Brandee's Amazing Day

Ladies and Gentlemen... I have to share... Today was pre-admission testing. I got to Hurley Hosptial at 7:15 a.m. and arrived at the check-in early. The people there were REALLY nice... and I met a nice couple from KawKawlin, and another lady who has her surgery scheduled with my surgeon on the same day my surgery is scheduled! So... that was cool! And it was only 7:30 a.m. by that time. At the pre-admission testing, I gave a urine sample, had bloodwork drawn, a chest x-ray, EKG and a breathing test. After that, I met with a nurse who told me all I needed to know about the day of surgery and what to expect - we also talked about medical history and post-op issues. Then I waited in the exam room (wearing a rather comfy hospital grade gown) to meet Dr. Minasian, the doctor who will care for me in the hospital and for a few appointments post-op. Although the wait was long, it was worth it. He was nice, extremely knowledgeable and a straight shooter - nothing was sugar-coated. HE TOLD ME that post-op, after I have lost my weight, 170lbs will be considered HEAVY for me. He said my ideal weight will be around 145lbs and he can see that happening!! OMG, %!$#~!! (sorry for the language)... I think I recall that was my weight in 4th-5th grade! I have no idea what that will be like. I can't even begin to imagine.... aside from that, I learned what my HDL numbers were and it totally freaked me out... totally. Actually, it solidified my decision to do this all the more. ANYWAY - after this appointment, I came home to meet my Mom as she was going to go to the nutrition classes with me. I am so glad she did. WOW! What an experience that was! At the class, I was given a binder full of information along with a very cool tote bag full of from pre-and post-op care and diet information, to what to shop for, comparisons of different proteins... you name it! THEN... Jill, who does the scheduling for surgery, came to the classroom to ask me if I was interested in MOVING my surgery date. She said "we can get you in on the 5th...." Me, thinking July 5th... WRONG-O.... June 5th... as in next Monday! I had to excuse myself to make a phone call to my husband, but I did not get an answer... next, I called my boss... realistically, Monday is just too soon. We don't have a replacement for me yet and I learned we let a staff member go today. So I tracked Jill down and told her that I just could not get everything done before Monday.... she told me to call her tomorrow first thing in the morning and she will reschedule me. I am thinking my new date will be the week after next... but I won't know for sure until tomorrow. OH MY GOODNESS!! Can you believe that?? So on our way home... my mom took me to Wal-Mart and I purchased my vitamins and calcium, along with the items on my "shopping list" for post-op at home. When I got home... the proteins I ordered from OH had arrived via UPS! My day has been amazing. All this.... in one day! Praise God and to Him all the Glory that my prayers are being answered! Who woulda thunk they'd all happen in one day?? I'll post tomorrow after I speak to Jill about my new date. So much for worrying about how to pass the time!! I am now wondering if I'll have enough time to get everything I want done, completed before surgery! I did learn today that when God answers prayers, they don't always arrive in the form you were imagining... sometimes it's a heck of a lot better than you ever thought possible! Have a great night my friends! Brandee Owosso, MI

Oh yeaaahh!! My picture is now showing! Here you'll see my husband, Gordon and I on his birthday a few years ago. I love this photo of us... it is one of our favorites. By the end of summer, my face will resemble that girl again!

Brandee I am so excited for you. I remember the nerves like it was yesterday. I was truly nervous until I was put to sleep, I cried as they rolled me into the surgerical room. Now I look back thinking what the hell was I thinking. It has been such a road for me. I am so much happier now, and so much healthier. You will not regret one minute of it. Keep us posted on everything Suzanne 300/150

Wow Brandee! Sure does sound like an amazing day to me. I will be heading up there on Monday for a seminar to mee with them. Sure does sound like they work well with their patients and make sure they are informed pre and post op. Congrats on having such a good day. God is wonderfully amazing isn't He? Can't wait to hear when your new date is. Shawn 292

Shawn, they HAVE been awesome. I am glad that I was able to share my joyous experience with my Mom. My mom has had a weight struggle for years and has been maintaining 140-150lbs. for approximately nine years now. She understands what it is like to be heavy. (Her heaviest weight was 240.) Fortunately she was able to drop her weight through diet and exercise, although I know it was not a walk in the park for her. My mom has been an inspiration to me. I am glad she was there. It was eye-opening for her to learn first hand what post-op will be like. On the way home, she told me how proud she was that I am doing this for myself. That was a great feeling. Are you scheduled on Monday for a consult with a surgeon, or is this one of the getting-to-know-you seminars? Either way, you are in for a treat! Brandee

Brandee, What an awesome day you had!!!! Congratulations on getting your date moved up. My date is June 14th and I am sooooo excited and also a little scared. But like you, I know that God can do ANYTHING....so I am just trusting him and taking it day by day, Because I know that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!!!! Have you tried the Carnation Instant Breakfast protein drinks? The ones that have 0 sugar added? They are super good. It was weird cause I was sitting in church on Sunday craving one, now normally I would be craving Pizza or something. They are really good. I have started my liquid diet and they fill me up, to where I couldn't eat even if I was allowed to.... PRAISE GOD!!!! LOL Im also glad that you posted about your Pre-Admission appointment, I have mine tommorow and had NO idea what to expect... So THANKS!!!! Good luck in your upcoming surgery, won't be long and we will be on the losing side!! God Bless!! Kathy P.S. I love how God answers our prayers, he has a way of Showing Up & Showing Out!!!!

Every day my anxiety lessens... and each day I learn of someone new lifting me up in Prayer and that makes all the difference! I have not tried Carnation Instant Breakfast, but that is on my list of things I want to have in the pantry when I get home. I did order the Necter Fuzzy Navel powder that everyone has said they enjoyed... and wow... that is really good stuff!! I just mixed some with water and it tastes just like a CrystalLight type drink. I can only imagine how good this would be in a blender with ice and some fruit! I also ordered Any Whey - the non flavored protein powder.... not bad either. I had Gordon try a teaspoon of the Necter and he surprisingly, did not turn his nose up at it. Being a diabetic... having a protein shake for breakfast with his bride on the porch will not be a bad thing for my hubby! Thank you so much for your encouragement, Kathy!! Who knows... we may end up with the same dates!!

I have a tear in my eye. I am very happy for you. I thought about you a couple times in the last few days. I was trying to think of something to keep you busy. Now, I am just jealous. I can't wait until this day comes for me. This is a dumb question, but what is HDL? Is is Cholesterol? Good luck. Sincerely, Tammy

Oh Tammy, don't be jealous... you will be here very soon! The great gift is being able to learn from those who are post-op. This is so amazing... I post... answer the phone... come back a half our later and I have all of these wonderful messages waiting for me! I found out that my HDL is 33. BAD. HDL is the good cholesterol and it stands for high--density lipoprotein and it is GOOD because having a higher number is a protectant from heart attack. Lower HDL levels increase risk of heart disease. According to the doctor, having an HDL of 40 or higher is good.... less is bad... mine is really bad for someone my age... let alone any adult. HDL is what carries cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver where is is removed from our bodies... and it also helps remove plaque from arteries. Dr. Minasian said that when I start to drop weight, this number will raise. He believes I will be more "normal" 6 months post-op.... again... PRAISE GOD!

Brandee........... and just think.........it only gets better!! I am in a size 14 now and haven't been in that since jr. high!! I bought a few 16's about 2 weeks ago and they are all falling off now.........I went to JC Penny the other day and grabbed a few 14's off the rack and in my mind I was saying "no way are these gonna fit" and they did!!! I wanted to scream in the dressing room! I love how it makes me feel like a woman again!! We have to get together! Kristin from Owosso