A.Mason
Well I am 31 years old and have been OVERWEIGHT since I can remember. “A Journey of a thousand miles begin with a single step“ For me that means: A Flight in a new direction. A Voyage. on the way to self. The Crossing into a new Passageway of discovery. The turning around too new beginning.. To set in motion without fail the attempting of that which you though futile . To embark on and bring about change of self. On the way to alter, modify ,transform ,make over, restore, change for the better, as well as adjust my way of thinking, my way of seeing, my-…Vessel for my homecoming. Well in this case it would be true. My journey bargain on a nice hot day in April of 2007. At “Sam’s Club” That is where I met My WLS buddy by happenstance she happened to come out with her husband who was helping with the FGR’s Bake sale shopping list. We begin to talk I introduced myself and by the end of our excursion she had told what Dr. to see and not to wait because she was only a month out for having her WLS. I went to the meeting before I was ever approved because I had already prayed on it and I knew God had not failed me ever before and I knew this would happen for me. The first thing I did was change my Dr. then set my Appt.. the same day I met My WLS buddy. In March it was a week away so around the 22nd I would have to say. March 22nd 2007 - My first Dr.ers Appt. With Dr. Anderson Went like this I was weighed in at about 281lbs. And my height 5’61/2in. Not good at all was the first thing He said. I was glad to see he noticed that without me having to say it. That right away made me feel safe. We talked about my options and he said “YOU COULD EAT GRASS AND DRINK WATER AND WITH YOUR MOTABOLISAM, YOUR BODY WOULD AJUST AND YOU WOULD STILL GAIN WEIGHT”. Well that was not that far from what I was already doing I had put my self on a diet of Veggies, water, and no sugar tea I thought I was doing good I went from 302.5lbs to 281lbs that was 21lbs. on my own with working out every day and eating right and had already started to gain the weight back. My authorization came in 12 days. Thank you God, thank you God, thank you God , thank you God... April 13th 2007 - now back to 281lbs After that the appointment to see was seclude to see Dr. Brett May first meeting was very nice he explained everything about the Rou-Ny procedure too my husband & myself. Because I thought Tri-care covered the Lap-Band. So It took me a few days to research my decision about gastric bypass on my own then after talking to my husband. I said yes let’s do it. April - May - June 2007 - 281lbs It took all of 6 days for the approval letter to come in. I re-attended the class and listened for the Rou-Ny info this time. I felt better about my decision. Then it began. First I had to have a barium test then the Psychological-eval, then the blood work, then the Nutrition class, then schedule the surgery day, then the 2 week diet, then surgery day June 28th 2007 June 28th 2007 - I didn’t really sleep last night was to every thing to really sleep thinking of every thing possible anything. I awoke every one at 3:30am to get ready to leave the house by 4:00am well enough time to get their. I was admitted in to the hospital at 5:30am as my husband and son held my hands and my husband said a prayer thanking God for this new birthday He was giving me this new chance to re-start my life. In that very moment a stillness came over me I was going to be better for this. As they prepped me for my surgery I was happy and laughing with the nurses. When they wheeled me to the prep station every one was nice and wanted to still my son for their own. Ha, Ha, Ha, we were their for about 30 to 40 min then Dr. May came over and talked to us to make sure I was comfortable and fine. Then they took me too the OR and put all these pads under me to make me as comfortable as possible then I was told to relax and breath deep and count backwards from 100 I think I got to 89 or so. When I awoke I was in recovery. In and out, out and in seeing rand faces over and over again then finally I came too. Well hello on of the attending nurses said. All I could do was smile my mouth was dry like it had cotton in it. The next thing I remember was my husband and son were at my side and I was in my hospital room. I was not very hunger but thirsty very thirsty. They stayed for a few hours then Dr. May came in to check on me then my family went home because I was tired. That was my first day. June 29th 2007 - Day one - I was hungry and thirsty. Well by 10:30 my hunger was satisfied with all the barium I could drink (Ha, Ha, Ha),. I told Dr. May they sure did know how to treat a guest, we both laughed. Dr. May said everything looked great. By 4:00pm I was aloud to drink water and not just suck on ice. At 4:30pm I wanted to get up and walk so the nurse on call helped me to do so. Then I was hungry all the Jell-O, clear soup, popsicles, and juice I wanted. June 30th 2007 - Day two - I had a visitor It was my WLS Buddy She came to see me and how I was felling told her pretty good I had already walked 3times twice on my own. She stayed for about 2 or more so hours. Then I walked about 3 more times and I ate 3 times that day and drank about 44oz of water plus some ice. July 01st 2007 - Time to go home Yes I miss my family. MY son who is one comes in and the first thing he said was Momma I miss you, you ok and gave me a hug and a kiss all I could do was cry I was so happy. Then Dr. May came in and told me it would be a few hours more and I would be free to go after thy got all my paper work done and seclude my 2 week appointment. July 14th 2007 - Dr. May’s office 2 week appointment. Weigh in from 281lbs to 260lbs. Incisions closed looking good. Started on vitamins 4 per day + take prevacid 4 week appointment set. August 05th 2007 - 4 week appointment Dr. May’s office Weigh in from 260lbs to 240.5 Incisions scars almost gone looking good. See you in 6 months started on vitamins and 2 months of Nexium. September 01st 2007 - From Jan 23 302lbs to Sept 17th 220lbs for a total of 82lbs oh my goodness. I have only 85lbs to go till I am at my goal weight of 135lbs. September 22nd 2007- Went to Chicago 4 my best friends wedding I was so happy 4 her. The wedding was beautiful and so was the day. I saw all my cousins I had my son with me that was cool you know thy got too see him for the first time I person everyone fell in love with him. They hadn’t seen me in 4 years and I was in a size 22 then but now I was in a 12-14 now and that is all they could talk about. How I good I was looking. One of my aunts said was I coming 4 her closet soon because she asked me how small I was going to get. I told her my goal was 135lbs. And she said that is how much she weighs. I thought it was funny. All in all we had a good time in the Chi. Well it is my home town. September 27th 2007- This year for me has been life changing for me because this year on this day I turned 32 years old and I was not felling {insecure, self-doubting, lacking confidence, incompetent, inept, useless, depressed, sad, empty, lacking ability, ineffectual, embarrassing, uncomfortable, self-conscious, anxious, awkward, unsuccessful, weak, incompetent, hopeless.} You know where I’m coming from. I’d have too say I was so happy. Truthfully I was on cloud nine to be able too be happy 4 me. Because People always tell me how they see me you know. But I wasn’t able 2 C ME, see me. This word powerful (ABLE) is for me?. It meant that4 the 1st time in my Adult life I, ME, Armeta WAS FINALLY (ABLE) TOO SEE HER THE THAT Intense, Bright, Dazzling, Gifted, Intelligent, Intellectual, Talented, Artistic, Imaginative, Inventive, Clever, Sharp, Witty, Humorous, Entertaining, Competent, Exceptional, Extraordinary, Excellent, Incomparable (Beyond compare Without an equal, Unrivaled, Unparalleled, Unsurpassed, Unmatched, Unique, Only one of it’s kind [HAND MADE BY GOD] WOMAN All I could do was have a privet party like “India Arie” said I’m having a private party I’m having a private party Ain’t no body here but me, my angels, and my guitar singin’ baby look how far we’ve come here I’m havin’ a private party Learning how to love me Ain’t no body here but me, my angels, and my guitar singin’ baby look how far we’ve come here Happy birthday to me October 31st 2007 - My son was a Slice of pizsea that is what he calls pizza I think it is so cute he is 2 now and the whole Fam. Went to a Halloween part on post for a kids safe night out He had so much fun well to tell the truth we all had a lot of fun. He won so many prizes and toys we said merry Christmas just kidding. November 24th 2007 - Not much going on just getting ready for the thanksgiving feast Ha, Ha, well we have a guest coming over so I went all out you know. But I made every thing WLS friendly you know no sugar, on crust, no fuss. He loved the food in fact he loved it so much he asked could he come to Christmas. We said yes. (0; December 22nd 2007 - Went to the airport to pick up my mom who just saw me at ht end of August on the 31st . And my mom almost walked right past me if I hadn’t said hi to her she would have. I felt great that meant to me that I was really changing I cant wait for the rest of my family to see me. December 25th 2007- January 03rd 2008- January 28th 2008- June 28th 2007 - 281 July 28th 2007 - 254 Aug 28th 2007 - 237.4 Sept 28th 2007 - 220 Oct 28th 2007 - 208 Nov 28th 2007 - 204 Dec 28th 2007 - 197 Only 62Lbs. till Goal Weight. At a rate of 2.58Lbs. per. week, 10.3Lbs. per. Month for 6 Months I should reach My Target Goal weight of 135Lbs. by Jan 28th 2008 -190 Feb 28th 2008 - 183 Mar 28th 2008 -173 38Lbs. to go / 89 Days left until the June 28th of 2008 Apr 28th 2008 - 168 33Lbs. to go / 60 Days left until the June 28th of 2008 May 28th 2008 - To go / Days left until the June 28th of 2008 My First Full Year/ My Re-Birth Date June 28th 2008 - Jan 3rd 2008 - 6 months Dr. Appt. - Went very well everything looks great.
Ain’t no body here but me, my angels, and my guitar singin’ baby look how far we’ve come here
I’m havin’ a private party
Learning how to love me
Celebrating the woman I’ve become, yeah
Celebrating the woman I’ve become, yeah
I tried to call my mother, but
She didn’t get where I was going
I called my boyfriend and he said
Call me back a little later baby
I hung up the phone, I felt so alone
Started to feel a little pity
That’s when I realized that I
Gotta find the joy inside of me
I’m having a private party
I’m havin’ a private party
Learning how to love me
Celebrating the woman I’ve become, yeah
I’m gonna take off all my clothes
Look at myself in the mirror
We’re gonna have a conversation
We’re gonna heal the disconnection
I don’t remember when it started
But this is where it’s gonna end
My body is beautiful and sacred
And I’m gonna celebrate it
I’m having a private party
Ain’t no body here but me, my angels, and my guitar singin’ baby look how far we’ve come here
I’m havin’ a private party
Learning how to love me
Celebrating the woman I’ve become, yeahAll my life (all my life)
I’ve been looking for (I’ve been looking for)
Somebody else (else)
To make me whole (ooo)
But I had to learn the hard way (ooo)
True love began with me (ooo)
This is not ego or vanity (ooo)
I’m just celebrating me
I’m having a private party
Ain’t no body here but me, my angels, and my guitar singin’ baby look how far we’ve come here
I’m havin’ a private party
Learning how to love me
Celebrating the woman I’ve become, yeah Sometimes I’m alone but never lonely
That’s what I’ve come to realize
I’ve learned to love the quiet moments
The Sunday mornings of life
Where I can reach deep down inside
Or out into the universe
I can laugh until I cry
Or I can cry away the hurt
I’m having a private party
Ain’t no body here but me, my angels, and my guitar singin’ baby look how far we’ve come here
I’m havin’ a private party
Learning how to love me
Celebrating the woman I’ve become, yeah
Happy birthday to me
Happy birthday
Happy birthday to me
Happy birthday to me
Happy birthday
(Chorus 2x)
THE WAY I SHOULD HAVE FELT MY WHOLE LIFE
