CallieBear

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  I have been craving beef roast so bad.  Since we are still on mostly liquids but can have cream of chicken soup,  I decided to cook a chuck roast for the sole reason  to have rich flavorful beef broth.  I wasnt sure what I would do with the roast.  
After the roast had been boiling for a few hours, I dipped some of the broth and although it was thin we had that for dinner.  It was ok, but not as flavorful as I had hoped.  

Since I had a huge stock pot full of roast and broth and no one home to eat it,  I decided to try to puree some of the meat for when we can start pureed foods.  This was NOT easy.  I kept on added broth to the blender becasue the meat even though it was cut into 1 inch cubes was bogging down the blender.   I must have added at least 6 cups of broth to each batch in the blender so that the blades could suck the meat down and chop it up.  

I finally got the blender to work its magic and after blending the daylights out of it, the roast was a watery mushy almost paste and would pass for pureed.  Not quite baby food consistency but I figured we could chew it even more when we get to that stage.  

I poured the pureed mush into a wire strainer and let the liquid drain into another pan.  It took a while to get it to drain.  I kept it mushy with broth and filled 18, 1 ounce containers with the pureed meat.  
After I finished puttin the meat up, I  tasted the drained broth from the pureed meat.  On My Goodness!  It was delicious!!  Rich and flavorful and exactly what I was wanting!  

So, not only do we have 18 portions of pureed meat in the freezer for later, but we have 48 ounces of the most delicious beef broth I have ever tasted!  I can hardly wait for lunch and dinner tomorrow!  I feel sure that this broth has protein in it and even though I cant count it, I know it is going to taste so good!

 Richard and I had our pre op anesthesia apps on monday the 11th.  Since I have always had major nausea and vomiting with Demerol and anesthesia, I made sure to discuss this with the anesthesiologist.  He wrote me a prescription for Emend.  I wasn't going to get it filled at first since dr Scott had already given us 7 prescriptions each and two were anti nausea pills, I figured there was not a reason.  Then I decided to go ahead after talking to the CVS pharmacist about what Emend was.  Evidently, it is a drug given to cancer patients an hour or more before they take chemo.  It only helps if taken before you should become nauseated.  The single pill is around $100 but my insurance cost was $40.  I went ahead and got that very expensive pill and wish we had done the same for Richard. On Wednesday Richard had to be at the hospital at 6:30 since his surgery was at 8 and I had to be there at 8:30 since my surgery was at 10.  We decided to go together and take that time to be together before he went back.  The nurse got him set up in the pre-op room and got his I V started.  He also got a shot of heparin in his belly and they gave him versett in the I V to relax him.  His mom was there and our wonderful pastor was able to come by and pray with us before our surgeries.  They took him to the OR around 7:30 and they called around 8 to tell us the surgery had begun.  Then it was my turn.  His mom stayed with me and my youngest son and dad actually came to be with me before surgery.  That meant so much to me.  The nurse brought in another bed and said I would just use the same room since we were already there.   Forward ahead to having my I V and heparin shot.  I was very worried about Richard.  He is roughly a hundred pounds higher and had said several times he didn't think he would even survive the surgery so, I was waiting to hear.  They finally asked if I wanted something to help me relax and I said yes.  They gave me versett in my I V. We finally received word that Richard was finished and was in recovery and that he was fine so they too me to the operating room.  I had to scoot over to the operating room table and they strapped a large soft belt across my legs.  I remember them putting my arms out to the left and right on small narrow table like things being attached to the table.  The anesthesiologist put a mask over my nose and said to take some deep breaths that it was oxygen.  It was slightly hard to tell I was getting anything since I use a cpap, I expected more.  I felt like I was pulling the oxygen out of the mask.  I am not sure how much time passed.  I did ask them at some time if they would wait until I was asleep before poking me anymore or putting in a catheter.  Whoever I asked said I would not have a catheter and no more pokes unless I was asleep.  This helped me feel less stressed.  The last thing I remember was the anesthesiologist saying they were reading and it may have even been Dr Scott that said that.  I was told to breath into the mask and they would see me in recovery.   When I woke up in recovery, the first thing I remember was pain! Bad pain in my left front belly.  The nurse gave my a shot of pain reliever after she assured me that it was not Demerol.  Lol.  Dr Scott came to see me and told me everything went great and I asked again how Richard was.  He said he was fine, the surgery was a success and he was already in a room.  The pain was still so bad I felt like I could not breathe.  I also had to pee so bad and needed to cough.  I will skip the next part... I asked if they would let me sit up because I felt like if I could sit up, I might be able to tolerate the pain.   Since they let me have my own pillow through surgery and everything, it was especially nice in recovery.  I sat straight up with my legs dangling off each side of the bed and let my tummy rest between my legs.  This helped relieve the pressure and even helped the pain.  I stayed like this all the way to my private room on the opposite hall from Richard.   As soon as they had my morphine pain pump connected they let me get up to use the rest room.   When I was finished I told them that since I was already up, I wanted to go see Richard so I took my first walk which was about 50 feet and it was great being able too see him and know he was ok.  The bad news, was that he was having horrible nausea and they had him heavily medicated on phenergan and zofran.  I felt so bad that we didn't get him a prescription for Emend because not once have I had the slightest bit of nausea.   I wish we had known.  Even if the pill had cost $100.  It is worth the money! That first walk was short since they wanted me to get settled in my room.  Later I found out that Richard had some internal bleeding and his surgery was much more difficult than mine and he had to have a drain to help get fluid out of his abdomen.   The rest of our stay was uneventful.  The jello they served was gross, and it was very hard going 30 hours with nothing in our mouths.  No water, no ice chips nothing by mouth to allow our sleeves time to dry and seal those new staples in place.   That cup of decaf coffee was the best I have ever had!  Lol  On Thursday afternoon around 2, Dr Scott came by to see me and asked if i wanted to go home.   I told him yes and he went to get my discharge paperwork.  I went to see richard and found out that he had been having a fever and that Dr Scott was going to visit again in about 30 minutes to recheck him.    Richards fever came down with Tylenol and he received the all clear to come home too.   He has had a low grade fever for a few days but it has not gone higher than 101.   We see Dr Scott on Thursday for our one week checkup.  Hardest thing at home has been getting fluids in.  Each day is a little better.    

 It is hard to believe that in a few days, Richard and I will get our sleeves and our new life together begins.   I found a great deal at CVS yesterday!  A bathroom scale that goes up to 400 pounds and it was only 9.99.  I have tried to find one that we could use but scales that go to 400 are too expensive when i do find one.   It is great to finally have one and it didn't dig into my pocket too much.   Richard will be under 400 very soon so he will be able to use it too!  They also had a digital food scale for the same price so I got that as well.     Today I am going shopping to get some things for next week and my mind is a blank trying to think of what we need the first week after surgery.    When we Went to our last pre surgery diet class last Tuesday, I asked for a prescription for physical therapy because I need to be able to exercise without walking until my feet can handle the stress of my weight.   Smith therapy let Richard and I start right away!  We have done heavy water workouts every day since then! It feels so great to be able to exercise and not be in serious pain, just sore all over and elated emotionally from the workout!   I am trying very hard to lose 4 pounds by Monday.  I have been using five pound weights on each ankle in the pool and water dumbells  to provide resistance and can really feel my muscles getting stronger.  Very blessed that we have a wonderful physical therapist that cares so much to even meet us there on Sunday after church so we can get another workout in before Monday.  Praying the numbers on the scale reflect the hard work and dedication.   

I cant believe I have lost over 20 pounds on this new journey and am disappointed.  very odd feeling.  I must get down to 322 for my surgery on the 13th.  I went from 333 last tuesday to 326 which wasnt enough to meet goal.  Richard missed his by 3 pounds.  We have to go back on Monday and weigh and hope that we hit our pre-surgery goal.  
I asked her if we can skip having the meal and just do the 5 shakes but she said it isnt about the weight loss as much as in being healthy for surgery... and so on.. but if you are looking for me to hit a number.... you are looking at the WEIGHTLOSS.  
When we did exactly what we were told.. 5 shakes a day and one small meal.. with at least 96 oz of water a day.   

We are going do as she said.. 5 shakes a day and a small meal but I am very worried that I will not be able to lose the 4 pounds needed if I do what I am told.  

We shall see.  

I was disappointed today.  I honestly thought I would have lost much more than just 2 pounds.  I have spent more time on my feet walking and moving around this last week than I have the last 2 months.  I havent even been to walmart in the last few months because it hurt too much to stand or walk for very long.  On Saturday I spent 2 hours in Walmart.  Not just standing around either.  I walked everywhere and was most of the time in motion.  sigh.  I honestly would prefer just doing 5 shakes a day and skip the meal we are supposed to have.  I need to find some way to lose 10 pounds between now and next Tuesday or I risk my surgery date being rescheduled.   I am doing what I am supposed to do.  I drink the water I am required.  I drink the shakes and I am even eating healthy food for my meal.  I just dont understand why i cant drop more weight.  My guess is that even before I started the pre-op liquid diet, I had already cut my calories down so that this 1200 calorie diet just isnt drastic enough on my system.  I have to find some way to get in enough exercise to lose this 10 pounds.  so close.. and yet so far away.  must reach 322 somehow. 

 It is hard to believe that in 2 weeks we will be having our surgery.   One of the things that I am proud of, is that I am cooking.  I have never liked cooking.  Mostly because I hate cleaning up the mess but in the last 5 years, it has been more inconvenient due to my work schedule.  When we started the liquid diet and we need a small meal in addition to the shakes, I was having a hard time trying to figure out what to eat.  I work 10 to 12 hours a day in front of my computer.  It is hard to have time to stop and cook dinner.  Richard works at a retail Auto parts store and is on his feet all day long installing batteries and wearing himself out.  I started out trying to find a way to prepare two nights of meals without the ability to have seconds.   I have perfected my meal planning.  I buy the boneless skinless chicken breast, fresh vegies or frozen ones.  Green beans are my favorite. 
I make aluminum foil pockets.  
take one chicken breast and place it on the foil.
rub a tiny bit of olive oil or use olive oil spray on the chicken.
I use the lawrys low salt seasoning.  sprinkile all over the chicken.
Add 1 cup of frozen or fresh vegies on top. 
spray a quick burst of olive oil spray on the vegies and sprinkle with same seasoning.
bring the longest sides of the foil up and fold down the top until it touches the vegies.  Then fold the sides to create a nice little foil pillow.
Bake at 400 for 40 mins or until temp exceeds 160 degrees. 
let the pocket sit for about 10 minutes before opening. 
I make about 4 at a time.   I cook 2 and fridge 2 for the next night.  
At 5pm, I go pop them in the oven the next day. 
This is working nicely!! 
 
When we start on pureed food, this should work nicely as the meat is very tender and will blend well. 

We started on the Optifast 800 on May 12th.  So far so good.  I am glad I chose the ready to drink.  I tried one of my husbands powder packets and could hardly drink it down.  Ugh.  ready to drink is the way to go!.  I also like the chicken soup which had bad reviews from most of the people that tried it.  It is a nice break from the shakes and we prefer to have this as our nightcap. 

We do add a little pepper to it but if you mix it with only 8 ounces of water, it is the perfect consistency and flavor.

two more weeks... :)