arad
Almost 11 months....
Jun 18, 2010
Wow! Time flies!
I am two days away from my 11-month surgiversary! I've been having a lot of "remember when" moments lately. It's hard to think that a year ago this month, I hd just gotten approval from my insurance company and I was waiting for a surgery date. Now here I am, 105 pounds lighter and wearing a size 10!!!!
That's right....105 pounds lighter and wearing a size 10!!!! I am still amazed by the weight loss. I am certain most of it has come off due to the fact that I am eating less. I need to be excercising more and eating more protein (and taking my vitamins more regularly) but I am feeling great. It's hard to believe that I am able to shop in "regular" stores. I still have moments where I pick up smaller sizes and think there is no possible way they will fit....and then, SURPRISE! I need to get the smaller sizes!
Now that summer is here, I had to buy a new swimsuit and I actually ENJOYED shopping for that this year!
What a difference a year makes! I have no regrets!
P/S: I uploaded some photos of me taken last month (10 months photos) to my profile.
0 comments
I am two days away from my 11-month surgiversary! I've been having a lot of "remember when" moments lately. It's hard to think that a year ago this month, I hd just gotten approval from my insurance company and I was waiting for a surgery date. Now here I am, 105 pounds lighter and wearing a size 10!!!!
That's right....105 pounds lighter and wearing a size 10!!!! I am still amazed by the weight loss. I am certain most of it has come off due to the fact that I am eating less. I need to be excercising more and eating more protein (and taking my vitamins more regularly) but I am feeling great. It's hard to believe that I am able to shop in "regular" stores. I still have moments where I pick up smaller sizes and think there is no possible way they will fit....and then, SURPRISE! I need to get the smaller sizes!
Now that summer is here, I had to buy a new swimsuit and I actually ENJOYED shopping for that this year!
What a difference a year makes! I have no regrets!
P/S: I uploaded some photos of me taken last month (10 months photos) to my profile.
Almost four months...
Nov 11, 2009
Wow, it's been a long time since I last wrote in here! I am currently nearing my 4-month surgiversary. I am down about 60 pounds. I recently went home and it was nice to see and hear people notice my weight loss.
I wish i could say the past four months have been easy, but I can't. I've been sick for most of it. Last month, I had really bad nausea and vomitting. Ended up in the hospital for 11 days. They took out my gall bladder, although the nausea still comes back. I've been back on short term disability and should return to work next week sometime. I go to see Dr Oldham tomorrow. He did my gall bladder surgery three weeks ago. I never got to go to my 3 month appointment because I was in the hospital. I'm curious to see what I weigh on his scale.
I am still struggling to get all of my protein in. I can't stomach most protein drinks, so I try to do my best with getting it in with the foods I eat. I am pretty much back to a regular diet, which is nice. I am surprised by all the foods that I used to eat....and how there is no way I would touch them now. I am also amazed by how quickly I am dropping clothes sizes.
My big goal now is to be in my 100s again by Christmas. I'd love to lose another 20 pounds in six weeks and be down to about 190 at the start of the new year. That's my new goal. Sure hope I can make it!
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I wish i could say the past four months have been easy, but I can't. I've been sick for most of it. Last month, I had really bad nausea and vomitting. Ended up in the hospital for 11 days. They took out my gall bladder, although the nausea still comes back. I've been back on short term disability and should return to work next week sometime. I go to see Dr Oldham tomorrow. He did my gall bladder surgery three weeks ago. I never got to go to my 3 month appointment because I was in the hospital. I'm curious to see what I weigh on his scale.
I am still struggling to get all of my protein in. I can't stomach most protein drinks, so I try to do my best with getting it in with the foods I eat. I am pretty much back to a regular diet, which is nice. I am surprised by all the foods that I used to eat....and how there is no way I would touch them now. I am also amazed by how quickly I am dropping clothes sizes.
My big goal now is to be in my 100s again by Christmas. I'd love to lose another 20 pounds in six weeks and be down to about 190 at the start of the new year. That's my new goal. Sure hope I can make it!
Back to work
Aug 28, 2009
I went back to work on Tuesday (8/25). So far, it has been OK, although I have been very, very tired. At night, I am lucky if I can make it past 8 p.m. before I'm ready for bed. I know I am still getting used to my schedule (and not napping during the day) but I am trying so hard to get back on a routine.
I went for my one month checkup last Friday (8/21) and Dr. Oldham seemed pleased with my progress. On his scale, I am down to 241.5 pounds. I am hoping to be close to 200 when I go back to see him for my 3-month checkup in mid-October.
I had to have a lot of bloodwork done and I got the results yesterday. They weren't the best. Apparently, my potassium level is very, very low. In addition, I am also low in vitamin A, vitamin D and vitamin K. And my protein levels weren't great, either. I am now on two prescriptions to raise my potassium and vitamin K levels and I have to go back in about a week to have my blood work checked again. The nurse seemed to think that perhaps my potassium level was low prior to surgery, but I have no idea. I don't think I've ever had that checked before.
I knew the protein levels were going to be low. I really have to figure out what I am going to do with that, because I can't stand any of the protein drinks/shakes that I've tried. And I've tried (and wasted so much money) on several different kinds. I am trying to make sure I eat chicken or fish each day and also snack on cheese, but I need to get more protein in.
I need to go pick up some more vitamins from the store and figure out how in the world I am going to get everything I need in. I don't think I've ever taken these many pills/vitamins ever before in my life.
I also need to figure out if I am going to be able to join the YMCA. The money is just so tight right now, but I really feel like I need to join because I need to get on a regular exercise routine.
Other than all that, I have been feeling kind of blue lately. I'm not sure what it is, but I just feel like I can't do anything right. Particularly as a mother to my son. I just feel like he needs so much more than I am able to give him. He's having some behavioral problems and I am so tired of having to deal with everything on my own. On top of that, I think we may need to move back into an apartment. I just feel like everything is such a mess. The one thing I am not upset about is my decision to have this surgery. I am frustrated with the protein, but I do not regret my decision. I just hope it gets easier soon.
0 comments
I went for my one month checkup last Friday (8/21) and Dr. Oldham seemed pleased with my progress. On his scale, I am down to 241.5 pounds. I am hoping to be close to 200 when I go back to see him for my 3-month checkup in mid-October.
I had to have a lot of bloodwork done and I got the results yesterday. They weren't the best. Apparently, my potassium level is very, very low. In addition, I am also low in vitamin A, vitamin D and vitamin K. And my protein levels weren't great, either. I am now on two prescriptions to raise my potassium and vitamin K levels and I have to go back in about a week to have my blood work checked again. The nurse seemed to think that perhaps my potassium level was low prior to surgery, but I have no idea. I don't think I've ever had that checked before.
I knew the protein levels were going to be low. I really have to figure out what I am going to do with that, because I can't stand any of the protein drinks/shakes that I've tried. And I've tried (and wasted so much money) on several different kinds. I am trying to make sure I eat chicken or fish each day and also snack on cheese, but I need to get more protein in.
I need to go pick up some more vitamins from the store and figure out how in the world I am going to get everything I need in. I don't think I've ever taken these many pills/vitamins ever before in my life.
I also need to figure out if I am going to be able to join the YMCA. The money is just so tight right now, but I really feel like I need to join because I need to get on a regular exercise routine.
Other than all that, I have been feeling kind of blue lately. I'm not sure what it is, but I just feel like I can't do anything right. Particularly as a mother to my son. I just feel like he needs so much more than I am able to give him. He's having some behavioral problems and I am so tired of having to deal with everything on my own. On top of that, I think we may need to move back into an apartment. I just feel like everything is such a mess. The one thing I am not upset about is my decision to have this surgery. I am frustrated with the protein, but I do not regret my decision. I just hope it gets easier soon.
One month surgiversary
Aug 20, 2009
Well, here I am.....exactly one month since my surgery. In many ways, it has been a long month filled with many ups and downs. I am very happy with my decision to have this surgery, but the past few weeks have not been easy. It's not that I thought this would be easy, but I didn't think it would be this hard, either. Honestly, I really didn't know what to expect.
As of last week, I had lost 25-31 pounds (depending on which scale I use). I go back to see my surgeon tomorrow, so I will find out for sure how much I've lost, according to his scale. I am hoping I am down at least another 3-5 pounds, but I just don't feel like I've lost anything. I've been slowly adding regular foods back into my diet. I've tried mashed potatoes, green beans, grilled chicken, soups, applesauce, soda crackers, brocolli, bananas and a few other things. I can't eat much, but I try for 2 oz. per serving. I went out and bought a food scale the other day and it has been helpful.
I have found that some days, I just don't feel like eating anything. I know I have to eat in order to lose, but it's so hard to eat when you aren't hungry.
It has also been a big struggle to get my protein in. I am doing better with getting the water in, but the protein has been a problem. Ever since I had the surgery last week for the stricture, I cannot seem to stomach the protein drinks I was using (called New Whey!). The taste of those drinks used to be OK with me, now they make me sick. And the shakes are even worse. I have to find something that will work until I can start getting all my protein from the foods I eat. I can't wait for that day to come.
I am still off from work, I am going to try to go back on Tuesday. I feel like my energy level is getting better, which is great.
I feel like I've lost weight, my pants are looser, my face is thinner....people have noticed. It's a nice feeling. I just know I still have a long way to go. And then I have to maintain.
I will try to post more tomorrow after my appointment with my surgeon. Hopefully, I will have good news to share!
1 comment
As of last week, I had lost 25-31 pounds (depending on which scale I use). I go back to see my surgeon tomorrow, so I will find out for sure how much I've lost, according to his scale. I am hoping I am down at least another 3-5 pounds, but I just don't feel like I've lost anything. I've been slowly adding regular foods back into my diet. I've tried mashed potatoes, green beans, grilled chicken, soups, applesauce, soda crackers, brocolli, bananas and a few other things. I can't eat much, but I try for 2 oz. per serving. I went out and bought a food scale the other day and it has been helpful.
I have found that some days, I just don't feel like eating anything. I know I have to eat in order to lose, but it's so hard to eat when you aren't hungry.
It has also been a big struggle to get my protein in. I am doing better with getting the water in, but the protein has been a problem. Ever since I had the surgery last week for the stricture, I cannot seem to stomach the protein drinks I was using (called New Whey!). The taste of those drinks used to be OK with me, now they make me sick. And the shakes are even worse. I have to find something that will work until I can start getting all my protein from the foods I eat. I can't wait for that day to come.
I am still off from work, I am going to try to go back on Tuesday. I feel like my energy level is getting better, which is great.
I feel like I've lost weight, my pants are looser, my face is thinner....people have noticed. It's a nice feeling. I just know I still have a long way to go. And then I have to maintain.
I will try to post more tomorrow after my appointment with my surgeon. Hopefully, I will have good news to share!
A minor setback
Aug 14, 2009
Gosh, it's been a few weeks since I've posted. I have an update, and it will probably be somewhat long (sorry!).
About two weeks ago (Sunday, Aug. 9) I swallowed a calcium pill and I felt like maybe it got stuck going down. That feeling stayed with me for a few days and it was miserable. The worse part is that I had gone home to Wisconsin to recover so I could have my family around me. I called my surgeon's office and they felt that perhaps my esophagus was inflamed due to the hiatal hernia I had repaired. They prescribed an anti-inflammatory medicine and suggested an antacid and told me to go back to a liquid diet. I tried all that and nothing really got better. In fact, I felt worse. Each time I tried to eat/drink, I felt like it was getting stuck in my esophagus.
I stayed in touch with my surgeon throughout the entire week, he called to check on me, told me to call him any time, etc. I was really comforted by that, even though I was so far away. He told me to call him when I got back in town to let him know how I was feeling.
On Tuesday (Aug. 11), I got back to Louisville and had a very bad episode involving cream of chicken soup. I ate about two or three spoonfuls and it got stuck. I had intense chest pain and felt like I could not breath. In my panic, I picked up the phone tp call 911 and I stood up.....and the soup just projected out of my mouth. It was horrible.
I called my surgeon first thing Wednesday morning and he told me that he wanted me to come to the hospital on Thursday (yesterday) to have and EGD scope done, so he could look into my esophagus and stomach to see what was wrong. I had the procedure done under general antheshia and he found a stricture at the bottom of my esophagus, which was causing all the problems. He dilated my esophagus to make the opening bigger, so that food/liquids will be able to pass. I was out of it for most of the day yesterday, but I could immediately feel the difference.
I am still on liquids through today, but tomorrow I can progress to soft foods. That has been the worse thing because I am so sick of liquids, but the truth is, I have not had much of an appetite and I have been afriad to eat or drink anything because of the pain and difficulty swallowing anything thicker than water. I was dehydrated when I got to the hospital yesterday, so they gave me some fluids to rehydrate me.
I do have to say the best thing throughout this whole ordeal has been my surgeon. To be quite honest, I was a little skeptical about selecting him as a surgeon and using BBSA particularly because of what I heard on this OH forum about BBSA being a surgery mill and that you never see him for follow up appointments, etc. However, my skepticism was BEFORE I met him.
I had my surgery with him on July 20, was hospitalized for four days. Each day, he visited/checked in on me at least 2-3 times. With this recent complication, he has been wonderful. I have seen him each time I've gone in because that is what I feel comfortable with. I really cannot say enough about him. I trust him with my life. I feel very fortunate that I selected him as a surgeon.
It does appear that I will not be returning to work on Monday. I just don't feel well enough to go back. The past two weeks, I have essentially been living on water and protein drinks and I have very little energy. I tire so easily. I know now that it was because of the stricture, and now that it has been fixed, I can progress with my diet and get some calories in and hopefully I will feel much better and regain some energy.
6 comments
About two weeks ago (Sunday, Aug. 9) I swallowed a calcium pill and I felt like maybe it got stuck going down. That feeling stayed with me for a few days and it was miserable. The worse part is that I had gone home to Wisconsin to recover so I could have my family around me. I called my surgeon's office and they felt that perhaps my esophagus was inflamed due to the hiatal hernia I had repaired. They prescribed an anti-inflammatory medicine and suggested an antacid and told me to go back to a liquid diet. I tried all that and nothing really got better. In fact, I felt worse. Each time I tried to eat/drink, I felt like it was getting stuck in my esophagus.
I stayed in touch with my surgeon throughout the entire week, he called to check on me, told me to call him any time, etc. I was really comforted by that, even though I was so far away. He told me to call him when I got back in town to let him know how I was feeling.
On Tuesday (Aug. 11), I got back to Louisville and had a very bad episode involving cream of chicken soup. I ate about two or three spoonfuls and it got stuck. I had intense chest pain and felt like I could not breath. In my panic, I picked up the phone tp call 911 and I stood up.....and the soup just projected out of my mouth. It was horrible.
I called my surgeon first thing Wednesday morning and he told me that he wanted me to come to the hospital on Thursday (yesterday) to have and EGD scope done, so he could look into my esophagus and stomach to see what was wrong. I had the procedure done under general antheshia and he found a stricture at the bottom of my esophagus, which was causing all the problems. He dilated my esophagus to make the opening bigger, so that food/liquids will be able to pass. I was out of it for most of the day yesterday, but I could immediately feel the difference.
I am still on liquids through today, but tomorrow I can progress to soft foods. That has been the worse thing because I am so sick of liquids, but the truth is, I have not had much of an appetite and I have been afriad to eat or drink anything because of the pain and difficulty swallowing anything thicker than water. I was dehydrated when I got to the hospital yesterday, so they gave me some fluids to rehydrate me.
I do have to say the best thing throughout this whole ordeal has been my surgeon. To be quite honest, I was a little skeptical about selecting him as a surgeon and using BBSA particularly because of what I heard on this OH forum about BBSA being a surgery mill and that you never see him for follow up appointments, etc. However, my skepticism was BEFORE I met him.
I had my surgery with him on July 20, was hospitalized for four days. Each day, he visited/checked in on me at least 2-3 times. With this recent complication, he has been wonderful. I have seen him each time I've gone in because that is what I feel comfortable with. I really cannot say enough about him. I trust him with my life. I feel very fortunate that I selected him as a surgeon.
It does appear that I will not be returning to work on Monday. I just don't feel well enough to go back. The past two weeks, I have essentially been living on water and protein drinks and I have very little energy. I tire so easily. I know now that it was because of the stricture, and now that it has been fixed, I can progress with my diet and get some calories in and hopefully I will feel much better and regain some energy.
One week post-op
Jul 27, 2009
Well, a week ago, my life changed forever. And what a week this has been. Part of me still can't believe that I was approved and that I actually had the surgery. Of course, then I am reminded every time I try to move, as I am still pretty sore (particularly on the left side). And by the fact that I haven't had any solid foods to eat in 10 days!
I think I am doing well with my vitamins. It helps that I am at home recovering, I do believe once I go back to work in about a month that it is going to be hard to remember to take them. But I am going to make it a priority. It has to be. I don't want to get sick and the vitamins are important. I am not getting all 70 grams of protein in daily, but I am getting in about 50 grams, which I think is pretty good. Most of that is coming from the New Whey! protein drinks mixed with water (grape and fruit punch only). I have tried a little cottage cheese, but only about a teaspoon at a time. I don't want to push it. I am still addicted to the sugar free popsicles and have about five of those a day (which is good since they are water based).
I am going to see the doctor tomorrow for my 1 week checkup. I have been weighing myself at home and it looks like I am under 260 pounds (I have one of those dial scales and it's hard to tell exactly). I will definately find out tomorrow when I visit my doctor. I do know that a week before surgery, I weighed 269 and on the day of the surgery I weighed 266. The day of my CT scan (which was Tuesday, my second day in the hospital) I weighed 274. I was a bit concerned about the gain, but they told me it was probably all the fluids. So if I am around 260, I would be very happy because that means I lost around 14 pounds in one week! We'll see.
I haven't been doing much around the house except for rest. The first few days, I didn't even watch TV. I just layed and tried to find a way to get comfortable. Over the weekend, I definately got the TV groove back, as all I did was watch Lifetime movies and the Game Show Network. I have also been working on a needlepoint project I am working on for my best friend Jenny's baby girl, who is due at the end of August. I have actually gotten a lot done on it. I would also like to do some scrapbooking, but I just haven't felt like it yet.
I am also getting in some walking. I go out to get the mail each day and have been walking down about two or three houses and then I come back. I get tired very easily.
1 comment
I think I am doing well with my vitamins. It helps that I am at home recovering, I do believe once I go back to work in about a month that it is going to be hard to remember to take them. But I am going to make it a priority. It has to be. I don't want to get sick and the vitamins are important. I am not getting all 70 grams of protein in daily, but I am getting in about 50 grams, which I think is pretty good. Most of that is coming from the New Whey! protein drinks mixed with water (grape and fruit punch only). I have tried a little cottage cheese, but only about a teaspoon at a time. I don't want to push it. I am still addicted to the sugar free popsicles and have about five of those a day (which is good since they are water based).
I am going to see the doctor tomorrow for my 1 week checkup. I have been weighing myself at home and it looks like I am under 260 pounds (I have one of those dial scales and it's hard to tell exactly). I will definately find out tomorrow when I visit my doctor. I do know that a week before surgery, I weighed 269 and on the day of the surgery I weighed 266. The day of my CT scan (which was Tuesday, my second day in the hospital) I weighed 274. I was a bit concerned about the gain, but they told me it was probably all the fluids. So if I am around 260, I would be very happy because that means I lost around 14 pounds in one week! We'll see.
I haven't been doing much around the house except for rest. The first few days, I didn't even watch TV. I just layed and tried to find a way to get comfortable. Over the weekend, I definately got the TV groove back, as all I did was watch Lifetime movies and the Game Show Network. I have also been working on a needlepoint project I am working on for my best friend Jenny's baby girl, who is due at the end of August. I have actually gotten a lot done on it. I would also like to do some scrapbooking, but I just haven't felt like it yet.
I am also getting in some walking. I go out to get the mail each day and have been walking down about two or three houses and then I come back. I get tired very easily.
Popsicles and pain pills
Jul 25, 2009
I finally found something that does not make me feel nauseated.....sugar free popsicles. I don't know why i did not try them up until last night, but I have had four since last night. Everything else I tried to eat made me feel sick to my stomach. It kinda reminds me of back when I was pregnant and certain tastes and smells used to make me feel so sick. That is how it kinda feels right now. But I think (and hope) that it will get better.
I also discovered how to get about a 4-hour block of sleep uninterupted - I've started taking two of my pain pills. It says on the label that I can take 1-2 pills every 4-6 hours, but I had only been taking one. Until yesterday. I decided to take two. Taking two makes me really, really, really sweaty and hot.....but I am able to get about four hours of sleep at a time. The pills also dry my mouth out, so I keep a bottle of water nearby. And I also turn on the ceiling fan. Last night, I took two pills at around midnight, slept until 4 a.m., woke up, took two more pills and slept until about 8:30 a.m. Granted, I have to shift a lot because it is still incredibly hard to get comfortable, but it felt so good to sleep.
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I also discovered how to get about a 4-hour block of sleep uninterupted - I've started taking two of my pain pills. It says on the label that I can take 1-2 pills every 4-6 hours, but I had only been taking one. Until yesterday. I decided to take two. Taking two makes me really, really, really sweaty and hot.....but I am able to get about four hours of sleep at a time. The pills also dry my mouth out, so I keep a bottle of water nearby. And I also turn on the ceiling fan. Last night, I took two pills at around midnight, slept until 4 a.m., woke up, took two more pills and slept until about 8:30 a.m. Granted, I have to shift a lot because it is still incredibly hard to get comfortable, but it felt so good to sleep.
Home from the hospital
Jul 23, 2009
I made it through the surgery, which after this week, is such an accomplishment! I went in for surgery around 5:30 a.m., they prepped me and had me back there by 7:30 a.m. Woke up in recovery around 11 a.m. There was a minor complication, I had a hiatal hernia that had some extra time in recovery. I had no idea that I had the hernia, so that was a surprise. I am glad he found it though, because thinking back, I have been having some indigestion and heart burn. It wasn't so bad that i would have gone in to see a doctor.
I was supposed to get out of the hospital on Wednesday, but was feverish and having some pain on dizziness on Tuesday night. They ordered a CAT scan on Wednesday, which came back negative. That was an experience all by itself. Today, I woke up and felt better. Last night was rough in terms of sleeping...I just couldn't get comfortable. I am paranoid about the possibility of blood clots, so I have been up walking every few hours. I have taken most of my vitamins today, as well as my medications. I have also gotten in about 40 grams a protein today. Still short of my daily goal, but that's OK. It's the long run that's important.
Other than getting up every few minutes to use the bathroom, I am have hot/cold sweats, too. I feel lIke I am cold one day and hot the next. From one extreme to the next. Right now, I am hot. I am also wishing I could have something else besides chicken broth for dinner. I am really hoping that I will be able to get some good, comfortable sleep tonight.
2 comments
I was supposed to get out of the hospital on Wednesday, but was feverish and having some pain on dizziness on Tuesday night. They ordered a CAT scan on Wednesday, which came back negative. That was an experience all by itself. Today, I woke up and felt better. Last night was rough in terms of sleeping...I just couldn't get comfortable. I am paranoid about the possibility of blood clots, so I have been up walking every few hours. I have taken most of my vitamins today, as well as my medications. I have also gotten in about 40 grams a protein today. Still short of my daily goal, but that's OK. It's the long run that's important.
Other than getting up every few minutes to use the bathroom, I am have hot/cold sweats, too. I feel lIke I am cold one day and hot the next. From one extreme to the next. Right now, I am hot. I am also wishing I could have something else besides chicken broth for dinner. I am really hoping that I will be able to get some good, comfortable sleep tonight.
Sweet Home Wisconsin
Jun 24, 2009
I am on a furlough this week, which essentially means I have a week off without pay. My company mandated one in the first quarter and another one during the second quarter for every single employee. I waited until the last possible minute to take it. My son and I drove home to Wisconsin yesterday. I am taking to his first concert tonight to see my all-time favorite band, Bon Jovi. I am really excited. I love seeing Bon Jovi in concert. And we got awesome seats....second row from the stage!!
This will be the last trip home before my surgery. A lot of people have been asking me about my "last meals" and what I am going to try to eat before the surgery. I haven't really had much of an answer yet, but I do know that while I am here I am going to have two of my Wisconsin favorites -- a Friday fish fry and frozen custard.
I am a little worried about the dispute my insurance company (Anthem/Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kentucky) is having with Norton Healthcare, which is where I am supposed to have the surgery. The two sides are in a contract dispute and Anthem has said that if it's not settled by June 30, they will stop covering surgeries that are scheduled beginning July 1. I sure hope they can work things out because my surgery is scheduled for July 17th and I don't know if any other hospital in Louisville will be able to schedule my surgery. I really like Norton Hospital and I am frustrated with my insurance company. Their contract with Norton is not supposed to run out until 2010, but I guess Norton is wanting more money. Both sides seem to have issues. What's unfortunate and unfair is the large number of patients who will suffer because of the dispute.
I sure hope they can work things out soon.
Less than a month away
Jun 22, 2009
I went to my appointment with the cardiologist this morning. He asked me a ton of questions and did an EKG. Everything came out fine and he said he would grant me clearance for surgery. The whole appointment lasted less than 30 minutes. I still have to have the pre-op testing done and I still need to see a pulmonolgist. Those appointments will take place within the next two weeks.
Someone asked me this morning how many people I have told about my RNY surgery. Well, aside from those who are on this website - the answer is nine. My parents, my cousin Michelle, and my best friends Denielle, Amanda and Jenny (in Wisconsin) and Tiffany (in Mississippi). I have also told my friends Christine and Melissa, both of whom have had RNY surgery. Christine and Melissa have been especially wonderful to talk to, since they have already been through this.
I was trying to get my cousin to come down here and help me for a week or so after the surgery (since she is unemployed and all) and she first told me yes. Then she said she couldn't because she couldn't give up her $10/day dog walking gig. No, I'm not kidding. That's family for you. My parents are going to have my son for the whole month of July, so they are helping out on that front. If my mom wasn't working, I know she could come down (but part of the reason she is working summer school is to help me out financially).
Out of all my friends (who have not had RNY), Amanda has been the best. I cannot say enough about her. She has stayed with me on the phone for hours while I talk about my fears and she asks questions about the surgery -- she's been the only one so far that has really taken the time to talk to me about it. She has even volunteered to come down for a few days to help me, which is so wonderful. Even if it's just for a few days, it would be great. Because as of right now, I don't have anyone to wait with me during the surgery, to visit me in the hospital or to help me out at home afterwards. I know it would be a lot different if I were having the surgery done in WI, but I live here.
I don't know, it just seems like it's been a mixed bag of reactions and I have enough worry and nervousness already, I don't need any more. And part of me is so ashamed to tell people that I need this surgery in order to get a handle on my weight. I did tell my boss I was having surgery (but did not tell him what kind) and I started a claim for short term disability on Friday. I think I will take off about 4 weeks from work, as long as I can get the short term disability, which I should be able to get.
I definitely don't want my ex (my son's father) or my coworkers to know. You would understand if you knew where I worked. I am sure there will be a lot of speculation and that's fine.
I guess I am just at the point where I don't want anyone else to know. Maybe that will change as the time draws closer, but I don't think it will. I do realize that if I tell more people, then perhaps I could build my support system, but I also could do the opposite and I don't need people to judge me.
I am really thankful for this blog and for OH. I am really addicted to this website, as it has essentially become a lifeline for me. So thank you to all of the friends I have already "met" through OH.
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Someone asked me this morning how many people I have told about my RNY surgery. Well, aside from those who are on this website - the answer is nine. My parents, my cousin Michelle, and my best friends Denielle, Amanda and Jenny (in Wisconsin) and Tiffany (in Mississippi). I have also told my friends Christine and Melissa, both of whom have had RNY surgery. Christine and Melissa have been especially wonderful to talk to, since they have already been through this.
I was trying to get my cousin to come down here and help me for a week or so after the surgery (since she is unemployed and all) and she first told me yes. Then she said she couldn't because she couldn't give up her $10/day dog walking gig. No, I'm not kidding. That's family for you. My parents are going to have my son for the whole month of July, so they are helping out on that front. If my mom wasn't working, I know she could come down (but part of the reason she is working summer school is to help me out financially).
Out of all my friends (who have not had RNY), Amanda has been the best. I cannot say enough about her. She has stayed with me on the phone for hours while I talk about my fears and she asks questions about the surgery -- she's been the only one so far that has really taken the time to talk to me about it. She has even volunteered to come down for a few days to help me, which is so wonderful. Even if it's just for a few days, it would be great. Because as of right now, I don't have anyone to wait with me during the surgery, to visit me in the hospital or to help me out at home afterwards. I know it would be a lot different if I were having the surgery done in WI, but I live here.
I don't know, it just seems like it's been a mixed bag of reactions and I have enough worry and nervousness already, I don't need any more. And part of me is so ashamed to tell people that I need this surgery in order to get a handle on my weight. I did tell my boss I was having surgery (but did not tell him what kind) and I started a claim for short term disability on Friday. I think I will take off about 4 weeks from work, as long as I can get the short term disability, which I should be able to get.
I definitely don't want my ex (my son's father) or my coworkers to know. You would understand if you knew where I worked. I am sure there will be a lot of speculation and that's fine.
I guess I am just at the point where I don't want anyone else to know. Maybe that will change as the time draws closer, but I don't think it will. I do realize that if I tell more people, then perhaps I could build my support system, but I also could do the opposite and I don't need people to judge me.
I am really thankful for this blog and for OH. I am really addicted to this website, as it has essentially become a lifeline for me. So thank you to all of the friends I have already "met" through OH.
About Me
Louisville, KY
Location
44.9
BMI
Surgery
07/20/2009
Surgery Date
May 25, 2009
Member Since
