Robin Holmes
Oh Life's continuous roller coaster
Nov 14, 2007
Well lets see, some things have changed since the last time I posted. My friend Hellen had her surgery and is doing great, she is already experiencing all the wonderful Wow moments we all go through after weight loss surgery. My sister decided not to move back to Charleston but she has to do what she feels is best for herself and her family. I do miss her but I guess it's for the best. I've lost 110lbs now and I'm officially in a size 8 (I can still fit some 10s though). My relationships with family members seem to be changing. I was in fear of that the most after the surgery. I heard about so many friendships and relationships crumbling after surgery but never wanted it to happen to me. It's so strange how we can feel so alone when overweight then still feel so alone after weight loss. I'm very lucky to have a hand full of people in my life who truly understand what I'm going through and love me no matter what. They know who they are and I thank you!! I guess overall life if pretty good. I've got a great job, my kids are growing up happy and healthy and doing great in school and I'm living a pretty happy life right now. I'm holding on to see where this crazy journey called life is going to take me next. Thank you GOD for loving me enough to keep me here to continue doing YOUR work.
Ok just a quick post
Sep 16, 2007
Hi all,
Just wanted to drop a quick line about what's going on with me for those who are keeping track. Hee hee!
As of today I have lost 100lbs! I'm 8 mths out. I went from a size 24 to a size 10. From a 42 inch waist to a size 30. I feel great! I have lots of energy and can do so much more. Thank GOD and Dr.Bryne for my new life.
I'm so full right now, not of food but of GOD's love...
Aug 11, 2007
I just had to drop a quick line to say that my friend Hellen got approved for surgery after about a year of battling the insurance company. I'm so happy for her and wanted to share it with all my friends. I'm doing well, a little trouble with stomach ulcers but nothing that prilosec is not clearing up for me. I'm down 90 lbs and feeling great. I'm down to a size 12 (almost a 10) was a size 24. Life is good, I just got a promotion on my job and everything in life seems to be falling in place now. My sister called me and said she is moving back to Charleston from Virginia and is moving in the same area as me. I'm super excited to have my sister back and my nieces and nephew. Life is truly good right now and I give GOD all the glory and praise. Hope all is well with all of you and thanks for listening.
Hello OH family,
Jul 12, 2007
Sorry I don't get to update my blog much. Once I started feeling better, I hit the ground running and don't want to look back. I feel so much better and have so much more energy now. I'm back to work and enjoying life so much more. My health has improved so much and I can really see the benefits of having the surgery now. I still turn red and blush when people call me skinny now. It's hard to believe they are talking about me! I truly thought I'd never hear anyone refer to me that way again for the rest of my life. I noticed that some people tend to look me up and down a bit longer than I'd like now. I enjoy so many new things that I can do, it's almost like GOD has given me a new body and I just try new things to see what this smaller body can do. I love crossing my legs and hoping up on counter tops now just because I can do it. I like the way I look in most clothes and feel like people are finally seeing me instead of my weight. It's so much easier to get out of the bathtub now and I can wrap the bath towel around me like they do on TV and it fits! I can actually feel the bones in my hips when I lay down and feel my collar bone when I'm sitting up straight. OK so I lost all my butt, my thighs have saggy skin, my boobs are like deflated balloons and I have bat wings hanging from my upper arm but hell I'll still take that over what I had before. Thanks for listening and I hope to see some of you at the conference in Atlanta in September.
I know, I know, long time no post...
Apr 30, 2007
Quick update on how things are going....
Feb 22, 2007
Well, I'm 1 month 2 weeks out and I'm down 40 lbs today. I had a few complications with stenosis (my hook-up closed) and not being able to eat/drink for about 2 weeks straight but 2 endoscopies later I'm eating and gaining more strength each day. I can see the difference in the way I look already and I'm able to button blouses that I haven't been able to wear in over a year. I have a wonderful support group (my wonderful Mom, husband, children, in-laws, Hellen, and several others). I even have my own personal cheering squad from my sisters. I believe that the difficult times are behind me and I am ready to move forward and figure out things I can/cannot eat and things that I can now do since the weight is coming off. I was actually able to put on a pair of my husbands lounge pants this morning to take the kids to school. I have never been able to fit his pants before so that was huge for me! Well, I'll update later. Talk at cha soon.
What to expect in the hospital
Jan 15, 2007
The honest truth...
Jan 15, 2007
I am finally feeling well enough to write since my surgery on January 5th with the wonderful and talented Dr.Byrnes. He was absolutely great and is quite gentle once you really become his patient (I mean after the surgery is over). Now that I've sung his praises, I advise anyone who does not want to hear the truth to click off of this post because I feel it is my duty to tell the truth about what could happen to you. Ok I got the hospital at 5:48am (was due there at 6am, that means I'm first on the books). I checked in and was given my "information code" this is for family members to use when they call to check on your progress. I waited in the waiting room about 20 minutes with my family then was called back with 3 other people who were having different kinds of surgery that morning as well. My family was not allowed to go back with me at that point. They were told to wait in the waiting room and someone would come get them before I am taken back for surgery. Well, I got changed into my pretty hospital gown and was given a blue paper hat to wear as well. The nurse anesthesist came in as well as another nurse. They checked some paperwork and said they were going to start an IV. That's when the nightmare of the day began. I was poked 7 times (she could not find a vein at all) before I finally told her that she needed to call someone else (it hurt like crazy when she tried the wrist, and side of the hand) The actual anesthesiologist came in at that point and start looking for a spot in my FOOT (can you imagine my horror?). Right at that point Dr.Byrne came into the room (it is now about 7:43a) and ask why am I not in the OR yet? Everyone explained they could not start an IV line, being the cool Doc he is, he said, well roll her in and we will find one when she goes to sleep. Then the anesthesiologist said he will not put me to sleep until a IV line is established and kept looking at my FEET! Dr. B and the sleep Dr actually began to argue right there in front of me. Dr. B told him not to put an IV in my foot because I needed the compression bands as was high risk for blood clots. Then another anesthesiologist dude came in and said that he still wont allow me to be put to sleep until the MEDTRONIC rep comes and turns my pacemaker down to 50 beats a minute because he did not want to use the magnet to set my pacemaker to just pacing. Dr.Byrne walked out the room at that point. So the nurse called the MEDTRONIC rep Tammy Barnes but she did not come into the office until 8am!! Needless to say I had to wait until she came (it was 8:23a when she showed up). She turned my pacemaker down to 50 beats a minute (which hurts and makes me feel really terrible like I'm dying to be honest). So I say good-bye to my family (who was escorted back to see me while we waited for the MEDTRONIC rep) and thought I was on my way. Just then the first anesthesiologist tells me "I'm sorry but you will have to wait another 2 1/2 to 3 hours for surgery, Dr.Byrne's took the next case in the OR already". Yes, I was p@#$ed off at this point but feeling too bad to curse them out, well good ole Mom did it for me. She pitched a holy fit in that place and told them to make the MEDTRONIC rep get her @#$ back here and turn the pacemaker back on until it was my turn. So they did and I sent my family home since my son (7yrs old) began to cry because he was scared. I sat from 8:45a until 12:15p in the bed alone waiting to have surgery. I prayed so many times during that time for strength because I started many, many times to just leave and forget my dream of good health. Finally Dr.B came back and asked me if they had everything together and if I was ready for surgery. I told him to ask his staff and that I was ready when I walked in at 6am. I was finally rolled back about 12:30pm. I'm going to write about my hospital stay on my profile a little later explaining the pain, and one terrible nurse I had (SHE WAS THE CA NAMED ANDI, WATCH OUT FOR HER SHE IS A NASTY ONE, SHE WORKS THE NIGHT SHIFT AND HAS NO EMPATHY OR COMPASSION AS A NURSE). Thanks for listening you all, I'll write soon. I'm so tired all the time and really hate how I feel at this point. I know it will get better but this part stinks, I wasn't prepared to feel this way.
OH MY GOSH JUST 2 DAYS TO GO!!!!!!!
Jan 02, 2007
OK on the count of three everyone yell "Thank you JESUS!" One, two, three....
I just have to lift up HIS holy name. Our LORD and SAVIOR has blessed us all so much I just have to praise HIM. To GOD I give the glory. I am so excited that in just 2 days I am going in to have the surgery that will change my life forever. I truly feel like I've been given a 3rd chance at life. The first was birth, the second when I received the pacemaker that saved my life and now I have been blessed to receive a 3rd chance to live a healthier more active life. I feel so blessed and favored by GOD right now. I will continue to do HIS work to show my gratitude. Thanks so much to all of you who have supported me through this journey. I know its not over yet but I just wanted to let you know that your care, concern, and advice were and will always be appreciated. If I don't get a chance to write tomorrow then I'll see you all on the losers bench!
ONLY ONE WEEK LEFT
Dec 29, 2006
Well, one week to go. I can't believe I've come so far. I feel so blessed to have this opportunity to change my life and rewrite my future. I am excited at this point and ready for it to be over all at the same time. My family is supportive of me now and it means the world of difference. I have all the things I need and even shopped for a few baby food items I know I'll like. I'm ready and counting down the days to success.