didi0914

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Good morning all! I hope everyone has had wonderful and exciting experiences since my last entry in Feb 2011. I myself have been up and down, emotionally. .. Mostly down :-( but that's about to change. After my lap-band surgery, losing weight, gaining weight, total thyroidectomy, diagnosed with breast cancer, radiation, and these medications for 5 years (2 more to go), I am ready to make my own silver lining!

Right now my band has zero fill. I'm back at my first post-op weight and re-grouping. Any tips to stay the course would be greatly appreciated. During all this crap, I forgot that I am the one ultimately responsible to make the band work for me.

This time I will not fail to plan, or else I plan to fail, again.

Thanks for reading! Enjoy the rest of your day, friends!!

Happy New Year, all!!
Besides going through the holidays (rough) and dealing with a grumpy hubby (rougher), I had to prepare for surgery. I had ever-growing nodules, five in all, blossoming on my thyroid gland. They've increased in size tremendously since '09 and my endocrinologist has been talking to me about surgery since June of last year. So, I finally met with the surgeon and had the whole kit and caboodle removed. I thank God for the support of my friends and family and recovering nicely (despite a big ole scar across my throat and my voice is still a croak).
Hubby still grumpy, but you know what? That's HIS problem! My goal right now is to get myself together, regulate my hormone levels, and keep losing (which, by the way, kinda stalled for the last 2 months). I don't need his drama! Sighhh... glad I got that off my chest!!
Anyway, I'm sorry I haven't been around much, but I think about you guys and hope everyone's doing well.
Gotta go, don't know when I'll be back on, but stay strong!
Love, Didi

I've been very busy the last several weeks, but all has been well. I have tolerated 2 fills since surgery and finally signed up with a gym! (I actually have an appointment with a trainer later today!)
My relationship with my band has been a good one so far... so much so that I can't believe I waited this long to get one. But I guess I needed to be emotionally ready for her (my band's a girl!).
Anyway, I have another fill coming up on 9/10/10. And so goes the journey...
I hope all my OH friends have also been doing well. Please forgive me for not returning any messages, but my access to the computer has been limited. My thoughts are with you.
So long for now! 

Where do I begin?
In my last posts, I had just gotten my first fill, and my first stuck episode. Since then I've traveled to Georgia (posted pics) and back, been back to work, and landed in the hospital. That detour to the hospital made me miss my 2nd fill and weigh-in.

I've been so busy doing stuff, I haven't taken care of myself as I should. Seems that I became somewhat dehydrated, which threw me into atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat). Had to endure all sorts of test (all fine, except the blood test showing dehydration). After some IV fluids, I was good to go. It didn't help that I was on two different diuretics, either!

The moral of this story: Make sure you take time to take care of yourself and keep well hydrated!
Take care OH family. I'm outta here for now!

Yesterday I had my first episode with something getting stuck at my band opening. A piece of meat? No. A piece of bread ( which I can't have yet) or a chunk of broccoli? Uh-uh.
My darn blood pressure pill!! I tell you, I can't wait til I can come off those suckers! There was a pain I'd never had before. It's real distinct and you can mistake it for gas or cramps. I don't ever want to have it again!
Other than that, I'm oaky, thank God! Just had 3 ounces of chicken salad... best chicken salad ever ( from Target!). Since I'm moving on to regular food tomorrow, I'll be pulling out those recipes I've gotten from you guys and try my hand at them!
Final note:
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to all the men on OH!  Have a GREAT day!!  

Let me start off by saying.... dang, that stings!! Because of some scar tissue, it was difficult locating the soft spot on the port. It was found after the second stick... of a very BIG needle!
So now, I have a total of 3cc in. So disappointed to go back to liquids! Just when I started soft foods!! I'll be back to soft by Saturday, barring any complications. Next check-in will be on July 17th.
The good news is... I lost 9 pounds since 5/25/10! (That's 1/2 pound a day! I'll take that!) That's a total of 33. WooHoo!!
Another NSV: I can fit into some sexy underwear my hubby gave me 3 Christmases ago.. hubba, hubba!! Boy, does he like that!
I'm pooped... it's been a busy day!
Good night and only the best to my OH family! Love you guys!!

That dress I ordered a few sizes smaller just arrived... tried it on....
Wearably snug, but nothing a few pounds won't resolve!
Uploading a picture now....!
(I am soooo psyched!!)

Wow! Where does the time go? Seems like yesterday I was being wheeled into the OR. Everyday has been an adventure since then.
My port incision is finally, completely closed! Woo-hoo!! Nice & clean!
Some of my coworkers are so funny. They seek me out everyday I go to work to see if there's been any new changes! Relax, people. I won't be dropping 10 lbs a week! They're all so excited.
So, this week I needed to find some dress pants and shirt for my 6 year old. Went to Ross: nada. But... I DID find a cute little number in a size 22W! (Uh-oh) Am I there yet? Tried it on.... snug... but... I got it on!! (posted the picture yesterday!)
Okay, so the dress is very liberal with the spandex. This morning I'm going through my closet, getting dressed for work. Moved some stuff around and glimpsed a pair of capris that I haven't been able to wear in over 2 years. Size 22W... no spandex in these. Alright, let's pull them on just to gauge where I really am. Couldn't go up past my thighs before... just passed the thighs! Couldn't get the zipper up before.... wow, the zipper went up. Couldn't fasten the button before.... holy moley, button fastened!! Can you say Didi acted a fool!!
This weekend was filled with great experiences; visiting my mom, sister, and nieces. Getting my butt into size 22W; and tomorrow, I have an appointment to meet with a personal trainer. Wanna ramp up my activitivy.
Since I'll be off from work, maybe I'll go through my closet again. See what treasures I can find!
Have a good week, everyone!!  Time for me to hit the sack!

This is an email I received from a friend a while back. I'd like to share it with all my new friends!

A Birth Certificate shows that we were born
A Death Certificate shows that we died
Pictures show that we lived!

I believe...
That just because two people argue,
it doesn't mean they don't love each other.
And just because they don't argue,
it doesn't mean they do love each other.
I believe...
That we don't have to change friends if
we understand that friends change.
I Believe...
That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
I believe...
That true friendship continues to grow, even over
the longest distance. Same goes for true love.
I believe...
That you can do something in an instant
that will give you heartache for life.
I believe...
That it's taking me a long time
to become the person I want to be.
I believe...
That you should always leave loved ones with
loving words. It may be the last time you see them.
I believe...
That you can keep going long after you think you can't.
I believe...
That we are responsible for what
we do, no matter how we feel.
I believe...
That either you control your attitude or it controls you.  
I believe...
That money is a lousy way of keeping score.
I Believe...
That my best friend and I, can do anything, or nothing and have the best time.
I Believe...
That sometimes the people you expect to kick you
when you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up.
I believe...
That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.
I believe...
That it isn't always enough, to be forgiven by others.
Sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I Believe...
That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.
I Believe...
That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but, we are responsible for who we become.  
I believe...
Two people can look at the exact same
thing and see something totally different.
I believe...
That your life can be changed in a matter of
hours by people who don't even know you.
I believe...
That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help.
I believe...
That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.
'The happiest of people don't necessarilyhave the best of everything; they just make the most of everything.'

Okay, I've gone and done it.
I bought a dress on clearance (no return or exchange) in a size 22/24. (cute colorblock Igigi brand )
Pre-op, I wore 28-30.  Those are kinda loose on me now.
My goal: wear this dress for an occasion in July. Oh-oh.... can I do it?    Time will tell.
Gotta be honest- I'll be disappointed if I don't make it by then, but I know that dress will fit me sometime this year!