What a Week!

As I was typing the title for this post, I realized that I'm exactly 4 months post-op today! Kinda weird how it snuck up on me and with the roller coaster week I've had it is probably fitting.

So, this morning I weighed 199.8. 1998 might have been the last year my weight started with a "1". So there ya go. Seriously though, what a moment. What a surreal moment actually. I'm still wondering if I misread it.

This time last week I had lost just over 60 pounds. Great milestone to hit ... and my approximate half way mark of excess weight to lose. Crazy, right? Crazy that I had that much to lose and crazy that I've lost that much already!

This time on Wednesday, I took my wedding rings off because they kept slipping off and I was afraid I would lose them.

This time on Wednesday I was dealing with some reality about a new health situation that I'm not happy with. More about that in a minute.

I saw the nutritionist yesterday and she was very pleased and very encouraging about my progress so far. Good feeling leaving there with a gold star!

I saw my surgeon on Wednesday afternoon for a post-op check up and another little issue. He was very pleased with the 62 pounds I had lost so far. He was very pleased with my record keeping of my protein intake, water intake, blood pressure, and blood sugar. I'm a stellar, exemplary patient.

The other issue, the rain on my parade .. I found a lump in my breast back in November. I couldn't tell if it was the same one that's been raining on my parade since 2010 or a different one. It felt different. So I got in to see my GP and she added a diagnostic element to my annual mammogram I had in December.

The radiologist ordered an ultrasound that was done while I was there for my mammogram. After an exam and an extensive session of ultrasound the radiologist suggested that I see a surgeon and have a surgical biopsy done. So, rather than a needle biopsy they will actually remove the whole mass and send all of it for pathology. (This area was biopsied with a needle back in 2010 and the results were benign.)

So why surgery now? Because the darn thing looks a little different on the underside now. It has fingers or branches. The radiologist called it funny but not funny like cancer, just funny. My surgeon called it weird but not weird like cancer, just weird. The report called it suspicious but not likely malignant. We'll go with funny and weird for our purposes here.

So at my post-op appointment (for my gastric bypass) I got to talk about my "mass". My surgeon agreed with the radiologist. He normally would want a needle biopsy but because of the shape and weirdness of this he's afraid a needle would sample the top part but maybe not get the bottom part. And if the bottom part is cancer they would completely miss it. He wants it out. Know what that means? Yeah, me wants it out too.

My mom, her sister, and their aunt have all been hit by breast cancer. So you have to know that it has always been in the back of mind. I've been vigilant about mammograms since I was 35. I've been moderately vigilant about my self exams. I've had a biopsy and multiple diagnostic mammograms and multiple ultrasounds. When I found this lump it was the norm. Let's get it checked out and looked at and move on. And I'm not one to worry until I have something to worry about. I'm either a woman of great faith or excellent at denial. You decide. Ha. Perhaps a little of both?

So anyway, as aggravated as I am and as inconvenient as it will be, I'm having this out-patient surgery next Thursday, 1/21. I guess they will tell me that day how quick the pathology report will be back. I am cautiously optimistic. I'm not worried. My mother does enough of that for all of us. (Love you Mudder.) Should be an easy and quick recovery.

That same day, after the appointment with the surgeon, Trinity walks in and hands me a couple of shirts she's decided are too big. (She went through a phase of wearing looser shirts.) Thought that might soon fit me. Try then. They fit me then. How FREAKING AWESOME IS THAT?

So even though I've got a little desert of testing coming up, overall this has been a terrific-ly wonderful week. I'm such a blessed girl ... 

He's been drawing me close. I've felt it. He's shielding me. The song "A Shield About Me" has been on repeat for me the last couple of days...

Thou oh Lord, are a shield about me

You're my glory

You're the lifter of my head.

from:

"You oh Lord are a shield about me, 

You bestow glory on me and you lift up my head."

- Psalm 3:3

He continues to increase and I continue to decrease. In many, many ways.

Be blessed and be blessings y'all!

16 1/2 Weeks Post-Op

Thought I'd do a little check in on how things are going. I don't think to blog as often because there aren't as many changes on a day to day basis.

I've now lost just over 60 pounds. When I lose 3 1/2 more I'll be in the 100's for the first time since 1996 or so.

I'm still on one blood pressure medicine and one diabetes medicine. My blood pressure is slowly getting to a normal reading. It went way down after surgery then climbed back up to high numbers at around 12 weeks. My blood sugars are very normal. 100 to 125 consistently. Maybe I'll get rid of that med before long.

I'm still sleeping with my CPAP but I'm wondering how much longer I will need it. I took a two hour nap last Sunday and slept wonderfully without it!

My wedding ring is super loose. I can't bring myself to take it off but if I shake my hand (even gently) it starts sliding off. It fell off as I got into bed the other night. I sure don't want to lose it but I can't go without it.

The first batch of smaller clothes I'd shrank into are now getting looser and I'm wearing some that are a size smaller than that. I've bought a handful of new blouses and I can't explain how wonderful it feels to wear pretty, smaller clothes.

Compliments follow me around it seems. It feels a little weird. I don't think it goes to my head. I feel healthy. I feel happy. I don't think about my looks to often. But it does make me feel good that changes are big enough that people notice. That means I'm doing what I'm supposed to do and it is working.

I'm spending a lot of time each morning in devotions and Bible reading and prayer. It is a huge comfort to me and it makes me feel like this new path and plan is coming together.

I'm still losing hair, I'm still giddily happy, I'm still waking up early and still finding new ways that it is confirmed that this is the best thing I could have ever done.

He continues to increase as I continue to decrease ...

Blessings y'all!

Week 14 Post-Op

Random Thoughts:

My hair is falling out. Big time. Normal side effect but it is unsettling.

My wedding rings are getting loose. Making me nervous.

I was easily able to fit in the seat at the old theater in Salt Lake City for Jim Brickman's Christmas concert. Woo hoo!

I've started having horrible / migraine quality headaches. I'd gone several weeks post-op without any. They are bad. They happen most often on Sundays. No apparent diet cause. Possibly blood pressure or blood sugar issue but I haven't been able to iron that out yet.

I was able to have a big baking day this week for Christmas treats. In years passed I have been completely exhausted when I was done or had to spread it out over several days. I made most of it on one day this year and it didn't slow me down at all.

Christmas was wonderful. Smaller clothes, less aches and pains, irrepressible joy, Savior focused rather than food focused ... what a difference! I ate very little and while I still struggle with food thoughts, food is quickly becoming a non-issue for me. That's amazing.

In other news there are new bariatric vitamins out that can be swallowed rather than the tiresome chewables I had started out with. I see the surgeon on January 13 and we'll see how all of my vitamin levels are then.  Rarely miss a dose now so the swallowables are a huge advantage!

In really other news, I am also having a consultation on that same day with my surgeon about removing a lump in my breast. It's a lump that has been bothering me since 2010. They did a biopsy then and it came back negative. The radiologist is not overly concerned. He said it just looks funny and not funny like cancer, just strange. He thinks it needs to be removed and pathology done on the whole thing to make sure there's no cancer cells starting.

While I'm the opposite of excited I am certainly not worried at this point. This spot has been mammogrammed, ultrasounded, biopsied and then repeated multiple times (minus the biopsy). I'd rather get it removed than have it keep sending up red flags every year.

I think my brain chemistry is changing too. I am filled with joy. Constantly. Like almost goofy grinning all the time kind of thing ... It is a noticeable (to me) difference. I'm waking up earlier than I used to and getting much more out of my days. Everything in my life has improved. 

As of today I have lost 56 pounds. I am wearing one to two size smaller clothes. My old Christmas pj's were falling off of me! I feel SO GOOD! I feel more like a forty something than a sixty something. That's a significant improvement.

"He must increase but I must decrease." - John 3:30

Be blessed and be blessings y'all ...

Week 9 Post-Op

I slacked off big time from blogging! Guess I've been too busy living. For awhile things were kind of on a plateau so I didn't have much to report. That got me out of the blogging habit. Let's see if I can do better!

I'm 9 weeks post-op today and I've lost right at 46 pounds. Gee whiz. As I typed that just now I realize that is quite close to 50! Mercy! 

It's all been a bed of roses. Ha, not. I've had to check myself mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually, every. single. day. I've had to remind myself of my goals, my hopes, my health. I've had some feeling not so good moments and some big time wow moments.

So, my size 18 pants are getting looser. I'm wearing a 1XL most of the time instead of a 2X or 3 X. My pajamas were falling off so I've had to replace those as well as under garments. (Doesn't that sound prim and proper? Yeah, not like me at all.) My feet seem to continue to shrink in width. My wedding ring is getting looser.

This kids and I went to Park Meadows Mall in Denver, CO, last week. It was a rose and thorn kind of experience. While there the kids wanted Blizzards from Dairy Queen. I didn't mind. I knew I couldn't have one / shouldn't have one. Will gave me a nibble and I was happy. I saw a smoothie place there and thought, "Ooh, I could get a healthy treat!"

She handed me their nutritional info and I soon realized there was way too much sugar and way too many carbs. That kinda bummed me out. I had gotten all excited and then, deflation.

The next day Trinity and I were visiting with my mom and Trini was the one to point out that I had made it 3 1/2 hours at the mall without tiring out or beginning to limp .. AT ALL. That was a WOW moment and it was priceless. I'm really making progress.

I try not to eat more than a nibble of things that don't provide protein. A nibble usually satiates me or shows me it wasn't as good as my wack-a-doo mind remembers.

Mark and I walk for half an hour almost every night. 

Over a 4 or 5 week period my blood pressure started inching up. I was moving. I was losing weight. I was eating appropriately. It was a real bummer to call my doctor about restarting a blood pressure medicine. 

I also had two migraines within 3 days of each other. I hadn't had one since surgery and since even before that. So that rattled me a good bit.

I saw my GP yesterday and she changed my blood pressure medicine to one that is known to help with migraine prevention. Praises be! She assured me she thinks I will end up coming off of that for blood pressure but might consider continuing for migraines as long as my blood pressure doesn't get too low.

She sent me to have a blood draw to check on my diabetes. My sugars have been running between 100 and 130, fasting and non. My A1C was 8.1 just before surgery. They called that afternoon to let me know it was down to 5.9! That more than made up for the blood pressure snafoo. 5.7 or less is considered normal people! 

I am so content, so happy, so filled with eucharisteo ... gratefulness. God has been so good to me and so very faithful. I intend to pay it forward for all of my days.

"He must increase, but I must decrease." - John 3:30

Be blessed and be blessings y'all!

4 1/2 Weeks Post Op

Well it has been awhile. There were a few days that I had nothing new to report on. Then, there were a few really difficult days that I wasn't in a good enough place to report on.

Week before last I had a series of rough days. The first one happened when I was eating tuna salad while talking on the phone. I did one of two things or maybe both wrong. I ate too fast and I didn't chew well enough. This is because I was on the phone and not paying attention.

I think what I experienced was a version of dumping syndrome although it was nothing really like episodes I've heard described. I had a tightening in my stomach and pain. Then I got nauseous. Then, weirdly, I started salivating like crazy. I never threw up but my body wanted to. It was scary and it was disturbing. And it wasn't fun.

Two days later I did the same thing again. Either too fast or not chewing well. Second verse, same as the first.

And then to add insult to injury the scale quit moving. For over a week it did not go down at all! I was freaking out. And then, emotionally, I was a wreck.

In the grand scheme of things I've done fantastic. The nutritionist was pleased with my progress. Heck, I'm pleased with my progress. I have more room in the shower. My shirts are getting looser. I'm wearing the next size down pants for the first time. My blood sugars and blood pressures are doing well. We've walked every single day since I've been home from the hospital. My knee is doing well. Mark sees the physical changes but I can't really see that much yet.

I'm 39 pounds down from July 1. That's no small feat.

Today we picked up our new bathroom rugs which was my 20 lb. incentive. And, as a bonus, I got to get my 40 pound incentive a pound early. That, y'all, was a new handbag. Oh, yeah! Take a left, check it out. (The little quilt block was already mine from Amish country.)

50 pounds is a new bike.

And here's me today in my smaller jeans and my happier disposition!

Smaller jeans for the first time!

Close up at 39 lbs down.

Still striving daily to have more of Him in my life and less of me! (John 3:30)

Be blessed and be blessings y'all!

16 days Post-Op

A Wow and a Funny to share

Funny ... the Kracken was released yesterday to eat moist and mushy foods. Her dream come true, right? How did she celebrate? 

• 1/4 cup of scrambled eggs
• 1/4 cup tuna salad (with miracle whip light)
• 1/4 cup refried beans
• 1/4 cup red potato

Aren't you jealous? That's over the whole day! Crazy to me. Truly.

In other news, for kicks I tried on the next size down pants I bought at Goodwill back before surgery. They totally fit. Were too snug to button because of my incisions, but yeah. They fit. Wow!

I have been so blessed. The only nausea I can report was in the hospital in the recovery room. I've had minimal pain. I haven't had any of the "dumping syndrome" they warn us about. (Where inappropriate foods aren't processed in your stomach and move into your small intestine and it just wants to dump them somewhere because it doesn't like unprocessed food!) 

Of course, I am a goodie goodie. (The psychologist said so.) I have been doing my best to follow the rules and guidelines!

And, I've had tons of people praying for me every step of the way. I have to believe that has made the biggest difference!

"He must increase, I must decrease." - John 3:30

Be blessed and be blessings y'all!

15 Days Post Op

I'm afraid I'm going to start repeating myself. My brain has been a bit fuzzy since the surgery. Today, I am 15 days post-op. I saw my surgeon and had a great visit.

He was impressed with my blood pressure numbers and my bee-u-tee-ful blood sugars. I was down 20 lbs. since my last visit to his office on September 11. That's down 31 lbs. since my first visit to him!

He also said the most beautiful words one could ever hear!! "You can advance to the moist and mushy / fork tender diet." Tears of joy.

I have to work on my water intake. Most I've gotten is 50 oz. in a day. Need to get up to 60 to 64. It's VERY hard! And I can't drink while I eat so that's going to add a kink in things. I used to refill my 44 oz. cup three or four times a day. Crazy how I'm struggling now! At least I like water.

I've really struggled y'all. Liquids? I mean after so long they all are just blah. Like, even when I was hungry, nothing sounded worth getting up and drinking! So, I prayed. A. Lot. Those first days home when I didn't feel like moving were the worst. I couldn't get up and distract myself! 

But here's the thing. I've struggled. It's been hard. Like, really, really hard. But I have the advantage of having help this time. For every day that I struggle and fight, I actually see progress being made. If the scale hadn't changed a bit, the fact that I've gone from 11 prescriptions down to 4 is miraculous! Do you know how much of a difference it makes to struggle and see positive results? I've barely had that. Ever.

Mark takes me for walks now. I actually made it around the block last night. And, I left the walker at home. Feels good to walk without assistance!

I'm going to try driving today, a short distance but still. It scares me a little. I'm off the pain meds but twisting and reaching are hard. I'll take it a little at a time and see how it goes. I'll work up to heading to Hobby Lobby you know!

I'm back into my devotions on a pretty regular basis and that makes a world of difference. My friend Ann says it's like a big, warm hug. Amen, Sister! 

"He must become more, I must become less." - John 3:30

Be blessed and be blessings y'all!