danabky

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My appendix ruptured while I was at work but I was misdiagnosed in the emergency room at another hospital. They sent me home thinking it was the stomach flu or virus. For some reason it was hurting badly in the center of my stomach instead of my lower right side. My stomach was very distended so it was really difficult to tell where it was hurting. It was one of the most painful things I have endured. I ended up back in the hospital 2 days later. I went to a different hospital though. Many hospitals don't want to deal with people who have had gastric bypass surgery. They always want to assume that my surgery has gone wrong. Well just to be on the safe side, I went to a hospital that specializes in Bariatric surgery. Finally it took a WLS surgeon to diagnose my appendix rupture! However, when he did go in, he noticed that I had "freely moving intestines." When they did my original surgery 5 years ago, they would "tack down" the intestines to the existing fat. Well after losing a lot of that body fat, it leaves a "void" where the intestines have nothing to adhere to. This can cause kinks in the bowel or blockages. I didn't have those things but he did get rid of the "void" area and tacked my intestines down to each other. So... it was like I had a double surgery. Luckily he was able to re-use my existing lap scars from WLS AND my tummy tuck scar to go in. My appendix ruptured so badly that it caused an infection and I turned septic. My white blood cell count was very high (21,000). He said I am lucky to be alive with that festering in my body for 3 days before I went back to their hospital. Recovery took me 3 weeks and that was the worse surgery I have gone through! Believe me, I have been through 6 surgeries in 5 years and nothing compared to this! Even my "extreme makeover" only took a week for me to stand up and go out and 2 weeks to completely heal. I don't know why this one was more difficult.

I am adding a few more pictures of me just to show that this surgery is still working after 5 years. The two of me by the lake are when I went to Texas during Christmas. It was almost 80 degrees outside! You can tell by the lake that Texas is having record drought levels. People can't even get their boats out and we have a "beach." The one of me on the bed is from New York City which I went to in October. The last one is of me in my New Years eve party dress. You know I love the color red!!! I am taking ballroom dance lessons right now so I get to wear it from time to time.

After that, Cameron Crowe exited the bus with hoards of people greeting them. It was funny because Mr. Crowe brought his own digital camera and was taking pictures of us taking pictures of him!! Unfortunately my larger camera ran out of film and my digital camera's batteries went dead at that exact moment. I went over to an isolated table away from the crowd. I was cussing my cameras under my breath and asked Barry to please get me the backup batteries and film out of the car. All of a sudden I look up and there is Cameron Crowe with his entourage coming towards me! Hoards of people were trailing behind them. I come face to face with him and all I could think of is saying, "Welcome to Elizabethtown Mr. Crowe! We are thrilled to have you here!" and I extended my hand out to shake his. He shook my hand, patted me on the back and said, "I am thrilled to be here!" It didn't take me long to figure out that I was at his autograph signing table!!!! I said, "Oh, let me get this stuff out of your way so you can sit down." I think he thought I was part of the "welcoming committee" when it was just dumb luck that I was having camera problems (right place at the right time). For the entire 40 minutes he was signing autographs I was standing right next to his wife. You may know that his wife is singer Nancy Wilson from the group HEART. Her sister had the lap-band surgery a while back. While her husband was signing autographs, she and I discussed the surgery and she said that Ann is doing well. I was also a "passer" of Cd's, posters, postcards etc. to Cameron. As I stood there feeling like an idiot with no usable camera I spotted my salvation. Barry was peering over the new crowd trying to find me. He didn't realize that I was right next to the director! He finally spots me and hands me some fresh batteries. I popped them in my camera and then finally I was able to take some great pictures!!!!

After about 45 minutes, he hopped back into the bus and headed towards Louisville. He was due to sign autographs at a CD and media place called Ear X-Tacy. Barry and I drove the hour back and was able to beat them there. When we arrived, they weren't letting any media in at the moment. There was a line formed around the entire back of the store. I asked the front security guy what was up and he said that there was a filming crew inside. Orlando wasn't able to make it to the Elizabethtown BBQ but to our surprise he was due to show up at this place. Suddenly the enormous bus pulled up and Orlando Bloom came running out of it! Apparently they have two tour busses and this one picked him up at the airport. He had JUST flown in from filming "Pirates of the Carribean" part 2. Screams from all the young girls were deafening! He flew into the store and surprisingly he came back out after 15 minutes, got back on the bus and left. We knew that Cameron was due to arrive and sign autographs but what was up with Orlando? I asked the front door security man what contributed to his quick departure? "He filmed a segment for Oprah." What??? It appears that he was filming a short segment that said, "Hi Oprah, when I am in Louisville I shop at Ear X-Tacy" and then held up a cd or something. All of the young girls were heartbroken as they saw him leave. About 30 minutes later, Cameron Crowe pulls up in the second tour bus. He arrives to lots of screams and promptly gets seated inside. At this time, they let the media in. I was never so impressed by someone famous before. So many fans made him things and he would come around the table and give them hugs. He had his digital camera at the ready so when he was particularly touched by a fan's comments or signs they made, he took their picture for his website. He is truly a nice guy and is so polite. Part of his heart is in Kentucky and you can tell. Barry had written an article about his experiences being an extra at the famous Brown hotel. He gave Cameron a copy of his article and Barry had a backup copy for him to sign. Cameron was thrilled and autographed a copy for Barry. He and Nancy had one of his promo people take a picture of the 4 of us. I will post that as soon as Mr. Crowe sends it to me! Here are some pictures from the signing at Ear X-Tacy:

Nancy Wilson from HEART.

They were there for about 2 hours then they were off to the Brown Hotel to change for the Red Carpet Premiere in Louisville! Barry and I didn't have enough time to change because we wanted to get a good spot in the media section. As we arrived, there were hundreds of fans, some who had been there since 8 am. The premiere was supposed to start at 7:00 with them arriving about 6:00 but as they say in showbiz... "fashionably late!" Barry and I took this time to meet other press people. We got to meet people from USA Today, People Magazine, Oprah and all of the local affiliates. I told the representative from People magazine about how the April 14th, 2000 issue changed my life. It was the one with Carnie Wilson on it. I told her that when I picked up that issue and read it, I knew right there and then WLS was for me. She was impressed with my story and how much of a success this surgery has been for me. She took my name, phone number and might do an article on me! Here are some pictures before the stars arrived:

Around 7:30 a limo pulled up and it was Cameron Crowe! He walked down the carpet and granted several interviews then all of a sudden you hear ear-piercing screams! Orlando Bloom must have pulled up! Sure enough, you could hear the roar of the bus coming around the corner. The doors opened and Orlando came out! He stopped and signed a few autographs and made his way over to the press area. I was pretty lucky to get a few good shots and speak to him. By the way, these photos are COPYRIGHTED so please don't use them or I will have to hunt you down! LOL

After the premiere it was time for Barry and I to run home and get changed for the Black-tie after viewing party. It was on the 16th floor of the Brown hotel downtown. I changed into my red dress and Barry wore his black suit. To me he looks like a movie star! We travel up the elevator and the doors pop open. A barricade of police officers and bodyguards were checking ID's and passes. We made it through just fine. The spread of food was unbelievable as we walked to the ballroom. We were there just a few minutes before Cameron and Orlando showed up. Orlando was very tired so he didn't stay long. I did manage to get his autograph though. I spoke with Cameron for a bit and then we had our picture taken together. They had an "open bar" that many people were taking advantage of. There were a lot of people there and I think some were moviestars but I wasn't sure. They had that "look" but could have easily been someone else.

We had such a blast but were so worn out by the end of the evening. What a great time we had and we were able to get all the autographs and pictures we needed. Cameron Crowe and his wife were such a delight and I wish everyone was like them. After leaving Louisville that night, they were headed to Nashville for another round of autographs. I don't know how they handle it!

This is my good friend Kim and I "talking" (she is Deaf and Blind and we communicate via tactile interpreting.) She was an old friend of mine when I lived in Austin. I was so excited to run into her! She used to have her own television show for kids called "Kim's World." She has no fear and she bungee jumps, skydives, scuba dives and the list goes on (all in tandem of course!) We are catching up on old times.

My best friend Dot who is also an interpreter. We are having a blast in San Antonio! YEEEHAWWW! Love my new hat! (Always a Texas girl at heart!)

One of the highlights of the weekend for me was to finally meet Amy Williams. I have followed her story intently from the time she became a face on the boards and I saw her documentary on MTV. I had always wondered what caused some obese people's legs to be larger than the rest of them..It is called "lymphedema." I now know that my Great-Grandmother had this affliction. My very skinny mother used to tell me how when she was a little girl she would go to her grandmother's house. She was the official caretaker of my great-grandmother. My mother would tell me that if I didn't lose weight I would become like her grandmother. She would tell me in great detail how her legs would swell up, her skin would bust open, had these horrible sores in the folds, and she could barely walk, etc...

I could tell by the tone in her voice that she was repulsed and resentful. I am sure she was praying that I wouldn't become like her grandmother so she wouldn't have to take care of me. That has always been in the back of my head my whole life. I never got to meet my great-grandmother. Because of Amy, I now know that my great-grandmother had Lymphodema and I have really educated my mother on how it was not my great-grandmother's fault (for being "fat")!! I think I have educated and chided her enough to feel guilty about it. I wish so badly I could have met my great-grandmother and told her it was ok and how there are new treatments to help. Unfortunately I think she passed away in the 50's. Sadly for her and I am sure thousands of others, her lymphodema went undiagnosed as being "fat."

Thank you Amy, you are truly an inspiration to me and countless others as they are in various stages of their journey. Amy is the epitome of a person who has a lot of bravery, stamina and outright perseverance when it comes to her life.

I am honored to have had my picture taken with her. Unfortunately it was taken with my phone so it might be a little fuzzy. She is a truly beautiful person inside and outside and has a beautiful, loving spirit.

Plastic Surgery Pictures:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/danatx/album?.dir=e99d&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/ph//my_photos

I have been told that my old link doesn't work. I cut and pasted this link and I hope it works. You will have to highlight this address and then put it in your address bar to view them. They haven't been updated since a week after surgery. I will be 2 years out from Plastics on December 31. My scars are VERY light now and I am thrilled with the result! I need to take new and updated pictures. WARNING: VERY GRAPHIC and shows everything so if you are repulsed by loose hanging skin and then scars everywhere, don't LOOK!

This is my good friend Kim and I "talking" (she is Deaf and Blind and we communicate via tactile interpreting.) She was an old friend of mine when I lived in Austin. I was so excited to run into her! She used to have her own television show for kids called "Kim's World." She has no fear and she bungee jumps, skydives, scuba dives and the list goes on (all in tandem of course!) We are catching up on old times.

My best friend Dot who is also an interpreter. We are having a blast in San Antonio! YEEEHAWWW! Love my new hat! (Always a Texas girl at heart!)

I REALLY appreciate the person on this site who posted on the message board: "Warning signs you are dating a Loser." by Joseph M. Carver, Ph.D. PLEASE cut and paste this link:

http://www.mental-health-matters.com/articles/print.php?artID=157.

It was like reading my life. It helped me realize that I needed some therapy to get over the person who had taken over my confidence and self-esteem and pretty much demolished it. I wanted to move on but I guess he really got into my head and I suffered quite a bit of anxiety and panic attacks. I am now through my therapy and I am doing just fine. Even though I had anxiety attacks I forced myself to get out and date and try to continue on with a "normal" life. I think EVERY woman and teenage girl should read this. It will help a lot of people from a lot of heartache!!!!!!!

David and I haven't been "together" for almost 2 years now even though we were living in the same house. I mean, he was dating men and I was sitting at home trying to busy my life with crafts and gardening. I did date a LOT of guys after David and I agreed to Divorce but I see what is out there, a lot of JERKS/LOSERS that are into control.

I am happy that David finally realized who he was and I was happy that I helped him realize it, but it still does hurt. All the broken dreams and promises, everything we went through as a couple... it still hurts. I still grieve and will continue to go through the stages of grief and loss but I know I will be ok in time. To be honest, other than the weight loss surgery, I don't think David and I had much in common. I figured we would last forever because we shared the Weight Loss Surgery and could understand what the other had been through. Everyone thought we would be the ones to make it. We didn't and I hate that we served as a role model for a lot of people and then let those people down.

****HALLOWEEN**** Ok after some prodding, I have the guts to show you my halloween outfit (yes, I am THAT pale). It is a gothic outfit and even have the platform boots. I felt so sexy in that outfit! I now have a tan. It was just a spontaneous buy from Hot Topic. You all know how much I love RED!!!!!

OCTOBER 2004:

I was emailing with my friend Annette and it occurred to me that I might not be the only one who this happens to.

Of course when we start losing weight, we figure out all the neat things that we don't have to worry about like going into a restaurant and not being worried if we can fit in the booth or not. Or... flying in an airplane and not having to get an extender belt. Not having to go into Lane Bryant anymore and being able to wear pantyhose again!

I turned 36 this week and as I am 5 weeks post-op plastic surgery, I decided that my whole being needs a makeover. I got the boob job and lift.. I got the tummy tuck and hoochie lift so my pants don't go up my "hoo-hah" anymore so now what? I decided that my hair and make-up needs an overhaul. All my friends know that I am very particular and not very open to change. They endearingly call me "anally-retentive." On my 36th b-day I decided to get a little "wild." I got a tattoo. I have always been against tattoo's all my life (I have no idea why.. probably my mother being against it) and David begged me to let him get one. He got a tribal band on one of his arms, It turned out great but I still was "prudish" and wasn't thrilled about it. David said that I should get one... WHAT?? ME???? "But its like... permanent... and I will look stupid when I am 80 years old and have a tattoo.. what will the nursing home/doctors/nurses/people think?" David said, "They will probably say.. "hey cool!! Lets compare tattoos.. let me show you mine." I laughed and realized that by then, a large majority of other 80 year olds will have one and they may even have nipple rings and belly buttons pierced even though they will be hanging down to their knees. It's really weird but on my birthday I wanted to do something that was out of my "safety zone." I figured why not get a small tattoo just to say that I have done something "rebellious" in my life. I wanted something symbolic so I got a really pretty small butterfly where you cant really see it unless I wanted you too! I chose the butterfly because when I was obese I felt like the ugly little caterpillar and when I hit goal.. I felt like that little butterfly that couldn't break out of my "cocoon" of loose skin. Well now that I have all that skin off me then I finally felt like the butterfly who broke out of its cocoon. I was always scared of needles and I think thats why I was scared of the tattoo. Its really ironic ya know because here I am looking like a walking "autopsy that lived" with a bazillion scars all over me right now and I was scared of a little tattoo needle??? Anyways.. It didn't hurt a bit because I was still numb from my plastics surgery. OK.. Dana went "wild" now.... so what's next?

All my life I have been told how to dress and how to wear my hair. I have had bangs on my forehead since 1976 (5th grade) because when I tried to do the "Marcia Brady" I had a lot of people tell me that my face was too fat and it didn't look good on me and never wear hair straight again So I went home crying and begged my mom to get my hair cut...The hairdresser told me that I should always wear bangs and my hair "poofy" and away from my face. She said that having the hair close to my face made my round face look even fatter. Recently, my co-workers who are also my close friends told me that I needed to get a different hairstyle. Mind you I am not one for change with my hair. It took me till 1998 to get rid of my 1984 hairdo (poofy Texas hair with bangs and was like a really curly poofy mullet ) I told them that I have to wear my hair poofy with bangs and away from my face because it made my face look thinner! I thought they were going to slap me silly!~~ "DANA DEAR... YOU ARE NOT FAT ANYMORE... THOSE "old rules" DON'T APPLY!" OMG... THAT was a reality check. So I showed up the next day with straight hair against my face and a part with my bangs over to the side and *GASP* My forehead was showing!!!!!!! I was sure I was going to look like a big freak and to my surprise.. EVERYONE loved it. OK... so I am on a roll now. Makeup? Well... Ever since I had a Mary Kay facial in 1989, I have been doing my makeup the same way. Raspberry lipstick, pink eyeshadow and pink blush. I just went "hog wild" and *gasp!* bought some BROWN lipstick and brown eyeshadow. When I put it on my face.. I thought it looked way too somber and dark. Guess again... everyone loved it. So this past week has been a big time experiment for me.

When I first met David.. he looked in my closet and said.. "Why is every article of clothing you own BLACK?????????" Um... well DUH!! Its SLENDERIZING!!!! Well the first thing he did when I hit goal was to buy me a new wardrobe with BRIGHT and BOLD colors. Thats why I am so proud of my red outfit I am wearing here in this picture. That was my first "BREAK" from the "old rules" and wear something that would make me stand out. I was shopping today with David and that old psychological torment hit me again and I ended up with a lot of black outfits. He said "DEAR... why do you have all black in your hands?" Um... because it makes me look skinny???" "Um... *knock knock* You ARE skinny.. you don't need clothes to make you look that way!!!"

Right then.. it occurred to me how much we are programmed our whole life on how to dress.. how to look... as to not to call attention to our "girth." All my life I avoided Corduroy  pants because I didn't want to cause a spark of fire when my thighs rubbed together. I avoided pleated pants because I didn't want my "pooch" to stick out (now I have to get out of that mindset because I don't have my "pooch" anymore).

Sorry this is so long, but its amazing that even 3 years post-op... those "old rules" that applied to when I was fat, still come creeping back in unconsciously. I hadn't realized that my clothes, my makeup, and my hair were all thought about VERY carefully and chosen very carefully as to not call attention to my weight. This is a year of change for me and that it very difficult for me to do but this anally-retentive person has temporarily broken out of her reservedness and has tried to throw out those "old rules" and be a bit rebellious.