over hot egg noodles. 4-6 servings.

Cook and enjoy ... Let me know how you like it .... NOTE: You can make it healthier by substituting low fat versions of the soup and sour cream!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

This is going to be a fablous year!!! I have so much to look forward to and so much to be thankful for. We had a wonderful Christmas spending Christmas Eve with our entire family watching the kids share in some gift giving and eating a meal together. Christmas Day we made the Hampton Roads Rounds going from house to house to see what all the grandkids got from Santa and taking some gifts of coarse from Nanny and Big Daddy :-)

I had my first challange since surgery, however, during the holidays. I made the decision Christmas Eve to "snack" since it was the holidays. Still no sweets, but thought I'd give myself a break and have some good ole holiday snacking. I enjoyed some nuts, crackers and cheese, etc ... it was nice for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day ... what wasn't so nice was that I started getting hungry for the first time since surgery. I found myself wanting to snack more and more. I quickly could see how this could be a HUGE problem ... so NO MORE SNACKING!! It didn't just last, you see, those two days ... it continued until yesterday .... just a few nuts or crackers, I'd tell myself. So today ... it's all over!!! I can see how the old habbits could quickly come back. This is a tool, not a cure. The funny thing about it is that I was uncomfortable, really, when I would snack ... too full, yucky feeling actually ... not a good feeling. So note to self ... NO MORE SNACKING ... LET'S SAY IT AGAIN ... NO MORE SNACKING!!!

I did loose a pound in the last two weeks, but the point is I probably would have lost 4-6 pounds if not for the snacking. Oh well, I'm back on track. I went through my closet again this morning, getting rid of several things and pulling the last of the clothes that have been packed away for 10 years that I now can wear. In a size 16-18 pants, 12-14 dresses and tops. From this point forward I will have to look elsewhere for clothes ... I haven't seen anything smaller than an 18 in 30 years!! It's a good feeling, much better feeling than the "snacking between meals" was giving me.

I got an excersize balls and belts for Christmas ... one thing I entend to get more regular at .... gotta get these knees better, stronger ... I WILL be albe to do squats again!!!

So, when I have slips in myweight loss journey ... not to worry, I'll refocus, I'll readjust, and I'll reclaim ... before it's too late ... reclaim my desire to loose that weight and get healthy.

Have a FINE 2009!!

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.