Disneyfreak
Changes
I am seeing that this place has changed since I last updated. It has become more user friendly. I am going to be placing all of my old entries in here, and will add an update sometime this week:
3-11-2004- I am still plugging along to find out what's going on with the leg issue. I will say tho that I was able to stand like I did when Barbara Thompson was there on March 6th, because I was in bed for a couple of days for the most part, and I was also able to relieve the problem with something over the counter.
I need to go have the MRI and have the Oncologist tell me there's nothing she can see and that she's discharging me as a patient. From there, I will seek the opinion of a Lymphedema Specialist, and I will seek the treatment at that point.
Now... I did find out why I was gaining... it was fluid retention. There isn't much that can be done about it, because it's a build up of protein AND fluids... both which have to be pushed out manually. No drug is going to help that.
I did also find out why I was losing the same cruddy pounds and packing them back on. It's something that usually hits everyone at a certain point, and that would be I cut out some meals and drank them as broth or something. I didn't want to risk the lack of loss after a gallbladder removal, plus I had heard the more you eat, the more stable your weight is, and the less likely you are to lose weight. It upset me that I checked my calorie intake and protein intake, and got in only 735 calories and 35 grams of protein in one day as far out as I am. That's nearly half of what I should be taking in if I'm active... and about maybe 61 percent take in if I'm inactive. I really need to work on that... and I don't know how I'm going to, but I will.
I had my 30th birthday pass before me in the middle of February. Oh well... another year older.... and Another year gone.. I got to thinking what I have done since I hit 20. I had 10 years. Where did it go and what have I done? It upset me that it wasn't a good review of the past ten years. I came back however to someone pointing out to me. You started to regain your health back. You took control of your life... that's a little more then some people who are your age can say. And hell, you have dropped almost 200 lbs. That within itself is a huge accomplishment.
Thinking back to that, they were and are right. I just guess that I thought I would be further then I am. At least in College or something.
So this next 10 years is for getting the rest of me together and maybe letting love find me. I have given up on that aspect of my life... I have enough going on to have to add a relationship to worry about.
1-24-2004- Sometimes, things don't change when you have this surgery.
I had this surgery for a lot of reasons. One of them was because I suffered with a leg problem that could very well cause an amputation. (Of both legs, mind you.)
Almost two months ago, I started the problems again. I developed a sore on my left calf. This was about an inch at the most below one of my scars from an open wound that healed over.
I decided that enough was enough with just that one sore. I also decided enough was enough with the pain and saw my primary. It was at this appointment that I found that I was misdiagnosed.
The Misdiagnosis? Lower Extremity Venous Stasis Disease. The New diagnosis? Well, there are two. Venous deficiency... and Lymphedema.
I was sent for an ultrasound. He wanted to check for clots in the leg. Good news... they didn't show.
Bad news, tho. There was something going on with the lymph nodes in my left thigh. So now I have to go for a CT Scan on the Abdomen area and the thighs.
This has been happening with my weight being down almost 200 lbs. Also, I knew something was up when I gained 9 lbs in a month. It upset me, because I didn't have this surgery to gain weight.
So I do hope that it's nothing and keep the positive frame of mind.
Also, I got an e-mail from someone I know well who's off doing something for Charity for the next 4 to 5 months. Even tho I don't feel like it, I am an inspiration to him. It makes me proud to know that he didn't call it quits when the wind was blowing in his face and he still had 70 kms (that's 44 miles to those of us who only know miles) to go. It also made me realize that, when I wanted to call it a game when I got that news last week of something going on in the thigh, that I couldn't do that. I needed to fight within me to find out what it was and have the treatment that I require. To me, and this is the reason I mentioned this friend of mine, he is the inspiration... not giving up when the wind was blowing in his face, the sand probably blinding him, and needing to make those 44 miles. Not me. I'm just someone who had WLS, battles the leg condition on a daily basis, and tries to live within my means of my surgery and the leg condition.
I plan on keeping up the fight. I have yet to tell this person this bad news from my end. Perhaps I don't want to say anything because there's nothing anyone can do until they find out what it is. Perhaps I don't say anything because I don't want him to worry. He has enough on his plate. But one day, I will tell him of this battle. (Perhaps when I am receiving the treatment and am doing well with it.)
The last thing I want to say is this. This condition... the lymphedema, it's a life time thing. There is no cure for it. You learn to live with it and deal in your own way.
Anyhow... I will update when I know more.
1-6-2004- Happy New Year all.
I am now under 290. Last month I weighed in at 286. I can't believe that almost 21 months ago, I was 488 lbs.
I had a wierd event happen to me the other night. No one knew me. I kept getting asked why I was sitting in Margaret's seat, when she was on her way over to this place. I had to explain.. then PROVE that I was me.
I guess that kind of stuff happens at 202 lbs gone in 20 months.
However, that is including before surgery. If you just want to count from my surgery day, I've dropped 194 lbs in 16 months.
I actually had a new challenge put in front of me. My brother decided that Christmas Morning was the time to get engaged. So now I'm looking to make myself thinner for their wedding... whenever that will be.
I also believe that his fiance is pregnant again. I don't know what she is going to have if she is... but I'd place my money on a little girl, as she isn't showing too much, but keeps eluding to needing to take Tylenol only, she isn't allowed in any hot tubs until after May... plus she has put weight on fast.... So... I would like to think she is pregnant again.
What fun, what joy... it will be fun to have another child around to spoil. LOL
11-5-2003- So much has happened since I last wrote, so I will try to be breif as far as my update goes, but I can't guaranteee it's length.
I had a problem with my insurance being cancelled, so I ended up fighting with two different insurance companies to get myself either onto some coverage, or to reinstate my coverage. (The second one happened before the first one.) It took me a letter to the Dept. of Public Welfare to get back onto my coverage, and a few phone calls from my local county office to be reinstated. I ended up e-mailing the Secretary of DPW in the state of PA to have this happen. (Hmm... I guess I don't mess around.) My cancellation should have never happened due to my status, which was still disabled.
Because of this, I ended up losing my surgery date for my Gallbladder removal which was September 25th. I kept asking for a new date AFTER I got my insurance straightened out, and went from there.
On September 30th, I started with what was the mother of all Gallbladder attacks. I was out shopping at Walmart for Cat food and Dog food, as well as a couple of other things for the house when I doubled over in pain. I was having pain for about maybe 20 minutes before that, but it actually really hit me at that point to where if I had gun, I would have done something rash. I worked through the pain, and made it so that I was ok enough to function. My pain didn't totally stop, however.
I kept calling almost everyday for a new date, and was told constantly that I would need to be patient, that I was trying to be worked into the schedule.
Finally, after a weekend of finally being able to eat, but it coming down to even water causing the pain, I put a call into the nurse practitioner on October 6th. I had told her that I had been calling for a date for my gallbladder removal, but wasn't getting one, and that if I didn't have a date by 3 pm, I was headed down to the ER at HUP and I was looking for admittance into the hospital. She told me to just do that over waiting for a new date, because it sounded like something was impacted.
When I made it down to the ER that night, I waited 3 hours to get back. (It was due to people coming in with the flu and colds.) I had my mother and aunt with me. It was just after they left that I was called back. At about 1 am, I was being examined for signs of dehydration (Surprise, I was slightly, because I hadn't had anything to eat or drink on the 6th at all.), I was examined as well for the gallstones after I told the ER Dr that I was in to see my surgeon on July 30th, and we initially set up the surgery date, but it was cancelled until I got my insurance mess straightened out, to which I had it straight at that point, and that in the past week, I had been able to tolerate food, which was unlike my past 7 months of dealing with this, but that the pain came on not too soon after eating.
My gallbladder was examined in an ultrasound, and while it showed no signs of inflammation or infection, it showed that it was full of stones. I also was shown to have problems with my liver. (No clue as to what was going on there.) I was being admitted, and my gallbladder was going to be removed at this point by the end of this stay. (Thank god.. I couldn't live like this anymore.)
After some tests on my liver, and some potassium to raise my level, because I was low in my potassium, I was set to go under on October 9th for my surgery. I was the first patient in his schedule for this.
My surgery went uneventful... or as uneventful as it could. In the course of my stay, I blew about 5 IVs, and had a central line put in. I also had an epidural this time, because I feared the pain from the removal. It was after my surgery that worried everyone however. I worked on getting myself up and moving right away after my surgery, and this worked to my advantage. However, About four hours after I reached recovery and made it back to a new room, I developed chest pains. I freaked out and this drove my blood pressure high.
I was given some Lopressor for the chest pains and high blood pressure.
I was discharged two days after my removal, which was an Open removal.
Almost 4 weeks later, I feel good. I do have some pain in the gallbladder incision, and that could be anything right now. I am eating almost normally now, but still at a volume capacity of someone who's about maybe 2 to 3 months post WLS. It's going to take some time to rebuild that, and I'm ok with it.
I will say this. For the first time since my WLS, which will be 14 1/2 months on this coming Friday, I feel awesome, despite the pain I am having in the incisional area. Because I am now able to eat, I am dropping yet again, and have really made it under 300 by both my primary Dr's scale, which I fit on for the first time in a long time, as his scale goes to 300 lbs only, and by my surgeon's scale, which I've been weighing in on almost the entire time of my WLS Journey. I am 12 lbs shy of making my 200 lbs dropped mark, which incidentally would put me at 2/3 of the way at my goal. I am currently at 292 lbs.
I also was involved in a couple of shoots in September. I did an exercise video, and I did a video for the Penn Bariatric website, which will hopefully be released soon. My views on this surgery are that it saved my legs, let alone my life, and I have so much to look forward to. The amount of goals I have now are NOTHING compared to what they were this time two years ago, when I was first presented this option. I know I did a lot of the hard work in my progress, but I can't take all of the credit for it. It was because a surgeon believed he could pull this off on me and did it that I have these things to look forward to. I did say this in my video spot for the Penn Bariatric website when I was asked if I had any final comments. I publically thanked Dr Williams in that video for giving me the jump start when nothing else was working in me. I still do support meetings twice a month at least, one for my own benefit, and one for those who are looking into this surgery or have just recently had this surgery. Before this surgery, I will have to admit that I was mortified that someone would put themselves through this. However, it was when I started looking at websites, talking to people in chats and yes, even on the phone, that I started to calm down a little, and then it was when I made actual physical contact with those who had this that I calmed down a lot, and knew that I was making the right decision. As I said, I do a lot of support now, I still drop weight because I need to, and I am doing things I never imagined possible. I never imagined that I would walk 2 miles in the course of a half hour to make a train to get down to my support meetings. I never imagined that I would also have a small amount of time to spare halfway into the walk to stop off and get something to drink as well. I never imagined that I wanted to be on the go like I am, but I am now.
To those who are viewing my journey for the first time, I have one thing to say if you are on the fence. Go for it. I paid a huge price for almost 200 lbs gone, but I feel that it has been SO WORTH IT FOR ME.
8-1-2003- After two days of digesting my info I had at my appointment, I am now going to post as to what happened.
I went in, saw the Dr's resident, and he analyzed the report that I had with me from my primary. He asked me how did I want to go about treating them. Hmm... perhaps surgery to remove the Gallbladder?
So with that, he brought out consent forms, and I signed them. One for the actual surgery, and one for blood. After I signed them, he left it at that, and said that Dr Williams would be right in.
Dr Williams was a little shocked as to my success in the weight loss. (It was close to my one year mark, so we made it my one year follow up as well.) With that all out of the way, he said, I'm going to show you how it's going to be done. Out came the diagrams again. Still impresses me with his diagrams. LOL Because of previous abdominal surgery (My WLS), I will have to be an Open Gallbladder Removal. (Not a big deal) So I tried to crack a joke, saying that by the time I was two to three years post, I would have 3/4 of the letter I on my stomach. (Did get a slight chuckle out of him.) He then said he wanted an Upper GI, and sent his assistant in to set up my date for surgery, and she would give me a script for the Upper GI. Hm... ok... wonder how long I would be waiting for my surgery.
His assistant came in and gave me my choice of dates for September. The 16th, the 22nd or the 23rd... I can't remember which day it was, and then the 25th. I took the 25th, because I knew my mom could get the time off for it, and for other personal reasons as well. There were no dates in August, as he was booked solid. (Ok... I can deal.)
So my Open Gallbladder removal is set for September 25th. I hope I last that long, because I don't want any other surgeon touching me.
So there it is. And I lost another 6 lbs.... which put me down to 304.
7-18-2003- Been a long time since I updated myself, so I will now.
I've had an ongoing battle with eating. Things would start with burning in the stomach, then I would get nauseous, I would then vomit my food, and I would start pain on my right side.
I was sent for a scope on May 16, 2003. I had a perfect pouch. After this, I didn't follow up with my surgeon on this, because I got busy in going to Disney in Early June. I did ok in Disney, but that's another time.
In this time, I decided to get my license. I needed a physical to have this step take place, so when I was setting up my appointment for my b-12 shot, I decided to make it an appointment to see my primary. When he saw me on July 8, 2003, he flipped out with how well I looked. I told him straight out that I felt like hell. He proceeded to examine my stomach area, and when he came to the ride side just past my incision, I started with the ouchies. He wrote a script up and told me to get an ultrasound. "Sounds like Gall Stones."
I went this past Monday (July 14, 2003) and had the test done. Was a matter of 15 minutes.
This Wednesday (July 16, 2003), I received a call from my primary. "Congratulations, Mags. You have gall stones." Ok... I can handle this. "Call your Surgeon down at U of P and schedule an appointment with him to set up surgery." Can do and did. Will see him on July 30th.
So for 4 months, I've been having problems with gall stones. At least that is what it appears to be.
Looks like another surgery is in order for me.
Lastly, I just want to add this for those learning about this or are scheduled for surgery. I don't care if you are going into this at 250 lbs and need to lose just 100 lbs, or you are 700 lbs and needing to lose 400 lbs. Gall Bladder trouble can flare up with this. Take all precautions and see if you still have your gall bladder after surgery. If you do, get on the Actigall or Bile Salts as soon as you can. I know this may not totally prevent you from losing your gall bladder, but if you can prolong it so that you can set up your healthy eating habits in the first year, it won't make it so tough on you following your Gall Bladder surgery. As it stands now, I don't know what my diet will be like after this removal. I do know that it may have prolonged the health of my Gall Bladder, and that's why I say to go get that medicine.
For now, that's it. I will post more when I know what's going to happen.
4-23-2003- I know it's been a while since I have updated, so I'll do this now.
I've had some trouble for the past 6 weeks. Things started up with a burning in my stomach after I ate. Nothing more then that.
After two weeks of just the burning, at this point, even water, I started throwing up my food. It was just really bad.
About a week after that, I started some really severe pains on one side. I kept asking after a while for someone or something to shoot me and put me out of my misery.
This finally got to the point that I went to the ER. This was this past Friday, and all I got that it was severe gas and the burning was acid reflux. I still have an endoscopy scheduled, so I will keep that appointment and go to it. (I'll just stop all my over the counter medicine before this.) I am due to go to this on May 16th. (This is with who my surgeon has do the scopes, so I don't have wait for the scope.)
So because I have been on this over the counter medicine, Phazyme and Pepcid, I have been able to eat. not much tho. I am back down again to about 2 to 3 bites of food. That's it.
The best news is that I'm now able to weigh in on a regular bathroom scale! Yay!! Currently, I weigh in at 312. I see under 300 in sight, and I do hope that comes before my trip to Disney in June.
That's all for now, but I will update more when I know something about what's going on.
2-12-2003- I got discouraged this month with my loss and a minor setback, but had some good from it.
First the good that came from it. My incision is now completely closed!!! Yay!!
Now for the bad. I recently had my leg infection come back to me. It was the first time since I came home from surgery that it came back. I was really upset by this, but I know that it was from the rubbing skin that I now have on my thighs. (The thigh skin is rubbing against my calves.) I am somewhat relieved that it took almost 5 months for the infection to come back, as it would have been anything short of that if I didn't have my surgery.
The second bad is my loss. I was down only 4 lbs more. I have decided to reset myself, and move on.
My 6 month follow up is coming up in March, only because my surgeon has had tons of schedule changes, so I will wait to post on the new comings from my 6 month things until then.
1-20-2003- Things still cease to amaze me at this stage of the game.
Having a bad stomach flu pushed me back down to the eating capacity of when I was first able to eat. That's right, I am back down to 4 tablespoons full of food. No less, no more.
Also, an open incisional spot. I'm still open at about 5 months post. Grant it, it's the size of a pin head now. It's gross tho, because when I go to change my bandage on it, it's usually tainted with blue streaks, whcih are the sutures my body couldn't absorb.
Two last things. I'm getting a handle on how I eat for the most part. I do have times where I tend to overeat, and I feel it. I do have times where I tend to eat too fast.. and again, I know it. I even found a good protein bar that if I need it, I can enjoy it, and know that I'm getting my protein in. (Thanks Don for helping me find it!)
The Last thing is to tie in what ceases to amaze me. The Miracle of life itself. Since surgery itself, I've been able to get to things I've never had the energy or the ability to do. The Walking is back up to where it was before I ran into my leg troubles. The clothes are just about ready to fall off of me. (The pair of pants I have on now are only being held up by my overhang.)
But the other half to this miracle of life is the nephew I welcomed into the world on December 27, 2002. I know had I not have had this, I wouldn't be around for him. I plan on being the spoiling aunt... the one that parents tend to hate. I know that when the time comes, I'll be able to keep up with him when he starts crawling and walking and getting himself into trouble.
Oh and I'm down 118 lbs since surgery.
That's all for now.
12-17-2002- The Incision is starting to heal now.. I'm down to one small spot still and it's still leaking some.
I can eat somewhat better now then I have in the past since my surgery.
Better news is that I'm tackling steps now and doing them like a normal person. And I'm down 103 lbs.
11-17-2002- Not much to report but another drop. Down 76 lbs in almost 3 months.
10-23-2002- I've had some complications.
I have suture abcesses that hae popped up and become infected. I also have had nausea from the antibiotics.
on the brighter side, I'm down 62 lbs.
8-31-2002- Things weren't exactly right, so I ended up being Opened.
Basically, I remember hearing that parts of my internal organs were resting on my lungs, and rather then take the chance of something going wrong, my surgeon thought it was best to go Open.
Things are healing, slowly, and I'm learning to deal with things, slowly, of course.
7-18-2002- My date was changed.... TO AUGUST 21ST!!!! WAHHOOOO!!!
7-10-02: I now have a DATE and am APPROVED!! My date is August 29, 2002. I'm so excited!!!!
6-13-02: At the End of May, they switched my appointments from June 27th to June 5th. So I did attend them.
The Psych found me to be a good candidate for surgery. We discussed my past weight loss battles and family history and all, and she even got to see my battle scars, aka my legs. What a mess.
My Nutritional Consult was a group setting. It was 5 of us in a class, learning the new diet. Hmmm... I knew this stuff... just needed to know the time frames... but I do have to admit. Rachel was thorough in explaining things.
Now I'm playing the waiting game in seeing if my insurance will pay and I get to have this. I hope so, as I really need this.
oh and I did lose 8 lbs in 7 weeks... that may also help sway my case....
4-30-02: Well my First Consult wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.... But I did manage to fix one of my problems.... MY periods did come back, even tho they are spotty.... My legs are still swollen, but healed... So far so good
I am a prime Candidate for surgery, Obviously... I was weighed and I'm about a 79 BMI... Can't see how that's going to be turned down....
I did like my surgeon tho... he's down to earth, easy going... and Darn... a good artist too... LOL... I do recommend him to anyone that can get him.... Very thorough....
Anyhow, I have my Nutritional and Psych consult at University of Penn on June 27th... I hope to know more maybe in the next week or two as far as my approval and my date. and Maybe later on this week some better pics of myself (By Better, I mean up to date) but for now, I've posted some older ones.
Early in the year: Right now, I am learning all I can about this procedure. With a BMI of 73, as well as having a co-morbidity of poor circulation, technically called Lower extremity venous stasis disease,which has caused ulcers and open sores on my legs, as well as having absent periods, I am hoping that I am a prime candidate for this surgery, as well as not getting turned down by my insurance, in which from what I've seen from those with my insurance, has not happened, but I may be that freak case that they turn down.
I have scheduled an appointment for April 16, 2002 with Dr. Noel Williams, and am on the Cancellation list, in case someone cancels out. I am hoping that it may be possible for a cancellation, but until then, I'll wait my turn and go in on the 16th of April well prepared and with enough evidence that I can have this done.
