A Date For Me......

Oct 01, 2007

.....November 5th. Needless to say, I'm exstatic, nervous, happy, scared; you name it I feel it.  I suppose it's normal to have these feelings.  I know I'll make it through just fine because I have a great Dr with a great team, not to mention my support group: my mom, siblings, friends, co-workers. Everyone is behind me 200%.

I have decided to prepare a two week menu; so as I see what my stomach will or will not tolerate, I can revise as needed. I'm stocking up on my suppliments and a few other things. Although I won't buy too much food; I'm going to purchase a few items like egg sub, cottage cheese, chicken, tuna, SF popcicles, SF yogurt, some sample protein powders, and protein bullets.  Knowing the success I can have, I'm too excited to wait til November 5th.

Well, I'd like to thank you all for praying for me. Please continue to do so, as I will continue to pray for you.

Happy Happy Happy

Aug 03, 2007

I finally have a consultation appointment with Dr. Weaver on August 23rd.  It seems the show is on the road.  I know I will be taking my mom.  I going to ask my sister and brother if they would like to go.  I think it would give them real insight on the surgery and hopefully ease their minds about it.  They are not against it but are scared of what could happen (the dreaded "death" word).  It's understandable; they got love for their little sister who is no where close to being little.  I look forward to it though.  I love them but if they get cold feet on me, that's too bad for them.  I have to live for myself.  My momma is my rock and will never get cold feet and tell me not to do it .  She wants this for me as much as I do.  She is 63 and her future is now and so is mine and we are destined to live it together in good health.  And that is what we are going to do.

Thanks so much for praying for me.  As always I will continue to pray for you. 

The Waiting Game

Jul 16, 2007

I finally finished with my requirements for WLS; so now the waiting game begins.  Friday I went to pee pee in the cup for a nicotine test.  I also went ahead and had the EKG and chest x-ray completed.  The only things left before surgery are my consult with Dr. Weaver, the blood tests, and another pee pee sample for another nicotine test; that, of course, is if I am approved and no surprises pop-up.  Today I called Heather (Cigna/Harrahs) to make sure she received all the necessary paperwork from my surgeon's office.  I haven't heard back from her.  Hopefully the answer is yes, that way I won't have to wait so long.  Pray for me guys...I'm ready to cross over to the losing side.  I'll keep you posted.............

BRAVE!!! I Am Sooooo Brave!

Jul 02, 2007

...went for the Upper GI; well what can I say?!?!  HUGE HEADACHE!  I got an instant headache with the really thick stuff before the Barium.  The Barium had a fruity taste to it; so it wasn't bad.  I had to keep telling myself, "This is worth it.  Remember the before and after pictures?"  I took it like a champ.  I almost threw up 3 times but I chugged it though.  The Radiologist's asistant was very nice.  She said that she has come across many wanting wls.  She helped me through it...always reminding me that the reason for having this procedure was to make my life better.  I wish I could remember her name; but I had to recognize her, like others, whom I feel really touched me throughout my journey.  Anyway, it's over and I hope I will never have to go thru that again.

Well, this past Wednesday, I started back bleeding.  I called my GYN; she said for me to stop the pack of birth control pills I using now and start a new one.  So hopefully that will work.  

That is it for now.


I Feel Special

Jun 24, 2007

I just had to post that Dr. Weaver's office (wls) made feel soooooo special.  The office called me but I was out of my office; so needless to say I was nervous cuz I called them back but had to leave a message each time.  When I called back again, Leslie answered and said, "we were just calling you girl to see where you are with the 5 sessions with your EAP counselor?"  Of course I took a deep breathe cuz I was relieved it was not serious and put the smile on because I felt so special.  I know they are doing their jobs, but this phone call let me know that I am constantly being taken care of on their end.  I feel special because we are on the same page as far as my file being up to date with them.  I have always been treated like family and appreciate their sincere effort to help me get where I want to be.  God bless Dr. Weaver, her staff, and St Frances Hospital, my Center of Excellence .  




My First Group Meeting

Jun 15, 2007

I went to my first group meeting last night and enjoyed it.  There were quite a few people who have had WLS and about 4 of us going through the processes for approval.  First, I have to say WWWOOOWWW!!!  Dr Weaver has performed WLS on so many people that there is a total of 40,169lbs lost on those who have returned for the follow-up appointments.  That is a tremendous amount and I can't wait for my numbers to be apart of it.  There were many old heads who shared their success and how they were able to get the pounds off.  Not surprising to me, but there was a general concensus that RnY is the best choice because "if you are going to do it, DO IT; GO ALL THE WAY".  Although we all understand that both procedures produce the same outcome, there were some of us who belive there's a lot more room for cheating than with RnY and having to go back for fills were drawbacks to the LapBand.  I stand firm behind my decision to have RnY because I don't want any opportunity to purposely screw up, i.e. letting the saline out of the band myself to create more room for food and not going back for fills when the band expands too much making the pouch larger than it should be.  I have even read where some people go back for the RnY after LapBand because of the things I just previously mentioned.  The "Losers" had nothing but good things to say about Dr. Weaver.  One of the ladies on my friends list is having her surgery on June 25th; I pray she has a great recovery.  There was one lady who's been trying for 3 years and hoping that everything goes well this time with Dr. Weaver.  All in all it was very pleasing to see people in person who have had WLS, has had success, and coming back to help those of us who are about to embark on the our own journeys.

Today I weighed in at 387; I'm down 15lbs since April 22nd .  My family will be going to Kansas City in about a month.  I'm gonna try to be down to 377lbs by then.  I plan on increasing the exercise and probably doing a mixed liquid/food diet...I think my body has gotten used to what I'm currently doing and I'm growing bored with it.  Either way, I'm doing well enough to see that my clothes don't fit as they once did; I'm gonna have to look into getting some things altered.  Well, until next time...still losing in Memphis,TN..........

I Love My New GYN

Jun 13, 2007

I met with my new GYN on Monday.  She looked over my ultrasound, its report, and my blood tests.  She said that I do have PCOS and nothing else.  She said that since I'll more than likely have WLS in Sept/Oct, am already on a diet and losing, and am not looking to get pregnant soon, she would not give me any meds for the PCOS.  But, because my iron is low and the bleeding is ridiculous, she gave me Provera to stop the bleeding, Repliva for the iron, and a prescip for birth control pills for regulation.  I took the Provera last night and have not bled in over 17 hours now!!!  If I continue to see no blood into this evening, I will take my first birth control pill.  She said do this to prevent the bleeding from starting up again.   I LOVE DR. PASLEY.   However, she did get the ugly look, the same one she gave me because......I HAVEN'T HAD A PAP SINCE 2002.  I know, I know: it's not good to go that long without having a PAP done.  Well guess what, the nasty Dr went ahead did it.......WHILE I WAS STILL BLEEDING!!!!!  How gross!!!!!   I will spare the details, but it was nasty and hurt like hell.  I ABSOLUTELY HATE HAVING IT DONE!!!!!

Oh well, all I have left now are 4 more sessions with the EAP counselor, upper GI, tobacco test, nutrition classes, and group meetings.  I will attend my first group meeting tomorrow night.  I can't wait to meet some people and talk face to face about WLS.  Until next time..........

PCOS and More

Jun 06, 2007

Well, I went to see my Dr and was told I could possibly have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.  She said that my ovaries are enlarged and have many cysts on them.  I was referred to a gynocologist to do further testing.  My Dr said that the gyn would probably put me on a diabetic med (metformin, avandia) to help balance the hormones.  Coupled with continued weight lose, I could start ovulating properly.  My appointment is on Monday, June 11th; I'm sure this one will the first of many.  However, I was still worried because she made no mention of my uterus.  So I called back the next day and left a message for her to call me back.  Well her nurse assistant called me back and read the report in my file from the ultrasound.  It read that my uterus is at maximum thickness.  I asked was that normal; she said she didn't know but it reads as though it was normal.  Obviously, I'm still worried because I don't really know what this means for ME.  I know what PCOS is and everything about it (I research everything).  But it bothers me not knowing what is going on and how it will affect ME.  I have read that once a woman stablizes her weight and her hormones are in balance, she is able to have a baby.  Having children is very important to the success of my journey.  Therefore, getting this under control is a HIGH PRIORITY.  Though, it has helped settle my nerves knowing that when everything is under control, a woman has a very good chance at conceiving.  This is what I pray for.................

What's Going On? I'm confused........

Jun 02, 2007

This week I received a note in the mail from my PCP requesting I call about my pelvic ultrasound I had on the 11th.  When I spoke with them, I was told I am deficient in B12 and would need to come in for a shot once a week for 4 weeks and then once a month thereafter.  I'm confused because I have had no prior warning that I was low.  Although I have been rather tired and not really having any energy for exercise, household work, and the job.  Anyway...I'm also confused because they said nothing about the ultrasound.  I didn't think to ask because I was thrown off by the B12 shortage because I thought my iron was low due to prolonged periods.  After looking it up, I found that I could be short or maybe have pernicious anemia since B12 needs iron to function.  I'll find out Monday because it's time for my monthly appointment for wls.

But back to the prolonged period...to give some background:  I have never had a regular period on my own, only with birth control pills.  On or off the pills, I clot really bad.  For many years when "Aunt Flo" comes, she'll spot ever-so-often, then she'll flow heavily for days, then flow slowly, then spot with clots all the while, sometimes lasting for 2 or 3 weeks at a time.  Then she'll go away for 6 to 8 months.  When she comes back, she shows she really missed me because she wears her welcome out for another 2 or 3 weeks.  But fast forward to September 2006.  She came on September 8, 2006 and didn't leave until January 15, 2007 =(  UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!  I can't flame her too much because she did leave for a few hours a day, maybe once every two weeks (any amount of time away from her is appreciated).  The worst part was all the CLOTS.  I was on a diet at the time but could not exercise because the passing clots was soo frequent that exercising was more nasty than sweaty.  When she left on January 15th, she stayed away for about 2 months.  She only appeared ever-so-often (spotted) until April 5th; SHE'S BEEN HERE EVER SINCE.  So my Dr. had me to get an ultrasound on May 11th.  I know they found something because I called the office back after finding out about the B12.  I asked what was found on the ultrasound and she told me the Dr would discuss at my appointment.  She also asked if I could come in earlier than Monday but I couldn't.  Soooooooo, I have to wait until Monday to know what is wrong with me.  I know there are a number of things that could be wrong; and with me being "SUPER MORBIDLY OBESE" and having had started my period at age 9 (huge amounts of estrogen stored in my body), it could be fibroids or endometriosis.  Either of which could cause me to lose my uterus.  But inspite of what could be or might be, I am staying upbeat and positive and prayerful and faithful and encouraged that what ever is God's will, it will be done.  Remaining prayerful in Memphis, TN.............


I Bet You Have These Too!!!!!!!!!

May 25, 2007

Since everything seems to be in line, I've been thinking about the new me, contemplating things that I may go through on my journey, and all the milestones I can't wait to experience.  So I put together a list of things I will need to accomplish during my Fantastic Voyage.  I say "need to accomplish" because I feel these things will provide encouragement, motivation and inspiration when experiencing plateaus, craving things I shouldn't have, slacking on the exercise, etc.  I think we all need encouragement in all things we do.  And I certainly don't know anyone who hasn't lost that sense of "I can do this" every once in awhile.  So with that said, here is my list.

1.  Weigh less than 350lbs
2.  Weigh less than 300lbs
3.  Weigh less than 250lbs
4.  Weigh less than 200lbs
5.  Weigh less than 150lbs
6.  Reach my personal goal weight of 145lbs
7.  Walk longer than 5 minutes without my back hurting (11-17-07)
8.  Walk without heel pain
9.  Cross my legs at the knee for the first time in my life
10. No longer taking HBP medication
11. Comfortably sit in a booth
12. Notice when I'm not sweeting as much as before (Lord knows
          I hope this happens)
13. Submerge my body fully in the bathtub
14. Wash my own back
15. Be/Feel healthy enough to care for my Momma and sister
16. Become a wife
17. Become a mother
18. Jump up and down
19. Sit in a chair with arms without hurting my thighs
20. Look down and see my feet
21. Look down and see my feet and ankles not swollen
22. Fit size 30/32
23. Fit size 26/28
24. Fit size 22/24
25. Fit size 18/20
26. Fit size 16/18
27. Fit size 14; I was this size in 3rd grade
28. Fit size 12; I don't remember wearing this size
29. Wear bra size 42DD
30. Wear bra size 40D
31. Wear bra size 38C
32. Shop in any store I want
33. Shop at Victoria's Secret for more than lotion
34. Learn to swim
35. Wear a swimsuit comfortably and confidently
36. Walk through the mall without stopping to rest
37. Go out in crowds more......alone
38. Wear high heel shoes again
39. Walk into places without being stared at; I know those
          negative glances
40. Not be the largest person in a group or in my family
41. Get a reaction from someone I have not seen in awhile
42. Go to a football/basketball game and feel comfortable
43. Walk through the turnstiles without getting stuck
44. Wear a short dress or skirt
45. Run and Jog
46. Ride a bike again (Big fear of deflating the tires  )
47. Wear a halter top or dress
48. MAINTAIN WHO I AM; THE ONE MY 
      FAMILY AND FRIENDS KNOW

***I won't comment on this one until about a year out :-) ***

I think this is it.  I will probably add to the list later as I have a lot of things I would like to accomplish.  What you see here are some of the more important ones.  As I said, I know you have these too; so I wish you luck and multiple blessings.  Until next time........


About Me
Memphis, TN
Location
50.2
BMI
RNY
Surgery
02/20/2008
Surgery Date
May 02, 2007
Member Since

Friends 28

Latest Blog 22
Finally......
New Date
Surgery Canceled for the Fourth Time
Today is the day...
LOVE is in the HEART
It's A New Year
Fantastic Discoveries: Part I
Doctors, Doctors, and More Doctors
WLS Postponed :(
Numb!!! I'm anemic :(

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