Pam Hart

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Beef

• Hamburger patty, 4 oz – 28 grams protein
• Steak, 6 oz – 42 grams
• Most cuts of beef – 7 grams of protein per ounce

Chicken

• Chicken breast, 3.5 oz - 30 grams protein
• Chicken thigh – 10 grams (for average size)
• Drumstick – 11 grams
• Wing – 6 grams
• Chicken meat, cooked, 4 oz – 35 grams

Fish

• Most fish fillets or steaks are about 22 grams of protein for 3 ½ oz (100 grams) of cooked fish, or 6 grams per ounce
• Tuna, 6 oz can - 40 grams of protein

Pork

• Pork chop, average - 22 grams protein
• Pork loin or tenderloin, 4 oz – 29 grams
• Ham, 3 oz serving – 19 grams
• Ground pork, 1 oz raw – 5 grams; 3 oz cooked – 22 grams
• Bacon, 1 slice – 3 grams
• Canadian-style bacon (back bacon), slice – 5 – 6 grams

Eggs and Dairy

• Egg, large - 6 grams protein
• Milk, 1 cup - 8 grams
• Cottage cheese, ½ cup - 15 grams
• Yogurt, 1 cup – usually 8-12 grams, check label
• Soft cheeses (Mozzarella, Brie, Camembert) – 6 grams per oz
• Medium cheeses (Cheddar, Swiss) – 7 or 8 grams per oz
• Hard cheeses (Parmesan) – 10 grams per oz

Beans (including soy)

• Tofu, ½ cup 20 grams protein
• Tofu, 1 oz, 2.3 grams
• Soy milk, 1 cup - 6 -10 grams
• Most beans (black, pinto, lentils, etc) about 7-10 grams protein per half cup of cooked beans
• Soy beans, ½ cup cooked – 14 grams protein
• Split peas, ½ cup cooked – 8 grams

Nuts and Seeds

• Peanut butter, 2 Tablespoons - 8 grams protein
• Almonds, ¼ cup – 8 grams
• Peanuts, ¼ cup – 9 grams
• Cashews, ¼ cup – 5 grams
• Pecans, ¼ cup – 2.5 grams
• Sunflower seeds, ¼ cup – 6 grams
• Pumpkin seeds, ¼ cup – 19 grams
• Flax seeds – ¼ cup – 8 grams

It has been awhile since I updated my blog so here it goes.

Surgery was October 30.  I wasn't nervous.  Until we pulled into the parking lot. I went in, signed in, and waited just a few mins.  I was then taken into a room with two nurses who asked me the routine health questions.  By this time, I was shaking.  They then told me to "say goodbye to my husband, he will see you in 4 hours"

WHAT?  Why can't he come to the preop area with me?  I thought one person could go.  I started to cry - and cry - and then cry some more.  I looked like a babbling idiot.

One of the nurses gently suggested that I didn't appear to be confident in my decision, and was I sure.  WAS I SURE?  OF COURSE I was sure...but I was also scared out of my mind.  I said goodbye to the hubby and was led into the back.  I got my gown and what not on.  And I hopped up onto the stretcher.

They had trouble starting my IV - but that is normal for me.  Routine blood work is 4-6 sticks for me, let alone IVs.  I'm pretty used to that.  The nurse, however, was GREAT in my opinion and got me on the third try.  Then Dr. P came in, gave me a back rub and a neck rub, got me to stop crying and all that and put me at ease.

Then the anesthesiologist came in and gave me some happy meds and then I was REALLY at ease.  Night night Pammy.

Woke up once in recovery that I remember - but only for a few secs.  Then I woke up in the elevator - again for a few seconds.  Then I was in my room.  I immediately asked why my husband wasn't there.  They told me he was coming.  I missed him so much.

THERE HE IS!!  The first day was pretty good - hitting my incentive spirometry numbers, up and walking.  Actually, I wanted to be out of bed LONG before they would let me.  I kept asking when I could get out of bed...and they kept saying in a few hours.  I knew how important getting up and about was though, so I wanted to do it sooner than later.

The next two days were pretty uneventful.  Some nausea, some pain, some dry heaving, some diarrhea.  The "normal".

Got home and continued to do well.  6 days post op was a problem for me - terrible nausea, terrible stinky diarrhea....terrible everything.

Tuesday (ONE WEEK!!)  was soooooo much better.  I was able to advance to full liquids.  I was never so excited to have a yogurt.  It took me 45 mins to eat it, and I LOVED it.  And it stayed down nicely.  WHOOO HOO!!

Had a problem that evening with SF/FF jello.  It tasted soooo yummy - but I dumped BIG time from it.  AWFULLY!!  shivering, sweating, heart pounding out of chest, hyperventilating, dry heaving, felt like I was gonna poop my pants., seeing double..oh it was horrible!!  BUUUUUT....the hubby was there so wonderfully for me.  He picked me up when i wanted to be off the floor, got me to bed.  Slept for 2 hours and PHEW, felt ALL BETTER, it was amazing.  NO MORE PUDDING FOR THIS CHICKY right now.

Today was great, stopped in at work to say hello - everyone was soooo excited to see me, it was wonderful.  Then I went to the gym.  Didn't do all that much - 15 on the elliptical, 10 on the arc, and 10 on the treadmill.  I was up to a lot more than that pre surg, but that's OK.

All in all, it was a GREAT experience thus far.  Can't wait to see more!

Pam

Ok...so after my last post I finally got my date.  It took awhile playing phone tag with the scheduler.

My date is OCTOBER 30!!  WHOO HOO!!  NO MORE HALLOWEEN CANDY FOR ME, THANK GOODNESS!  We're not even buying any this year cause hubby plans to be in the hospital with me whenever he can, and there's no reason to have it laying around tempting either one of us right now.

My PATS are this Wednesday, only 6 short days before surgery.  After the last time, I'm currently more nervous about them than I am the surgery.  What will they find now?????  I'm soooo stressed.

I've begun a liquid (full liquid) diet now as normally there are two weeks between PATs and surgery, so if they need you on a ten day liquid diet to drop weight, they have time.  Seeing as though I don't have that luxury, I started now just in case.  As in my last PATs I had gained 2 pounds that I needed to lose before surgery.

Thanks all!

Pam

Hello again.  Well, the good news is that I got my lab values back - THEY ARE NORMAL!!  WHOOOO HOOOO!!

I am faxing everything to Barix - I spoke w/ them the other day.  I am now waiting until another date opens up.  

Sooo....here's to waiting on a date phone call yet again!

Pam

I posted this on the boards the day I found out.  Forgot to update my profile, so here is my story.

On Wednesday I went to Barix for my PATs.  I had to be NPO (nothing by mouth) for the entire night before them because I was supposed to have an Ultrasound of the gall bladder and you can't eat or drink anything before that.

The testing intially went pretty good.  They had trouble getting lab work, but that is expected of me now because I have ALWAYS had no veins, let alone since I have gained weight.  My last experience before this in an ED when I was having an asthma attack was them starting the IV in my neck to give me medications.  But, I digress.

I did the xrays, the lab work, the work with the respiratory therapist who put me through the mill.  Then I started with the nutritionist.  My mouth was pasty by that point as it was 1pm and I hadn't had anything to drink since 10pm.  Then the bomb dropped......

The doctor came in and said that I had a problem with my blood work.  My thyroid function was low, indicating I had a HYPOACTIVE thyroid.  It was low enough to CANCEL my surgery right then and there.  I lost it.  I held it together when the doc was in the room...but as soon as he left I became a blubbering idiot and melted into my husbands arms.  OHHHHH was I upset.  I cried and cried and cried...and then I cried some more.  I couldn't get myself under control.

The nurse came back in, I explained to her what happened.  She wanted to finish the eval - but I couldn't compose myself enough.  Then they asked, what I thought at the time was the STUPIDIST question.  Do I want to do my BEFORE picture.  Uh...NOOOOOO I do not.  My eyes look like I am having a really severe allergic reaction.  There is black mascara running down my face.  My lips are whitened from not drinking anything for so long (I am used to 3 liters of water a day, normaly 1 1/2 liters by that point in the day) and I am hyperventilating from crying.  JUST LET ME GO HOME!  And besides...who knows if there will be an after picture.  YOU JUST CANCELLED MY SURGERY.

OK...so I go RIGHT to my primary doctor.  He thinks it is a lab error, but starts me on meds and redraws blood work to be sure.  NOT A LAB ERROR!!  My level is actually WORSE than what Barix had gotten.  **SHIT***  

I am taking my meds like a good girl.  I am optimistic at this point.  I know that I will NOT make it through surgery with a low thyroid and I know I need to get this fixed.  I am a nurse and I undestand all the complications of this.

So...here I am...waiting...AGAIN!  I have repeat labs 2 weeks after starting meds, which is not this Wednesday, but the next (PS, the day after my SCHEDULED surgery...ouch)  Hopefully things will be better, but there is about an 80% chance that I will need my meds upped before my levels turn to normal.  CRAP.  Oh well.

This coming Wednesday I have an ultrasound of the thyroid because there may be a cyst, or it might be enlarged, or there might be a tumor on my thyroid.  SCARY.  But all the docs say it's probably NOT a tumor because tumors make your thyroid work TOOOO well and it runs high.  That's comforting.

Alrighty then.....there's my story for now.  I will update when I know more!

Pam

Dear High Carb, High fat, High Cal food,
I want to first say that I realize you have been the one who has ALWAYS been there for me.  No matter what I am going through, I have been able to find you.
In times of sadness, you were there for me.  You consoled my tears and gently caressed my body with your sugar and cream, or salt and crunchy texture.  You made me feel happy.  In times of celebration, I would share you with others, celebrating your tastes and textures.  Nothing says congratulations more than a vanilla cake and chocolate mousse topped with pounds of butter cream icing.  When I was angry, you allowed me to not speak my mind, and rather hide from others while you were the only thing that understood my troubled mind.  And in the darkness of night, your neon signs of “open 24 hours” called to me when no one else was looking.
I understand now, though, that this was a horrendously bad relationship.  You were abusive and manipulative towards me.  I have decided that I no longer need your company.  You WILL be the death of me if I continue to lean on you – and I want to LIVE.
I understand that after 26 years, nobody expects me to turn away from you completely.  To many other times I have tried to kick you out – only to let you back in later that day, week, month, or year.  Every tear of sadness I cried was ultimately related to you.I am strong, I am powerful, and I DESERVE a better life.
I pray there will not be others who fall under your power…but sadly I know you will find another victim soon enough.  Understand, all of your relationships will ultimately end up in a loose/loose situation.  The person that you attach yourself to will loose their health, their relationships, their clothes.  And you will loose them too.  Be it from health related problems, or standing up for themselves, one day, you will be left alone on the shelves of the super mart, looking for that next victim.
Do not expect me to look back with fond memories, or give your brightly colored bags a second glance from here on in.  My life is full of better foods.  Foods that give me energy and fulfillness for more than a simple hour.  I have already replaced you with yogurt and protein shakes, fruits and veggies, and grilled chicken breasts.  AND I LOVE THEM.  Our bond is strong now, and will be stronger still with each and every day.  
I loved you, and I grieved over this decision.  Ultimately, however, this is MY body and you will NOT be permitted to destroy it any further.
I appreciate the time we had – but look forward to my new and promising life without self doubt, depression, and addiction looming over my head.
Your once upon a time lover,

Pam

So I've been trying to eat better etc.  Watch the carbs, up the protein, decrease the fat, get my water in...all those "healthy" things. I'm staying away from refined sugar/wheat etc.

The other night the hubby and I put on a bunch of movies, and he came home w/ a bunch of junk food for me to "say goodbye too".  I did not consume the amount of food I once would have, but let me tell you - I did a DAMN good job of eating my fair share.

Well, let me tell you - IT WAS NOT WORTH IT!!!  I felt like CRAP the next day.  I had insatiable hunger the rest of that night and when I woke up, BIG time cravings, tired, and just "blah".  I normally, in my old habits, would have given in to the cravings and finished off the bag of chips etc.  This time, I DIDN'T!!  I had a bowl of Kashi Go Lean Crunch w/ Skim Plus Milk.  The hunger STOPPED.  It was GREAT!!  I didn't realize how those carbs and everything made me feel - probably because I just continued the cycle by eating more the next day.

I'm starting to get pretty emotional this week.  My little red friend is due, so that is playing a major part of it.  But, I'm focusing mostly on the upcoming surgery.  I'm scared about something happening at PATs which will not let me move forward.  I'm scared about the procedure.  I'm scared that once again, this won't work for me.  I'm just a wreck. 

The hubby is a big support - which is nice. 

Well, that's all I have from here.

Good luck to all!!

Pam

Hi all!  So....I haven't been able to do this before, I just figured it out the other night.

So, here's where I am.  I am waiting to have surgery, on October 2, 2007.  I will be having lap rny w/ Dr. Pupkova @ Langhorne Barix.  My PATS are on September 19 @ 11am.  The hubby is coming w/ me to both - but the PATs will be the first time he sees Barix and meets the MD.  For my consult, he could not make it due to work and short notice (I took a last minute cancellating appointment that they offered me).

So, wish me luck on everything else!!!