Nancy B is BACK!!!

okay..Im back posting..Ive been home for a week after two weeks away in the sunny south for a badly needed vacation. The very next day I visited my surgeon for my two month checkup in Toronto. sooo..why havent I posted yet? Here's the deal: I enjoyed my vacation..found it easier to drink more water when I was WARM! I enjoyed seafood everyday. Most hotels usually had a microwave and fridge in the room and offered complimentary breakfast. We took along a soft cooler and freezer packs, bought cheese sticks, sugar-free, fat-free yogurts, sf rice puddings, protein bars, protein drinks, instant oatmeal, diet hot choclate and cup-a-soup with my small kettle, a few mugs and utensils. So my breakfasts were supplemented by milk and orange juice from the hotel so that always worked well. When we drove, I had cheese sticks and protein drinks, bars and bottled water in the front with me . I also carried two 4 oz covered containers with me in my purse because for lunch, we would stop at a seafood restaurant..I always ordered from the APPETIZER menu...like a skewer of grilled shrimp (I can eat two large shrimp) shrimp ****tail or cheese sticks (can eat 1 1/2) or crab cakes (can eat one)....and put the rest in the tiny containers and nibble at them later! Dinner was the same...soup if possible..I seem to be able to manage the creamed soups or NOT SO CHUNKY soups...BTW, "Bob Evans" Restaurants had the most delicious SAUSAGE CHILI! (look under soups)...filling, satisfying and full of protein! My biggest problem was that my EYES were bigger than my STOMACH...er..POUCH! I found it so hard to order reasonally so, with JBs support and counsell, I determined that IF I could finish my soup, only THEN would I order another appetizer and with JB's help, reminding me how I wont be able to eat much, I finally stopped ordering too much! I walked to restaurants..we didnt park at the door often...I walked on the beach and along fishing piers. One day I tripped over the hem of a long cotton knit denim dress and that night, sat in bed, taking up the hems of two dresses by 1 1/2 inches and taking up the shoulders by 2 inches...Then I took in a generous 3 inches between the cups of my bra and stopped my poor boobies from falling out the bottom! What's happening here? Could I be losing weight??? *smacks my forehead* wow! I coiuld hardly wait to get home and see my surgeon for my monthly weigh-in! (thats right, I get weighed once a month...I refuse to fall back into the trap of "oh no..I gained a pound! oh no...Im the same!"..I do this to preserve what little sanity I still have left. So we returned home and headed for Toronto the next day and I got weighed. I was down 12 pounds! 348 pounds..down from 380 at surgery. after two months, all Id lost was 32 pounds and I see others losing 45 pounds in ONE month!! I was disappointed...Id been so good at my eating..getting my protein higher and more water in. Dr Hagen reminded me that I was "one of the OLDER ones....grrrrr" and that, with my lymphatic legs and cane, exercise wasnt easy for me and said I just needed to be patient and accept that I was a SLOW LOSER! JB reminded me that I AM still losing..Im down 62 pounds since I first saw the surgeon for consult...I was 412 pounds then( now down to 348)! After my initial disappointment, I decided to count my blessings and celebrate my achievements...so here goes- I CELEBRATE that: I am down 32 pounds since surgery (instead of up and makes a difference of 64 pounds *blonde logic* ) I have lost SIX INCHES off my waist alone My tummy no longer rubs the steering wheel! In fact, I have six inches clearance! My clothes are suddenly hanging on me (more alterations coming) My toes look longer! (the lymphodemic swelling in my feet is noticably less) My hands look thinner, my fingers look longer and my rings are looser. My badly swollen legs are diminishing in circumference...oh yes..I had to take in my elastic support stockings by 1/2 inch by the ankle to 2 inches at the top while away! Im walking easier and never once growled at JB for parking too far away (he is still in shock, Im sure). I had to visit my orthodontist yesterday and he doesnt have an elevator tho his office is on the THIRD floor..I got up the stairs and was NOT huffing and puffing with a racing heart and a reddened face! No more incontinence accidents. I scratched my back between my shoulder blades before I realized it. I stand longer. I stand to make something at the kitchen counter instead of pulling a chair over to sit on. I get up off the couch easier without having to rock to gain momentum first. I fit into the armed chairs in waiting rooms...and grin with pride at JB..he just laughs knowing exactly what Im thinking. I wake up every morning and think how much better I feel and that I actually WANT to get up and not hide under my pillow! Soooo- do I still wish that my numbers would drop faster? You bet I do ! BUT, as a very wise lady recently told me, "TIME TAKES TIME" and in the meantime, I now celebrate the joy I have in being alive and in enjoying this wondrous adventure and exciting new part of my life! I wont compare my unique journey with others' because I am me..the only me I have and I am unique, as we each are. Patience is something I need to cultivate...I will celebrate others' good fortune in their accomplishments and take joy in my own..regardless of the "number", instead, I will appreciate the responses of my own body and how it makes me FEEL and thats MORE important than a number. and yes, Nancy B IS back and better than ever! woohoo! Nancy B

Nancy, First off, welcome back!!! Second, you rock girl!! What an inspirational story you have!!! I know how you feel about wanting the scale to move quicker, but you are right, it is all the little things that we CAN do now that make all the difference. I love all those moments. I am so proud of you for posting this, what an experience you have had, and a wonderous one at that. I think that you have definately put things into perspective for me along my journey. Thanks for the post, I am glad you are home and congratulations on making all those things happen and feeling great too!!! Take care and let us know how you are progressing! Steph

Thank you, Stephanie! Its good to be back! and wow! I am honoured to have inspired anyone because I have been so inspired by others here! Im now seeing changes and thats made all the difference in my spirits! My life has been hectic for years..I really need to learn how to say NO! (to the right things, that is!) but Im enjoying it so much more...I can hardly wait to be able to wear pretty things..and ..oh yes!..pretty feminine shoes too! Each day is an adventure..every morning now, I wake up..feel the bones in my hips or lay my hand over my tummy and it feels FLAT!?! and rise to face another new discovery! big or small, I vow to celebrate them all! *s* Nancy B