jdsparkee

Send Message

Block

Add Friend

I had my ureter stents removed today and couldn't be happier... well, there are still a 1 MM and 2 MM stone fragments in my left kidney but the urologist thinks they'll pass without incident.  Let me say, the stents are extremely uncomfortable and I was so happy to get them out.  May was a pretty tough month, but I am staying positive!  Had 2 ER visits and 2 surgeries/procedures to remove 3 kidney stones AND lost my job as a result of all the chaos.  I ended up with only a 3 lb loss between month 3 and 4.  However, now that I'm up and going, the stall has broken and I've lost 3 lbs in the last 5 days.  Grateful to be back on track for sure!  

I have noticed a difference with my eating ability in the last month.  I am hitting my protein and fluid goal consistently and don't have a whole lot of restriction with my food choices although I stick to the basics... chicken, turkey, fish, beans, greek yogurt, cheese and now I am craving sauteed veggies.  My favorites have been onion, pepper and zucchini sauteed with Sesame oil and add a little low sodium soy sauce.  Delicious!!  I've started eating whole wheat bread and crackers on occasion... not sure I want to continue this practice but am limiting it to 3-4 times a week and only 1 slice on that particular day.  I've also added potatoes (red only) to my diet with my nutritionist's blessing.  I've only indulged 1x per week although I'm allowed 3-4.   We will see how long those last as well.  

Well this month hasn't been the best all the way around.  As I've posted before, I have kidney stones that have really taken a toll on my health.  Two ER visits (5/12 & 5/20) with a horribly painful episode that I toughed out on 5/16.  After 9 days of the stone being stuck, the urologist decided the inflammation of my kidney was not good and we should remove the 5 mm stone and insert ureter stents on both sides (done 5/22).  I have another procedure scheduled 5/27 to "shock wave" the two 6 mm stones hanging out in my left kidney, hence the unilateral stents.  Ugh.  Anyway, all of this has caused a stall this month.  I've only lost 3-4 lbs.  Not that I'm completely disappointed, I just wish I could exercise more and get on with my healthy lifestyle.  I lost my job as a result of my medical issues but am staying positive.  There is nothing I could have done to prevent this so it's all part of the plan... right? 

Even with all of the challenges, I am down to 169... a weight I haven't been at in 15 years! Woo-hoo!

This is an amazing journey.  It's definitely been difficult but so worth it.  I just posted some 6 week post op pictures and it's amazing to see the difference side by side.  To summarize, I'm down 33 lbs - 193 lbs as of yesterday and onderland feels great!  I've lost 4-1/2 inches from my waist and can feel the changes in my face, arms, legs, tummy and feet.  I have dropped 1-2 pant sizes. I wore a 16 that was tight prior to surgery and am wearing 14 in jeans and 12 in dress slacks.  I shop for Lg shirts now and am really adjusting to the change to the regular section at the store rather than the plus size!  My first purchase was new bra's, t it was a great purchase and made me feel soooo much better!  I've taken the advice of many and am shopping at thrift stores now since I am dropping sizes so quickly.  My eating habits are getting better and I actually crave dense protein and healthy foods now.  

Well, that's about it for now.  Feel free to check out the pics I just uploaded.  I'm pretty proud of my progress!