gail2b

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For the last two months I have had so much to deal with that I have not thought about my weight.  However that said each time I get on the scale there is a loss.  I am very happy about that I am half way there and it has only been a little over 4 months. 
My dad has not been doing well as he had open heart surgery about 8 weeks ago and came through that well and was doing well and getting around until 2 weeks ago when he fell backwards off the patio steps and hit his head.  We thought he was okay as we were more worried about him injuring his hip than his head but because he was on coumidin little did we know that he had a bleed in his head.  Symptoms did not show up until over 24 hours later when he slid out of his chair as he had no control over his left leg and arm.  He never had a headache or any change to his pupils.  I really believe if my mom could have got him up that he may not be here today.  She had to call 911 and the paramedics got him up and could tell he had weakness and they encourage them to go get checked out.  Good thing they did as when they did the CT scan they found the bleed and sent him off to MCG.  He is now in a rehab facility and each time I see him he is doing better.  I can tell he is discouraged as he can't go home yet as my mom could not manage until he can stand and help her.  I told him yesterday you don't realize how far you have come you can now use your arm and you are able to move your leg a little.  Also the fact that you are no longer confused that is such tremendous progress.  So with all that said I really have not concentrated on my weight except that each time I go into my closet for clothes nothing fits it is all to big.  So I went to the store this weekend and got pants.  I can wear a size 16 but they will be to big in a few weeks so I bought size 14 as I can fit into them and they aren't to tight.  It is so nice to be able to shop in the regular clothes section.  The only problem I am discovering is that I have to find my way around the store as now there are so many choices, but this isn't a bad thing.  I am very thankful for this surgery as I really believe it has saved my life. 

I am so glad to be back on track.  I know since I've increased the water therapy to 3 times a week I figured I was building muscle and thus the stall.  I've not been able to go this past week as I've had a cold I want to get back on track with it this week.  I know it is helping my knees as I get this weight off just wish it could cure the problems on the inside with regards to no cartlidge, continuous swelling and the pain.  As I can't take anti inflammatories anymore this is really wrecking havoc with the swelling and pain issue.  I'm back to icing in the evenings.  Oh well at least I am down 6 dress sizes.  I've gotten rid of so many clothes and I've got so many more to go through.  We took out a  box of clothes that I have not worn in probably 10 years hopefully I will be able to get into these soon.  MY food seems to be going better.  I am just watching how much I am putting on my plate.  We have three different sizes of plates, i.e. dinner, salad and bread plates.  I chose the bread plate as it gives me a realistic view of what my portions should be and doesn't look like all plate when I put my food on a dinner plate.  I am looking forward to my son being home next week for fall break.  Then in November hopefully my olders sons will be home also.  One for good as he is getting out of the Army.  Now he will begin another journey aclimating back to civilian  life.  The other son will hopefully be home in the summer as he graduates college in June.  So much to look forward to this year.

Well the last two weeks have been tough.  I have been doing water therapy 3 to 4 times a week and after seeing my ortho last week will have to undergo another scope to see if he can clean it up and inject some meds to get me through a little while longer.  This has been a struggle for the last 5 years.  I was hoping getting the weight off would help and I know in the long run it has it's just I want to be further along than I am with being able to get around.  I know it is baby steps to acheive the main goal.  I have been in a stall for the last 2 weeks.  Week before last I lost 1/2 pound and this week nothing.  I can tell that my clothes are looser so I am sure I am losing inches.  I saw my dr a few weeks back and he said I was doing fine.  I did blood work for the first time this past Wed and that came back okay as well.  I would like to know the numbers but I guess I'll get that info in a few weeks when I see my dr again.  Well now I just have to have continued patience and I know the scale will start to move again.

Well dad went home from the hospital this week and is doing fine.  I am back to a more regular routine.  I went to the dr today and my have a stricture they are going to do a scope next week to see if it is that or possibly the beginnings of an ulcer.  With everything we have been through in the last three weeks there is no telling.  It could be just stress but better safe than sorry.  I am working on getting my protein and water in and look forward to a better week.

My dad is doing much better but I am coming everyday and staying for at least 2 to 3 hours while my mom gets a bath and eats at home.  I have to say each day he is doing more and more.  Today was very eventful he was able to walk to the nurses station and back and he took a shower.  I know when I had my surgery that that first shower feels so good but it does wear you out.  He is supposed to go home on Tuesday and that will be good as he will be around familar things but he has to learn not to use his arms as he has sternal precautions. 
I have been trying to keep up with my fluids and protein.  The other night I came home and knew I did not eat enough protein so I sent my husband to Wendy's to get me a small chili.  Otherwise I am doing what I should.  I'll weigh in tomorrow and that will tell the story.

Well I've tried to be compliant but have had a hard time getting everything in.  I did manage to lose 2 pounds this week.  I am very thankful for that but I am even more thankful to my dad having a successful surgery.  They ended up doing a 3 vessel bypass and he has done great.  Hopefully by tomorrow he will be moved to the telemetry floor and will begin his cardiac rehab.  Thank you for all your prayers as they mean a lot.

We have been at the hospital for the last 2 weeks with my father.  He went in for chest pain and they discovered via cath he has a 95% blockage in his heart.  He is scheduled for open heart surgery on Monday as they cannot get to the area via angioplasty.  So with all that said my eating has been lacking.  I have had a headache for three days and have been trying to drink.  I have not felt much like eating but when I have it has been something high in protein.  I am sure my headaches are because I am not drinking enough.  I'll be so glad when Monday is over and he is on the mend. 
Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

Well went to the ortho appt today about my knees.  They did xrays and said I have arthritic changes but that he knows in my getting the weight off that they will help with the deteriation but that it probably won't take away the fact I may be looking at a total knee down the road.  Problem is no cartlidge in one knee.  At this point all I can do is keep up with the water therapy and losing weight.
I have had a hard week this week worried about my son and I know I am not eating or drinking enough.  I am keeping my food diary as that is giving me a visual of what I need to do.  I am hoping my son will get his meds and be able to have some peace until he gets out of the Army in two months.  I don't know why they are giving him such a hard time.  The command he is under has never been to war or out of the states because if they had they would be sympathetic with what he has been through.  I feel for any vet who has PTSD as it is something they live with each day even with medications.  I am hoping my son can get through this and move on after Army life to civilian life.  I know he plans to go on to college and hopefully with him having a plan and structure this will help him.  I know if the Army is anything it is structured but if you don't have support with what you are going through it can be like a foreign country with no one speaking English or understanding what you are saying or going through.

Well my youngest has gone back to school and I won't see him for about 3 weeks.  I told him that by the time I see him next I'll have probably taken off some more weight.  I have been doing the water therapy and can tell that I am firming up the loose skin.  I have been doing some upper body as I am limited to what I can do on land given my knee problems.  I am taking it one day at a time and going with how I feel as to what I can do.  Knock on wood I haven't had any more food issues as I have been careful about chewing my food and only eating what I know doesn't give me any trouble.  I am still doing a protein shake in the morning to get me started and getting the rest of my protein through food.  I am being good and doing the vitamins now on a regular basis.  I don't go back to Dr Blaney until 2 months so I am making the most of the time to make sure I am following the eating plan. 

Well it went well and I have to be more diligent about getting my vitamins and calcium in.  I am doing fine with getting protein in with food and having one protein shake a day.  I also need to add in prilosec daily.  I am now at a loss for pants and skirts.  Almost everything I own is way tooo big.  Which is the good news but now I have so much stuff to sell or give away.  I am between a regular size 16/18.  Tops I am still in about a 1X but they are big.  I know as I lose more weight I can tuck these in eventually.  I told DH that this weekend he needed to go in the attic and get my smaller clothes out.  I have not worn these in about  12 years.  Can't wait to see what will fit now.  I am staying focused on what I am eating and making sure that I journal everything.  In this way I can review areas I need to improve on each week after my weigh in.  The week I was on vacation I could not weigh as I usually weigh on Mondays so it was two weeks that I had not weighed when I did so this past Monday and I had lost 6 pounds.  I was happy with that as we did most of our eating that week out.  Which meant I ate from DH plate.  Still only able to eat 2 to 3 oz at a time.  I am feeling better emotionally with the weight loss and will continue on and usually OH as my tool to keep me honest.