ebony868
September 1, 2008 (195) Ssslllloooowwwwly losing - that's been my journey since day one, but at least I'm losing. Before surgery no matter what I'd lose and gain it right back. This has been a wonderful journey though not free of challenges. Again after my second fill I was unable to keep solids down consistently for 2-3 weeks. My husband doesn't like this side effect. There are still things I can't eat (not unhealthy things either), like chicken. My weight loss has certainly helped improve my joint pain and my health in general.
My mother in law hasn't improved at all though
The new job is still going well, except I travel twice as much as I did before
My son got off to school, but not without a blip thanks ot his BIO MOM - If you can't say anything good, I guess you should say anything at all, so I'm moving on. He's really enjoying school which I'm elated about - I'm praying he'll bring me some good grades!
My husband and I are just fine.
My mother, aunt and grandmother are all well.
Still a proud active TUCC member and active campaigner for Barack.
What I haven't told you all about is our new Pastor, Otis Moss, III - The big OT! He's phenomenal and exactly what we need to attract and engage the youth so our church can continue to grow. As well, he's come at a time when our church is under a microscope and he's handled this challenge like the opportunity it is with reverence and grace. I thank God for him and Pastor Wright for having the foresight and vision!
Well all is well with me and I pray with all of you. Remember whatever your journey, it is just that YOUR Journey. You can make it successful or decide to let it fail.
June 10, 2008 (208). WOW can't believe I haven't updated since November, but there's just been an awful lot going on. I had my second fill June 5 and since then am down 6lbs. I've of course been unable to eat, but as you can see from my history that's not unusual. Not at all complaining, but certain I'm still the slowest loser in band history - Glad to be losing though.
So what's been going on:
December - my mother in law had surgery and was unable to walk afterward.
January - landed a new job - yippie!
March - we got my mother in law home and worked out her care schedule.
April - sister-in-law (primary care giver for mom) killed in an auto accident.
But to God be the Glory for the things he has done:
Weeping endures for a night but joy comes in the morning.
I started a new job in January which I was hoping for because my previous employer was shutting down.
My son leaves for college in August.
My husband and I are just fine.
My mother, aunt and grandmother are all well.
Still a proud active TUCC member and active campaigner for Barack.
November 2, 2007 (224). My weightloss is probably the slowest in the history of the band. Since my fill, I have had a very difficult time eating anything solid. I doubt I ever reach 1000 calories, but it's often all the wrong foods because they're easier to get down. No time to exercise while job searching, but I hope to have an offer by Monday after traveling the US for five rounds of interviews. I plan to start exercising again Saturday morning and drinking my nasty protein (Isopure) to see if I can't get back on track. Hubby made chilli today so I had a cup and some Hawiian punch. Getting 64 oz of water today so that's good. Well until next time.....
September 21, 2007 (229). Well I can stop moaning now I lost 5 lbs prior to getting my fill yesterday. I had liquids yesterday and did fine, but tried mushies today and couldn't stop salivating, so I went back to liquids today. I guess, I'm what I've heard described as "tight" which is fine with me. Well according to the BMI calculator I'm no longer Extremely obese.....just obese. I'll keep plugging along now with a 800 - 1200 calorie diet.
September 14, 2007 (234). Gained 1 lbs though for the past two weeks I have walked a mile 4 days of each week. I've ate better, but really can't say, I've been getting all of my protein in. I've scheduled my 2nd fill for next Thursday ( Sept 20). I will start using CalorieKing again to make sure I get in my protein and water and keep my calories between 1200-1500. Pray for me!
August 27, 2007 (233). Haven't lost or gained! Though this post isn't about weightloss, it is about transforming life experience. We (DH) and I returned from
March 5, 2007 Well between Friday and today I've had all of my labs, EKG and chest xray. My EKG was abnormal, but the results have to be read by the doctor. I can only hope this won't impact my surgery date.
February 27, 2007 I have a final physical and medical history with my PCP on March 2, final meeting with the nutritionist on March 5 and start liquids on March 9 to prepare for my MARCH 19 BANDAY! I have wanted to share this with people from time to time, but I don't for fear of being under a microscope, so I've continued to limit the circle that knows to my husband and ANGEL....Love you Dimple Donna! It's interesting though because I never know what to tell people about why I'll be out of the office the week of the 19th. Anywho, I've just been telling them I'm having an outpatient procedure. Some of them make a guess, "oh is it your lungs, your RHA - whatever the guess, I just say....uhmmm yeah. Technically it's true since both my breathing and arthritis are expected to improve with my weight loss. Well, I'll post again after surgery. Choi for now.
February 14, 2007 I have an angel. A woman who has been an angel in my life long before I decided to have WLS. She's beautiful and an inspiration. Dimple Donna, thank you for being my angel.
February 6, 2007 received my approval letter and schedule my surgery. MARCH 19 is the date. February 6, 2007 received my approval letter and schedule my surgery. MARCH 19 is the date.
February 1, 2007 met with Dr. Agos and Nurse Ada. In short, I started this journey 2 years ago with a different doctor and after a year of getting the run around and experiencing rude and indifferent treatment by the doctor, I decided the day before my surgery not to have it. This only after he'd rescheduled me twice...once to "go to a golf tournament"....YES a golf tournament.
It is a trip each must take for themselves, as words can not describe the sights, sounds and emotions experienced. There is not sufficient vernacular, in this our English language, but I will share a little bit of my experience:
March 12, 2007 I had to get a second clearance since my EKG was abnormal and I was finally able to do so today. I started my liquid diet on Saturday and have been doing OK. I have had head hunger and doubts, definately mourning food, but I'm trying to hang in there.
Travel: The flight from
Slavery: During our trip we visited the river where slaves had their “last bath” and two slave castles:
Friends: I missed my friends horribly and thought of many of them often. I have a small token for each of you. The new friend I made in
DON’T COMPLAIN:
If you can not find anything positive about the situation you’re in, remove yourself from the situation.
If you’re surrounded by people who cannot be of any help or support to you, dismiss them.
If you do not have what you need to survive, work smarter or work harder.
BE GREATFUL FOR:
Running water (hot and cold) – In the luxury hotel you had to push a button and wait 15 minutes for the hot water to heat up in the shower. On the road we had very little if any hot water.
Indoor toilets – Many were outdoor, but even those that were indoor may not flush. They typically put used toilet paper in the garbage.
Electricity on demand – Blackouts were common on the road and not everyone has electricity in their home or store.
Your bed – Many I saw sleeping on the dirt ground or concrete floors in their unfinished houses…houses with no roofs or windows.
Food choices – Chicken and rice is what we ate the majority of the meals. The people in the villages had far less, eating mostly meal similar to corn meal.
Clothing – Zee asked for the shoes off of my feet and one of the security guards at the luxury hotel wanted any clothes Michael no longer wanted.
Not being paid slave wages – Average annual salary is $2000 cedes which is equivalent to approximately $2200.00. Quality goods and services aren’t much less than what you would pay in the
Find a way to go and experience it for yourself, even if it means saving for a few years.
March 19, 2007 (255) I had my surgery. My surgeon and his team are wonderful, but my hospital stay left a lot to be desired. There were no beds in the hospital, so I stayed in the Outpatient Surgical unit with about 7 other patients, one of whom should have probably been in ICU. Then the nurse the next day for my first meal tried to give me gingerale. YES gingerale. Good I knew my rules.
June 19, 2007 (233) I am down another 3 lbs. Not the 2 lbs per week I was hoping for, but I will take it for now. It's funny that I got a little more relaxed with my eating habits after my fill, so of course my weight loss slowed. I did have a rough two weeks during this period since the 10th of May, so that may have contributed as well. To jump start my weight loss again, I've decided to restrict my eating even more than my band is telling me to. I will also start using CalorieKing to count my calories and stay under 1200 per day of course while getting my required nutrients (i.e 40 protein and 64 water). I'll weigh again around July 19 and we'll see how it's all worked out!
May 10, 2007 (236) was my FIRST FILL and I was DOWN 8 LBS. 2lbs a week is pretty good with no fill. I was given 1.5 ccs. The fill itself was pretty painful and I'm very sore. I will ask if he numbs the area for the next fill. I'm on liquids the 1st day, mushies the 2nd and will try regular foods on the 13th. Happy Mothers Day weekend. 20 LBS GONE FOREVER.
April 11, 2007 (244) was my first follow up appointment and I was DOWN 11 LBS. It took me two weeks to begin feeling like myself again. Those folks who go back to work the same week are troopers. There's no way I could have done that.
Market: We went to various markets and on the drive took in the sites and sounds of the people of
At some point you will remark to yourself….damn Ebony’s different, she’s changed. We’re all on a journey. Where and how it will end, none of us know. What I do know, is this…..From this day forward, I will appreciate the blessing in every minute I’m given in this life and I hope that you can do the same.
Mission:
We toured the hospital the church (TUCC) helps to support and took medical supplies. We also toured the school and donated school supplies. I personally donated clothing and shoes and will attempt to help a widow I met while there. There’s more information on Zee in the section marked “Friends”.
My Pastor:
When we arrived we were told that “Rev.” (Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr.) and the caravan were due to arrive the following evening, but that Dr. Asa Hilliard had taken ill and was in intensive care in
