monicarivera1012
My story is similar to many stories I have read. I can remember being overweight and going on diets and losing weight then putting back on what I lost and then some. I started my journey when I was 13 years old or right around the 8th grade when I hit the 200 pound mark. What has saved me is that I have always been very tall. I have been 5'8" since the 6th grade. I have done everything you can think of...weight watchers...Phen-fen- luckily I didn't have any heart problems but I think that was because I was only 17 and took it for only 8 months. I lost 85 pounds and as soon as I stopped the pills and got married I went back up to 230 pound and kept gaining right up to the 260 mark. 10 years later after doing much research I weigh in at 316 lbs and am...you guessed it still 5' 8"...LOL I have been through it all. The looks, the stares, why is he with her type of deal, Everything you can think of. The best thing I have is that my family supports me and my husband is literally one of a kind. He has had a very rough life and he now takes his family very seriously...loves me unconditionally. He is my angel and has always been since the day we met. We only knew each other for 2 months and we got married. We have two kids now, One boy 6yrs old and a girl 2yrs old. We are going on 10 years of marriage March 2007. He has been my strength through this process and I am sure he will continue to be. As you might have read I am scheduled for surgery on 10/11/06 one day before my birthday...I will truely be reborn at the age of 27.
Although ,my process to get were I am today has not been a long one. Here are a few dates and events that have taken place.
on 9/28/06 went to the pulmonologist, I was not congested anymore & breathing great.
Oh by the way...I am self pay got approved in 2 hours. Thank god for Capital One Health Finance and my Good Credit!
On 9/29/06 Christy called me and told me that my pre-ops testing & pre-registration was set up for 10/02/06 I was thrilled. I had to be there at 8am, I am not much of a morning person but guess what I was at the hospital at 7:30am. I was very impressed with the type of treatment and encouragement from the South Miami Staff & Nurses they were great. The only let down is that I was not able to see the nurtionist and that was somewhat of a let down for me, I was really looking forward to seeing him. Anyways, they told me I would see him during my hospital stay. It will keep me entertained. Not that the hospital stay will need much entertainment with the pain I might be in...LOL I can't wait to be on the losing side!!!!
on 10/03/06 the payment from Capital One Financial has arrived to Rabaza's office. Christy called me so I went to pick it up and take it to South Miami Hospital. I called my PCP Manuel Gonzalez, his staff has also been very nice. I have an appointment on 10/06/06 to get medical clearence from my PCP. I have to call the pulmonologist to see if I can get clearence from him on 10/06/06 as well. I need to turn this in to Christy as soon as possible. Since, my surgery date is creeping up on me very quickly. Well I will let you know if I obtain clearence for my set date.
Okay quick before my battery dies on my laptop...I received clearence from my PCP today. 10/6/06. In a little while I am going to the pulmonologist to see if he gives me clearence today. So I can leave to my husband's job's conference. I'll keep you all posted.
Okay called the pulmonologist and they faxed me over my clearence. I am able to go to the conference worry free about the clearence...Now All I have to deal with is the people staring at me in a bathing suit with a big t-shirt on...but guess what...I will keep in mind that it will be the last time this happens to me...Yeah!!!!! I'll post real soon =)~ My world is full of Sunshine!
10/07/06- The count down begins...4 more days to the other side. I am a little scared and nervous. However, God keeps on showing me exactly why I need to have this surgery. On the way up to the conference, I had a bit of a melt down. Since, it was a long ride of nothing and it was just my husband & I in the truck, I started crying. I tried my best to not let him see me...but I could only look out the window in a two seater truck for so long before he noticed...then we had the talk of why I am afraid. What if I die, I will be leaving behind a beautiful girl of 2 yrs old and incredible 6 yr old boy and the best husband anyone could ever ask for. My husband is most definately my strength when it comes to situations like this. I also think the melt down had alot to do with my bitchy friend of the month... I get very sentimental during that time. Anyways, to the crazy things and emotions of last night. We got to the conference and everything was great till...these 3 young girls, friends with my husband showed up. They work out of his central office branch in Orlando and my husband's in Miami; However, they were extremely tipsy and acting very young and childish. I felt like such an embarassment for my husband everytime he would introduce me to someone. I felt like the people would think the usual..."Why would Paul be with her?" I know my husband loves me unconditionally as actions speak louder than words. Obviously, if he was ashamed of me he wouldn't introduce me as he goes out of his way and calls me over for introductions. This has been challenging for me already and its only been one night. The young girls last night were talking about how they were going to model because all of them were going to look hot because they all went out to buy dresses. I know I am heading for a tough time tonight but I am going to do my best to not to let it get me down and keep my chin high. I might be fat but I am a really pretty girl. I know that from the "Oh my your face is so pretty" comments...ugh society!!!! Anywho, I will update you all with more in a few.
10/08/06- Yey!! I made it past the weekend. 3 more days till I join the losing side. I can't wait, let me tell you that the girls at the party were no where near us, which was great; However, they talked so much about how good they were going to look and they didn't impress me. Anyway, maybe its because secretly I am jealous & I can't wear what they wear...but that will soon be over. Okay anyways, I will post soon.
Also...Anyone who cares to share their experience with me I would be more than happy to be contacted. Thank you....Moni
10/09/06- Just two more days left ... I am SSSSSSSSOOOOOOOO freaking out. I think at this point, I am more excited than scared. I am afraid of the painful recovery but I am confident that I will get to the other side. GOD will be there with me guiding my surgens hands every step of the way. I feel like I have read so many journals and I continue to type hoping others will read mine.
Today 10/09/06
measurments:
Arms- 22 inches
Chest- 48.5 inches
Bust- 55 inches
Waist- 55.5 inches
Hips- 60.5 inches
Legs- 31.5 inches
I will try my best to measure myself on a monthly or quarterly bases. I will keep you posted of my emotions tomorrow.
10/10/06- I really can not begin to say how crazy I feel today. I am so many emotions all wrapped up inside of me. Anxious, Nervous, Scared, and EXCITED!!! At this time tomorrow I will be in the operating room on my way to the LOSING side! I can't wait. I will keep you all posted.
Twas the night before bypass.
'Twas the night before bypass, when all through my gut
not a morsel was stirring, not even a nut.
The suitcase was packed by the front door with care,
in hopes that a new me would soon return there.
I lay nestled, snug in my bed
while visions of calories danced in my head;
and me in my plus size pajamas and wrap,
had just settled in for a long, restless nap.
When deep in my mind there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my dreams to see what was the matter.
Away to my fridge I flew like a flash,
ripped open the door and drooled at the stash.
The moonlight reflecting off the beautiful snacks
gave a luster of radiance to all on the racks.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
but an array of the comfort foods I hold so dear.
With a familiar feeling of all those I'd pick,
I thought in a moment I just might be sick.
More lovely than angels their voices they came,
and they whistled and shouted and called me by name;
"Now pizza, now French fries, now chocolate galore
on cheesecake, on ice cream, on donuts and more!"
From the tip of my tongue, to the bottom of my toe,
I will miss you all more than ever you'll know.
As an addict that shakes and stirs as he sits,
I'll mourn the loss of my delectable hits.
So back to my bed I went with great haste,
and settled back down with nary a taste.
And then in an instant, in pre-op I sat,
nervously waiting to no longer be fat.
As I sat deep in thought and adjusted my gown,
In came my surgeon in one single bound.
He was dressed all in scrubs, from his head to his feet
and he seemed very calm as he eyed me like meat.
He looked at my chart, with his scope gave a listen,
I don't think he noticed my eyes starting to glisten.
He was slim and trim -- he must have lost some himself,
and I could not see him in spite of myself.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke barley a word as he prepped for his work,
he paused for a moment, then turned with a jerk.
And laying a finger aside of his face,
and giving a nod, out of the room he did race.
He checked in the next day, to his students gave a whistle,
and away they all flew like a down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim as he walked out of sight,
"speedy thinness to you and a healthier life!"
YEAY, I made it to the other side!!!! Here is the series of events and how it all went:
10/11/06- Surgery Day…-I was very nervous and cried a few times in Pre-Op. I remember walking to my operation room. My lower back was killing me from the wait in pre-ops. They put this mask over my face and said you’re going to sleep now, I said okay and it was over. I don’t remember anything until I was in recovery. -In recovery the nurse would come by every little bit asking me about how bad the pain was? I had a lot of pressure in my chest and back but it was all gas. I was in recovery for a couple of hours before they took me to my room. The only complaint I had was the pressure from all of the air they had to fill me up with which I had to let out as a burp or a fart, LOL!!!! -If you don’t have a sense of humor while recovering you will find yourself more miserable than you need to be. You need to maintain a positive outlook & know that as each day goes by you will gradually get better & better.
10/12/06- On my birthday I woke up at around 3am…gagging my life away!!! It was because of the lovely tube everyone talks about so much. It goes up in your nose, down your throat to your stomach (the new one) to extract any blood or flem, it’s so nasty!!! Since I was already up, the nurses decided to bath me & get me ready for my upper-GI. They will be coming to get me anywhere between 7 & 8am. -Well as you already know the GI juice (mostly iodine) tastes like CRAP & I did some gagging while drinking it. Thank god I didn’t have any leaks in my plumbing, so my tube is coming out as soon as I get back to my room, YEAY!!!!!!!-I got up to my room, the removal of the tube was crappy too. They tell you to take a deep breath and out they pull it. Some crap from the stomach came up with it and touched the back of my throat...yuk!! However, I feel so much better now that the tube is out, what a relief. Now I have to start walking to let the burps & farts out to relieve all of this pain from the gas that’s built up inside, also to get the blood flowing through my legs so no blood clots form.-I can start on my clear liquid diet…..
10/13/06- Scary Friday the 13th……..-I slept through the whole night without any problems & woke up wonderful. If everything keeps going good I’m going home once Dr. Rabaza comes by & checks me out. -I’ve been walking every 2 hours to keep the blood flowing & I feel great. They’ve taken the foley out & I’ve already went to the bathroom for #2 which the nurse was amazed at how quick I went, but I still need to do #1 within 6 hours or they have to put the foley back in.
-I did #1 without a problem within a couple of hours & the nurse says I’m doing great. I am so happy!!!
However, I have to say that my husband is by far my most precious angel. He has hopped out of bed in an instant even when sleeping at the slightest sigh from me or complain to ask me if I was okay or if I needed anything. I love him with all my heart he is a one in a million as I told him many years ago. What an amazing man. I Love you with all my heart!!!
~~~ The rest of my story has been placed in the BLOG area ~~~
I basically ran out of room to write therefore, I relocated my story.
Thanks for reading,
Moni
