scotiansunshine

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I arrived home yesterday from my 5 month post-op with Dr. L.  According to Dr. L I am doing great and am exactly where I should be!  My blood work is perfect and my incision has healed (and me) with no complications.  No hernias in sight and feeling GREAT!

Although I don't post often, I do read all posts and want to thank everyone for being so supportive of me and others pre and post op.  Without OH I would not have known about DS and I would not have taken this amazing journey to start my new life and met some wonderful people!

While in Michigan I had a chance to meet with Chantelle (who I have met in TO and love to bits!), Colynda T, Brenda G and Marcia J. (I posted pictures on my profile)  I also met Jillian walking the famed Drury halls...congrats girl!

Eating is much better at 5 months...lots of meat and veggies/fruits...not there at all with breads, rice, pasta...Dr.L suggested soy products...I do still take a 42g protein supplement every day just in case I don't eat enough protein.  It is very easy to forget to eat...unless of course my husband is around and takes everything Dr. L tells me as gospel and enforces regularly! LOL

Drinking is easy...no more sipping for me!  I can get down my 64 oz of water/liquids which all of you know is very important, but I do forget sometimes...which has caused me to feel dizzy/faint sometimes.  I'm a work in progress :0)

The one thing I am surprised about is the changes emotionally.  Since surgery, I have become very self conscious...I definately feel I attract more attention, which makes me feel very embarrased!  I get very irritated at work when people tell me I am "shrinking"...I know they are being nice, but it gets crazy after the first few people say it!  I used to be the funny, smiling "big girl"...now...not so big and very shy.  It is a very emotional journey...one I am very happy I am taking, and am striving to overcome the little things. :0)

All in all...I wouldn't change a thing!  I love my DS and am learning new things every day about myself and who I am under the extra weight!  AND...my hubby is acting like he has a new wife...lol...I'll leave that to your imagination!

Sorry for the long post...good luck to the pre and post ops!  Thank you to the Durham group, Randy, Kelly and Heather for answering my questions and getting me through some ruff spots.

Cheers!
Shelley

Live for today, not in the past !!

Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"

LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST I SAY EACH AND EVERY DAY!

Happy Birthday to me!    My sister sent me the most beautiful flowers and balloons!!

Tomorrow is the big day :0)  I am so excited...so nervous...so happy...so stressed!!!!!

My husband is truly amazing and has been a rock so far :0) 

I'll see you all on the losers bench!   

It's official...I'm an emotional wreck!

While at work today, my lovely friend came to my desk with a gift bag in her hand...I felt my eyes well up right away.  She handed me the bag and as soon as I opened the card, I started bawling my eyes out!!!!!!  The gift was a beautiful journal to write down all my thoughts. 

Then, at the end of the day my two best girls at work come to me with another card signed by my WHOLE department wishing me lots of luck and a lovely elephant pendant!! (I collect elephants)  Needless to say, I cried my eyes out again!

I feel such love from my friends and family :0)  I am blessed and my heart is full.  I can't wait for my sister to come tommorow!!!

Only 5 more sleeps until my new journey begins! :0)

14 more sleeps...my nerves are getting the best of me now...I'm feeling happy that it is so close, but worried at the same time. 

I am becoming almost obssesive about cleanliness and getting an infection...and have purchased hand sanitizers, clorox wipes and antibacterial soaps to take with me so I can wipe down my hotel room and the hospital room!!!  Am I going crazy?  YES!   Does it make me feel better?  YES!

I've decided in the next few days I am going to make a list of all the reasons why I want to loose weight and all the things I look forward to once I reach my goal.  I'm going to use this to update and track my progress...somewhat like a journal...I'm actually excited about it...I hope I will stay disciplined and write regularly. :0) 

Stay tuned...

OK...so I just realized that I am counting down...24 days until surgery...well really 23 because the 24th day is the surgery!!!!!!!!!!!!  OMG!  I am starting to feel a bit stressed...

I read posts today about  Lucie L ( my prayers are with her and her family) and it scares me to death!  A simple infection can cause a lifetime of pain but on the other hand...what other choice do I have?  I can die from a heart attack, a stroke, high blood pressure...the list goes on.

I am confident that I am doing the right thing, and pray everyday that god is with me. :0)

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them,
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

 

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
The palm of my hand,
The need for my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
~Maya Angelou~

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears,
The figure that she carries,
Or the way she combs her hair.
The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes,
Because that is the doorway to her heart,
the place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole,
But true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.
It is the caring that she lovingly gives,
The passion that she shows,
And the beauty of a woman
With passing years -- only grows!

~Author Unknown~

I heard this today and thought I would share...

Taking life an inch by inch is a "cinch"...life yard by yard is very hard.

I read this to say take life one day at a time.  Don't sweat the small stuff and live every moment to the fullest!  I try to live by those rules everyday...otherwise life can be really tough sometimes. :0)

Cheers!

I'm posting my update a little late...

So, I'm back from my consult with Dr. L.  I went on October 25th for my appointment on October 26th.

Dr. L is a great doctor!  He was very friendly and informative.  He took time to explain the whole DS procedure, and made me feel very confident and comfortable with my choice to go with DS.

OK...so I have to cut out pop, juice, junk food, pasta, bread...and smoking. :0)  Oh yeah, and loose 10-15 lbs.  Not soooo bad. ;0)

My tentative surgery date is the 2nd week in January.  I wanted to wait until after the holidays, as I don't want to be sick during Christmas!

I can't wait!  I am so excited.  I'm patiently waiting for my new birthday...my real one is January 22nd, so I get to have 2 b-days in January!!  Yeah!!!