Pat Cole
MIRACLES NEVER CEASE ! ! ! ! ! !
May 17, 2008
MIRACLES NEVER CEASE ! ! ! ! ! !
I have lost 100#.
I would like to thank God, Dr. Cavazos,
my wonderful family, and my OH family. I
would never have made it without all of
you. - Much Love & Thanks to All!!!!!!
I have been blessed.
Pat Cole
SIX MONTHS OUT
Apr 28, 2008
TODAY IS A RED LETTER DAY!!!!! Six months and four days out -- Down 96#. Is that a Century Card with my name on it waiting for me???? I did my 6 mo. labs and the numbers are GREAT! Sticking with the water and vitamins pays off. I see Dr. Cavazos on 5/1 for 6 Mo followup. I am looking forward to that. As I reflect over the last six months it's like a dream. I had no concept of this even being possible and now it's a reality. I still have a long way to go, but I can definitely feel the joy of the journey and anticipate the thrill of success coming my way. This weekend I am going to Dallas. I will see my beautiful Granddaughter, Brooke. I look forward to us going for another walk that will exceed the 2 mile one we did in December. Her Dad, my son, has not seen me since December - I can hardly wait for his reaction. Thank you everyone for your participation in this board and the support we give each other. I could never have made it without you - ALL ! ! ! ! God Bless Everyone!
February 16, 2008
Feb 16, 2008
Yesterday, I went to the PCP to get some RXs renewed. First WOW! The new nurse took my blood pressure with a regular size BP cuff - - - and it worked! I'll always remember the feeling of having the nurses say "this cuff wont work for you - I'll have to go find the larger one." My BP was great and I have been off BP meds since the pre-op diet. Now about the RXs: Pre-Op I took 16 pills and two 20 unit shots of insulin daily. Now I take 5 pills daily and one 20 unit shot - - - -which brings up another WOW! PCP says it's time for us to get me off insulin. I will reduce it gradually over the next 3-4 weeks. (We tried to stop the insulin post-op, but had to go back on.) What A Blessing! I have been on a 3 week stall - weight bouncing back and forth 2#. But no significant weight loss. YUK! Finally, it broke = lost 2#. I am "On the Road Again!" I finally had to break down and buy some new work clothes. I bought a weeks worth of suits and blouses - 3X and 24-26. A long ways from 5X. What a change. Also got new dress shoes. I LOVE SHOES. But, I hadn't worn a classy pair of dress shoes in FOREVER! I had settled into "comfort" shoes, which were not very attractive! Now I "Gussy Up" in my new duds and slip my feet into my stylish J.Rene's and off I go in the mornings. I feel so much more enthusiastic about going everywhere. Everyone at the office is anxious to see what I'm wearing and get the latest weight report. That starts my day with a bang! The staff has been soooooo supportive and encouraging. Parting WOW - I can fit into my black ROCKIES!!!! And I almost missed the chance - they are about 4-5 inches too big in the waist. Oh well - wear a belt!!!!!!!!! God Bless you ALLLL! Thanks for being here! I'd never make it without you!!!!!!
December 30, 2007
Dec 30, 2007
6 WEEK CHECK UP
Dec 07, 2007
I feel great. I need to exercise more and be sure that I don't skimp on the water. I was cautioned that skimping on the water can cause very serious illness. There is something about the magic number of 64 oz. a day that keeps our potassium levels right which is vital. Got my attention. I'll do better. Did a little shopping while I was in San Antonio, got some new pants that are several sizes smaller and fit really well.
Got them just a little snug, so they can last about a month or so. Received my shipment of UNJURY protein. I'm anxious to try it. I'm really burned out on the bananna and strawberry from GNC. I ordered chicken soup and unflavored from UNJURY. I'll report after I give it a try.
Five Weeks Out
Nov 30, 2007
Thank you to everyone who is a part of this site. My day started off really rotten, but I searched here for information and found that things are pretty much on target.... I don't think I could make it through this without the wit and wisdom of everyone here. What happened???? Here goes!
I woke up nauseated. Lots of gagging, but no vomiting - thank goodness! In the shower I cried and cried. Why? Who Knows! I cried through putting makeup on - what a challenge. Then bit my husband's head off on the way out the door and went to work. Gratefully, I have a private office and the world didn't see my continued water works. Barely got down first protein shake. Felt like I couldn't face anyone. I got on OH and started searching. Found out that mood swings are not uncommon and that this is about the time frame for depression hitting. I have had two foaming incidents within the week and my taste buds have had a breakdown! Very few things taste good and I can only eat a few very small bites or the foaming thing sets in. So.........now I know what is happening. I just need to fix it! When I left work, I went to the mall to try on clothes - don't want to spend any $, just wanted to see what size progress I have made. That was fun. I went to Ross Dress For Less - found two beautiful blouses, a knit shell and a great pair of shoes for the grand sum of $39.00. I went to my salon appointment and got a hair makeover. A great new style with some "attitude." I came home and apologized to my husband for my bad attitude this morning. He is very understanding and forgiving and.....He likes my new hair!!!! We ran some errands, visited with some family and friends. My to do list includes: 1.) Eat slower and cut portions a little. 2.) Remember that all this mood stuff will pass - so I just wont let it take over. 3.) When I get down - I need to get UP and GO DO SOMETHING --- walk, visit, go clothes trying, or try on old clothes. 4.) Most important of all - Be thankful to God that I was able to have this surgery and look forward to the results that he has planned for me. Thanks again OH members!
Made it to the Losers Bench
Nov 04, 2007
Surgery was 10/22/07. It went well. Dr. Cavasos and the nurses (especially Carla) at N.E. Baptist Hospital in San Antontio, TX were the greatest! No complications occurred and I got out of the hospital on Wednesday 10/24/07. Spent the night at a hotel and made the drive to Del Rio (150 Miles) on Thursday 10/25/07. We stopped every 20-30 minutes to let me walk to prevent blood clots. My husband is the most wonderful person in the world. Talk about for better or worse!!!!!! He did personal things for me that I could not imagine him considering. Helped me up and down, helped me dress, undress, put my binder on, took my binder off, pushed me to walk, pushed me to drink water and did it all with the sweetest smile. I could never have made it without him...... And he is having back surgery on 11/14/07. He would have had it sooner, but insisted on putting it off until I had my surgery first. I Got home fine and it felt good to sleep in my own bed. One week of water, broth and jello. Water is the must do, broth & Jello if I want it, which wasn't often. No appetite! What a miracle! Went to work on Monday 10/29/07. Did fine till about 1:00pm. Called hubby to bring my limo. Went home, felt yucky, went to bed! Lower tummy hurts! Next AM discovered the reason for the tummy hurts - Bladder infection. Saw PCP got antibiotics and within 6 hours I was feeling fine. Wednesday, 10/31, went for my one week followup. What a revelation! Doing great, lost 14#. Incisions good. Clearance to move on to the next week's diet. Now I get cottage cheese, eggs, decaf coffee, protein shakes. Had nutrition counseling, and fitness counseling. On the advise of the fitness counselor, Jerry, I went to Athlete's Foot and got a great new pair of athletic shoes that fit and feel great. They digitally analyze your feet and make sure you have the right shoe for you. It makes a great difference. I have spent this week getting organized - under hubby's direction. Began chewable vitamins, iron and calcium. Began walking and being more productive at home. I am off diabetes meds except for one pill a day and blood sugar is super. I am hoping to eliminate that one pill on my next check up. I don't miss the insulin shots at all!!! I am loosing about 2# a day, as of today 22# and I feel much healthier than I did before surgery after only 2 weeks. I can only imagine what I will feel like in a few months. - The losers bench is mighty comfortable.
1 Week on the Pre-op diet to shrink my liver
Oct 15, 2007
From then on it was okay. Now it is routine. I HAVE LOST 11 POUNDS!!!!!!!!!Today I saw my PCP because my blood sugar and blood pressure were
low and I was concerned about making medication adjustments. She took me off the blood pressure medicine and cut my insulin and gave me instructions about lowering the insulin as my blood sugar continues to drop.
This is one of my dreams come true .... to reduce the amount of meds I take. I hate taking that handful of pills every day. But I am on my way now.
I feel so much better already. Not so sluggish and swelling in my feet and
legs is gone. I have BONES in my feet! Can feel my shin bone for the first
time in forEVER~! This is AMAZING! Surgery is one week from today
10/22/07. I can hardly wait I am so exciting.
FIRST DAY ON THE PRE-OP DIET
Oct 08, 2007
Today is the first day on the pre-op diet. Instructions
do not say if coffee is allowed or not. Had my first
strawberry protein shake - the powdered variety mixed
with 8 oz. of water. I don't know if I will get too fond
of the strawberry, but some of the other flavors might
be better. I'll check them out and see. Wish me luck
and say a prayer. I'm on my way!
Got My Surgery Date
Oct 01, 2007
SURGERY DATE 9/29/07............
I will soon begin the 2 week pre-op
diet... Here We Go!!!!!!!!!!!
