11/11/05

Nov 11, 2005

I am home! First of all I have to say that the hospital staff at Swedish Ballard was wonderful! Many, many people came in and out of my room and each one was kind, caring and helpful. My biggest worry was being strapped down with the calf massagers and all the wires and not being able to go to the bathroom. Each time I rang my button they came quickly. I was glad of that. Well, the pain was horrible. More than I expected but I got through each second, minute, hour and day as expected. I had no problems whatsoever. If you are preop and reading this, it is not easy. The pain management to me was a very personal thing. No one could take away all the pain or make me completely comfortable. It was up to me to relax and do what I was told and make sure I followed instructions to be the healing patient. My twin sister Julie stayed with me the night and day after surgery. She was a godsend. The nurses were so busy and she was able to take some of the load off of them. It was great to have her there even though every time I pushed the pain button I was falling asleep. My husband came to visit every day. We have a little Chihauhau named Jasper. He said he had to go back down to the car to get a surprise. He made it seem as if he was bringing in the dog. I panicked and when he opened up his jacket, I flinched anticipating the pain of the dog jumping onto my stomach! It was only a stuffed puppy! I was so mad at him cause it hurt so much but laughed anyway. My little doggie misses me so much. The first night he searched every room and then just laid down beside the door. We are hitched together by the hips! haha
He is a sweet little thing.
So now I am home and trying to get this water, breathing, walking, eating thing down. I will get it, but I keep reading my notes. Do I want to eat? No way - I feel very bloated. I have been doing my bodily functions and that is good. I go see Dr. Weber in 1 week. I will report back then.


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11/6/05

Nov 06, 2005

Twas the night before bypass
'Twas the night before bypass, when all through my gut
not a morsel was stirring, not even a nut.
The suitcase was packed by the back door with care,
in hopes that a new me would soon return there.
I lay nestled, snug in my bed
while visions of calories danced in my head;
and me in my plus size pajamas and wrap,
had just settled in for a long, restless nap.
When deep in my mind there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my dreams to see what was the matter.
Away to my fridge I flew like a flash,
ripped open the door and drooled at the stash.
The moonlight reflecting off the beautiful snacks
gave a luster of radiance to all on the racks.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
but an array of the comfort foods I hold so dear.
With a familiar feeling of all those I'd pick,
I thought in a moment I just might be sick.
More lovely than angels their voices they came,
and they whistled and shouted and called me by name;
"Now pizza, now French fries, now chocolate galore
on cheesecake, on ice cream, on donuts and more!"
From the tip of my tongue, to the bottom of my toe,
I will miss you all more than ever you'll know.
As an addict that shakes and stirs as he sits,
I'll mourn the loss of my delectable hits.
So back to my bed I went with great haste,
and settled back down with nary a taste.
And then in an instant, in pre-op I sat,
nervously waiting to no longer be fat.
As I sat deep in thought and adjusted my gown,
In came my surgeon in one single bound.
He was dressed all in scrubs, from his head to his feet
and he seemed very calm as he eyed me like meat.
He looked at my chart, with his scope gave a listen,
I don't think he noticed my eyes starting to glisten.
He was chubby and plump -- he could lose some himself,
and I laughed when I saw him in spite of myself.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke barely a word as he prepped for his work,
he paused for a moment, then turned with a jerk.
And laying a finger aside of his face,
and giving a nod, out of the room he did race.
He checked in the next day, to his students gave a whistle,
and away they all flew like a down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim as he walked out of sight,
"speedy thinness to you and a healthier life!"
Author unknown

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR WARM WISHES. IT MEANS SO MUCH TO ME...SEE YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE!!

11/3/05

Nov 03, 2005

Today I went for my preop appointment with Dr. Weber and my preadmission to the hospital appointment. It was a heck of a drive today to the appointment. A real harrowing experience! It was raining cats and dogs and the wind was blowing hard. I am real nervous driving to Ballard anyway because I am not familiar with the area. Got to the appointment on time. It was great to see Dr. Weber again and I had some more questions to ask him. I have lost a total of 24 lbs since my PCP consult and 18 since my last appointment with Dr. Weber. He gave me a high five. I joked with him when he asked when my surgery was and I told him tomorrow. (Friday) He started telling me what to expect each day and I told him I was kidding that it was actually Monday. He laughed and he said that he just showed up each day as scheduled.
I asked Lisa if I could have a copy of my nutritional eval, psyche eval and sleep study eval. She said no problem. As she was making the copies, Pam called me to the desk and said that there was a $20.00 minimum for making copies and 88 cents per page! I told Lisa to quit making copies! I only had enough on me for parking and gas home. $20.00??? Yikes!! Lisa was behind her apologizing and laughing. She was just going to give me the pages and not worry about it cause it was only 6 pages. But Pam is a real stickler. Pam said she would only charge me $10.00 and for me to mail it in to the office. Sheesh! I told Lisa that if she had told me that it cost that much, then I wouldn't have asked for copies. haha
As I came out of the appointment, guess who I saw! Jody! That was so neat. She lives in Bremerton and we had emailed each other a couple of times. We were talking and we found out that her son is dating my daughters best friend of many years! What a small world! We talked and talked. It was so great to meet her. I hope to see her again.
I had to go to my presurgery appointment and get my paperwork completed for admission. Got all that taken care of and headed home. Not raining anymore but gloomy. But my smile was bright and happy knowing that I am having surgery on Monday!

10/24/05

Oct 24, 2005

Well dag num! I opened my mail this morning and I AM APPROVED FOR SURGERY Nov. 7th!!! Wow that was fast! Maybe 24 hours. I have to be at the hospital at 6:30am. I am so glad the wait is over. Now I just have to prepare myself for a new life. If you are researching this surgery and think it may never happen for one reason or another don't give up! Keep working hard and it will happen. I NEVER thought I would see an approval letter. It was 5 years coming. I need an Angel!

10/7/05

Oct 07, 2005

I finished up my last requirements for surgery today. Yahoo! I had blood tests, an EKG and met with the Nutritionist. I can understand why you need to see the Nutritionist after the surgery but before? I am on the fat restricted diet set by the surgeon prior to surgery. I asked questions about proteins, vitamins and such. It was a very good session though. As soon as all the reports are faxed into Dr. Weber's office they will be ready to send everything off for insurance approval! One good thing is that the Nutritionist gave me a list of local support groups. I have been looking all over the place but most were too far from my home. Well lo! and behold! There is one right there at the Harrison Hospital in Bremerton hosted by Jan Bales. Her email is [email protected] and they are held every 3rd Tues. at 7pm in the Harrison Hospital Auditorium. It is sponsored by Dr. Ki Oh. I will be there! I have lost a total of 14 lbs since my first consult. I would like to lose 10 or more before surgery. My husband says, "If you are losing weight, why are you having the surgery?" Uh.... Anyone reading this can fill in the answer______________________________ haha.
I am in love with my CPAP!
I haven't had to take a nap during the day and I don't have any more head aches when I wake up! My husband is happy because I am not snoring.

I CHOOSE
to live by choice
not chance,
to make changes
not excuses,
to be motivated
not manipulated,
to be useful
not used,
to excel
not compete.
I choose self-esteem,
not self pity.
I choose to listen
to the inner voice,
not the
random opinion
of others.

My true life's journey is about to begin,
To embrace what's ahead and turn away from what's been.
The pain of this weight I will suffer no more,
I will turn the last page, I will close the last door.
"VICTORY IS MINE!" I will scream from rooftops,
Enjoying every minute, for always-nonstop.
Be prepared world, for here I come!
I'll never turn back to where I came from
(by Carolyn)

10/3/05

Oct 03, 2005

~No Friends~
My daughter has been telling me that for the last few years and I said, "Yes I do!" Well, she's right, I guess I don't. hmpf.
My husband and I met when I was 18 and both of us were in the Navy. We got married 2 years later. Being in the Navy you have plenty of friends to make. After we got married I was very involved in the Navy community with other young married people and then as a young mother. I left the military while still traveling around with my husband who stayed in for 21 years. I didn't go back to work until my oldest son was in first grade. Then quit work when my daughter was born 3 years later, went back to work when she was 8 months old and then quit work again when my youngest son was born 4 years later and went back to work again when he was 6 months old. That job was with Little Caesars. It was the first time I had worked in food service but it had great hours and I could schedule it easily around the kids. Well, I found I really enjoyed working for Little Caesars, loved being with young adults and teens (I was an old 28..lol) and worked my way up to being a Manager.

As we moved around with the Military I worked for Little Caesars as a Manager wherever we lived. Even though I always had a great staff and we had a great time, no one ever really wanted to be "friends" with the Manager. I worked in this field for 9 years. I left Little Caesars after they basically went out of business in our area. I then got a job as a Distribution Manager for a private owned business working in a 2 person office. After two years, the "other" employee left and it was a 1 person office. haha
This is the only time in my life that I had ever worked alone. It took a little getting used to but it was lonely even though I loved what I was doing.

After working there for 3 years I left that job and opened up a photography business with my husband. We were around a lot of people but it was basically a home based business. During this time, I would meet people and such but it seemed like everyone has their own lives own thing going on and no one had time to either make new friends or socialize. In the mean time, my kids grew up, getting out on their own and don't need Mom. The good thing is that my husband and I have more time together and he likes that. But I miss being with girlfriends. It seems like all my girlfriends are only long distance ones because we moved so much that when I made really good friends, I had to leave them behind. Where I live, it seems like no one has time to be friends. Don't get me wrong, I have TRIED to make friends. After 3 years of being home with our business, I quit trying. Sigh...I am lonely. Is anyone else? Does anyone else find that when you leave a job or quit working that everyone you socialized with all of a sudden are gone with their own things to do? I am glad I have my husband's company, and I also have a twin sister (my best friend) near by and I should be grateful. My parents passed away including step parents all within 3 years. My other 8 brother and sisters live in Texas and Oklahoma and we visit each other periodically. I miss all the activity when my kids were home.
In the past 3 years my morbid obesity has really kept me more at home. I kinda gave up on socializing.
Anyone else out there kinda in the same spot and want a friend?
~Friend for Rent!~ :)

I will be having surgery in November and I am looking forward to a new beginning. A new sense of worth. A new sense of self. I am worth it!


9/27/05

Sep 26, 2005

I got my CPAP today. I can't wait to start feeling better when I wake up in the morning.

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9/23/05

Sep 22, 2005

I received my Psyche Eval results. Passed with flying colors. I was nervous cause you NEVER KNOW! haha
The Dr. wrote a great letter supporting my decision to have the surgery. I also had my one on one with Dr. Weber. It is a long drive around to Seattle or you can take the ferry. I would drive around the water but my husband went with me and he doesn't mind paying the high ferry fees. We got there early and I filled out paperwork. I talked to Lisa first. She is a very friendly, outgoing young lady. Finally I saw Dr. Weber. He is a very personable man. He was impressed that I already had so much done. All that was left to do is a cortisol test, ekg and my nutritional eval on the 7th of Oct., they will submit to insurance and wait for approval. Dr. Weber asked me if I wanted to have the RNY or the VBG. I initially wanted the VBG but have decided on the RNY since I have considerable weight to lose and I think the RNY would provide me with more tools to keep the weight off longterm.

I have a twin sister. She is also morbidly obese. We have talked a lot about me having the surgery and her not having the surgery, how would she feel. Well, she says that she would never have the surgery because of the risks and does not think she could adhere to the strict guidelines. She has diabetes and other obese related problems. She is very worried if anything were to happen to me. I have had days when thoughts of fear creep up but I believe in Dr. Weber and his work. I want to be healthy again. I have three children. Jeremy is 23, Lisa is 20 and Chase is 16. I want to live long and healthy to see my future grandchildren. I also want to live a long life with my husband and get out and do more things with him. As long as I am morbidly obese it restricts my quality of life. I want to live again!

8/31/05

Aug 30, 2005

I was real disappointed in my appointment with the Sleep Study Doctor. I had never even heard of Sleep Apnea until recently when my excellent and caring PCP asked me some questions.
I talked to the Doctor a total of 5 minutes. He said, "You have severe sleep apnea. See on this chart (4 pages of charts) where you dipped off the chart? Here is a prescription to get a CPAP." I was escorted out to the waiting area where he was backed up with patients...Next! He charges $3,400 for this whole study and when I see the ACTUAL expert, I know nothing. So! I have to make an appointment to get fitted and hopefully breathe better as I sleep. I am so tired of feeling like I am in a fog all the time. I fall asleep at the movie theater and my kids are mortified when I start snoring! I was watching "Lord of the Rings..." Can I blame it on the movie? haha

So I have now had my Sleep Apnea Study, Physical, Psyche Eval and a great letter from my PCP. I get the results of my Evaluation on Sept. 19th. I will let you know what they say then. I can't wait to meet Dr. Weber. Not much longer now. They receptionist at my PCP is getting my file all ready as results come in so that they can send it to Dr. Weber. Some tests I am not sure about so I will wait until I see him to clarify them. Other than running around getting those things done, I quit drinking caffeinated tea, no coffee, no sodas or anything carbonated. Want to get myself ready for after the surgery.

About Me
Silverdale, WA
Location
35.9
BMI
RNY
Surgery
11/07/2005
Surgery Date
Jul 25, 2005
Member Since

Friends 45

Latest Blog 29
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