HAVING FAITH

Send Message

Block

Add Friend

2005

                           

JULY 9,2005-WELL TODAY MARKS MY FIRST ENTRY FOR MY PROFILE. I HOPE TO ADD MANY MORE ENTRIES AS I GO THRU THIS PROCESS. JUST ALITTLE ABOUT MYSELF- I AM 32 YEARS OLD, MARRIED TO A WONDERFUL HUSBAND, AND MOTHER OF A BEAUTIFUL 2 YEAR OLD GIRL. I WEIGH 250 LBS. AT LAST WEIGH IN AND I AM MISERABLE.
I BEGAN THIS JOURNEY BACK IN MAY WHEN I ATTENDED THE SEMINAR HELD BY VILLAGE SURGICAL. THE SEMINAR WAS CONDUCTED BY DR. DAVIDSON AND DR. CLASSEN. IT WAS VERY INFORMATIVE AND I LEARNED ALOT. AFTER THE MEETING I MUST ADMIT I WAS EXCITED AND SCARED ALL AT THE SAME TIME. EXCITED AT THE FACT THAT I COULD ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING FOR MYSELF TO GET RID OF THIS EXCESS WEIGHT AND SCARED TOO BECAUSE OF THE RISKS INVOLVED. ANYHOW, THE NIGHT OF THE SEMINAR I SIGNED A SHEET TO LET THE STAFF KNOW I WAS INTERESTED AND OF COURSE WITHIN A WEEK I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DR.'S OFFICE. I WAS GIVEN A CHANCE TO CHOOSE WHICH DR. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE AND I DECIDED ON DR. CLASSEN. BETWEEN THE TIME OF THE SEMINAR AND THE FIRST MEETING WITH THE DR., EVERYONE (AT THE SEMINAR) THAT WAS INTERESTED WOULD NEED TO GET 5 YEARS DOCUMENTATION OF MEDICAL RECORDS. I GOT ALL MY RECORDS TOGETHER, FILLED OUT THE PAPERWORK INCLUDED IN THE FOLDER GIVEN TO ME AT THE SEMINAR AND ACQUIRED A NOTE OF RECOMENDATION FROM MY PCP. I WAS READY.
ANYHOW, I MET WITH THE DOCTOR. THE FIRST MEETING WENT OKAY EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THAT I HAD A HUNDRED QUESTIONS BUT COULDN'T THINK OF A ONE WHEN I SAW HIM FACE TO FACE. MY STOMACH WAS IN KNOTS AND I DON'T REALLY KNOW WHY. OH WELL, I THEN MET WITH DONNA (ONE OF THE ASSISTANTS), WHO IS EXCEPTIONALLY NICE. I WAS ABLE TO DISCUSS MY FEARS WITH HER AS WELL AS ASK SOME QUESTIONS THAT I COULD NOT THINK OF WHEN I HAD SAW THE DR. I FELT SO MUCH BETTER AFTER TALKING WITH HER.
WHEN I TALKED TO HER, WE SET UP A DAY AND TIME TO SPEAK WITH THE DIETICIAN. DONNA TOLD ME I WOULD RECEIVE FURTHER INFO. IN THE MAIL PERTAINING TO MY APPT.'S WITH THE PSYCH. AND THE BLOOD WORK. AND SURE ENOUGH I DID- I HAD MY MEETING WITH THE DIETICIAN AND THE SOCIAL WORKER THE SAME DAY. I DECIDED TO GET MY BLOOD WORK DONE THAT SAME DAY TOO. SO NOW I HAVE ALL THAT BEHIND ME.
DURING THE TIME LEADING UP TO THE APPT.'S AND THE TIME SINCE I HAVE BEEN ON EDGE SOME. I GET UPSET SOMETIMES THINKING ABOUT THIS WHOLE THING. I FEEL GREEDY SOMETIMES AND SELFISH FOR THE FACT THAT I FEEL LIKE I WANT TO DO THIS FOR MYSELF AND WHATEVER HAPPENS HAPPENS. I FEEL LIKE I AM DOING MY DAUGHTER WRONG. HER FATHER, MY HUSBAND, GREW UP WITHOUT HIS FATHER DUE TO AN UNEXPECTED DEATH AND I AM AFRAID THAT SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN TO ME AND I WILL DIE. I DON'T WANT MY DAUGHTER TO GROW UP WITHOUT HER MOTHER. THEN AGAIN I THINK, WELL I AM DOING THIS SO THAT I CAN BE AROUND FOR MY DAUGHTER. I COULD JUST AS WELL DIE FROM BEING FAT. I HAVE JUST HAD SO MANY EMOTIONS TILL I AM DRAINED.
OH WELL, IT HAS BEEN A WEEK AND A HALF SINCE I HAD ALL OF MY TESTS. I HADN'T HEARD ANYTHING SO I CALLED VILLAGE SURGICAL. I HAD TO LEAVE A VOICE MAIL, BUT PAT RETURNED MY CALL WITHIN A COUPLE OF HOURS. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I SPOKE TO PAT (ANOTHER ASSISTANT) AND SHE SEEMED NICE. PAT SAID THAT THE INFO. HAD BEEN FAXED INTO THE INSURANCE COMPANY THE DAY BEFORE.
SO NOW, I AM WAITING. I SHOULD HOPEFULLY KNOW SOMETHING THIS COMING WEEK. YIKES!!!! LOOKING BACK ON THIS WHOLE THING, SO FAR, IT HASN'T BEEN NO TIME. I MEAN-WHO KNOWS, IF I AM APPROVED, I COULD POSSIBLY BE DOING THIS THING SOON-SOONER THAN I EVEN THINK.
WHILE I AM TYPING THIS ENTRY, I JUST WANT TO SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT MY FAMILY. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH. MY HUSBAND HAS BEEN SO SUPPORTIVE THRU THIS PROCESS SO FAR. THERE ARE DAYS THAT I AM SO SURE THAT I WANT TO DO THIS AND THEN THERE ARE DAYS THAT I WONDER IF THIS IS REALLY WHAT I WANT TO DO. MY HUSBAND, WILL, LISTENS TO ME EVEN WHEN MY FEELINGS ABOUT THE SURGERY WAIVER.
MY DAUGHTER, IS THE LIGHT OF MY LIFE. SHE IS A TYPICAL 2 YEAR OLD. I LOVE HER SO MUCH. SOMETIMES I LOOK AT HER AND WONDER IF SHE COULD MAKE IT WITHOUT ME. ( ISN'T THAT SOMETHING TO SAY- I MEAN I DON'T WANT TO SOUND VAIN, BECAUSE BY NO MEANS DO I MEAN TO SOUND THAT WAY, BUT I JUST WONDER ) WHEN I THINK ABOUT IT I TAKE SO MUCH TIME WITH HER. SOMETIMES, I STEP BACK AND JUST LOOK AT HER WITH HER DADDY AND WONDER. WHAT WOULD THEY DO IF I WERE NOT TO MAKE IT THRU THE SURGERY? OH WELL, I CANNOT LET MY FEAR GET IN THE WAY. I AM A CHRISTIAN AND I HAVE GOT TO PUT MY FAITH IN THE LORD. I HAVE PRAYED ABOUT THIS THING AND I WILL CONTINUE TO PRAY. I KNOW THE LORD'S WILL WILL BE DONE. IN THE EVENT THAT I DO NOT MAKE IT, THE LORD WILL TAKE CARE OF MY BEAUTIFUL FAMILY.
UNTIL MY NEXT ENTRY, MY PRAYERS ARE WITH THOSE WHO HAVE GONE THRU THE SURGERY AND FOR THOSE WHO ARE AWAITING THE SURGERY. MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ALSO WITH THE FAMILIES OF THE PATIENTS. GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS.

JULY 11,2005-APPROVED!!!!! YES, I AM APPROVED. PAT CALLED ME FROM VILLAGE SURGICAL TODAY AND TOLD ME I HAVE BEEN APPROVED. I HAVE TO ADMIT I WAS SURPRISED. NOTHING EVER SEEMS TO WORK OUT FOR ME WITHOUT A LOT OF TROUBLE. I REALLY CAN'T BELIEVE IT. I FIGURED I WOULD BE DENIED AND HAVE TO GO THRU ALOT OF HASSLE AND APPEALS. I ASKED THE LORD T0 HELP ME THRU THIS AND I AM HERE TO TELL YA HE ANSWERS PRAYERS.
PAT HAS SCHEDULED ME TO SEE DR. CLASSEN NEXT MONDAY. AT THIS APPT. I WILL SPEAK WITH DR. CLASSEN AND ALSO THE SCHEDULE PERSON TO SET UP MY DATE AND TIME FOR THE SURGERY. MAN, IT IS MOVING SO FAST NOW. I AM EXCITED THAT I GOT APPROVED, BUT SCARED AT THE SAME TIME BECAUSE IT MEANS THAT MY SURGERY IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER.

JULY 17, 2005- WELL, TOMORROW I GO TO SEE DR. CLASSEN. AT THIS APPT. I WILL SPEAK WITH HIM, MAKE APPTS. FOR PRE-OP TESTS AND SET MY SURGERY DATE. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT TOMORROW I WILL KNOW WHEN MY SURGERY IS. THIS WHOLE THING HAS GONE BY SO FAST.
THIS PAST WEEKEND I HAVE TRIED TO SPEND ALOT OF TIME WITH MY DAUGHTER. SHE HAS BEEN SO SWEET. I OFTEN WONDER IF SHE SENSES SOMETHING IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN TO MOMMY. MAYBE IT'S JUST ME. SHE HAS BEEN SICK THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS WITH A COLD, I GUESS, AND I JUST WONDER IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN COULD MY HUSBAND HANDLE EVERYTHING. THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS THAT A MOMMY DOES, YA KNOW. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO TELL HIM LITTLE THINGS ALONG THE WAY. I HAVE EVEN TRIED TO SHOW HIM HOW TO FIX HER HAIR BUT I DON'T KNOW IF HE WILL EVER MASTER THAT-LOL. WELL, I DON'T NEED TO THINK LIKE THIS-NEGATIVE AND ALL. EVERYTHING WILL WORK OUT.
AND IT IS FUNNY- MY HUSBAND MADE THE COMMENT TODAY THAT I HAVE ALOT OF THINGS THAT I DO- THAT I AM A WIFE, A MOTHER, A WORKER AND CO-WORKER. I HAVE A FAMILY TO CARE FOR, A HOUSEHOLD TO KEEP UP AND JOB TO GO TO. I GUESS IN THE MIDST OF ALL THIS, HE IS STARTING TO REALIZE JUST HOW IMPORTANT I AM TO HIM, MAYBE? I KNOW THAT IF I DIDN'T HAVE HIM THAT NONE OF THIS WOULD BE POSSIBLE. HE HAS OFFERED TO PAY FOR THE SURGERY HIMSELF. I AM FOREVER GRATEFUL TO HIM FOR HELPING ME. I KNOW WE HAVE OUR DISAGREEMENTS, BUT HE IS A SPECIAL PERSON AND I ADMIRE HIM. I DON'T TELL HIM ENOUGH THAT I LOVE HIM AND I GUESS I SHOULD. HE HAS A VERY DANGEROUS JOB AND I GUESS THAT IN THE BACK OF MY MIND THAT I KNOW SOMETHING COULD HAPPEN TO HIM-EVEN ON A ROUTINE CALL. I HOPE AND PRAY THAT NOTHING LIKE THIS EVER HAPPENS TO HIM, BUT I KNOW ALSO THAT I NEED TO TELL HIM THAT I LOVE HIM MORE OFTEN.
OH WELL, ENOUGH. I AM GETTING TOO SAPPY. I WILL UPDATE AFTER MY APPT. TOMORROW. MY PRAYERS TO THOSE WHO ARE HAVING SURGERY THIS WEEK. GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS.

JULY 20, 2005-SORRY IT TOOK ME A COUPLE OF DAYS TO UPDATE, BUT YES I HAVE A DATE-AUGUST 15TH. I HAVE GOT TO GO FOR SOME PRE-TESTS AUGUST 2ND AND I GUESS IF ALL IS WELL THEN MY BIG DAY WILL BE THE 15TH. BOY, AM I NERVOUS. NOW, I FEEL LIKE I NEED TO DO ALL THIS STUFF, MAINLY CLEANING. IF I HAVE A CLEAN HOUSE I ALWAYS FEEL BETTER. ALSO, I FEEL LIKE I NEED TO WRITE A WHOLE BUNCH OF "JUST IN CASE LETTERS", YA KNOW LIKE ALL THE THINGS I SHOULD SAY BUT DON'T SAY. I FEEL LIKE I AM HAVING MORBID THOUGHTS THOUGH BY DOING THAT AND I DON'T WANT TO THINK LIKE THAT. POSITIVE, POSITIVE, POSITIVE! I KNOW IF I STAY POSITIVE, IT WILL HELP ME IN THE LONG RUN WITH THE SURGERY AND THE RECOVERY,RIGHT? OH WELL, TILL NEXT TIME-
MY PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS TO THOSE WHO ARE HAVING SURGERY OR WHO HAVE HAD SURGERY. GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS.

JULY 21, 2005-WELL, I SHOULDN'T HAVE DONE IT BUT I DID. LAST NIGHT I DECIDED TO READ THE MEMORIAL PAGE ON THIS WEBSITE. I KNOW IN THE BACK OF MY MIND THAT THERE ARE RISKS INVOLVED IN THIS SURGERY, AS THERE IS WITH ANY SURGERY, BUT I DECIDED I WOULD READ THE MEMORIAL PAGE. BY THE TIME I FINISHED READING ALL THE MEMORIALS, I WAS CRYING. I MEAN HEAVING, BALLING, OUT LOUD CRYING. BOY, IT REALLY TORE ME UP.
LORD, I PRAY THAT YOU WILL SEE ME THRU THIS SURGERY. I PRAY THAT YOU WILL HELP ME TO BETTER MYSELF SO THAT I CAN BE AROUND A LONG TIME FOR MY DAUGHTER AND MY HUSBAND. THEY BOTH NEED ME LORD. PLEASE GUIDE MY SURGEONS HANDS AND GIVE HIM THE KNOWLEDGE AND CAPABILITY HE NEEDS TO GET THE JOB DONE AND GET IT DONE RIGHT. I ASK LORD THAT YOU WILL HELP ME THRU THIS. AMEN.
TONIGHT I AM GOING TO VILLAGE SURGICAL. THE OFFICE HAS A SUPPORT GROUP MEETING EVERY THIRD THURSDAY AT 7(EXCEPT FOR HOLIDAYS). THIS WILL BE MY FIRST MEETING, I HOPE, OF MANY MEETINGS. AFTER LAST NIGHT, I FEEL LIKE I NEED TO GO TO THIS MEETING. I NEED MY SPIRITS LIFTED. I HOPE BY GOING TONIGHT THAT I CAN RECEIVE SOME ENCOURAGEMENT MAYBE JUST BY BEING AROUND EVERYONE. WISH ME LUCK.
I WILL UPDATE LATER TO LET YA KNOW HOW THE MEETING WENT.
AGAIN, MY PRAYERS TO THE ONES WHO ARE HAVING SURGERY TODAY AND TO THOSE WHO HAVE HAD SURGERY. GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

 JULY 22, 2005- LAST NIGHT I WENT TO THE SUPPORT GROUP AT VILLAGE SURGICAL. I WAS SO SURPRISED AT THE TURN-OUT. I WOULD HAVE NEVER IMAGINED THAT THERE WOULD BE THAT BIG OF A CROWD. I ENJOYED IT. IT DID HELP TO SEE EVERYONE THERE. SOME WHO HAD HAD THE SURGERY AND OTHERS WHO WERE IN THE PROCESS OF PLANNING SURGERY AND YET OTHERS, WHO LIKE MYSELF, HAVE A SURGERY DATE SCHEDULED AND ARE JUST WAITING. THE MEETING WAS VERY INFORMATIVE. LOTS OF GOOD QUESTIONS WERE ASKED AND ANSWERED. ALSON THERE WERE DIFFERENT AGE RANGES. YOUNG AND OLD ALIKE WITH LOTS OF DIFFERENCES YET SIMILAR AND SHARING A COMMON DENOMINATOR.
AFTER THE MEETING, I DROVE BACK HOME, BY MYSELF, THINKING ABOUT EVERYTHING. OKAY, I ADMIT IT, I CRIED-AGAIN. MAN, THIS THING WILL WEIGH ON YOUR MIND-NO PUN INTENDED. I WAS SO IMPRESSED BY EVERYBODY AND THEIR ENTHUSIASM. I PRAY THAT EVERYTHING WILL GO WELL AND THAT I CAN GO TO THOSE MEETINGS WITH THAT SAME KIND OF ENTHUSIASM.
OH, I MUST MENTION, I HAVE MADE A FRIEND OVER THIS WEBSITE. CAROLYN, WHO RECENTLY HAD SURGERY, HAS BEEN SO NICE TO ME. I KNOW I AM GETTING ON HER NERVES WITH ALL MY QUESTIONS, BUT SHE IS A GOD-SEND. THANK YOU CAROLYN FOR BEING SO KIND TO LET ME SEE YOU AFTER YOUR SURGERY AND THANKS A MILLION FOR ANSWERING ALL OF MY QUESTIONS. I CAN'T PROMISE THAT I WON'T ASK A WHOLE BUNCH MORE, BUT I SURE DO APPRECIATE YOUR INPUT.
WELL, UNTIL NEXT TIME...MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TO THOSE WHO ARE HAVING SURGERY. GOD BLESS.

                             

AUGUST 4, 2005- WELL, IT HAS BEEN AWHILE SINCE I LAST UPDATED. SO I GUESS I WILL CATCH MY JOURNAL UP.
I WENT FOR MY PRETESTS ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 2ND. I HAD TO GO TO HIGHSMITH RAINEY FOR MY TESTS. I WAS SCHEDULED TO HAVE AN EKG, CHEST XRAYS AND BLOOD DRAWN. MY TRIP THERE TOOK A TOTAL OF APPROX. 3 HOURS.
WHEN I GOT THERE I HAD TO WAIT TO TALK TO SOMEONE IN THE REGISTRATION DEPT.. AFTERWARDS, I WAS INSTRUCTED TO GO TO THE PRE-ADMISSIONS DEPT, WHERE I HAD SOME OF MY TESTS DONE. WHILE I WAS WAITING FOR MY FIRST TEST-THE EKG- I MET WITH THE ANESTEOLOGIST. HE WAS VERY NICE. HE ASKED A SERIES OF QUESTIONS AND ALSO TOLD ME WHAT TO EXPECT FROM HIS TEAM. AFTER TALKING TO HIM I WENT BACK TO THE PRE-ADMISSIONS DEPT AND THEN HAD MY EKG DONE. IT WASN'T BAD AT ALL. I ASKED WHAT THE PURPOSE OF IT WAS AND THE EKG TECH TOLD ME IT WAS TO GET A BASE LINE OF MY HEARTBEAT. I THEN HAD BLOOD DRAWN AND AFTER THAT I WENT TO HAVE MY CHEST XRAYS. I LIKE TO HAVE FROZE IN THE XRAY ROOM, BUT I MANAGED. ALL IN ALL, EVERYTHING WENT PRETTY SMOOTHLY.
LET ME JUST SAY THAT MY MOTHER WENT WITH ME TO THE APPOINTMENTS AND I AM SO GLAD SHE DID. WE ACTUALLY ENJOYED OUR DAY TOGETHER ALTHOUGH WE SPENT SOME OF IT WAITING AROUND. MY MOMMA IS A SPECIAL PERSON WHO I HAVE ALWAYS ADMIRED. I WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SAY THAT I LOVE MY MOM AND IF I DIDN'T HAVE HER SUPPORT THRU THIS JOURNEY, THEN I DON'T KNOW WHERE I WOULD BE OR HOW I WOULD FEEL. SHE HAS BEEN SO SUPPORTIVE, ALONG WITH MY HUSBAND, AND ENCOURAGING AS WELL. THANKS TO THEM BOTH FOR THEIR LOVE. I LOVE YOU GUYS. KISSES!
I WAS TOLD THAT I WILL HAVE TO BE AT THE HOSPITAL ON AUGUST 15TH AT 7:45 AM. WHEN I GET THERE, THEY WILL DO A BLOOD TYPE AND A PREGNANCY TEST(JUST TO MAKE SURE, YA KNOW). AFTER THAT, I WAS TOLD THEY WILL START GETTING ME PREPPED FOR SURGERY. AND THEN I GUESS THE REST WILL JUST FALL INTO PLACE.
I AM STILL VERY NERVOUS, SCARED EVEN. BUT I AM STILL PRESSING ON. I KNOW IT IS FOR THE BEST TO HAVE THIS SURGERY AND I AM GONNA DO IT.
I ASK THAT EVERYBODY PLEASE KEEP ME IN YOUR PRAYERS, PLEASE? I NEED ALL THE PRAYERS I CAN GET.
OH, I START MY CABBAGE SOUP DIET MONDAY. YUCK. I LIKE ALL THE STUFF IN IT, BUT I AM NOT SURE IF I AM GONNA LIKE IT ALL TOGETHER IN A SOUP FORM. ANYHOW, I SUSPECT THAT I WILL BE UPDATING A FEW MORE TIMES BEFORE MY SURGERY DATE.
IF NOTHING ELSE, JUST TO VENT WHILE I AM ON THE CABBAGE SOUP DIET.
MY PRAYERS FOR THOSE WHO ARE HAVING THE SURGERY OR WHO HAVE HAD THE SURGERY. GOD BLESS!
AUGUST 7, 2005- OKAY, I HAVE JUST PREPARED THE CABBAGE SOUP THAT I WILL BE EATING FOR THE NEXT WEEK. ALL I CAN SAY IS "Y'ALL PRAY FOR ME". IT SMELLS OKAY, BUT IT DOESN'T LOOK REAL APPETIZING. I JUST HOPE THAT THIS WEEK GOES WELL. I AM REAL NERVOUS ABOUT THIS SOUP. I HAD TO PUT 6-COUNT THEM 6 ONIONS IN THE SOUP. I LIKE ONIONS BUT THERE ARE SO MANY IN THERE THAT EVERYBODY'S EYES ARE WATERING HERE IN THE HOUSE WHILE I COOK THIS STUFF. EVEN MY DOGS COULD SMELL THE SOUP. MY HUSBAND TOOK ONE OF OUR MINI-PINS OUT TO POTTY AND HE SAID SCOOBY(OUR DOG) WAS SNIFFING OUTSIDE IN THE AIR, BECAUSE HE COULD SMELL THE SOUP. MY HUSBAND SAID THAT HE COULD SMELL IT OUTSIDE OF THE HOUSE. SO YOU KNOW THAT THIS SOUP IS POTENT. JUST PRAY FOR ME. I AM SURE I WILL UPDATE AS THIS WEEK PROGRESSES. IF NOTHING ELSE I WILL HAVE TO UPDATE YALL TO TELL HOW I AM DOING WITH THIS SOUP.
GOD BLESS EVERYONE WHO IS HAVING THE SURGERY AND TAKE CARE.
ALSO, JUST LET ME SAY, THAT I HAVE MADE A FRIEND THRU THE WEBSITE HERE. HER NAME IS PAULA. HER SURGERY IS MONDAY. WHOEVER IS READING THIS PROFILE IN THE UPCOMING DAYS, PLEASE KEEP PAULA IN YOUR PRAYERS, AS I WILL ALSO. REMEMBER PAULA, MARK 11:24..............
EVERYONE TAKE CARE AND PLEASE PRAY FOR ME AS I ATTEMPT TO EAT THE SOUP THIS WEEK. LOL

AUGUST 13, 2005- HEY EVERYONE. WELL MY SURGERY DATE IS QUICKLY APPROACHING. I AM EXCITED AND SCARED AT THE SAME TIME AND ALSO SCARED TO BE EXCITED IF THAT MAKES SENSE.
THIS PAST WEEK HAS BEEN KINDA DIFFICULT. THE SOUP HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE FOR ME. I FINALLY BLENDED THE STUFF UP IN THE BLENDER SO I COULD GET IT DOWN ALITTLE BETTER. WOOHOO, IF YA HAVEN'T TRIED THE CABBAGE SOUP, CONSIDER YOURSELF LUCKY.LOL
I HAVE BEEN CLEANING MY HOUSE LIKE A MAD WOMAN THIS PAST WEEK. I THINK IT IS NERVOUS ENERGY. WHATEVER THE CASE, MY HOUSE IS LOOKING ALOT BETTER.
WELL, IN LESS THAN 48 HOURS I WILL HAVE HAD THE SURGERY AND HOPEFULLY BE IN A ROOM BY NOW.
PLEASE EVERYONE PRAY FOR ME. I NEED YOUR PRAYERS.
TODAY I HAVE SPENT THE DAY WITH MY DAUGHTER. I HAVE HAD SO MUCH FUN WITH HER TODAY. WE EVEN WENT TO THE MOVIES. SHE HAD A BALL TODAY, I BELIEVE. SHE CAN'T TALK VERY WELL JUST YET, BUT JUST IN HER ACTIONS, I THINK SHE ENJOYED HERSELF. I GUESS I TIRED HER OUT. SHE IS NAPPING RIGHT NOW.
JUST IN CASE I DO NOT GET TO JOURNAL AGAIN BEFORE MONDAY, I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND PRAYERS.
TO MY HUSBAND, YOU HAVE BEEN SO SWEET TO ME-ESPECIALLY THIS PAST WEEK. NO MATTER WHAT HAS BEEN GOING ON WITH YOU AT WORK AND THE STRESS YOU HAVE ENCOUNTERED, YOU HAVE MADE SURE THAT THIS PAST WEEK HAS BEEN AS STRESS FREE FOR ME AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN THIS JOURNEY I HAVE EMBARKED ON. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH. YOU ARE MY BEST FRIEND AND ALWAYS WILL BE. YOU ARE SUCH A GOOD FATHER TO BAILEY AND NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS MONDAY, PLEASE TAKE CARE OF HER. SHE IS THE LIGHT OF MY LIFE. SHE IS A PRODUCT OF OUR LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER.
THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE SWEETEST, MOST LOVING AND ADORABLE DAUGHTER.
BAILEY, I LOVE YOU SWEETHEART. I WANT YOU TO KNOW YOUR MOMMY LOVES YOU MORE THAN ANYTHING IN THE WORLD. I HAVE ENJOYED WATCHING YOU GROW AND LEARN NEW THINGS EACH AND EVERY DAY. YOU ARE THE SUNSHINE OF MY LIFE. NEVER FORGET THAT. BE A GOOD GIRL FOR YOUR DADDY NO MATTER WHAT. TAKE CARE OF YOUR DADDY AND KEEP HIM STRAIGHT.LOL
THANKS TO MY PARENTS FOR ALWAYS BEING THERE FOR ME. YOU MADE SURE THAT I NEVER DID WITHOUT. I MAY NOT HAVE GOT WHAT I WANTED RIGHT WHEN I WANTED IT, BUT YOU MADE SURE THAT I GOT IT EVENTUALLY. THANKS FOR TEACHING ME RIGHT FROM WRONG AS WELL. I LOVE YALL.
ALSO, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE FOR BAILEY. SHE LOVES YOU GUYS TO PIECES. IF SOMETHING SHOULD HAPPEN TO ME, PLEASE MAKE SURE WILL AND BAILEY ARE LOOKED AFTER. THEY WILL NEED YOUR SUPPORT AND LOVE. ALSO, TELL BAILEY ABOUT ME AS SHE GROWS UP AND CAN UNDERSTAND THINGS. I WANT HER TO KNOW HOW HER MOMMY GREW UP.
AND TO EVERYONE ELSE, THANKS FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE. THANKS TO MY FRIENDS, COWORKERS AND EXTENDED FAMILY. YOU ALL HAVE BEEN GREAT THRU THIS.
SO UNTIL NEXT TIME, GOD BLESS THOSE WHO ARE HAVING SURGERY AND THOSE WHO HAVE HAD SURGERY.
KEEP ME IN YOUR PRAYERS.............

AUGUST 20, 2005- HONESTLY, I DIDN'T KNOW IF I WOULD BE ABLE TO SAY THIS OR NOT, BUT......"I AM HOME"!
I GOT HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL THURSDAY AFTERNOON. I AM SO HAPPY TO HAVE THE SURGERY BEHIND ME. NOW, I AM EMBARKING ON A BRAND NEW LIFE, A NEW JOURNEY-SO TO SPEAK.
I ARRIVED AT THE HOSPITAL MONDAY MORNING(SO NERVOUS AND SCARED), AND WENT TO PRE-ADMISSIONS. THEY SENT ME UP TO A WAITING ROOM WHERE WITHIN MINUTES I WAS CALLED BACK. MY HUSBAND WENT WITH ME AND SO I HAD TO LEAVE HIM IN THE WAITING ROOM. WE WERE TOLD HE WOULD GET TO GO BACK AS SOON AS I WAS PREPPED. THE WHOLE "PREP" THING TOOK ALITTLE WHILE. I WAS ASKED QUESTIONS, HAD TO DO A ROUTINE PREGNANCY TEST(JUST TO MAKE SURE) AND HAVE MY IV PUT IN. ONCE THE IV WAS PUT IN, MY BLOOD WAS DRAWN TO HAVE IT TYPED. OH YEA, I HAD TO GET IN ONE OF THOSE "BEAUTIFUL" HOSPITAL GOWNS TOO. WHILE THE NURSE(WHO BY THE WAY WAS SUPER DUPER NICE) WAS TRYING TO GET THE IV STARTED, SHE WAS HAVING TROUBLE WITH MY VEINS. PROBLEM WAS-SHE COULDN'T GET ONE. SHE HAD TO PUT MY ARMS IN WARM BLANKETS TO SEE IF THEY WOULD COME TO THE SURFACE. ANYHOW, SHE FINALLY GOT A VEIN. AFTER ALL THAT, I WAS PUT ON A GORNEY(SPELLING) AND MY FAMILY WAS ALLOWED TO COME BACK. BY THE TIME, THEY WERE ABLE TO COME BACK- MY MOTHER AND MY PASTOR HAD ARRIVED AT THE HOSPITAL AND SO THEY WERE ALLOWED TO COME BACK WITH MY HUSBAND. A WORD OF THANKS TO MY PASTOR, WHO PRAYED WITH ME AND MY FAMILY BEFORE I WAS TAKEN OFF TO THE SURGERY HOLDING AREA. THERE, ONCE AGAIN, I WAS SEPARATED FROM MY FAMILY, BUT I WAS TOLD I WOULD SEE THEM ONE MORE TIME BEFORE GOING INTO SURGERY.
ONCE, I WAS TAKEN TO THE SURGERY HOLDING AREA, I TALKED TO THE ANESTEOLOGIST(SPELLING) AND WAS EXPLAINED THE WHOLE PROCEDURE FOR THE ANESTHESIA. I HAD CUFFS PUT ON MY LEGS TOO. THE CUFFS ACT AS A MASSAGER TYPE THING, TO REDUCE BLOOD CLOTS. THE DOCTOR ALSO CAME IN AND ASKED IF I HAD ANY LAST QUESTIONS, BUT AT THE TIME I DIDN'T.
I GUESS I STAYED THERE APPROX. 30 MINUTES AND WHEN I LEFT THERE, MY FAMILY WAS STANDING OUTSIDE THE DOORS THERE AND I SAID MY LAST GOODBYES.
THE SURGERY LASTED ABOUT 1 HOUR AND 30 MINUTES, APPROXIMATELY. I KNOW I WAS TAKEN TO RECOVERY, BUT ALL THAT IS ALITTLE FUZZY.
I DID GET TO GO TO A REGULAR ROOM AND FROM THERE THE REST IS HISTORY. I MUST SAY, OVERALL, MY NURSES WERE GREAT. I COULDN'T HAVE ASKED FOR A BETTER NURSING STAFF.
DURING MY STAY, I DID HAVE ISSUES ABOUT THE CATHETER. FROM THE TIME MY CATHETER WAS TAKEN OUT(WHICH WAS AROUND LUNCH) TO MIDNIGHT THAT NIGHT, I DID NOT GO TO THE BATHROOM. SO, I HAD TO HAVE WHAT IS CALLED AN "IN/OUT CATHETER" WHICH WAS USED TO EMPTY MY BLADDER. IT WAS ONLY AFTER THEY DID THAT, THAT EARLY THAT MORNING I FINALLY STARTED TO GO THE BATHROOM BY MYSELF. I WAS TOLD THAT SOMETIMES AFTER SURGERY, IT TAKES THE BLADDER ALITTLE WHILE TO WAKE UP. BUT LET ME TELL YA, WHEN I DID START GOING TO THE BATHROOM, BOY DID I START GOING TO THE BATHROOM. EVERYTHING BUSTED LOOSE. LOL
WHILE I WAS THERE AT THE HOSPITAL, I BURPED SO MUCH. IF I HAD A DOLLAR FOR EVERY TIME I BURPED I WOULD BE RICH. THE GAS THAT THE DOCTORS USE TO BLOW YOU UP WITH DURING SURGERY, HAS TO WORK ITSELF OUT. AND WHETHER IT COMES OUT THE TOP OR BOTTOM, IT IS GONNA WORK ITSELF OUT. HAHA
ANYHOW, I AM AT HOME NOW. I AM SLOW MOVING, BUT I HAVE TRIED TO DO SOME THINGS AROUND THE HOUSE. IF I START TO FEEL TIRED OR IF I START TO GET TOO SORE, I STOP AND SIT DOWN FOR AWHILE.
I AM SO GLAD TO HAVE THE SURGERY BEHIND ME. NOW I HAVE GOT TO HEAL. I HOPE THAT I DO WELL WITH ALL OF THIS.
THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO PRAYED FOR ME AND SENT THE WELL WISHES. YOU ALL ARE SO PRECIOUS. I WILL NEVER FORGET ALL THE LOVE AND SUPPORT YOU ALL HAVE OFFERED.
GOD BLESS THOSE WHO ARE HAVING SURGERY OR WHO HAVE HAD THE SURGERY.
TILL NEXT TIME.....

                              

SEPTEMBER 1, 2005- SORRY I AM A COUPLE OF DAYS BEHIND ON MY UPDATE. I WENT TO THE DR. FOR MY FIRST POST-OP VISIT. THE APPT. WENT REALLY WELL.
AS OF AUGUST 29TH, MONDAY, I HAD LOST APPROX. 22LBS.-YEAH!
DR. CLASSEN TOLD ME I COULD ADVANCE TO THE NEXT LEVEL OF THE DIET ALSO. I AM NOW ABLE TO EAT SOFT, MUSHY FOODS. BOY, I WAS SO GLAD TO HEAR THAT. THE TWO WEEKS OF JUST A LIQUID DIET WAS REALLY TOUGH.
I AM DOING OKAY SO FAR ON THE SOFT FOOD DIET. IT IS HARD ADJUSTING TO JUST EATING ALITTLE INSTEAD OF THE WHOLE PLATE AND THEN SOME LIKE I USED TO DO. SO FAR, KNOCK ON WOOD, I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO KEEP EVERYTHING DOWN THAT I HAVE EATEN. MY FIRST REAL MEAL WAS AN EGG OMELET(LITTLE BIT OF EGG BEATERS WITH A HALF A SLICE OF FAT FREE CHEESE), IT WAS SO DELICIOUS.
IT HAS BEEN HARD FOR ME TO REALLY SEE MY WEIGHT LOSS YET, BUT MY HUSBAND KEEPS TELLING ME HE CAN TELL I AM SLIMMING DOWN. I CAN TELL I HAVE LOST WEIGHT IN MY FACE BUT THAT IS IT. IT SEEMS LIKE ANY OTHER TIME I HAVE LOST WEIGHT BEFORE, I ALWAYS WOULD LOSE IT IN MY FACE AND MY CHEST FIRST. BUMMER, BECAUSE I NEED TO LOSE THIS WEIGHT IN MY CABOOSE. BUT I GUESS ALL IN DO TIME, HUH?
OH WELL, MY PRAYERS TO THOSE WHO ARE HAVING SURGERY AND THOSE WHO HAVE HAD THE SURGERY. BLESSINGS TO YOU AND YOURS.
BY THE WAY, MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO THOSE INVOLVED IN HURRICANE KATRINA AND HER AFTERMATH. MY GRANDMOTHER AND AUNT STAY IN LOUISIANA. THEY ARE DOING FINE, THANK THE LORD, BUT FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LOST VIRTUALLY EVERYTHING, MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YALL.
TILL NEXT TIME.....

SEPTEMBER 26, 2005 - JUST A QUICK UPDATE TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH ME AND MY JOURNAL- AS OF THIS MORNING I HAVE LOST 35 POUNDS. I AM DOWN TO 217 LBS. I HAVE NOT HAD TO BUY ANY NEW CLOTHES YET, BUT EVERYTHING IS STARTING TO GET JUST ALITTLE LOOSE NOW. I AM SCHEDULED TO MEET WITH MY SURGEON DAY AFTER TOMORROW, SO I WILL TRY TO UPDATE AFTER THE APPT. MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO TO ALL OF YOU WHO ARE IN THE PROCESS LEADING UP TO SURGERY OR WHO HAVE HAD THE SURGERY. TAKE CARE.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2005 - JUST A QUICK UPDATE...
I WENT TO THE DR. YESTERDAY AND HE SAID EVERYTHING LOOKED GOOD. HE SAID I CAN MOVE ON TO MORE REGULAR FOODS NOW, SO I AM KINDA ANXIOUS ABOUT TRYING SOME NEW, DIFFERENT FOODS NOW. I HAVE TO GO BACK IN TWO MONTHS SO I HOPE THAT I WILL HAVE LOST MORE WEIGHT BY THEN. TAKE CARE.

                  

OCTOBER 21, 2005 - I DIDN'T REALIZE IT HAD BEEN SO LONG SINCE I LAST UPDATED BUT ANYWAY HERE I AM. I HAVE LOST 43 LBS. TO DATE AND HOLDING. THE SCALES SEEM TO HAVE STOPPED MOVING, BUT HOPEFULLY THEY WILL BUDGE SOON.
YESTERDAY, I WENT TO THE STATE FAIR AND TRUTHFULLY WILL HAVE TO SAY THAT IT WAS THE HARDEST THING I HAVE DONE IN A WHILE. DON'T GET ME WRONG, I HAD A GOOD TIME, BUT IT WAS SO HARD NOT EATING ALL THOSE SWEET FAIR FOODS AND GOOD FAIR MEALS. I WAS GOOD AND DIDN'T EAT ANYTHING THAT I WASN'T SUPPOSED TO, BUT IT WAS HARD SEEING THE FOOD AND SMELLING IT. I REALLY HAVEN'T HAD A PROBLEM WITH SWEETS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT SINCE THE SURGERY BUT YESTERDAY I HAD LIKE A LITTLE MINI-BATTLE WITHIN MYSELF. I KNOW I AM THE ONE WHO DECIDED TO HAVE THIS SURGERY AND I AM THE ONE WHO MADE THIS CHOICE, BUT BOY WAS IT DIFFICULT YESTERDAY.
I HOPE THAT EVERYONE IS DOING WELL AND I PRAY FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE PREPARING FOR UPCOMING SURGERY. GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS!

NOVEMBER 1, 2005- JUST A QUICK NOTE TO SAY THAT I HAVE LOST 50 POUNDS. WOOHOO!! JUST A COUPLE MORE POUNDS AND I WILL BE UNDER 200 POUNDS. ONCE I EVER GET BELOW 200, THEN I WILL FEEL LIKE I HAVE REALLY ACCOMPLISHED SOMETHING, YA KNOW?
WELL, MY HUSBAND, DAUGHTER AND I WENT ON VACATION LAST WEEK. BOY DID WE HAVE A GOOD TIME. I SURE ENJOYED WATCHING MY DAUGHTER ENJOY HERSELF. AT ONE POINT BEFORE THE SURGERY, I THOUGHT I WOULD NEVER GET TO GO ON VACATIONS ANYMORE OR SPEND QUALITY TIME WITH MY FAMILY LIKE I DID LAST WEEK, BUT THE LORD BLESSED ME. MY HUSBAND WAS SO AWFULLY NICE TO ME. ANYTHING I WANTED TO DO-ANYWHERE I WANTED TO GO-HE DIDN'T MIND DOING IT. I GUESS HE REALIZED, LIKE I HAVE, THAT OUR TIME TOGETHER IS VALUABLE AND THAT WE ARE NOT GUARANTEED TOMORROW.
TAKE CARE AND GOD BLESS!

NOVEMBER 29, 2005 - HEY YALL. WELL, I HAVEN'T UPDATED IN AWHILE SO I THOUGHT I WOULD CATCH YALL UP. I WEIGH 190 LBS. NOW. THAT MAKES A TOTAL OF 62 LBS. I HAVE LOST. WOOHOO! I STILL HAVE ALITTLE WAYS TO GO, BUT I AM SATISFIED WITH THE WEIGHT THAT I HAVE LOST SO FAR.
I GOT THRU THANKSGIVING PRETTY WELL. I DID VOMIT OVER A PIECE OF TURKEY, BUT I THINK IT IS BECAUSE I DIDN'T CHEW IT UP REAL GOOD. NICE, HUH? AND, I DIDN'T EVEN EAT A PIECE OF PECAN PIE. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? I LOVE PECAN PIE, BUT NOT THIS OLE GIRL.
I GO TO SEE MY SURGEON TOMORROW FOR A CHECK-UP. I MEET WITH HIM AND THEN WITH THE NUTRITIONALIST. I AM EXCITED TO BE MEETING WITH THE NUTRITIONALIST. WHICH I SHOULD HAVE MET WITH HER SOONER, BUT ONE TIME SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO COME TO THE OFFICE AND THE NEXT TIME I WAS ON VACATION. SO ANYWAY, TOMORROW IS THE DAY.
WELL, I WISH EVERYONE OUT THERE PREPARING FOR THE SURGERY GOOD LUCK. THIS WAS THE BEST THING I COULD HAVE EVER DONE FOR MYSELF AND MY FAMILY.
GOD BLESS!

DECEMBER 27, 2005 - HOPE EVERYONE HAD A GOOD CHRISTMAS. MY FAMILY AND I HAD A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS. I ENJOYED WATCHING MY DAUGHTER OPEN HER GIFTS AND HAVE HERSELF A BIG TIME.
MY HUSBAND GOT ME A TREADMILL FOR CHRISTMAS. I AM EXCITED ABOUT USING IT. BEATS GOING OUT INTO THE COLD TO GET MY EXERCISE, HUH?
WELL, I GUESS I DID OKAY WITH MY EATING DURING THE HOLIDAYS. I TRIED TO STICK WITH TURKEY. BUT I TELL YA, I HAVE LEARNED I HAVE TO REALLY EAT THAT STUFF SLOW AND CHEW IT REALLY, REALLY GOOD. I ONLY VOMITTED ONCE, BUT I THINK IT IS BECAUSE I DIDN'T CHEW IT GOOD ENOUGH. REALLY PUTS A PERSON IN CHECK, YA KNOW?
WELL, I HAVE LOST A TOTAL OF 68 POUNDS. I HAVE KINDA BEEN STUCK AROUND THE 68 MARK FOR AWHILE BUT I AM TRYING TO STAY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT IT.
WELL, TO ALL OF YOU-I WISH YOU A MOST HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR. GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

                                   

JANUARY 16, 2006 - HELLO TO EVERYONE! HOPE EVERYONE HAD A HAPPY AND SAFE NEW YEARS. I WAS LOOKING OVER THE WEBSITE AND REALIZED IT HAS BEEN A WHILE SINCE I UPDATED.
GUESS I WILL HAVE TO CATCH YALL UP.
THE SCALES FINALLY BUDGED FOR ME. I AM DOWN ANOTHER COUPLE OF POUNDS, SO MY TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS NOW IS 73 POUNDS. I SURE CAN TELL A DIFFERENCE IN THE WAY I FEEL OVERALL. I CAN GO UP STAIRS NOW WITH NO PROBLEM AND I DON'T EVEN GET WINDED. MY HAIR LOSS HAS SLOWED DOWN SIGNIGICANTLY AND THAT IS GOOD TOO. I WAS BEGINNING TO GET WORRIED ABOUT THAT WHOLE HAIR THING.
MY CLOTHES ARE CONSTANTLY BECOMING TOO BIG FOR ME. I WILL BUY SOME CLOTHES EVERY ONCE AND AWHILE AND WITHIN NO TIME THEY ARE TOO BIG ON ME AGAIN. GETS KINDA AGGRAVATING BUT I AM NOT COMPLAINING ONE BIT. LIKE I SAID BEFORE THAT IS A GOOD PROBLEM TO HAVE, YA KNOW?
OH WELL, I HOPE EVERYONE THAT IS PLANNING TO HAVE THE SURGERY DOES WELL WITH IT. I AM SO GLAD I HAD MY SURGERY.
NO LOOKING BACK....
                      
                        

FEBRUARY 21, 2006 - HEY EVERYBODY. I WENT TO THE DR. FOR MY 6 MONTH CHECKUP AND THE DR. SAID I WAS RIGHT ON TARGET WITH MY WEIGHT LOSS. THAT MADE ME FEEL GOOD. THE DR. ALSO ORDERED FOR ME TO HAVE SOME BLOODWORK TO CHECK MY LEVELS TO MAKE SURE I WASN'T LACKING IN ANY VITAMINS OR ANYTHING AND TO CHECK MY THYROID ALSO. I HAVE BEEN FEELING SOMEWHAT TIRED AND WASHED OUT LATELY SO I GUESS THAT IS WHY HE WANTED TO CHECK THE THYROID LEVEL.
ANYHOW, A DAY AFTER THE BLOODWORK WAS DONE, THE DR. CALLED BACK. MY B12 LEVELS WERE OFF AND MY THYROID WAS OFF AS WELL. HE PRESCRIBED SYNTHROID FOR MY THYROID. I HAVE HYPOTHYROIDISM. I ALSO HAVE TO HAVE B12 INJECTIONS FOR 4 MONTHS, PLUS TAKE AN ORAL DOSE OF B12 EVERYDAY. AT THE END OF THE 4 MONTHS, I WILL HAVE TO HAVE MORE BLOODWORK DONE TO SEE IF MY LEVELS HAVE COME UP.
YALL KEEP ME IN YOUR PRAYERS THAT THE MEDICINE AND INJECTIONS WILL HELP ME TO FEEL BETTER AND THAT THE BLOODWORK WILL BE GOOD WHEN I HAVE TO HAVE IT AGAIN. THANKS.

MARCH 21, 2006 - WELL, I HAVE LOST 87 POUNDS NOW AND I AM FEELING PRETTY GOOD. I WOULD LIKE TO LOSE AT LEAST 12 MORE TO HAVE LOST MY 100 POUNDS, BUT MAYBE A FEW OVER THAT.
I RECENTLY HAD A WOW MOMENT AT A DEPARTMENT STORE. I WAS LOOKING AT CLOTHES ON THE REDUCED RACKS AND I WAS ACTUALLY ABLE TO PURCHASE SOME OF THE MARKED DOWN CLOTHES. I HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT, I MEAN, WITH CLOTHES THAT WERE NOT IN THE PLUS SECTION. I REALLY ENJOYED MYSELF TOO. I WAS STANDING IN THE STORE TALKING TO MYSELF (OUT LOUD) AND TELLING MYSELF THAT I WAS HAVING A GOOD TIME. IT WAS SO ENJOYABLE.
I SHOULD MENTION IN THIS JOURNAL THAT I AM KEEPING HERE ON THE WEBSITE, THAT THIS PAST WEEKEND I LOST A PET THAT MY FAMILY HAD HAD FOR 13 YEARS. SHE WAS AN INSIDE DOG, BUT MY DAD ACCIDENTALLY LET HER GET OUTSIDE AND SHE GOT HIT BY A CAR. HER NAME WAS NUBBY STUMP. WE CALLED HER NUBBY. SHE WAS THE SWEETEST DOG I BELIEVE I HAVE EVER SEEN. SHE HAD SUCH A SWEET DISPOSITION ABOUT HER. I WILL FOREVER MISS HER. I LOVED HER SO MUCH. SHE DIED SATURDAY, MARCH 18TH. I HAD TO BURY HER MYSELF. I TRIED TO GIVE HER A PROPER BURIAL BY READING SCRIPTURE AND PRAYING OVER HER. IT WAS SO HARD- SHE WAS A PART OF THE FAMILY. I AM GONNA MISS HER. AS EACH DAY GOES BY, IT IS GETTING EASIER, BUT I STILL GET UPSET WHEN I THINK ABOUT HER AND THE CONDITION I FOUND HER IN WHEN I GOT TO MY PARENTS HOME.
WELL, GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU. GOOD LUCK TO THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE WAITING TO HAVE SURGERY AND TO THOSE WHO ARE IN THE PRE-OP PROCESS. TO THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE HAD SURGERY, HOPE YOU ARE DOING WELL. THANKS.

  
APRIL 07, 2006 - WELL, THIS HAS BEEN A LONG WEEK FOR ME. LAST WEEK I WAS HAVING ALOT OF PAIN IN MY ABDOMEN, SO MUCH SO, THAT I CALLED VSA AND TALKED WITH THE NURSE THERE. I ENDED UP HAVING TO HAVE A CT SCAN DONE THIS PAST MONDAY, I GUESS TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING WAS IN ITS RIGHT AND PROPER PLACE.
AFTER THE CT SCAN, I MET WITH THE SURGE0N THE NEXT DAY. HE GAVE ME THE OPTION OF HAVING A DIAGNOSTIC LAPAROSCOPY, TO WHICH I DECIDED TO GO THRU WITH. SO ANYHOW, I HAD THE PROCEDURE DONE YESTERDAY. I AM HOME NOW. STILL ALITTLE SORE, BUT I AM DOING MUCH BETTER. YESTERDAY WAS ROUGH. THE SURGEON SAID THAT MY BOWELS WERE RED AND IRRITATED. HE SAID THEY MAY HAVE STARTED TO TANGLE AND STRAIGHTENED THEMSELVES OUT OR IT COULD HAVE BEEN INFECTION STARTING TO SET IN. ANYWAY, I AM TAKING AN ANTIOBIOTIC AND A COUPLE OF OTHER MEDS AND I AM SUPPOSED TO GO BACK TO THE SURGEON ON THE 12TH.
I AM GLAD I HAD THE PROCEDURE. IT GAVE ME PEACE OF MIND AND NOW I KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON IN THERE WITH THE "PIPEWORK", SO TO SPEAK.
WELL, TAKE CARE EVERYONE AND KEEP ME IN YOUR PRAYERS AS I WILL ALL OF YOU.

APRIL 21, 2006 - HEY EVERYBODY. SORRY IT HAS TAKEN ME SO LONG TO UPDATE. I DID GO BACK TO THE SURGEON AND BASICALLY HE TOLD ME THE SAME THING HE HAD TOLD MY HUSBAND AND MOTHER AFTER THE SURGERY. I HAVE TO GO BACK TO HIM ON THE 26TH. BY THEN I WILL BE FINISHED WITH ALL THE MEDS. I GUESS HE WANTS TO MAKE SURE THE INCISIONS ARE STILL HEALING AS THEY SHOULD AND TO MAKE SURE I AM NOT HAVING ANY MORE PAIN OR PROBLEMS SO TO SPEAK. WHICH I AM HAVING PAIN, BUT IT IS MORE SO IN THE INCISION SITES THAN THE ABDOMEN AREA ITSELF. I GUESS THE ANTIBIOTICS HELPED OUT THE ORIGINAL PAIN THAT I WAS HAVING IN MY ABDOMEN.
SINCE MY LAST POST, I HAVE CELEBRATED A BIRTHDAY. I TURNED 33 ON APRIL 17TH. MY HUSBAND JOKES ABOUT IT AND SAYS I AM OVER HALFWAY TO SOCIAL SECURITY. I GUESS HE LIKES TO PICK BEING I AM A FEW YEARS OLDER THAN HE IS, BUT THAT IS OKAY. I AM USED TO HIS JOKING AROUND. HE AND I WENT TO MYRTLE BEACH FOR THE DAY ON THE 14TH AND HAD A REALLY GOOD TIME. I ACTUALLY TRIED ON SOME BATHING SUITS AND SOME REALLY HOT DRESSES. ALL OF WHICH I LOOKED OKAY IN. BEFORE THE SURGERY, I WOULDN'T HAVE GONE NEAR ANY OF THEM. I GUESS YOU COULD SAY I HAD A FEW "WOW" MOMENTS THAT DAY.
YA KNOW, I LIKE GETTING COMPLIMENTS. I HAVE HAD SO MANY PEOPLE AT WORK TO COMPLIMENT ME. PEOPLE WHO I DON'T EVEN KNOW TO COME UP TO ME AND TELL ME THAT THEY NOTICED I HAVE LOST WEIGHT. IT IS THOSE PEOPLE THOUGH THAT COME UP TO ME AND SAY- BOY, YOU HAVE LOST A TON OF WEIGHT. HOW DO YOU TAKE THAT? YES, THEY NOTICED BUT DID THEY THINK THAT I WAS THAT BIG OR WHAT?
WELL, I WILL ACCEPT THE COMPLIMENTS. I GUESS THEY MEAN WELL, HUH? I AM JUST HAPPY THAT I AM 33 NOW AND THAT I AM A HEALTHIER PERSON NOW, WEIGHT-WISE, THAN I WOULD HAVE BEEN HAD I NOT HAD THE SURGERY. I HAVE LOST 94 POUNDS THAT I NEVER WANT TO SEE AGAIN.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL. 

                      

MAY 25, 2006 - WOW, I DIDN'T REALIZE IT HAD BEEN SO LONG SINCE I UPDATED, BUT HERE I AM. I AM DOING WELL AND HAVE FULLY RECOVERED FROM MY LAST LITTLE SURGERY.
I HAVE BEEN FEELING ALITTLE TIRED LATELY, BUT MAYBE IT IS THAT I AM JUST NOT GETTING ENOUGH REST AT NIGHT.
I HAD BLOODWORK DONE RECENTLY AND IT SHOWED THAT MY B12 LEVEL WAS WAY HIGH. THE NURSE SAID NORMAL IS BETWEEN 100-900 AND MINE WAS 1211. THEY ALSO DID A THYROID PANEL AND IT SHOWED THAT MY TSH LEVEL WAS SLIGHTLY LOW. THE NURSE AT VSA SAID TO CONTINUE THE SYNTHROID MED AND KEEP TAKING THE SAME DOSAGE, I GUESS, TILL I GO BACK FOR MY ONE YEAR APPT, WHICH IS IN AUG.

GUESS I WILL TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO VENT FOR JUST A MINUTE. YESTERDAY HERE AT WORK ONE OF THE LADIES DOWNSTAIRS IN ONE OF THE OTHER OFFICES ASKED ME WHAT THAT WAS SHE WAS LOOKING AT? PUZZLED, I LOOKED AT HER AND SAID WHAT? SHE LOOKED AT ME AND POINTED TO MY STOMACH. SHE SAID THAT POOCH. OKAY, I HAVE LOST ALMOST A TOTAL OF 100 POUNDS AND SHE HAS THE NERVE TO TELL ME THAT I HAVE A POOCH. THAT WASN'T WHAT I WANTED TO HEAR. IT REALLY BOTHERED ME FOR HER TO SAY THAT, BUT I DIDN'T LET HER KNOW THAT IT BOTHERED ME. I DO STILL HAVE A LITTLE POOCH, BUT I THINK I HAVE DONE WELL OVERALL. I HAVE HAD A BABY AND THAT MIGHT CAUSE A POOCH, BUT STILL YOU DON'T TELL SOMEONE THAT, YA KNOW? ESPECIALLY SOMEONE WHO HAS LOST ALOT OF WEIGHT. WHEN I TOLD HER I NEEDED TO LOSE AT LEAST ANOTHER 10-15 POUNDS THEN SHE SAID NO YOU DON'T. THAT, I REALLY DIDN'T UNDERSTAND, BUT ANYHOW, MAYBE I SHOULD HAVE SAID SOMETHING TO HER, BUT I WAS NICE AND DIDN'T. WHY DO PEOPLE SAY STUFF LIKE THAT AND NOT EVEN THINK TWICE ABOUT HOW THE OTHER PERSON WILL TAKE IT. I ALWAYS THINK BEFORE I SPEAK. I TRY TO TAKE OTHERS FEELINGS INTO CONSIDERATION, YA KNOW? OH WELL.
I WILL TRY NOT TO DWELL ON IT AND LET IT ROLL OFF MY BACK .
OH, ALSO, I HAVE TWO BUDDIES THAT I MET OVER THE SITE THAT ARE HAVING GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY NEXT WEEK. PLEASE KEEP THESE GIRLS IN YOUR PRAYERS. THEY BOTH DESERVE THE BEST. GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS YOU LORETTA AND LA'LANI.

                                      

JUNE 07, 2006 - TODAY IS HUMP DAY. THANK GOODNESS! I AM SO READY FOR THE WEEKEND - NOT THAT I GOT ANYTHING PLANNED, BUT I JUST NEED A BREAK FROM WORK.
LORETTA AND LA'LANI, MY TWO BUDDIES WHO WERE TO HAVE GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY, ARE HOME NOW DOING GREAT. THEY BOTH DID WELL IN SURGERY AND DID NOT HAVE ANY MAJOR PROBLEMS. KEEP THEM IN YOUR PRAYERS THAT THEY WILL HAVE A FAST RECOVERY.
WELL, AS OF YESTERDAY I HAVE OFFICIALLY (BY MY SCALES) LOST 100 LBS. I GOT ON THE SCALES SEVERAL DIFFERENT TIMES BEFORE I BELIEVED IT. I EVEN GOT ON THE SCALES AFTER MY SHOWER YESTERDAY MORNING JUST TO SEE IF IT WOULD READ DIFFERENTLY AND IT STILL READ THAT I LOST 100 LBS. WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT I WOULD HAVE EVER BEEN ABLE TO SAY THAT? IT HAS NOT BEEN AN EASY THING TO DO, BUT I DID IT. I WOULD LIKE TO LOSE 5-10 MORE POUNDS BEFORE I AM SATISFIED. HOPE IT DOESN'T TAKE ME LONG, BUT KNOWING MY LUCK THOSE LAST SEVERAL POUNDS WILL BE THE HARDEST AND TAKE THE LONGEST TO GET OFF.
WELL, JUST WANTED TO UPDATE SINCE I HAVEN'T DONE SO IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS.
TO ALL OF YOU GETTING READY FOR SURGERY, GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS. AND TO THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE HAD SURGERY, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. BYE YALL!

JUNE 13, 2006 - ONE MORE DAY OF WORK AND I WILL BE OFF A COUPLE OF DAYS. MY HUSBAND, WILL, AND I ARE GOING TO CHARLOTTE FOR OUR ANNIVERSARY. WE ARE ONLY STAYING OVERNIGHT, BUT IT WILL BE NICE TO GET AWAY FOR ALITTLE WHILE AND DO SOMETHING OUT OF THE NORM. WE WILL BE CELEBRATING OUR 5 YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY. HARD TO BELIEVE WE HAVE BEEN MARRIED 5 YEARS. THIS TIME LAST YEAR I WAS TRYING TO GET ALL MY DOCUMENTATION TOGETHER FOR INSURANCE APPROVAL. BOY HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED IN ONE YEAR. I HADN'T EVEN BEGUN TO DO THESE JOURNAL ENTRIES YET.
YOU KNOW, THIS LAST YEAR HAS BEEN LIBERATING - LIBERATING IN THE FACT THAT I AM NOW A 100 POUNDS LIGHTER. I AM NO LONGER CARRYING AROUND THAT EXCESS WEIGHT. I LOOK AT PICS OF MYSELF NOW AND THINK ABOUT HOW I WAS THIS PERSON THAT I AM NOW TRAPPED IN ALL THAT WEIGHT AND WANTING TO GET OUT. KINDA PHILOSOPHICAL I KNOW, BUT I THINK LIKE THAT ALOT NOW. I AM MORE CONFIDENT NOW AND I FEEL BETTER ABOUT MYSELF. PEOPLE PAY ATTENTION TO ME NOW. BEFORE, I WAS JUST ONE OF THE BUNCH. IT WAS LIKE PEOPLE DIDN'T CARE WHAT I HAD TO SAY, BUT NOW I FEEL LIKE I HAVE A PLACE.
SORRY TO BABBLE, BUT DOGGONE IT- GUESS US GASTRIC PATIENTS HAVE THAT RIGHT TO. WE HAVE ALL BEEN THRU ALOT TO GET WHERE WE ARE NOW. ALL THAT PRE-OP PAPERWORK, THE PRE-OP TESTS, THE BUNDLE OF NERVES BEFORE THE SURGERY, AND THE SURGERY ITSELF. WE HAVE EARNED THE RIGHT TO BE PROUD.
WELL RECKON I WILL GO FOR NOW. HOPE I AM AROUND FOR ANOTHER FIVE YEARS TO CELEBRATE WITH MY HUSBAND. I LOVE YOU WILL. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY HONEY!

JUNE 30, 2006 - I WENT TO THE GYN THIS PAST WEEK FOR A RE-CHECK ON MY BREAST. A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, I FELT A LUMP IN MY LEFT BREAST. I CALLED AND MADE AN APPT. TO SEE MY DOCTOR. I ENDED UP HAVING TO HAVE AN ULTRASOUND AND A MAMMOGRAM. THEY BOTH CAME BACK NEGATIVE, BUT THE DR. WANTED TO MAKE AN APPT. FOR A RE-CHECK JUST TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING WAS GOING OKAY. SO I WENT TO THE RE-CHECK AND NOW HE WANTS ME TO SEE A BREAST SURGEON. MY GYN DR. SAID THAT HIS "INDEX OF WORRY WAS LOW", SO I GUESS THAT IS A POSITIVE THING, BUT STILL TO HAVE TO SEE ANOTHER DR. MAKES ME KINDA NERVOUS.
SO, I RECEIVED MY PHONE CALL YESTERDAY FOR MY APPT. IT IS JULY 13TH. INSTEAD OF MAKING MY APPT. WITH THE BREAST SURGEON, THEY MADE MY APPT. WITH A DR. THAT I HAVE HAD BEFORE AT THE SAME OFFICE AS WHERE MY GASTRIC DR. IS.
A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, I HAD A CYST IN MY LEFT BREAST ALMOST IN THE SAME AREA, AND HAD TO HAVE IT REMOVED. SO AT LEAST I AM FAMILIAR WITH THE DR. AND THAT IS GOOD.
YALL PRAY THAT THIS IS JUST A ROUTINE CHECKUP AND THAT EVERYTHING IS OKAY.
AS FOR MY WEIGHT LOSS, I HAVE LOST ANOTHER 3 POUNDS BRINGING MY TOTAL TO 103 POUNDS LOST. I THINK I AM LOSING SOME INCHES AGAIN, BECAUSE MY CLOTHES ARE FITTING LOOSER THAN NORMAL. (NOT SURE IF LOOSER IS A WORD, BUT YA KNOW WHAT I MEAN) I AM TRYING TO POWER LOAD ON PROTEIN AND WALK RELIGIOUSLY ON MY TREADMILL AND I THINK THAT IS HELPING ME ALOT.
I DON'T GO BACK TO MY SURGEON UNTIL AUGUST 16TH FOR MY ONE YEAR APPT. I HOPE TO HAVE LOST A FEW MORE POUNDS BY THEN.
YALL KEEP ME IN YOUR PRAYERS AND I HOPE THAT ALL OF YOU HAVE A SAFE AND ENJOYABLE FOURTH. BYE!

                                  

JULY 10, 2006 - JUST A QUICK NOTE TO LET YALL KNOW I HAD A WOW MOMENT RECENTLY. MY HUSBAND AND I WENT SHOPPING LAST WEEK AND I BOUGHT A SKIRT. THE SKIRT WAS A "SIZE 8"!!! I CAN'T REMEMBER THE LAST TIME I WAS IN A SINGLE DIGIT SIZE PIECE OF CLOTHING. I WAS SO HAPPY. I HOPE TO LOSE A FEW MORE POUNDS AND MAYBE, WHO KNOWS, I CAN GET INTO A 6 BEFORE I START MAINTAINING.

JULY 19, 2006 - WELL I WENT TO THE DR. ON THE 13TH. THE DR. GAVE ME A BREAST EXAM AND FELT WHAT I HAD BEEN FEELING IN MY LEFT BREAST. HE SAID THAT WHAT I WAS FEELING WAS A CYST AND THAT THERE WAS REALLY NOTHING TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT. HE EXPLAINED THAT B/C I HAD LOST AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF WEIGHT, THAT I WAS PROBABLY GOING TO BE FEELING THINGS THAT I HAD NOT FELT BEFORE. HE ALSO SAID THE AREA IN WHICH I FELT THE "CYST" WAS A POPULAR AREA TO FEEL CYSTS AND SUCH. HE DID SAY THAT HE WOULD RECOMMEND THAT I COME BACK IN 6 WKS. TO BE RECHECKED AND TO MAKE SURE THAT THE CYST WAS NOT GIVING ME ANY PROBLEMS OR THAT IT HAD NOT INCREASED IN SIZE. I WAS CONTENT WITH THAT. SO, GOOD NEWS, THANK GOODNESS!
AND, WHILE I AM JOURNALING, MAY I TAKE A MINUTE AND VENT. I DO THIS FROM TIME TO TIME, BUT I HAVE GOT TO VENT OR I WILL EXPLODE. ANY OF YOU HAVE OUT THERE HAVE MONSTER-IN-LAWS, OOPS, EXCUSE ME, MOTHER-IN-LAWS THAT JUST AGGRAVATE YA. I HAVE ONE . I AM TRYING TO ACCEPT THIS MORTAL, BUT I JUST CAN'T DO IT. SHE MAKES IT SO HARD TO TRY TO ACCEPT HER. I KNOW I HAVE GOT TO MAKE PEACE WITH HER FOR THE SAKE OF MY HUSBAND AND CHILD AND OUR FAMILY. SHE REPEATEDLY INTERFERES WITH OUR DECISION MAKING WHEN IT COMES TO OUR CHILD. I COULD SEE IT IF I ASKED FOR HER OPINION ON THINGS WHEN IT COMES TO MY DAUGHTER BUT RARELY DO I ASK. GUESS THAT IS WHY SHE SEES THE NEED TO GIVE US HER INPUT. OH WELL. THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER THINGS I COULD TELL YOU ALL ABOUT HER, BUT I WILL NOT MAKE YOU SUFFER THRU IT.
YALL KEEP ME IN YOUR PRAYERS ABOUT HER AND THAT I CAN SOMEHOW ACCEPT HER. IF MY HUSBAND AND I WERE TO LET ANYTHING COME BETWEEN US, IT WOULD BE HER. PRAY THAT WE CAN UNITE TOGETHER AND AGREE TO DISAGREE WHEN IT COMES TO HER AND HER WAYS. DON'T GET ME WRONG, MY HUBBY DOES TAKE UP FOR ME WHEN SHE TALKS ABOUT ME TO HIM, BUT HE DOES DO HIS SHARE OF DEFENDING HER TOO.
JUST PRAY FOR ME YALL. THANKS.

 
AUGUST 4, 2006 - JUST A QUICK UPDATE SINCE I HAVEN'T JOURNALED IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS.
I AM PRESENTLY 148 LBS. THAT MAKES A TOTAL OF 104 LBS. LOST. I NEVER IN MY WILDEST DREAMS IMAGINED I WOULD EVER HAVE LOST THAT MUCH OR WEIGH WHAT I DO NOW. BUT IT FEELS GOOD.
I WORE JEANS TO WORK TODAY AND HAVE HAD THE MOST COMPLIMENTS I HAVE HAD IN A WHILE SINCE HAVING THE SURGERY. THE JEANS ARE THOSE "ULTRA" LOW WAIST BOOT LEG JEANS. I HAD TO TUCK MY SHIRT IN TO KEEP FROM SHOWING MY TUSH, THESE JEANS ARE SO LOW-WAISTED(IF THAT IS A WORD).
I GO FOR MY ONE YEAR APPT. THE 16TH. I AM GOING TO ASK MY SURGEON FOR THE GO AHEAD TO TRY TO CONCEIVE. MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE ONE CHILD ALREADY, BUT WE FEEL LIKE IT IS TIME TO HAVE ANOTHER ONE. I HOPE THAT DR. CLASSEN WILL GIVE ME THE GO AHEAD. I MUST ADMIT THAT I AM SCARED TO GET PREGNANT AND GAIN ALL THAT WEIGHT THAT COMES ALONG WITH PREGNANCY, BUT I WANT ANOTHER BABY SO BAD.
I WILL SAY THAT IF I AM BLESSED ENOUGH TO GET PREGNANT AGAIN, I PLAN TO FOLLOW ALL THE GUIDELINES THAT MY OB AND MY SURGEON WILL LAY OUT FOR ME.
I WILL UPDATE AFTER MY ONE YEAR APPT. AND LET YALL KNOW WHAT HAPPENS.

AUGUST 15, 2006 - OKAY, I HAVEN'T BEEN TO THE SURGEON YET FOR MY ONE YEAR APPT. IT IS TOMORROW, BUT I DID WANT TO SAY THAT TODAY IS MY ONE YEAR SURGIVERSARY, AS I CALL IT, AND I AM AMAZED AT HOW FAR I HAVE COME IN ONE YEAR.
THIS MORNING I THOUGHT BACK TO ONE YEAR AGO AND REMEMBERED JUST HOW SCARED I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE HOSPITAL TO HAVE THE SURGERY. I WAS TERRIFIED OF THE UNKNOWN, I GUESS. WELL, I WAS TERRIFIED THAT I WAS FIXING TO HAVE SURGERY, BUT ALSO EXCITED AT THE SAME TIME, I GUESS, THAT I WAS BEGINNING MY LIFE OVER AGAIN, LORD WILLING.
WELL, LIKE I SAID, IT HAS BEEN A YEAR. I AM SO GLAD THAT I DID NOT CHICKEN OUT AND DECIDE NOT TO HAVE THE SURGERY. MY LIFE HAS CHANGED FOR THE BETTER. I FEEL BETTER. I FEEL LIKE I LOOK BETTER AND MY WHOLE OUTLOOK ON LIFE HAS CHANGED FOR THE BETTER.
THANKS TO ALL MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT HAVE SUPPORTED ME THRU THIS PAST YEAR. I COULD NOT HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU OR YOUR SUPPORT. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I WILL UPDATE YOU ALL AFTER MY APPT. TOMORROW.
LOVE.....

 
AUGUST 17, 2006 - HEY YALL. WELL I WENT TO THE DR. YESTERDAY FOR MY ONE YEAR FOLLOW UP APPT. AND YES (A RESOUNDING YES) HE GAVE ME THE GO AHEAD TO TRY FOR ANOTHER LITTLE ONE. HE TOLD ME TO KNOCK MYSELF OUT. I LAUGHED WHEN HE SAID THAT, BUT I TOLD HIM THANKS. I AM EXCITED AND NERVOUS AT THE SAME TIME ABOUT THE WHOLE BABY THING, BUT IF IT IS THE LORD'S WILL, THEN WILL AND I WILL BE BLESSED WITH ANOTHER CHILD.
ALSO, I FOUND OUT TOO THAT MY STARTING WEIGHT WAS HEAVIER THAN WHAT I THOUGHT IT WAS. MY STARTING WEIGHT WAS 262 INSTEAD OF 252. PLUS, WHEN I GOT UP THIS MORNING, I HAD LOST ANOTHER 2 LBS.. THAT MAKES A GRAND TOTAL OF 117 POUNDS FOR ME. I AM SO HAPPY.
WELL, ALL OF YOU KEEP ME AND MY HUSBAND IN YOUR PRAYERS IN OUR EFFORT TO ADD TO OUR FAMILY.
YALL TAKE CARE.....

                            

SEPTEMBER 28, 2006 - OKAY GANG, I KNOW IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE I UPDATED - FORGIVE ME. ALOT HAS HAPPENED THOUGH SINCE I LAST TALKED TO YALL. OKAY, I CAN'T HOLD IT IN ANY LONGER, I AM PREGNANT. I WENT TO THE DR. YESTERDAY AND IT IS OFFICIAL. I AM 6 WEEKS AND 6 DAYS PREGNANT. THE DR. SAID THE BABY LOOKS GOOD AND EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT. I AM TO GO BACK TO THE DR. OCT. 25 FOR MY NEXT APPT.
A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, I REALIZED I WAS FEELING A LITTLE DIFFERENT. I WAS ONLY A DAY OR TWO LATE WITH MY PERIOD, BUT I DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT. WELL, ANOTHER COUPLE OF DAYS PASSED AND NO PERIOD, SO I TOOK A HOME PREGNANCY TEST AND IT READ POSITIVE. THE LINE WAS ALITTLE FAINT BUT I COULD SEE IT. SO THEN I TOOK A TEST THE NEXT MORNING AND IT READ POSITIVE. AND THEN I GOT A DIGITAL TEST KIT THAT HAD 2 TESTS IN IT AND BOTH OF THEM READ POSITIVE. ANYWAY, YOU SEE WHERE I AM GOING WITH THIS. SO I CALLED THE OB CLINIC AND MADE MY APPT. AND I ALSO CALLED MY SURGEON'S OFFICE TO LET THEM KNOW TOO. THE SURGEON'S OFFICE SAID USUALLY THEY LIKE TO DO BLOODWORK, BUT SINCE I HAD JUST HAD IT RECENTLY, THAT I WOULD BE OKAY. SO ANYWAY, TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, I AM PREGNANT AND SO HAPPY. THANKS FOR YOU PRAYERS AND I ASK THAT YALL STILL KEEP ME IN YOUR PRAYERS.
THIS IS A WHOLE NEW THING FOR ME B/C OF THE SURGERY AND EVERYTHING. I AM EXCITED BUT SCARED AT THE SAME TIME. JUST REMEMBER ME AND LET'S HOPE FOR A HEALTHY BABY. I WILL KEEP YALL UPDATED...