My Christmas Cup

I went out and bought my Christmas present today, and I finished my Christmas shopping. The Man and I, always, go out together about a week or so before Christmas and get each other our gifts. That way we know the other person will like what they get and the experience of being together, both excited for our new prizes, for us, is better than opening a gift that we don't like. And believe me, the Man has come home with some doozies.

So, I bought him a Carhart sweatshirt and a new, fancy, belt. The belt is so silly to me but I guess I wouldn't know since I haven't owned a belt since the early 90's. For him it has to be durable and thick, made of real leather and able to hold gadgets. Flash lights and key rings and cell phones all hang around his waist. I would much rather carry around a cute purse, but that's just me.

The Man bought me these great shoes!  I love them so very much. Over there, above, is a picture of them. Maybe not the prettiest shoes ever but so comfortable and perfect for running. They are Asics Turbulent. Kind of weird thing about them. I wore them to work tonight and I walk a good deal while I am here. I noticed that my knee feels better, the funny thing is I didn't even know it was feeling bad in the first place. The reviews I have read about Asics all say they are great for correcting the way you walk or run. For instance, if you place too much weight on the outside or inside of your feet these will help you with that. They are not those silly rocker shoes or anything just great sneakers that account for the different way people move.  I guess I must have always walked weird and these are accounting for it.

I also got a fun cold drink tumbler, like the one on the right of the page. It will make the water drinking more pleasant, since I love fun cups, straws and the experience of drinking out of a "to go cup." I did pretty well with my soda quiting today. I had about 2 oz of regular coke mixed in with some diet.  I have to wean myself of the regular on to diet, then I will work on switching over to plain water.

I hope you are enjoying your holiday season,

Katrina

Worry Wart

This picture is a great print from
Blue Sky Clouds Etsy Shop

I am not good with worry. If I am concerned about someone, instead of calling them or visiting them. I avoid them. I fret and fester. I, in all manner of being, avoid the person I am caring so much about. Do you know who I am worrying about the most right now? Mandy. Since the week before her procedure, I have thought of her nonstop. I have talked about her decision with co-workers and family. I was on pins and needles through out the night before she went and after I was especially concerned. But I stayed away, always afraid of being in the way or an annoyance.

Although, I have been terrified for her, I think there also might be little piece of me that feels like I am being left behind. We have always done things in life together, with the exception of having children, which she has done and I have not. I want to conquer my food demons and my addiction to all things sweet and delish but that is the thing, I know that I am a food addict and a surgery that makes the place the food digests smaller, will not remove my desire for all things cheesy and gooey. So I chose not to go through with the surgery, and quite like a husband afraid his wife will change once she looses the weight. I am scared that this surgery will change her and make her different from the woman I have loved for 22 long years.

I know that she is the same person and she will still be my best friend no matter what weight we are. So you don't have to worry that I am actually concerned about that. I do know that I need to be healthy and whether Mandy's journey has inspired me or nudged me into action, I am doing something about it, Today! I am also starting an intense health and wellness class in January and I don't want to be the unfit chic trying to keep up.

So here is the plan;
1. I am quiting soda
2. I am starting with walking but I want to run a 5k by next Thanksgiving.
3. I am getting running shoes for X-Mas

Here's To Our Health, 

Katrina

Recovery

It's been a week and a few days since my surgery and I am feeling pretty good. The liquid diet is a bit harder than I thought it would be but I manage to get by. The first few days were really tough as you feel as though you are so bloated and sick to your stomach. Clear liquids were the only thing I could tolerate and finlly come Thursday I was able to begin my carnation instant breakfast with 1% milk. I tried jello and ice pops, but nothing ws really appealing to me; I wanted something warm, something solid...!
I called the nurse today about a few things; gas pains, hunger pains, and my incission sight (there is a stitch hanging out and a hole in my skin). I know does not sound too great but nurse said it was normal and she would clip it next week if it doesn't fall off by then. As for the gas pains, continue taking gas x strips, walk and use a heating pad to help relieve the painl. Hunger pains....Horray I can have soup and yougart! I will be having some cream of chicken soup tonight, I just have to drain the chunky stuff out! Oh what it will feel like to have something nice and warm in my belly. I can't wait til dinner!
I am walking and I also have Physical Therapy 2 xs a week for my knee. So I am getting some sort of exercise in!
Well next week I see the Dr. and the Nutritionist and they can clear me to go back to work and up my diet to soft foods. I can't wait!!!! Anything will taste better than shakes I have been drinking.

Till next time

~Mandy

I did it!

Monday 12/6/10 was the big day I had been waiting for. I got up early, mainly because I just couldn't sleep no longer. Was getting everything ready so I wouldn't have to worry about a thing when I got home. So I received a phone call from the surgical unit they wanted me there for 11am instead of 12pm, my dr was running ahead of schedule. So I hurry up to shower with the special sponges they give you and get a small bag ready just incase I need to stay the night. My mom and husband were ready to go. I arrived at 10:45am and waited and waited and waited; why was I there early if they had no room for me? When we walked into the waiting area it looked as if we were in a nursing home all the old people there waiting for someone or maybe waiting for surgery.
They brought me into a room about 11:45am and they said to prep me ASAP cause the dr was ready for me. So they bring me upstairs so I can see the dr and anesthesia and everyone else that will be helping out! Finally at 1pm they did the procedure and all I remember is the dr talking about the cook book he was buying his wife for Christmas. (Great subject when I had not eaten in 2 days).
I woke up in recovery about 3pm and was in a great deal of pain! Morphine, Morphine, Morphine, helped but not for long. They brought me back downstairs and it took about 45 mins for anyone to check on me and let me see my family waiting for me. I had so much nausea and gas and just was not feeling like myself...difficulty breathing, trying to take that deep breath.
Well finally they let me go home 7pm...Horray!
So I am home not doing as well as I thought. Having a hard time with the fluids and not able to drink the carnations and milk. Dr's office told me to keep on clear liquids for a few days until the nausea and gas fade. No longer can I take the Vicodin that was prescribed, but I need to take childrens liquid tylenol. So I will be home for 3 weeks and I will keep you posted on this wonderful journey I have started!

Til next time,

Mandy

A week to go!

I realize tomorrow is the day I go in for Pre-Surgical Testing! Meet with the team that will help out my surgeon and go through step by step on the procedure! One week from tomorrow I will be in surgery...OMG one week from tomorrow! I have one week left to do what needs to be done, at work, around the house, and little things for myself too!

I am so excited; the time is finally right there...in my face and it just still does not seem realistic. I have done all I needed and I am 19.4 lbs lighter since I began this journey. With the help and support of my husband, children, family, friends, and co-workers I have come such a long way.

I finally packed up all my clothes that will not fit me next year, put them in a plastic bag and they will soon be in a bin for Salvation Army!

I had a wonderful Thanksgiving and did not stuff myself to insanity, actually I didn't even stuff myself. I ate til I was comfortable and took my time and enjoyed every bite I ate!

I did my Black Friday Shopping and I am just about done my Christmas shopping. One less stress to have to worry about over the next few weeks after surgery.

But thats all for now, I am really speechless at this point and anxious!

December 6th, please hope all goes well for me. Surgery is only about an hour long. I will be up and posting as soon I am feel well enough!

To the healthier me I want to be!

Mandy

The big day is almost here!!!

So as I read back to the previous posts, I had come to realize that today November 8th is officially 7 months that I have quit smoking. I can't believe it has been that long already. Where did the time go?

Well I have my surgery date! December 6th I will be in surgery having the Lap Band done! I am so excited and anxious! Not sure how to even begin explaining my feelings about this, the things in needed to accomplish before this day came. I am down 17 lbs and feeling pretty good! I am no longer smoking and adding years to my life just from that. I know I will be successful with this surgery and I am not going to stop til I reach the rest of my goals!

I will tell you one thing; I was thinking about going through my summer clothes (I will not be the same size next year). For some reason I could not find it in me to throw them away yet. Why? I don't understand why I couldn't throw them away! I think I need to realize that I will not be the same size next year and just take the clothes, shove them into a bag, and throw them in the box for those in need. AAAhhhhhhhh.......how to get to that 1st step is the big question!

Well, I am going to head off for now...29 days til surgery!

mandy

Thank God thats over!

Yesterday on October 12th, I had to go through a series of tests to make sure I am all set and ready for surgery! I had to be at UMass for 8 am first test at 8:30 and next at 9:30! Nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before. I had looked up the tests I was having and figured; "if I can give birth to 2 children naturally, I am all set". Now honestly I didn't know what I was gettin myself into. I go into the room, the nurse tells me she is going to stick a q-tip up my nose to numb it and then squirt this "stuff" into the back of my mouth to numb that as well. Ok, I figured I am calm...then WHAM she stuffed the q-tip in my nostril and OUCH!!!! Then talk about gag reflexes...she sticks this skinny tube to the back of the throat, thought I was going to be sick! Now that is not even the begining...she takes a lubricant jelly and puts that up the nostril. then says "ok, now try to relax" as she begins to put this tube up the nostril and down to the back of my throat! "Don't swallow til I say" (Do you know how hard it is to not swallow and swallow on command)? So this test lasted for 20 mins, felt like 20 mins of tourture!!!

Next test was a bit better not as invasive but an Upper GI is not that fun! Drinking that barium white chalky drink..Ewwww! They had me stand up, lay down, roll over, on your back, on your side...now do a complete 360, this helps coat the stomach. Well...I left the hospital in one piece but the first test gave me the biggest sinus headache you could ever imagine.

So with those tests done, they found that I have a small hiatal hernia and acid reflux disease. So the good news is they can take care of the hernia when I go in for surgery...just hopfully now with the acid reflux disease, they will still let me have the Lap-Band done and not encourage me to go for the bypass instead!
Well, with all said and done I had a rough but very accomplished columbus day weekend. Last Friday marked my 6 months, am I now considered a Non-Smoker??? I had to give up coffee because the caffine will slow down the healing process of surgery. So massive caffine withdrawls and horrible cravings for coffee...but I lived through it and feel great! Decaf is alright every once in a while!

Well the one thing I love at the moment is within myself~~~WILL POWER~I have it and gonna keep using it til I meet all my goals.

Till next time (hopefully I will have a surgery date soon)~

Mandy