Angela M.
19 DAYS OUT AND FEELING A LOT BETTER......
Jun 24, 2007
06/24/2007
Well, here I am at almost 3 weeks out and I must tell you all that this has been the craziest 19 days of my life (I think). Let me start by telling you that I got on the scale Tuesday and I looked down and it read that I had gained 4.5lbs. Yes, GAINED 4.5LBS. I think I must have fainted because I did not call the nutritionist till around noon. She told me that I had been taking in too much sodium (which I had. I ate nothing but soup for 3 days). Plus I was not getting in all of my fluids like I needed to. Well, I continued to gain the next day so I called my surgeon and he told me to expect a huge weight loss because I was still retaining fluids from surgery. I did not believe that because I was not swollen anywhere. But anyway, as time went on and as I took in more fluids and less sodium, the weight began to come off. My total weight loss to date is 14lbs since surgery. That may not seem like alot to most of you but trust me I am ecstatic!!! I am so happy and thankful for this weight loss. Alot of my surgery twins have all lost more than 25lbs and that is just fine. I am happy for them. The one thing I have been hearing and reading for the past 5 months is that we are all different and pretty much no two journeys are the same. I really understand this and know this now. I am probably going to be a slow loser and where others may reach their goals 7-9 months out, I may not reach my goal of weighing 170lbs till a year from now. I am cool with that. I really am. This past week has taught me something, to be grateful and appreciative and I really am just that.
The only problem I am dealing with now is constipation. It is making me ill but I just went to CVS and got a few twin packs of Fleet enemas so I should be ok for a while...LOL Oh! I wanted to say that I am finally getting in my fluids as I should. I am so happy about that. I mostly dilute several forms of cranberry juice and have just plain water thoughout the day plus my 2 protein shakes.
Well, that is it for now. I may be back on Tuesday 06/26/2007 to update my weekly weight loss, if not, I will be back when something else big happens.
FIRST POST-OP DR'S VISIT
Jun 15, 2007
06/16/2007
On Thursday I went to get my staples removed and to speak with someone in my surgeon’s office about why I was having so many problems drinking water or anything for that matter. Well, my dr. was out so I just spoke with the lady taking out my staples. She told me to calm down, that I was only a week out. Getting adjusted to all of these new changes are going to take time. I felt a lot better about everything. As long as I am trying my best to get everything in...then I should be ok.
Ok, so last night I get this call from my surgery twin Traci and she tells me that she has been getting in all of her water and she has also lost 19lbs since surgery. I have lost 8lbs since surgery, now that is not bad and I am not upset with my weight loss compared to hers, I just feel like I have got to do more to be as successful as I can at this. So I took the advice of one of my OH friends Chante and diluted some cranberry juice. I drank 34ozs of that last night and I can not tell you the difference it has made in me today. I slept better last night. I am actually going to the bathroom regularly and I have more energy. I got up this morning and I am drinking some now. I will try to get in all of my water today.
I go back to work on 06/25/2007. I will not be returning to the school system right now, I will be working at a Kindercare that is closer to my home. I think when I get on a schedule I will do better with my eating/drinking and exercising. The lady at my surgeon’s office told me that next week I should start walking or doing some form of cardio for at least 30 mins. a day, EVERYDAY. I was like every day? Every day. So I will start going to the gym and warm up on the treadmill and finish off on the elliptical trainer. I should do well because I really like the Elliptical and I am excited about getting in some exercise. I really need it.
Well, I guess that is it for now. I am just going to take everything one day at a time. Yes, I want to lose the weight but it will come off when it comes off. I am almost kinda happy that I am having all of these problems up front, that way when I experience any in the future, it will not be a shock to me.
06/12/2007 UPDATE
Jun 12, 2007
OK, I just want you all to know that though nothing has changed since my last post, I feel a lot better. I had no idea people actually read my blog. I have always been saying that it is for me. I put in here what I am feeling so that I can always refer to my history. But you people on here are awesome.
I have come to the conclusion that what my God has for me must be pretty big, otherwise the enemy would not be trying so hard to distract me. I am just going to go through this and wait on my next move from God. I love and respect Him so much. I just want to again acknowlege Him and all He does and allows for me. Things are going to get better in my life, in the name of Jesus. I know it is.
Oh, one other thing. I got on the scale this morning after my shower and I am actually down 8lbs this week. Not sure if I was not reading the scale correctly or not but that is what it said. So now the scale gets put away till next Tuesday. I really can not deal with the pressure that it brings on me........
NOT DOING SO WELL.....
Jun 11, 2007
Here it is 4:41 in the morning and I just can not sleep. I have so much going on right now that it is affecting my recovery and adaptation. I have all of this post Katrina crap that I am still dealing with. No job, which means no money and my sister really has not been that much of any real help to me. I am so frustrated. I don't want to eat I can not stand to drink anything so I know that it will be just a matter of time before I dehydrate. Nothing feels right, nothing tastes right. Yesterday, I had to get up and take my son to school because my sister did not wake up to take him. I ended up running a lot of errands so I came home and took a nap. When I woke up I felt the familiar feeling of my back going out on me. So now on top of all of the other crap I am having to deal with, my back has gone out on me. I did not envision my recovery to be this way. I actually thought I would be able to heal and get used to my new way of living. Now, I don't know what I am doing or what is going on. Oh! I forgot to mention that my insurance cancelled on 05/31/2007. My surgery was on 06/05/2007. I did not find this out until the hospital called me. So I have that to worry about to. My plate is more than full. I am not sure if I can even go see my surgeon on Thursday for my one week follow-up. I just can not believe that all of this is happening to me. I am in shock for real. Also, I just got on the scale and it looks like I have lost maybe 2lbs since surgery. I have no idea how to feel about that. I don't even think I care at this point. Maybe when I get all of this other stuff figured out, I may have time to sit down and try and care about this.
Anyway, needless to say I am not in a good mood right now. I will post as things get better........
MY HOSPITAL EXPERIENCE
Jun 08, 2007
06/08/2007
Ok…here goes…. First of all, I ran around all day on Monday till I had done nothing at all in terms of cleaning my place. So I get to the airport to pick up my sister and cousin and tell them that my place is a mess so don’t be shocked. I get them back here and we got so caught up with talking that before I knew it, it was 3:30am. My ride was coming to pick me up at 4:30am so I really had no time to do anything but shower, get dressed and lay down for about 5 mins. Vicki picked me up around 4:45 and we talked and prayed on our way to the hospital. We got there very early but I was the first one so I got checked in and fell asleep…next thing I knew the triage nurse was calling me back and getting me set up for surgery. We went through the drill of getting my IV in and speaking with the anesthesiologist and the OR nurse. The triage nurse came in and asked me was I cold and I told her yes…this lady comes back with like 10 of those warm blankets and papoosed me like I was a new born baby. Well, needless to say, I fell asleep and when I woke up my surgeon came in and told them to get me into the OR. I gave Vickie a hug and kiss and I was off. I got into the room at like 7:31 and slid over to the table and was told to take deep breaths but for some reason I could not. I was breathing like normal. I heard the anesthesiologist say “Can you believe this?” So then I gave it my best shot and the next thing I knew, I was being awakened. I think I had a slight panic attack when I was waking up because I was in so much pain, I could not move and they had that NG tube in my nose. All I could do was moan and say, “help me, please help me”. Well they took the tube out and I felt better then came the PCA….as soon as I got in my hand I started hitting that button…it took awhile but the pain went away and I went back to sleep. I came out of surgery at 10:00 and did not get into a room til 4:00pm. It was a hard day but once I got into my room I asked to walk but the nausea caused me to cut that short and get into bed. I’m gonna be honest here and tell you that I really don’t remember much about what happened after that. I know I did a lot of talking but I can’t remember who I was talking to or what I said.
Ok, I am falling asleep as I type so I will continue this later…..
WELL YA'LL, I'M BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jun 07, 2007
Well, I am at home now. This has been quite an event! When I get this gas thing under control, I will post more and tell you all about my time in the hospital. Right now, I am going to lay back down and get some rest......Thabks to all of you for your prayers and support.
WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE......????
Jun 01, 2007
I remember just a few weeks ago sitting here at my computer staring at my page and the countdown box on the bottom waiting for it to finally read "30 days". I scrolled down and looked at it today and thought it was broken.....it says that I have 3 days left before my surgery. Is that right? Can't be. I can not believe that a journey that I started on not even 6 months ago is about to come to a climax. Time has flown by so fast. I don't have everything I need, I have not done everything I wanted to do, there are still questions that I need answered.......I am at a loss right now. Please don't misunderstand me, I am having this surgery on Tuesday (If the Lord says so) I just did not think such a HUGE life altering event has come up on me so quickly and I have not had the opportunity to get nervous or flip out. I am not upset by that but it does make me wonder. I think that I have been being prepared for this for such a long time that my spirit accepted it long before I did. Again, I serve an Awesome God.
Well, Tuesday is the big day. I have so much to do. I had to say goodbye to my kids yesterday and that just about tore me up. I love those little people. Funny thing is, I bet they thought I was there to help them, but in reality I was sent there so that they could help me.
I SERVE A GOOD GOD......
May 30, 2007
05/30/2007
Hello all,
I have been sitting here for the past 2 days having a crappy attempt at a pity party. I got so caught up in the fact that I have not gotten my money from FEMA or the Red Cross that I forgot to thank God anyway for the blessing I am about to receive. No, I don't have the money that I would like to have in my account right now. But, that does not change the fact that on this coming Tuesday my life will be changed for the better....forever. I love God for that. Not just that, but for everything that He has ever done for me, allowed me to see and go through and for the lessons I have been allowed to learn throughout my life. Even the ones that hurt me. I forgot that God is still in control and in all of the 33 years I have lived and breathe, He has never allowed me to go through anything that I could not handle nor, come out of a better person.
I just wanted to post this tonight. I just have to acknowledge how good my Savoir is at all times. I am still very excited about the gift I am about to receive, that my sister is coming in on Monday with my cousin Ryan and that I have so much to be thankful for. I am about to go and make some cupcakes for my students for tomorrow. It's my last day at work and I thought I would treat the babies. I got this recipe for some red velvet cupcakes from an episode of Throw down with Bobby Flay. I can't wait to try them out......
12 DAYS AND COUNTING......
May 23, 2007
05/23/2007
Ok folks, today I went for my final consult with my surgeon and all seems well. I guess I can not really say that. This has been one of the worse weeks of this year for me. First, Monday morning I wake up and my hip decided that it would stay asleep. So I try my best to get around without causing more injury to it. Well, wouldn't you know it, I threw my back out. I did not go to work that day. I called my orthopedic doctor and he had me scheduled to get a hip injection so I took yesterday off too and went and had the procedure done today. It was so strange. I get in the "VIP" department and was put in my room and told to put on the gown. I asked the nurse if I needed to take off any of my clothes and she told me to leave on my shirt and take off my pants. As she was walking out of the room she yelled back to me.."You can take your panties off when you get in the back!!" Thanks alot lady...sheesh I started to mess with her and tell her that I wasn't wearing any but then I probably would have had to pick her up off the floor.
Anyhoo, still not nervous. I am concerned though. You see, I have been battling with FEMA and the Red Cross for a while now. I have been promised money that I have not gotten yet. This is money I am going to use to support my household while I am in the hospital and recovering. So, I am just a little concerned about the timing in all of this. I think I may actually get money from FEMA though by the weeks end so I should be fine.
I may post more later. Right now, I need to sit and think about what all I need to do in preparation for this life altering procedure I will be having on June 5, 2007.
2ND SLEEP STUDY......
May 18, 2007
05/19/2007
Ok, I just got home from my second sleep study and I must say that it turned out better than I thought. I got there a little early so, Hiy, the technician explained to me that I had mild sleep apnea which basically means I only stop breathing 10-14 times an hour. I STOP BREATHING 10-14 TIMES AN HOUR!!!!!!! I had no idea and she tells me that this is mild. WOW. So I had this mask placed on my face along with a few sensors and after I spoke with my sons coach (he had him along with the rest of the football team last night) and made sure my son was fine, I was knocked out. I tried to finish watching "The Color Purple" but that was a no go. I woke to find the TV off and the remote gone. I tossed and turned all night long but I never really woke up. I forgot to take my Voltaren so my hip was really bothering me, so bad. Well, I woke up at 4:42 needing to go potty so I buzzed Hiy. She came in all happy and told me that I was done and that I had done perfectly. I never stopped breathing and my oxygen levels were where they were supposed to be. I felt a lot better. If I end up needing the CPAP machine, I will not argue about it. After all, I ain't paying for it! LOL My insurance will cover all of the costs as usual. I am soooo happy about that.
On Wednesday I have my final consult with my surgeon so then I will be done with everything. I will just have to play the waiting game and do the best I can to make sure I have all of the things I need for when I come home from the hospital. My sister finally bought her plane ticket earlier this week so she will definitely be here for my surgery. I am also going to surprise my son with having his favorite cousin Ryan come up as well. Alex has really been feeling the blues because he is so lonely sometimes so having Ryan here for a week will make him feel a lot better. Oh! I was able to lose those few pounds that I gained last week so I am back at a 12 lbs weight loss for my consult. It is not the 20 lbs he wanted me to lose but it is a loss. Hopefully that will be enough.
