blkbutterfly

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I am still having problems with my back...I am tired of taking Loratab Elixer and Ativan. I only take it before bed so that I can sleep. I took my own initiative and scheduled an appointment with a chiropractor. It is September 9th. I am hoping that this doctor has another solution for me. By the time I go to him, I will be two months post op. Hopefully, my back problem will have disappeared or eased up by then.  
I havent been weighed since I saw my surgeon on July 31st. I am hoping that I have lost more weight. It is hard for me to tell. I will keep everyone posted about my back. Thanks for any posts, emails and words of encouragement that have been sent to me. I am really appeciative of you all.  

On yesterday evening, I was able to walk straighter. I walk with myself braced back but its better than being bent over. My lower back/upper buttocks are still numb and sore. I toss and turn all night in bed because it hurts to lie on one side for very long.
 My journey is far from perfect but I thank God that I was able to have the surgery and survive it. Others aren't as fortunate- many are denied by their insurance, cant afford to pay out of pocket, die from complications or die waiting to have surgery and/ or have permanent complications. I hope that my complications are temporary.
I am also thankful to everyone on OH that offer me support, advice and encouragement when I post on the boards.

Well, four days ago I reported that I was able to walk straight- this was short lived. I am now more bent over than before! I cannot get up and walk around without hurting! It has been four weeks. My Dr. still thinks its because I was on the OR table for four hours but I am scared. I still have the numbness in my lower back / upper buttocks region. A few weeks ago, I was badly burned on my lower back because I was unable to feel myself being burned by my heating pad (and I was wide awake!) I have no other major problems. My sister thinks that I should go see a specialist....I'm thinking that she may be right.....Keep me in your prayers- I will keep everyone posted.

When I woke up this morning and got out of bed, I was able to stand up and walk straight! I was so happy! I praised and thanked God and then called my mom, sisters and sister-in-law to tell them! I must add that it feels ackward now when I walk and the soreness is still there. Hopefully, the ackwardness and soreness will subside.  I still have the numbness in my lower back and upper buttocks as well. I'm not sure how long the numbness will last. I am concerned about it, but hopefully, this too shall pass. 

I went for my first follow up today with my Dr. Eventhough I still have problems with my back ever since surgery, I have lost 55 lbs in 3 weeks! My Dr. gave me a different prescription for a muscle relaxer to help with the pain. Hopefully this will help....

Its been two weeks and two days since my surgery. I still have no appetite. I drink apple juice or water all day- thats it. If my mom makes me eat, it is usually two teaspoons of grits, applesauce or jello. I am taking my multivitamin, B12, Urosidol and Pepcid. My lower back is still bothering me- I hate the fact that I must walk hunched over. I pray that I am able to walk straight soon. Thank God for Loratab Elixer! As always, thanks to everyone for your continued prayers and support.

I had my surgery on Monday, July 9^th. Everything went well until Tuesday, July, 10^th when the PCA pump was taken from me. I cried literally every hour on the hour until Sunday the 15^th. I experienced back pain that was unbearable! I was released from MUSC on Wednesday, July 12^th. I cried all night- even after taking many pain meds! The same thing went on Thursday. My sister called my surgeon and she wrote me a prescription for valium; they believed that my back pain stemmed from lying on the OR table for four hours. This was partly true. After the valium gave me minimal relief, I went to the local ER. They ran tests and did x-rays, but found nothing. The doctor did however note that my back was extremely tight. Urinalysis was fine as well. Blood tests revealed that my white blood cell count was high and that there was problem with my liver enzymes. The ER doctor called my surgeon in Charleston and she requested that I be transferred there so that she could examine me. (Did I mention I was still crying uncontrollably.) I waited in the ER from 12 noon until 8:30 pm because there was no bed available at MUSC. When I finally was taken via ambulance (ooh, the pain and the horror!) I was heavily diladed (sp) up. That made the 2 hour ride a little more bearable. I arrived in my room at MUSC at 10:40 pm. I was not given any pain meds because the attending doctor did not get to my orders until like 3:30 am. I have never cried so much in my life!!!!!!!! Saturday morning, I found out that I also had a bladder infection and a temperature. I was put on Zosyn (an antibiotic) which lowered my temperature and helped with my back pain. My back muscles from the center of my back down were bruised from being on the OR table so long. I finally stopped crying on Sunday because the antibiotics helped so well. I came home yesterday and I am feeling better even though my back still hurts and I am still sore. I thank God I made it through the surgery, and know that my situation could’ve been worse. Thank you to lea2be for your phone calls even though I was unable to talk. I also thank everyone else for their well wishes. I see that I have a lot of emails- I will answer them once I get better. Much love to you all.

I check in for surgery at 6 am on today 7/9/07. It is now 12:40 am. I am not sleepy. I was nervous a few hours ago, and went through a case of the what ifs. Thankfully, I am much calmer now. I will leave at 4 am because the drive is 1.5 hours (I am very punctual). Once I am released from the hospital, I will post.
I have received a lot of personal emails, well wishes and support on OH. For that I am truly thankful.  I am especially appreciative of the following individuals:  

Lea2be, Julie P., usaWifeTanya, Kathy, paulaz, infantrywife, ginawins, missypoohlpn, Barb G., l8elucretia, Artist Monday, dawnspaints, Cathy Wilson, Wanda Santiago-Cintron, Debra Lewis, Marianne Allen, Karen Shaffer, Reba C., 
Cheryl Swanson, Ila Blackmon, Crystal C., Patti Boyce, Getting Better, Amy Williams, Anonymous, Robin Dixon, Shannon Banannon, Diana K., Karen Cox, Lea Burnside, Dx E, Cira Saget, Leticia Vailes, MV, Laura Gilbert, Susann Butler, 
Rebecca J., Julie Pfaff, Tina Richards, Lavendarfirefly, DirtyRed, Lorraine M., Nanette Karadas, D.P., brickchick, anewbecboo, Amy Frailey/ Berry, Annoying Lizard, Riann Holden, Lynn Pearson, M V, Susann Butler, Tina Richards, Christine Raines, BarefootedBBW, Donna F., Amy W., Jean M. B, Missy N, Raphie B., melinda3, mclaprade1015, sherriemr, vett36, tracilee1319, moosemom, Laura H, Margaret F, Jill H, Donna S, MsApryl and lizzieleprechaun.

1 day, 17 hours and my life will change for the better!

100 reasons for WLS

1.To feel good about ourselves.
2.So we won't think people are laughing or talking about us.
3.To buy clothes in a normal store and actually get clothes with some style, to them that fit correctly.
4.To have more energy!
5.To be able to tie your shoes/paint toenails.
6.To be able to sit on a floor and get up gracefully.
7.To wear a bathing suit.
8.To cross your legs or sit Indian style.
9.To fit into an airline/theatre/bus/whatever seat without spilling over and without having to see "that look" from the person who has to sit beside you.
10.So our ankles won't swell.
11.To fit into a booth at any restaurant.
12.To not need an extension to a seat belt on an airplane and to have the tray table not balance on our bellies.
13.To not worry about being decapitated in our cars with our seat belts on if we should be in an accident.
14.To not turn beet red after moderate exertion.
15.To be able to pick something up off the floor.
16.Panty Hose that fit!
17.To go to an amusement park and ride the rides.
18.To be able to sit in any chair without worry of breakage.
19.To not have to apologize when caught in a narrow aisle and have someone need to get by.
20.To go dancing, sky diving, bungee jumping....
21.To be able to go horseback riding or ride a bike.
22.To not worry about rashes and sweating.
23.To not have to listen to "caring" people ask why you don't diet or worse still... "Gee you have such a pretty face".
24.To not worry about spilling food, sauces or gravy down the front of your blouse/dress/shirt when eating.
25.To not have to think up some excuse for not doing something because you know your weight will impede you.
26.To not have your belly hit the steering wheel and to be able to fit comfortably in the driver's seat.
27.To have a bra fit comfortably and to be able to buy underwear at Victoria's Secret rather than at "Tubby the Underwear Guy".
28.To not have to worry about the weight limit of step stools, ladders, motorcycle, exercise equipment, etc.
29.To not get stuck in a turn style.
30.To not wake up feeling achy in the back or to have ache free legs and feet.
31.So the bathroom scale won't creak and groan when you step on it.
32.To be able to leave the tablecloth on the table at a restaurant instead of dragging it with you when you get up.
33.So you won't look the other way when you see yourself in a monitor where they have security cameras.
34.To never be embarrassed about your size.
35.To not count tying shoes as daily exercise.
36.To not have to wait for the handicap stall when there are plenty of other stalls available.
37.To not be more out of shape than seniors.
38.To not break toilet seat when leaning to one side.
39.To be able to put on wedding rings again.
40.To try to make a double chin and fail!
41.Buy clothing bargains to fit the next year ... and they do!
Not to have to worry about plastic zippers or having your pants bust open.
42.To have Normal waistbands rather than elastic!
43.To wear knee socks correctly instead of worn like slouches!
44.To look good in a tee shirt!
45.To try on slacks or jeans and have the pant leg actually fit over leg!
46.To be able to get close to sink and not come away with a wet belly!
47.To get out of a stuffed chair GRACEFULLY and not look down to see if the chair has come up with you!
48.To not worry if the hairdresser's smock will fit!
49.To not be self-conscious about eating in front of others!
50.To not be afraid to ask which hairstyle suits your face.
51.To not have people checking you out after looking in your grocery cart.
52.To not feel (and look) like a sausage in stirrup pants.
53.To have your friends NOT be embarrassed to be seen with you.
54.To get promotions/hired or close that sale.
55.Pants that stay up because your waist is smaller than your butt!
56.No more boobs! (this is for the guys!)
57.Wearing shorts or tank tops without fear of arrest or grossing out others!
58.To not have the fear of being rejected.
59.To successfully flirt!
60.To not worry about how to get in and out of the back seat in a two door car!
61.One size fits all and it fits you!
62.To have a lap.
63.To not have the car you are ride in slant in your direction.
64.To be able to use toilet paper as it was meant to be used and not to have to invent ways to "get the job done".
65.To not have to watch TV news reports on fat people in hopes that you haven't been caught on camera!
66.To be able to get between cars in a parking lot without wiping the dust off with your belly and your butt.
67.No more heat rashes and chafing in the upper thighs.
68.So that the cloth in the thigh area doesn't wear away long before the rest of the slacks do!
69.To meet a friend online and not be horrified to have to send a picture of yourself.
70.To not take fat references and fat jokes personally.
71.To know you can go anywhere because wherever you sit you CAN be comfortable and look at ease.
72.To shop at the mall and not have your back ache from lugging your huge butt and stomach around!
73.To be able to stand still, carrying nothing and still look poised.
74.To be able to cross your arms across your chest without them resting on your stomach!
75.To have your feet get smaller.
76.Using your mouth to taste and chew food rather than as just a route to get the food from your lips to your stomach.
77.Blood pressure returns to normal.
78.To avoid other health complications from being overweight.
79.To be able to borrow a co-worker's jacket for an important meeting.
80.To meet someone for the first time and their eyes don't pop out of their head with amazement...because they never knew you're fat!
81.To see your reflection in a mirror or store window without turning away!
82.To wear a watch with a regular length watch band.
83.To look in the mirror when getting your hair cut without thinking you have the biggest face in the world.
84.To not mind getting your picture taken.
85.To not avoid going to the doctor because you have to get "weighed" in.
86.To wake up each morning feeling energized and ready to go.
87.To not even worry about squeezing into small spaces.
88.To not have to enter an elevator and check the weight limit.
89.To look in your closet and have problems deciding which stylish outfit to work since you have so many that look good and fit well.
90.To not have to lie perfectly still in bed at night for fear of breaking the bed!
91.To buy tie shoes instead of slip-ons!
92.To be able to walk any distance without looking for a bench to sit on.
93.To look forward to shopping and just trying on clothes!
94.To be able to drive by any fast food place without salivating!
95.To be able to shop at the same store for food instead of having to remember where you shopped last night for the junk food so you can avoid that store for a few days!
96.To not feel lower than low when an innocent child remarks about your size!
97.To not constantly be thinking of where your next morsel of food is coming from.
98.No to have to take pain medicine for aches and pains

99.To take pretty pictures without the DOUBLE chin showing up

And the 100th reason to lose 100 pounds.....I'M WORTH IT!
-- Author Unknown