Back to square one!

Is this our Rusty from Colorado???

Hi Karen..  Um, from Goodyear, AZ now.

Gee Rusty,

 It's good to see you. I'm "recommitting" too. Just re joined the gym that I quit using last year. Kept paying, just quit using! I too have gained weight. "I" wasn't going to be one of those. . . Spilt milk. I know the tool still works when I use it.

My life is much more positive than negative these days but oh so busy. Twin grands that pull me over the mountains every 3 weeks or so. Just can't stay away. Then I'm so exhausted when I get home that I can hardly move!

Lost my dear mom in 2007 so I definitely know about the "orphan" syndrome. Doesn't matter how old one is. I felt like 1/2 an orphan when Dad died in 1992; then the "whole" orphan arrived with Mom's passing. I'm a big girl, but sometimes don't want to be.

Even though I can't eat large amounts at one sitting I can still make bad choices many times a day. It was "easy" for me for over two years. I think I really thought I would not have to deal with making difficult decisions. Guess what? I was wrong. 

Rusty, my support group is still OFF. I have not found a local one that drew me back. I've missed you. Any plans for Seattle this summer? I'm on that side of the state every few weeks. I'd absolutely love to meet up with you in person. Let me know and I'll plan around it.

This is NOT your first knee replacement is it? I had both done in 2002 and dread the day when they need redoing. Is it any easier knowing what you'll go through. I remember about 4 weeks of hell, followed by slowly regaining my mobility. Not fun. Physical therapy was "endured" but so necessary. I feel for you. I did mine separately as I was about 340 lbs at the time. Might try both at the same time the next time, tho I hate to have to rely on someone to help me do all of my personal things.

How long in between replacements for you? I read about changes in the mechanics of artificial joints but since mine were "sawed" off I doubt if those are possibilities. Hang in there. In the meantime perhaps do arm strength stuff tho you'll probably get plenty of that with the walker, cane, etc. Not fun, I remember it well.

I truly believe that reaching out to others who understand is a big part of how well we do long term. Welcome back!

Nope.  No plans for Seattle this year.  Gotta run back and forth to KS to check on Dad and CO as we're expecting our 3rd grandbaby.  Absolutely must get a camera for everyone's computer so I can see the babies.
Have had 6 knee replacements: both in 1996, then right knee twice more 1996-97; left in 2001 right in 2007; partial patellectomy (part of kneecap broke off~!) on right and tumor in knee joint removed, both last week.  Left knee sore but moving along fine.  Right knee feels and acts quite a bit like the replacements; a bit faster recovery so far though.  I had a rotator cuff repair this January and I think they twisted my shoulder during surgery last week cuz it sure hurts when I cruise around  with my walker.  Replacement of knee last time, post weight loss, was soooo much easier.  Sometimes I feel like a patchwork quilt; 4 surgeries since Mom died 14 months ago.  I'm hoping I can regain some balance and lose the unhealthy grief and stress lbs.  Please, Lord, no more surgeries for a while.
Daffy Rusty

Daffodil,
Okay honey you are ready to get back on track along with dealing with grief and stress eating.

Even though you had bilateral knee surgery you can still exercise...just do it. Work your arms, start a weight lifting schedule and when you are ready with a doctor's release to exercise, start swimming and do water aerobics and biking.

We have all walked in your shoes, at our age family and friends depend on us for everything. It's our choice to decide what we can put on our plate. Set boundaries. We can say no...and not feel guilty about it.

Now is the time to take time for you. Why? Because you deserve it. Be kind to yourself. Pamper yourself and don't feel guilty about it.

I know how you are feeling, was there just a few weeks ago. Sat with my FIL for 7 weeks after work and put him first, because he needed it. He passed away at peace. I helped him with that and taught his family to deal with a dying parent. That's what I do. Did I stress eat? You betcha! Did I still take time for myself and exercises? Yep, but not as much as I would have liked. But I felt soooooooo much better when I exercise.

This is life. Our life. Just decide what you need to do and do it. Keep posting and you will get a lot of support from this site.

Remember; you are a success right now. Be kind to yourself. You will be back in your shorts and skorts before you know it. You have a tool. Work it. Also you might still try to connect with bariatric support group and see if they will let you join, if they say no...think about starting your own support group in your area.

Hi
 Welcome to the Arizona area. I am in Az, but 5 hrs away from Phoenix in Bullhead City. Actually hotter than Phoenix. Ya Know that weather we like it or not that 30 lb
regain is normal at 5 yrs out. I also had my surgery in 2004 & had agined 50 lbs &
have lost 25. Hope to lose the rest. I do the best on low-carb & had to get off all the
white carbs & sugar I added back in. Old habits start to come back & you have to
try & fight them. You have had a lot of stressful stuff going on & with the knee surgery
it will be awhile before you can start exercising. Take a deep breath & do not beat
yourself up, here. You can get back on track as soon as you can start walking again.
Try journaling everything you eat & drink & work some of your frustrations out that way & I bet you start seeing a difference in attitude & routine. It really opens our eyes
as to why we are gaining. Not doing what we were the first 3 or so years.
Hang in There!!

Daffodil

Since you have had bilateral knee surgery, now may be the time to catch up on your rest and to energize your thinking and get your eating habits back on track.  Once the knees have healed a little then you can slowly increase the exercise and will have a whole package in place to help you meet your goals.  Don't throw out those tine shorts and skorts.  You will need them in AZ.

Lin

RUSTY !!!! I recognized you right off. You have gone through sooo much, I am so sorry it has been such a rough time for you.Another new knee huh? well you know you can't get down on yourself over exercise right now. Your a nurse I hope you are watching yourself for depression. So many of ouse oldies are right with you, I havegone from my unbelieveable 12s to 16s and have no one to blame but myself. New home, new knee, find yourself a fun group to exercise with ( after you are healed) and some thing FUN, for yourself, it is time to get back into life sweetie, you have been so missed, I am glad to see you again. Hang in there, Blessings

Thanks, Jean.  Great to see some of the 'old' gang  still in there!  Am looking forward to AZ and all the opportunities for biking and swimming.  I can't golf but can send DH off to do so daily.  Only thing I'll miss is my snowshoeing...guess we'll have to travel up to the mountains so I don't go into a winter sports decline.  :lol:  Hopefully it won't take me long to connect with a new group of deaf friends.  At first I was bummed cuz I had to stop teaching hearing moms and babies to sign...but what about all those grandparents who need to learn a bit so they can communicate with their grandchildren who sign?  A whole new group of potential students, eh?
Daffy Rusty

Wow, you've sure been through a lot. Hope you recover quickly
What a neat job, teaching Moms and babies to sign.  How did you come into doing that?  I've always wanted to learn to sign.  Too bad I live in Michigan, I loved AZ when I visited there for a couple of weeks.
Good luck with your move and finding a new group of friends.
Jan