EGSuzie
Fell off of the wagon...
Mar 26, 2008
Okay...that damn trip to Monterey set me off. I had a slice of flourless chocolate cake...an entire slice...and I haven't been the same since. No excuses...I have just been eating horribly the last week. No real gain...I just feel like crap. Back to reality for me starting now.
Speaking of feeling like crap...I think (and I hope that I'm wrong) that my gall bladder may be acting up. Tonight I had a rice cake with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter and later a string cheese. Within seconds of eating the cheese I suddenly had a gripping pain in the middle of my chest that pushed through to my back. At first I thought that perhaps I had eaten the cheese too fast, but I know that I didn't because I pulled it apart into strings and it took forever to eat. Anyway, it felt totally different from having something stuck or having eaten too fast or too much. It's hard to explain. Then, the nausea and vomiting started. Oh man...that really sucks when nothing comes up. It took about an hour for it to go away. Anyway, I'm going to start paying close attention to what I have eaten in case it is somehow loaded with fat, since that could set off another attack if that's what it was. Like I said...I hope that I'm wrong because I really don't have time for any surgeries right now...school is weighing down hard on me.
And now...although I should be studying for an upcoming test...I am going to go to bed now that my belly has stopped hurting.
Speaking of feeling like crap...I think (and I hope that I'm wrong) that my gall bladder may be acting up. Tonight I had a rice cake with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter and later a string cheese. Within seconds of eating the cheese I suddenly had a gripping pain in the middle of my chest that pushed through to my back. At first I thought that perhaps I had eaten the cheese too fast, but I know that I didn't because I pulled it apart into strings and it took forever to eat. Anyway, it felt totally different from having something stuck or having eaten too fast or too much. It's hard to explain. Then, the nausea and vomiting started. Oh man...that really sucks when nothing comes up. It took about an hour for it to go away. Anyway, I'm going to start paying close attention to what I have eaten in case it is somehow loaded with fat, since that could set off another attack if that's what it was. Like I said...I hope that I'm wrong because I really don't have time for any surgeries right now...school is weighing down hard on me.
And now...although I should be studying for an upcoming test...I am going to go to bed now that my belly has stopped hurting.
Finally a real Spring Break for Mom!!
Mar 18, 2008
Damon has a seminar scheduled for work in Monterey...and I actually get to go this year. Usually, my school schedule conflicts with every outing like this...but not this time!!! Yay!! So, tomorrow the kids have dental appointments @ 9am, then they are off to Nana's while we are out of town. Thank you, Nana!
Of course, I will still have to put some study time in while away...but it's a small price to pay for such a beautiful view. Ahhh...by this time tomorrow we will be having wonderful food at the banquet and then off to check out what's shakin' in town. After that...I get to sleep in for once. It's like heaven on earth :o).
Of course, I will still have to put some study time in while away...but it's a small price to pay for such a beautiful view. Ahhh...by this time tomorrow we will be having wonderful food at the banquet and then off to check out what's shakin' in town. After that...I get to sleep in for once. It's like heaven on earth :o).
Thinkin' 'bout food...
Mar 12, 2008
Okay...so we are obviously a little obsessed with food, even post-op. We just can't help it. There are so many things to consider and so many minimums to meet...it's no wonder that food still consumes so much of our time and thoughts. I have been thinking about the way in which different people handle the same situations regarding food...I have found it truly interesting to see the vastly different approaches to this surgery and it's outcomes.
The way that I think about food and this surgery may not be entirely popular with many out there...but (and don't take this too personally if you are one of those that don't agree with me) I don't care. The way that I handle my eating and the choices that I make or don't may come back to bite me in the ass later, and if it does...so be it. It will be entirely my own fault. However, in the meantime...
I had this surgery to get myself back to some semblance of normalcy. I did not intend for my life to resemble the first 1-6 months post-op forever. I am beginning to think that some people out there really did intend that to happen. I personally don't think that it's healthy, mentally or physically, to live a life focused on such drastically limited calorie intake forever. In some cases, perhaps it is physically necessary to keep calorie counts severely limited...but I almost get the impression by some posts that I have read recently, that there is a sort of pride in the heavy calorie cutting and the minute detailing of every morsel that is consumed. To me...that seems a bit crazy for lack of a better word. At the very least it screams of an eating disorder just under the surface.
I don't live my life that way...in the least. I keep a general count of my protein intake for the day...to me that is a very important component of my diet, even pre-op. I take my supplements when I get around to them...but I take them every day. I don't have them scheduled down to the minute or divided up into little pre-portioned bags...I take 'em right out of the bottle as needed. Works fine for me...but, perhaps not for others. I take protein supplements (shakes, bars) on an as needed basis... again, nothing "scheduled" or regimented. If I'm short protein for the day, or I'm just not feeling the hunger for "regular" food...I use 'em, otherwise I don't bother wasting the money it costs to keep that stuff on hand...that crap is pricey!
In general, I eat real food, smaller quantities than ever before surgery, but real food nonetheless. I eat real fat...yes...butter, bacon, olive oil, sour cream, cheeses...all in moderation, but all real! If it doesn't taste good (and fats make foods taste good) then why bother? I don't want to eat fake butter (that can't be and isn't good for you) or plastic-y cheese. Real only, please. In addition, if you are having issues with constipation...check your fat intake. Not enough fat and your innards are not going to be happy. Eat a little more fat, a little more fiber, and a little more water.
I eat real sugar...very limited of course, but I don't feel guilty in the least for eating real chocolate made with real sugar every day! It keeps me sane. But, again, in moderation. Real bread, on occasion, real meat though I love MorningStar farms products, real everything in most respects. Just less of everything.
I don't eat "white" foods...but for arguments sake, I didn't eat crappy white foods before surgery, either. I have always found them to be of poor quality and poor taste. Why bother with that? I do use a truck load of Splenda..love the stuff...and use it whenever I can, but I don't freak out if I can't use it in a recipe for some reason. I still like to count out or weigh some portion sizes, not because I am obsessive, but because we should be aware of what a portion of something really looks like and is. Why kid ourselves, right? I don't really track my calories anymore...I eat when hungry, stop when I'm not. Simple. And it sounds sort of like what normal, healthy, thin people do, huh?
This post really ended up so much longer than I had anticipated...as many of them seem to do :o). I think that I just feel the need to "out myself" as a "normal eater"...which is not the usually the most popular way to think around here. In any case...there you have it.
The way that I think about food and this surgery may not be entirely popular with many out there...but (and don't take this too personally if you are one of those that don't agree with me) I don't care. The way that I handle my eating and the choices that I make or don't may come back to bite me in the ass later, and if it does...so be it. It will be entirely my own fault. However, in the meantime...
I had this surgery to get myself back to some semblance of normalcy. I did not intend for my life to resemble the first 1-6 months post-op forever. I am beginning to think that some people out there really did intend that to happen. I personally don't think that it's healthy, mentally or physically, to live a life focused on such drastically limited calorie intake forever. In some cases, perhaps it is physically necessary to keep calorie counts severely limited...but I almost get the impression by some posts that I have read recently, that there is a sort of pride in the heavy calorie cutting and the minute detailing of every morsel that is consumed. To me...that seems a bit crazy for lack of a better word. At the very least it screams of an eating disorder just under the surface.
I don't live my life that way...in the least. I keep a general count of my protein intake for the day...to me that is a very important component of my diet, even pre-op. I take my supplements when I get around to them...but I take them every day. I don't have them scheduled down to the minute or divided up into little pre-portioned bags...I take 'em right out of the bottle as needed. Works fine for me...but, perhaps not for others. I take protein supplements (shakes, bars) on an as needed basis... again, nothing "scheduled" or regimented. If I'm short protein for the day, or I'm just not feeling the hunger for "regular" food...I use 'em, otherwise I don't bother wasting the money it costs to keep that stuff on hand...that crap is pricey!
In general, I eat real food, smaller quantities than ever before surgery, but real food nonetheless. I eat real fat...yes...butter, bacon, olive oil, sour cream, cheeses...all in moderation, but all real! If it doesn't taste good (and fats make foods taste good) then why bother? I don't want to eat fake butter (that can't be and isn't good for you) or plastic-y cheese. Real only, please. In addition, if you are having issues with constipation...check your fat intake. Not enough fat and your innards are not going to be happy. Eat a little more fat, a little more fiber, and a little more water.
I eat real sugar...very limited of course, but I don't feel guilty in the least for eating real chocolate made with real sugar every day! It keeps me sane. But, again, in moderation. Real bread, on occasion, real meat though I love MorningStar farms products, real everything in most respects. Just less of everything.
I don't eat "white" foods...but for arguments sake, I didn't eat crappy white foods before surgery, either. I have always found them to be of poor quality and poor taste. Why bother with that? I do use a truck load of Splenda..love the stuff...and use it whenever I can, but I don't freak out if I can't use it in a recipe for some reason. I still like to count out or weigh some portion sizes, not because I am obsessive, but because we should be aware of what a portion of something really looks like and is. Why kid ourselves, right? I don't really track my calories anymore...I eat when hungry, stop when I'm not. Simple. And it sounds sort of like what normal, healthy, thin people do, huh?
This post really ended up so much longer than I had anticipated...as many of them seem to do :o). I think that I just feel the need to "out myself" as a "normal eater"...which is not the usually the most popular way to think around here. In any case...there you have it.
Fortunate that all is well...
Mar 01, 2008
As many of you know, my daughter, MacKenzie, is a wrestler. I know that many don't really know what that entails, but it is a pretty rough and tough sport...she is so much more brave than I, that's for sure! And just to be clear, she is a grco/roman or collegiate wrestler...nothing like the silly stuff that they show on tv. You wouldn't believe how many people don't know that there is a difference.
Anyway, this weekend her wrestling team sponsored the Sacramento Regional Tournament, but unfortunately she didn't have enough wins in the right tournaments to qualify to wrestle at our own tournament. In any case, we are asked to work the tournament and support our team, even if our wrestler didn't get to wrestle...we are totally fine with that and it always turns out to be a great day. Instead of being at our tourny, MacKenzie was invited by the father of another wrestler and his sister, Serina (a former team member that has since moved on to high school) to attend the Nevada State Girls Invitational today. We were thrilled for her to go even though we were committed to our tournament and could not attend the event in Nevada.
So, we filled out the paperwork, got her USA card for freestyle wrestling, wrote up releases for Mark (Serina's dad) to take Mackie across state lines, and a medical release for him to act as our agent should a mishap occur. We sent her off this morning with plenty of money, her insurance card, and well wishes for a successful day. By now...you should see where this story is headed....
I got a call from Mark saying that he was so sorry, but...
MacKenzie had been in the last few seconds of the third round of her first match of the day and she had been hurt badly by the other wrestler. The paramedics were currently assessing her condition and had her strapped to a board, immobile to protect her neck. I thought that I would be sick right there on the phone. Mark was very calm and had control of the situation; I completely trusted his ability to handle the situation. I spoke with a paramedic and he told me that they were taking her to Barton Hospital in South Lake Tahoe for an x-ray and CT scan, but he thought that would be clear. The day unfolded and it ended up that she was later released to Mark, very sore, very medicated, but walking and moving all of her limbs...no worse for wear.
The really amazing part is that when they went back to the tournament after leaving the hospital to get the rest of the family and Serina after the tournament was finishing, they were beginning to give medals. They walked in the doors, and they were calling MacKenzie's name for her to receive her 4th place medal. She medalled at a State tournament and nearly broke her neck to do it! She was shocked and amazed!
In the end, they drove the two hours home, met us at our tournament, and MacKenzie got to show off her medal and hear well-wishes from all of her teammates here. I am sitting here this very late evening so thankful that my baby girl is in one piece and that she will recover fully in a couple of weeks. I have not had many reasons or opportunities in my life as a parent to feel such a deep sense of gratefulness or relief until today...but today I am feeling a deep sense of blessing by the universe for sparing my daughter from what could have changed her life in a radical way.
I know this was long, so if you are still reading this...I thank you for listening.
Anyway, this weekend her wrestling team sponsored the Sacramento Regional Tournament, but unfortunately she didn't have enough wins in the right tournaments to qualify to wrestle at our own tournament. In any case, we are asked to work the tournament and support our team, even if our wrestler didn't get to wrestle...we are totally fine with that and it always turns out to be a great day. Instead of being at our tourny, MacKenzie was invited by the father of another wrestler and his sister, Serina (a former team member that has since moved on to high school) to attend the Nevada State Girls Invitational today. We were thrilled for her to go even though we were committed to our tournament and could not attend the event in Nevada.
So, we filled out the paperwork, got her USA card for freestyle wrestling, wrote up releases for Mark (Serina's dad) to take Mackie across state lines, and a medical release for him to act as our agent should a mishap occur. We sent her off this morning with plenty of money, her insurance card, and well wishes for a successful day. By now...you should see where this story is headed....
I got a call from Mark saying that he was so sorry, but...
MacKenzie had been in the last few seconds of the third round of her first match of the day and she had been hurt badly by the other wrestler. The paramedics were currently assessing her condition and had her strapped to a board, immobile to protect her neck. I thought that I would be sick right there on the phone. Mark was very calm and had control of the situation; I completely trusted his ability to handle the situation. I spoke with a paramedic and he told me that they were taking her to Barton Hospital in South Lake Tahoe for an x-ray and CT scan, but he thought that would be clear. The day unfolded and it ended up that she was later released to Mark, very sore, very medicated, but walking and moving all of her limbs...no worse for wear.
The really amazing part is that when they went back to the tournament after leaving the hospital to get the rest of the family and Serina after the tournament was finishing, they were beginning to give medals. They walked in the doors, and they were calling MacKenzie's name for her to receive her 4th place medal. She medalled at a State tournament and nearly broke her neck to do it! She was shocked and amazed!
In the end, they drove the two hours home, met us at our tournament, and MacKenzie got to show off her medal and hear well-wishes from all of her teammates here. I am sitting here this very late evening so thankful that my baby girl is in one piece and that she will recover fully in a couple of weeks. I have not had many reasons or opportunities in my life as a parent to feel such a deep sense of gratefulness or relief until today...but today I am feeling a deep sense of blessing by the universe for sparing my daughter from what could have changed her life in a radical way.
I know this was long, so if you are still reading this...I thank you for listening.