Well, today is Sunday, Sept. 14, 2008.  I have been in the hospital since Wednesday night due to a bowel obstruction.  I ate some cornbread and about 5 tator tots at 9pm on Wednesday night.  About 9:30 my stomach started to hurt really bad so I went to lie down.  After 2 hours and considerable pain still, I decided that I needed to go to the hospital.  Sean called my mom to come and take me.  We got to the hospital about midnight.  I was given a CAT scan of my bowels and admitted to the hospital for a bowel obstruction.  They weren't sure wether it was partial or complete so I wasn't allowed anything to eat and an NG tube was put in through my nose and into my stomach.  This pumped out anything that made it into my stomach.  This was very uncomfortable and it kept making me gag.  The tube was left in from Thursday night until Saturday afternoon.  It came out Saturday and I was allowed a clear liquid diet.  Man, I tell you that chicken broth hasn't tasted so good since February. For lunch I had chicken broth, a couple bites of orange jello, and some grape icee.  After lunch I took 2 tylenol w/codiene with water and was almost instantly violently ill.  Only foam with the tylenol w/codiene taste.  I took a nice 3 1/2 hour nap.  For dinner I had vegetable broth and cherry jello.  I started to feel 200% better as soon as the tube came out.  I said, "I can swallow and blow my nose now.  Yea!!".  Today they unhooked my IV and I will be able to have pureed foods for supper.  Breakfast was Cream of Wheat, orange sherbert, coffee, diet soda.  Lunch was Cream of tomato, oatmeal, chocolate ice cream.  Well,  my mom and daughter are here to see me.  I should be released tomorrow.

I have finally had 20 minutes to myself and was able to take my measurements. 

                                5/15          7/29
neck                       14.5          13.5
upper left arm      14              13.25
upper r. arm         12.5           13    (more muscle I hope)
waist                      41,5           38
hips                        47.5           43.5
upper r. thigh        22               21.5
upper l. thigh         23.5           22
left calf                    14              13.5
right calf                 15              13.75
chest                      46/38          42.5/35

inches lost            14                16
total lost                 49                65

I'm going to try and post a new pic soon.  Gotta get the kids to take one.

I am currently 156 pounds.  I can wear a size 12 pants and large shirt.  I can't believe how much my life has changed in the last 5 1/2 months.  I have way more energy and don't feel as self-conscious as I used to.  I still feel as if I belong in the "Women's" section at the store but I make myself go to the misses section.  I still have some trouble with eating stuff.  The other night I had ramen noodles and they did not agree with me at all. 

I tried to upload week 18 but something happened and it didn't save. 
A lot has happened and I'm sorry it's been so long.  My teaching job ended June 6, my brother's house in Iowa flooded and they lost the house, my 2 nephews stayed with me for almost  2 weeks, we had our county fair, my daughter and I went to Chicago for the weekend, I have a boyfriend and am engaged.  The wedding is supposed to be Oct. 17, 2009.  We both like the fall.

I am down to 160 pounds, which was my original goal and am now aiming for 150.  In order to be "normal" I have to weigh 130.   I"ll keep trying and see if I make it.  I'll still have yucky skin though.  

I'm still having trouble with getting sick sometimes.  If I eat too fast or my stomach doesn't like it, it'll come back up.  Measurements will be coming soon (after the 6th). 

Hello.  I tried a new recipe with some chicken legs today.  It was OK but not something I will probally make again.  It was 8 legs (no skin), 2 cans cream of chicken soup, 1 can Fiesta Nacho Cheese soup, garlic powder, pepper, and 1/2 cup water.  The chicken was really tender and just fell off the bone.  I made macaroni and put it on that.  Leftovers ended up at my mom's house.  I'm taking 1/2 cup to work for lunch tomorrow and probally jello.  

I brought my 2 year old nephew home from Iowa with me and we went to my mom's house and jumped on the trampoline today.  I did a front flip and almost hit my head on the frame.  My brother was laughing quite hard so I assume it was pretty funny.  My legs and stomach/side muscles are a little tender tonight.  Plus, my nephew and I went on a little walk earlier today so we both should sleep well tonight.

8:45 - 1 small sausage biscuit (150 cals)
1:00 - 1 cup twice baked potato salad (lots cals)
4:00 - No Sugar Added ice cream bar (240 cals)
6:00 - 1/2 cup macaroni w/chicken stuff  (300 cals)
9:30 - 1/8 serving slice of pizza (200 cals)