Cheryl_S

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First of all I want to say how sorry I am that I have lost touch with everyone over the past couple of months.  Sometimes life gets crazy and you just have to pick your priorities.  BUT, please know that I have checked the board most every day and celebrated your successes and prayed for those who needed a little extra help.  And your posts have helped keep me on track.  I am looking foward to getting back into the groove with the board, coffees and support group.

I am now 6 months out and down 89 pounds.  I know if I would have been more consistent with exercising that I would be down more than I am, but I am starting to do that now and am proud and happy about where things are at.  

I had an appointment with my PCP at 3 months and my blood pressure was way down, as was my cholesterol.  And my blood sugars have been normal since the day of surgery!  I had an appointment with Dave at PNC last week and he was happy with my progress too.  I have more labs scheduled for next week and am anxious to see how they look.  

Life is SO different than it was one year ago.  It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it.  

LIFE IS GOOD !!!!!!!
Cheryl

I am down 54 pounds and have lost a total of 25 1/4 inches so far.  I mentioned to my husband that I was curious what 50 pounds 'of something' felt like - to give me an idea of the extra weight I had lost...  He went out to the garage and came back with a 60 pound bag of cement mix, with about 6 pounds gone out of it.   Needless to say I couldn't even lift it.  Thank goodness the weight was somewhat evenly distributed when I was carrying it around all those years! 

Everything is going good as far my diet goes - Eating between 3 and 4 tablespoons of soft/mashed foods at this point.  Getting my water in.  But I am struggling with my exercise.  I was so good before I went back to work a month ago - walking an hour every day.   Now I need to push myself to get into a routine of doing something because I know I need that as part of my day along with following the dietary rules.   Have lots of ideas - just need to TAKE ACTION : )    

Can't wait to see what month 3 brings!

I had my 1 month appointment today (a few days early) and was happy to hear that I have lost 34 pounds since my very first appointment.  Dave said to keep on doing what I am doing cuz it seems to be working!  My only struggle has been to get the 3 glasses of milk in each day (as I have never been a milk drinker).  So that is what I am going to work on now.  Otherwise I am doing good with my diet and fluid intake.  And the dog and I are up to almost an hour daily walk now.  

Needless to say, I am a very HAPPY CAMPER today

5/15 - Attended Informational Meeting
5/21 - PCP appt for referral
5/22 - Mailed packet
5/29 - PN called to schedule appt with Nurse, Computer Assessment & Psychologist
6/18 - Nurse appt, Computer Assessment & Labwork
6/19 - Psychologist appointment
6/22 - HP called to schedule 1st of 5 pre-surgery calls (6 more after surgery).   
6/27 - Attended my 1^st Group Networking/Support Session at PNC
7/11 - Attended my 1^st Group Info/Educational Session at PNC
7/13 - 1st of 5 pre-calls with HP  
7/13 - Sleep Study
7/26 - 3 appts (Dietician, PT, Doc) & EKG
7/31 - 2nd of 5 pre-calls with HP
8/15  - 3rd of 5 pre-calls with HP                  
8/28  - Follow-up appt w/Dietician - She will be submitting final report.
9/06  - Submitted to Insurance
9/12 - Got the call that I was approved.  Set up teaching appt & surgeon appt.   Also scheduled 60 minutes with the dietician (9/24).
9/13 - 4th of 5 pre-calls with HP      
9/17 - 5th of 5 pre-calls with HP
9/19 - Gallbladder Ultrasound, Teaching appt & Meeting w/Dr Svendsen.  Scheduled surgery - 10/16!  
9/24 - 1 hr appt with dietician.  Also scheduled appt for 30 days after surgery. 
10/6 – First day of liquid diet
10/8 -  Pre-Op physical with PCP.  
10/16 - Surgery @ 7:20 a.m!   
10/22 - Post-op check-up.  Next appt scheduled for 11/9.   

I have just started the process.  Had appts with the nurse and the psychologist last week at PNC.  Have my next 3 appointments set up for July 26th.   

In the meantime, I am getting started with the phone counseling that is required for my Health Partners insurance.  My first call with them is next Friday..   

Last night I attended my first PNC Support Meeting and it was great.  I look forward to attending many more.