CoronaRN

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Well, haven't posted in a long time.  Not alot has been going on.  I had my revision to my tummy tuck back around Christmas time.  That healed well and it looks really good now!  I still have some work I'd love to have done on my arms and legs.  I will do that later! 
Coming up on my 3 year surgiversary.....March 26th.  Man that was the best thing I've done......
I feel so much better and have more energy. 
I was diagnosed with ocular histoplasmosis 4/08.  That was year after my gastric bypass.  So far my right eye is the only one affected.  It seems to be a new spot on my eye that is beside the center of my vision.  The first time I noticed it, it had progressed to a retinal hemorrhage and I had to have 3 injections (6 wks apart) in my right eye, of Avastin!  Yes I said SHOTS in my EYE!  Talk about crazy!  My biggest fear is that I will lose my vision.  Just when it seems I'm getting myself together and going good places in my life, now I can lose my eyesight.  God works in mysterious ways!

OH MY GOD!  My tummy tuck went off without a hitch.  But it hurts like a MF!  I am taking Percocet 7.5mg (2) every 4 hrs around the clock.  I was told to not let the pain catch up with me or it would be worse and harder to get rid of!  I have had some pretty crappy moments of pain!  Is it worth it?  Yep.  I can tell a big difference already.  I know it will be great once it heals.  I can't wait to see how I look in a bathing suit.  I'm making myself get up every few hrs and walk, walk, walk!   I have posted pics on my profile if you care to look.

Well, my tummy tuck is in the morning.  I cant wait to have this over and DONE with!  Not looking forward to the pain but I am looking forward to having this loose skin removed!

Dr. Fuller says I have 12-15lbs to be removed.  It will be done in his office....in his surgical suite....and I will be going home afterwards.  Been running around all day cleaning house preparing for this.  I will be out of work for 6 weeks.

Tanya

Well it's the first day of 2009.  I finally made a plastics consult for 1/15/09 to discuss getting these fat rolls removed.  Dr. Fuller did my breast reduction in 1998 and says he can "hook me up" with this adventure.  (I see him when he comes to see patients in the ER.)  If I have the surgery this year, it will prob be May or June before I have enough sick time to take.
Plus, with 50 more lbs to lose, he may not do it just yet.  We'll see.....  I just know I'm tired of these 2 rolls and if they weren't there, I could fit in smaller jeans.  I did fit into a size 16 while shopping at the beach.  Don't remember the last time I fit into a size 16.  I'm sure it was prob in 9th or 10th grade.

I have lost 4 or 5 more lbs since my last post.  It's coming off slowly but surely.  I know I dont get in enough protein most days.  I've ordered some more protein drinks (AchievOne is the only one I'll drink) and they wont be in for a few wks.  I add 2 tbsp of sugar free davinci syrup to them and they're awesome!  My weaknesses right now are starbucks and anything "crunchy".  I have started back to exercising at the Y.  I went about 5 wks and didn't go because of a back injury at work.  Taking it slow starting back because my back still flares up. 

I'm still chugging along with my online classes to get my BSN.  I've had 2 wks off for the holidays which are nice.  I start back next week.  Planning a "girls" Vegas trip in October.  I'll have to see how things go with plastics cuz I may not have the time or money after surgery.

I FINALLY lost another pound!  Yippee!  Comes from stopping the sweet tea, I suppose!  I have started back drinking my protein shakes...and LOTSA water.  Otherwise, I feel great and am chugging along.  I walk the dogs almost every evening with my husband and we enjoy getting out in the clean, country air!  I return for another checkup with Dr. S in March of 09. 

I saw Dr. Schroder's NP today for a checkup.  It's been almost 6 mos since my 1 year checkup.  I have lost 3 pounds since that last visit.  I told her I was on a stall and I knew I needed to get back to exercising 3-4 times a week (as I have slacked off this summer) and cut the sweet tea out!  I have been without a sweet tea for a week now and the first few days were AWEFUL.....I had severe headaches.  Guess I was detoxing from sugar.
I went to a support group meeting after my meeting as I was already there.  It was the first one I've been to since my surgery, as I live 3 hrs away.  It was an "ok" meeting.  I must admit I almost fell asleep in the middle.  I found the recipes and handouts the best part of the meeting.  It's nice to know there are others that are going thru what I'm going thru.  I think if I go again, it will be on the 3rd thursday since that is the meeting for peope with those "last few pounds" to lose.
As for my eye update:  I saw Dr. Vogel 2 wks ago and he's pleased that my eye is no longer bleeding and the blood has dissolved.  I have permanent scar tissue in that eye but my vision has improved!  I'll take it!  I just hope it doesn't start bleeding again in the future.

We went to Kings Dominion today and spent the day riding rides and in the water park. We had a blast!  I hadn't been to an amusement park in over 10 years.  I was able to ride any ride I wanted and I fit in the seats comfortably.  What a wonderful feeling! 
I'm still stuck at a 154lb loss.  I wish those scales would hurry up and move!  I have another 50 pounds to lose.  I see Dr. Schroder for a check up in 3 wks. 

My how time flies.  I haven't been here in a while.  I've been on a stall for about 3 mos now.  I've lost 154lbs and seem to be stuck.  I knew a big stall would come soon since I haven't really had one since surgery.  I can wear smaller clothes so I  know my body is still changing.  

On another note, an eye update:
I went for my 3rd and final eye injection today.  Dr. Vogel was pleased as the blood has "dissolved" in my right eye.  My vision has gone from 20/70 to 20/25.  I'm happy with that.  Hopefully I wont need anymore injections unless the bleed starts again....but we'll keep our fingers crossed that doesn't happen.

Heading to the beach next week to see Kenny Chesney and spend a few days relaxing!  Lord knows I need it!

I saw Dr. Vogel again this evening.  He was pleased that my vision has improved.  It's gone from 20/70 to 20/40.  He dilated my eyes and had a look.  He said the bleeding is the same, no smaller.  He also said the fluid in the macula was "less" which is good.  He wants me back in 3 wks for another avastin injection.  He said "Your eye is no worse which is good news."  Hey, I'll take it!  I asked him for a copy of my eye photos.  Once I get them, I'll post them for others to view.  I also asked him if it was contagious and he said no.  I asked him that because I remember taking care of a patient when I was in nursing school who had histoplasmosis in her lungs.  I also asked if being raised on a farm when I was little could have caused this and he said "yes".  So, I guess I know where I could have contracted this from.....chickens! I asked him if it was a chance the the bleeding would go away completely and he said "yes".  I'm kinda bummed that the bleeding is no smaller.  But, considering it could have been larger, I'll take "the same".  Keep your fingers crossed my vision continues to get better.  Say little prayers for me.....heck, say BIG prayers for me.  I need my eyes!

Update 4/14/08:  I saw Dr. Vogel first thing this morning.  He is a retinal specialist and is supposed to be the best around.  He seems to think I have come in contact with histoplasmosis in the past and this has scarred parts of both of my eyes.  (The right eye is worse.)  He says this can cause abnormal growth of blood vessels in the eye and this is what has happened in my right eye.  Those vessels have burst and is bleeding in my retina.  There is some edema and fluid pocket there but luckily there is no swelling on the optic nerve....yet. 

My options:  I have elected to proceed with 3 injections of Avastin, given 6 wks apart in the right eye.  YES, a needle will go in my eye!  Avastin is a cancer drug that is FDA approved to stop bleeding/growth of abnormal vessels.  It is NOT FDA approved to use in the eyes but eye doctors use it off market and have great results with it.  As with anything, there is side effects and possibilities of worsening.  He said we will remain optomistic but worse case scenerio, I can end up losing my vision in my right eye.  He said this is pretty progressive if left untreated.  So, I go back tomorrow for my first injections.  Keep your fingers crossed that all goes well.  I'm NOT happy about a needle going in my eye!

4/15/08: I went for my first injection of Avastin today.  The procedure went well and it actually didn't hurt!  I go back in 2 wks for a recheck and then another shot in 6 wks.   Let's keep our fingers crossed this works