dleonard_07
Hello My name is Deborah and I am 39 years young. I have been diagnosed with
Congestive Heart Failure; Hypertension & I do have a Defibrillator, which is implanted on 04/29/05.
I'm not happy with the size that I see in the mirror and I'm definitely not happy
with all the medications that I have to take on a daily basis.
All of my children are adults now. My youngest child graduated High School in May
of this year and have since gone off for her first year of College.
My two oldest children have made me a grandmother. My son Jason has a daughter, her name is Giavannia. My oldest daughter Carla has 4 children: Amauri, De'Ira, Jaylin & Joshua.
As you can see, my family has extended and I want to be around to see my grandchildren
graduate high school and possibly attend college.
My mother is still living and she worries about me a lot. I have 1 brother and 2 sisters
that my mom gave birth to. My father has children that are my siblings also. I have 1 sister who is much younger than I and 5 brothers that are younger than I am also. I am the oldest of all my siblings.
I am looking forward to having my Laprascopic Gastric Bypass Surgery.
I found out on 07/27/2007 that my insurance has approved for my surgery and it will take
up to 10 to 15 days for completion in order to have the surgery.
I can't wait to start my life over and to possibly be healthly for now on.
I pray often that I will always be protected by God's Loving hand and for Him to continue
to keep His angels protecting me always.
August 29, 2007
I know that has been a couple of days since I have checked in since my surgery, but I thought I click
in today to give a little news on my progress.
As everyone know, I went into surgery on August 24, 2007 around 8:00 a.m. I really didn't have a scare
in my heart at all. I knew that God was in presence and that He had control. Two chaplains did come and visit me. One chaplain visited and prayed with me in my pre-opt room and the chaplain visited with me where all the patients and their loved one is waiting before the patient goes into surgery. I am grateful of all the prayers that was sent up. I am a true believer of prayer!!!!!!
My surgeon was 45 minutes late, but who had cared at that point. I was there in a stretcher waiting to be wheeled into surgery. I did go into surgery finally around 7:45 a.m. and surgery probably did began around 8:15 a.m. The last time I remember looking at the clock was when the Anestiaologist (forgive me if I spelled incorrectly) was giving me an IV in both arms. My husband apparently had to go home to take care of some business, because he told me that Dr. Arnold contacted him on his mobile to inform him that I was out of surgery which was around 10:19 a.m. Dr. Arnold mentioned to Donovan that everything went well and that I would be in recovery up to 5 hours before going to my room. I do remember waking up sometimes in the recovery room a little bit. I remember having a tube in my nose. I remember having the C-Pap machine on my face while the tube was still in my nose. I remember them taking the tube out of my nose. I remember the nurse telling me, that I was still in recovery and that if I had any pain, I could just hit my pain button that located on my left right at my finger tips and boy do I remember hitting that a few times. I remember being wheeled to my room eventually where my darling husband was waiting on me. It was about 3:35 p.m. and he left to go to work. Most of all, I remember a LOT OF PAIN!!!!!
Later that evening while being in my room, I was then got up my nurse on duty at the time and I walked around the floor that I was on. Later on that night before Donovan returned about 2:00 a.m. with my blood pressure pills, along with him some food from the cafeteria that was open for him to get him something to eat. I was smelling good, but I didn't want it. I didn't nausea or anything, but it was one time I didn't want what I used to eat at that time of night.
I have been up and about. My first day driving was on yesterday. I haven't lost that touch yet (smile). I have gone to the store, but could only ride in those scooters for about an hour or less. Yesterday, I cooked me some instant mashed potatoes with chicken boullion cube for broth. Wow, that didn't taste well to me at all. With now butter, or sour cream, which is what I am used to. Today August 29, 2007, I fixed me a small portion of cream of wheat. Made with low-fat milk and a pack of Splenda, but that didn't taste good to me either. I could only eat barely 2 spoons. Used to having the butter and the evaporated milk for flavor.
I tried one of my protein drinks today and it did smell funny but it did taste ok. Now, I'm wanting to try something even smoother but don't know what to do but to just continue to keep sipping on water with Crystal Light Sugar Free flavored packets. Try to keep eating the sugar free JELL-O pudding and gelatin cups. Try to eat my unsweetend applesauce sweetened with Splenda already. Not to tasty. I'm just trying to adjust.
One thing I can say, I don't have any regrets to starting a new regimem to a new leash on life. I am willin got to continue to a rewarding journey as long as God continues to guides me. 
I'll be getting touch with you all a little later. Smooches 
September 18, 2007
Hello everyone!!!!!
I'm so sorry that I haven't been online in a while. I have been enjoying my new life and I am so very grateful to be able to get a chance to do it all over again.
I am now 3 weeks and 4 days out from surgery. I have been able to things that I haven't done in years. I am able to tie my shoes up without being out of breath. I am able to walk a little further without being out of breath. I am able to do a lot of things and some new things too.
I had an appointment with my Cardiologist on September 11, 2007 because I had some issues with my defibrillator. It went off several times since I had my Gastric Bypass. I had labs done and the technician adjusted my defibrillator so that it wouldn't shock my as often. On yesterday, September 17, 2007, I had an appointment with my PCP, and she told me that my labs from the visit that I had with my Cardiologist office showed that I had a little kidney failure, so she adjusted my blood pressure meds. My PCP did state that I would be coming off of my blood pressure meds gradually but it would be a slow process. My PCP was so delighted to see me. She was so excited that I had the surgery. She weighed my and the scale showed that I was weighing 273 lbs. When I last had a visit with her, I was weighing in at 309.3 lbs. That is a total of 36.3 lbs. I am delighted to here that.
On yesterday, I also had an follow up appointment with my Surgeon Dr. Arnold. I weighed in at his office and the scale read 271.2 lbs. Wow, that is 38.2 lbs lost. Whatever it is, I AM EXCITED!!!!!!
I am going to take some before and after pictures and post so that you all can see the difference.
I never ask myself "What did I do"? I truly believe that God guided me to this to save my life and I am so ecstatic about it.
December 11, 2007
Hello everyone, I am so sorry that I haven't been to the website in a while. I have been doing pretty good with the weight loss. I haven't really weighed myself, but the last time I weighed in was last month at my PCP office and I weighed in at 236 lbs. Yippie!!!!!
I am so excited that the weight is melting off and I have been getting nothing but beautiful compliments.
I am in the process of taking new pictures so that you all can see the new me. So far I only have 1 new portrait and I will post that real soon. I plan on getting back to the website later on today and I hope to hear from some of you soon. Please take care and may God continue to bless. Love and Peace.
