First full day home

My two wonderful grandsons Billy and Dominic came to keep me company. Glad the surgery is over, waiting for the gas pains and nausea to go away. It's nice to be home relaxing, reading and learning on how I'm going to live my life now. I will eat to live and NOT eat just because everything tastes so good.

The surgery went well, Char and my Dad said I was in alot of pain. ( I think they were laughing at me) It did hurt alot, but by Tuesday I felt alot better. Was able to walk often and burp up some of the gas, met some new friends who I will be sharing many stories with for life I hope. Home on Wednesday, just sipping water and trying to digest jello, protien drinks and strained soup. Nothing taste good...gotta stay focused on health though.

So far the hardest thing is swallowing my meds, they seem to get stuck even though I have split them...gonna try more tomorrow, this will all take time I'm sure...patience is something the Lord has blessed me with and I am relying His grace to carry me through these next few weeks.

I'm excited to see how the next year "looks" for me. I will turn 52 on December 23, it will be 6 months and 1 day since my surgery, I hope to be 52 pounds thinner by then and that is a doable plan for sure.

I see Dr. Pupkova on July 8th for my 2 week check up and on August 7th for my 6 week checkup. I hope by then she gives me permission to travel to Florida to see my Mom in September for a few days. I miss her and can't wait to see her soon!

12 hours to go to surgery

Well, I've done my instructions, only had clear liquids today and I am eagerly anticipating the Gastric Bypass Surgery tomorrow. I'm scheduled to arrive at Barix at 6:15, assume surgery will be about 7:30. I'm ready mentally, spiritually and physically for the journey I'm about to undertake.

Today was a great fathers day, Got to spend it with 5 of my favorite fathers, my Dad (who is best Dad a girl can ask for), My husband, My brother, my son-in-law and my son. They all got to spend it with their kids and our incredible family.

Well, tomorrow I join the losers bench, on my way to health and an incredible journey learning to be healthy, wealthy and wise.

Let the liquids begin

Well, I had my last "big meal". Enjoyed crab legs, shrimp and corn (not sure how thats gonna feel coming out). Although I have learned over the past few months to cut back my portions, I did enjoy a few extra legs. After dinner I took 4 tablespoons of MOM and am just waiting for the stomahe gurgeling to begin. The bottle says 1/2 hour to 6 hours...that was 2 hours ago. Tomorrow is clear liquids all day, broth (made my own chicken today), popcicles, jello and juice. Gonna have to get use to that kind of diet for about 3 weeks, before I can be introduced to purered food for 2 weeks and then soft foods for a week or 2. By then my stomache should be healed and I can begin the foods I like in small quanities.

I got my time for Monday morning, 6:15am...very happy about that as I am first and wont have to wait around and think about it all day, just hope I can sleep Sunday night...in anticipation.

Thursday - June 18, 2009

Oh, how I don't like rainy cold days in June. It is suppose to be warm and sunny, instead today it's cold and dreary. The weather also makes for a rough day at work since the kids can't get outside. I am wrapping up my work load, trying to get my desk ready for my mini-leave.

Last night I attended a support group meeting at Barix. It is very interesting getting to know people who have or are living through obesity and changing the journey of their lives. I enjoy hearing the others talk about their ups and downs and others supporting them and helping them through the tough times. WOW, that will be me in just four days. I am determined, confident and excited. I have come to a point in my life that I need a challenge and this seems like the perfect opportunity to take the dive. This week I said good-by to Chinese food, hamburgers, onion rings and m&m cookies. It has been reassuring to think through these challenges and realize just how much and how awful I have eaten for the past 30 years.

I have Friday, Saturday and Sunday to look and feel this way, then Monday I will recieve the tool of an egg sized stomache and be able to enjoy food and taste in a new way. I am ready and I thank God for giving me strength and endurance.

June 15, 2009

Wow, reality is kicking in and the real countdown is on. Next Monday at this time I will have been through GBS and on the road to recovery. I am not worried just apprehensive. The fear of the unknown is what scares most of us. So, I have only 4 more days to learn to eat less, make good choices and take my time. Then 2 days of liquid diet (YUK) and then D-Day. I am ready, I am sure and I am excited.

Saturday, June 13,2009

Today was an example on how difficult it will be to eat out for an entire day. We left this morning at 7:00am to head down the shore to meet up with friends. First stop breakfast at a local place in Tuckerton, NJ. Ordering breakfast isnt too difficult, Spinach and Mozz omelet, no potatoes and 1 slice of rye toast. Everyone else is ordering pancake and french toast...easier for me to resist those, not my favorite breakfast food. After breakfast we head to the flea market for some walking and shopping and then down to Smithtown for lots of walking and browsing. We decided to have dinner at the Smithtown Inn. Here is were the difficulty begins. Resisting bread and butter, but it is possible. Selecting dinner on the other hand is hard to resist. Since I am in my countdown to a smaller stomache, I treated myself for the last time for awhile to prime rib. I took my time and savored every bite and brought home half my meal for my husband to eat during the week. I felt good, not stuffed and we were able to walk again after dinner for about 20 minutes to the car. On the ride home from the shore I had an hour to reflect on my past, present and future eating habits. The truth is I have 5 more days to taste foods I might learn to do without. Then 2 days of liquids and preparing for surgery and a new life of thought, health and happiness.

The weather at the shore was perfect, the kind of day when you know and appreciate how wonderful is God, that he created it all for our enjoyment and pleasure.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Wow, time really does fly when your busy.It is hard to believe I have only 9 days left until surgery. On the day in question I will be short, one day, of 51-1/2. Makes me wonder how fast is life, this short time here on Earth. Is that why time seems to fly by so quickly? I do know this, God is in control of my life! He is amazing by the beauty he has shown me and the grace He has provided me. God has given me the blessing of so much love in my heart for my parents, my children, my grandchildren and my friends. I can only imagine how much He loves me! I am praying for his mercy and peace as I begin the journey of surgery and weight loss. I will look to Him for strength and peace.

2Timothy 1:7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.