Steve J.

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We had a great meeting yesterday! 
But then I am totally subjective and think ALL our meetings are great!
        
Luana had a wonderful presentation on "Easy Steps To Exercise Success" and the dialog among us was very open and honest I think. Bottom line, as one member put it, was that some, if not all of us, are lazy as far as regular, planned physical activity is concered. I know that applies to me at least and many others expressed their feelings that it applied to them as well. 
So the big thing was that Lu got a commitment from us that we would all work on getting fit enough to walk a 5K this fall! 
OMG!! 
Isn't that great? 
We are each going to do what we can to work up to this and report our progress each month at the meetings. We are all going to think of ways to get together as a group and MOVE... bowling, walks, bike riding... whatever. We'll still do coffees and meal events of course but hopefully we can schedule at least one physical get-together a month to prepare for our goal of walking a 5K. Lu will have a list of events and dates for us to choose from at the next meeting. 
I think this is an exciting concept and as Lu brought up it is harder to break a commitment to other people than it is to break one with ourselves. Isn't that a profound truth? Just goes to show you how little we value ourselves sometimes doesn't it?
In light of this group project I suggested we designate 2008 as the Year To Get Off Our Asses for the Inland Empire Loser's... so that's what we are calling it.
In other news from the meeting Dougie is doing much better and, from the looks of it, recovering from his knee surgery nicely. And Diane is preparing for her knee surgery next month. Katt finished her Kaiser Options classes (you go girl!) and hopes to have her WLS sometime in April. She also tells us Janine has kindly agreed to be her Angel on the Cali Board. A better Angel you couldn't have! Lord knows she walks the talk! We had some great WOW moments shared and challanges as well. Especially with the exercise topic. There was a new face, Sherrise, at our meeting as well. Thanks for coming out lady! Boy she is sure looking smokin' hot!
That's about all I remember right now.
Any members that recall something I didn't mention please post your meeting experience here too... it's all good and good to share!
I'm looking forward to our Feburary meeting already, aren't you???
              

All I can say is this show exceeded my expectations! As you might know I was really looking forward to seeing this and could have been, was even bracing myself somewhat to be, let down. Not the case even in the slightest I am pleased to say!!!!


First off the theater..... now I don't know how many of you have been to the PANTAGES in Hollywood, I never had, but it is AWESOME. It was refurbished to it glorious art deco days a few years back when Disney brought THE LION KING there and it's really an eye popper.

All the gold gilt and art deco figures.... well, like I said, AWESOME. Worth a trip just to check out the art and architecture.

Not to mention the combination of this show and this venue. This timeless, quirky OZ and art deco is perfection. A symbiotic presentation of form and function that just works.

The show? Well, the show is simply stunning. For those of you that do not know know this is a musical based on the book WICKED which is a prequel telling of the story of the witches of OZ, Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda, the Good Witch, before Dorothy dropped in. As we all are familiar with the famous WIZARD OF OZ film with Judy Garland you go into this knowing the characters but gain a new perspective on how and why they are who they are in the movie. There is also a plot twist at the end of the show I didn't see coming as it wasn't in the book.

Our best friend Neal and his partner Ruben went with us last night. Neal bought me the tickets for my birthday, more about that later, and have seen it three times now. The first time they saw the touring company and enjoyed it immensely. But this permament production blew them away when they saw it last month and they wouldn't hardly talk about it for fear they would over hype it to us. So much more to it in a permanent production.

WICKED is fun, funny, tragic, insightful and incrediblly entertaining. The musical numbers are beautiful. The staging and lighting is lush and delightful. Man, the technology of current theatrical production has really come a long way over the years!!! The two leads are perfect. Eden Espinosa as Elphaba and Megan Hilty as Glinda couldn't have been better in their roles. What wonderful vocalists as well as truly talented actors. Carol Kane, you might remember her from TAXI on TV, is funny and evil in her own right as Madame Morrible. John Rubunstein is great as the con man Wizard, Kristoffer Cusick as Fiyero, Jenna Green as Nessarose (AKA the Wicked Witch of the East with the Ruby Slippers), Tim Parker as Dr. Dillamond and Adam Wylie as Boq round out this excellent cast.

As you can tell I could go on and on and keep reliving this event in retelling it but will end this with a couple things.

First, a story about getting tickets to see the show. Pre-op I wouldn't go to shows or concerts as it was literally physically painful at my size to sit in theater seats. Last time I went was to see Celine Dion in Vegas several years ago. I hardly enjoyed the show as the seat arms were digging into my thighs. The next morning I had bruises on both thighs because of it. I vowed to not put myself through that again. I kept that vow until a week ago. D and I's best friend, Neal, was talking with me pre-op when the WICKED tickets were to go on sale last fall and he asked if I would let him get us tickets to see it for my birthday in April since I would be so much thinner by then. Well, for me, this was a great additional motivator to being sucessful with my WLS. Yeah, well, it's a Gay guys thing I guess!

Anyway, fast forward to my surgery and first night in ICU afterward. I fell asleep, or passed out from the pain meds, after they got me settled in the room around 9pm or so. Had the TV on with the sound very low. Around 4am I woke up in a druggy haze and the first thing I became aware of was the TV... it was the commercial for WICKED!!! A big, slow grin came across my face and the thought rolled thought my hazy mind, "I'm going to see WICKED, and I will fit in the seat!!!"
That has now come to pass.... truly a HUGE WOW moment for me this morning.

Check that goal off the list!


Second is I am going to go to see this again, perhaps a couple more times. Anyone else interested?


With a group of 15 or more you can get a group discount. So my question is are there enough of us here that would want to put together an OH outing to a Saturday evening showing of WICKED? It would be a few months away as the show is selling well but I would coordinate it if there is enough interest. I would love to host my OH buddies for a night at the theater!

Here's a link to the WICKED in LA website:
http://www.wickedthemusical.com/LA/
...and the Broadway LA site for the Pantages:
http://www.broadwayla.org/pantages/box_office.asp

OK, I'll shut up about it for now!!!
 

Well, we got the first one out of the way and it was great. Though we we hoping for a half dozen people going into it we got 17!!!

So Lu (more so than I) and I were a bit anxious about hosting this for a larger group but it went perfectly.

We had it here at my home and had to use the garage for the number of people. We had coffee, water, cheese and fruit for refreshments. We got an easel with the big paper for writing things on, pens and clipboards for the attendees to use for worksheets. Asked everyone to arrive a half hour early and most did. We did go with a topic from the OH leader handouts, Hunger vs. Satiety, and had a worksheet everyone paired up on before the meeting to fill out and discuss. That was a good ice breaker!! I brought he meeting to order, did an intro to what the group is and housekeeping issues. We put out a donation jar and told everyone it is totally a no charge group but any help to assist us with expenses would be very much appreciated and got 50 bucks, which will offset some of the $$$ we laid out for supplies and refreshments. Then I asked everyone to intro themselves and tell us their WL situation. Some had mentioned being shy and anxious about coming but all were open and verbal at this point so I was relieved at that. Lu then went on to OH events and then opened up discussion iwth WOW moments and Challanges. Fair response on this... needed to prompt quite a bit for participation here. Following that she started the presentation on the topic and good back and forth with the group and both of us here. This went good. Excellent information from the agenda/handout and the group too. After that I asked for questions and comments then wrapped it up. We pointed out the samples we had and gave out the handout, a definition Lu found on the words hunger and satiety along with a story we found, Running with Scissors and other Italian Proverbs, so we made sure everyone had something in hand when they went home.
WHEW!!!!

Lu and I worked well together, I thought at least, playing off each other and using the other to move things along with a question or request for the others personal experience on a subject which kept the momentum going at times when it was needed (which really wasn't that often thankfully.... this group was ready and willing to chime in). Since we know each others stories so well that did make it easier at certain points.
After the meeting EVERYONE stuck around and chatted with each other and us so we know they felt safe and comfortable, a particular blessing since there were four total newbies, three of them pre-ops! The meeting ended at 11:30 sharp but the last folks didn't leave until after 12:30.

We didn't make any real effort to chase them out as there was no time constraint and we thrilled that the meeting gererated so much enthusiastic discussion afterward.

EVERYONE said they will be back and thanked us profusely for doing this. So that was a relief and very gratiifying for us. But, you know, the best thing is what WE got back in terms of the focus on our own need for support and community.
And a BIG thanks to Cathy and all the leaders here at OH for your support and guidance. We couldn't have done this without you all.
A special thanks to Darlene for the samples you sent.... they were a big success!

So there you have it guys. All in all a good start to the Inland Empire Loser's support meetings!

It is wAcKy WeIgH iN wEdNeSdAy and I am down 5 more pounds this week..... and drumroll please...... I'm in the two hundreds for the first time since God knows when!
20 years or so anyway, maybe more.


Last time I lost any significant amount of weight was in 1998/99 and I got to 317 before gaining it all back. 

I feel, um, stunned when I think about it.


WOW moment for me for sure! 
All I keep thinking is what a blessing this surgery has been for me and I am looking forward to my healthier future, something I haven't felt in years!

It's back to the grind for me today but that's OK.
Had a great, long weekend with many awesome memories.....
My birthday isn’t until the 25th but the celebration started early on last Friday:
• Smooth drive out Friday morning
• a $1600 jackpot on the third try at video keno game within the first few minutes of gambling on Friday
• seeing SPAMALOT Friday evening
• wonderful dinner at ISLA MEXICAN KITCHEN & TEQUILA BAR at TI Saturday evening
• breakfast and visit with a couple of friends Sunday morning
• Seeing the ANSEL ADAMS exhibit at Bellagio Sunday afternoon (thought of you a lot seeing these inspiring works Janine)
• seeing LOVE at the Mirage on Sunday evening
• smooth drive home yesterday with gorgeous desert vistas... big beautiful clouds creating light and shadows on the landscape
It was a great four days!


Then there were those WOW moments too....
• getting out of the car at TI Friday and not being stiff as a board
• plopping my A$$ into the seat at the SPAMALOT theater and fitting just fine, and not getting bruised thighs from the arms
• suddenly realizing people weren’t staring at me with distain on their faces
• people being able to pass me in narrow aisles in the casinos and me not feeling embarrassed trying to make room for them to do so
• pretty people, perfect strangers, making conversation with me with a smile on their faces
• walking the strip from TI to Bellagio and back Sunday with only slight shin splint discomfort to show for it, no throbbing hip, painful knees, aching feet or screaming back pain!!!
• feeling like running around and not having to find a place to sit every 5 or 10 minutes

Losing this weight has been the biggest blessing and this weekend.... Just WOW.... what a difference since my pre-op trip to Vegas last September.

Well, D and I are on the last day of our long weekend. I'm sitting here in the hotel room at TI in Vegas and have a great glow from a wonderful weekend. Saw LOVE last night and all I can say is WOW.... it is an awesome show. We had front row seats and the only thing that kinda spoiled it for me is that I was concerned through most of the show that D might need to leave cause the sound was rock concert loud but he was a trooper and made it through the whole show and loved it. Whew! D was brought up on spiritual music, has a degree in sacred music, and classical so rock and roll is an aquired taste for him. Now I have to go to the opera with him in exchange!

Anyway... if anyone has thought about seeing this and/or loved the Beatles all I can say is GO SEE IT! The sound system is incredible, the soundrack is stunning... so clear you feel like you are in the studio with them. Beautiful. If you like Cirque Du Soleil shows AND the Beatles you will be in heaven!
Enough on that!

So we will be driving home this afternoon and getting ready for re-entry to the normal day to day with great memories of a fun trip.

So today is my 4 month mark, had surgery on December the 1st.

As of this morning I have lost 101 pounds since then.

I''ve made the century club and am over 1/2 way to my WL goal!


Man, I can hardly wrap my head around that. Last time I dieted away any significant amount of weight was in 1998/99 and lost 78 pounds in a years time. Then, as is typical for us, I gained all that back and 50 more before I had surgery.

That was then, this is now:
No longer am I taking any meds for high blood pressure, high cholesterol or joint pain. These days I am much more active, fitting in smaller clothes, belly stopped touching my trucks steering wheel a while ago, Darrell can get his arms around me, sleeping better and waking more refreshed, seem to be smiling more and am looking forward to doing things I haven't done in years!

But most of all this morning I wanted to thank everyone here at OH, especially the Cali Crew, for the blessing of your friendships and constant support. As many of you know there was a point in time when I doubted I could go through with this surgery. Thankfully I was open to your encouragement and support thoughout the process which allowed me to be where I am today. Special shout outs to Janine who kept things in perspective for me early on, giving me much needed kicks in the ass when I was whining, Stephanie O for her insightful e-mails and repiles to my posts, Stacie O for various e-mails of support and knowledge and my buddy Mary Ann for being a great role model who's journey was the first I watched from pre to post-op to full circle and is a sister Taurus baby! This is not to minimize all the other wonderful people, conversations and well wishes from everyone else here.... without the exceptional support and encouragement from all of you here I wouldn't be where I am today. Lastly I am truly blessed to have the love and friendship of my beautiful angel, Luana. What a fun, loving great gal she is. I am so looking forward to many years of working with her to give back to the WLS community, side by side, as support group leaders. Love ya honey!

Ok, I have gone on too long here but I am in a mood on this day feeling so many emotions as I think about the changes my decision to have WLS has brought about. I have not one single regret and, as it is said here often, would do it again in a heartbeat.

Here is a quote for the day:
"Success is simple. Do what's right, the right way, at the right time.” - Arnold H. Glasgow

and (((((BigBearHugz)))) to you all!
Steve

436/308/210

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all!
Be sure to count your blessings today and give thanks for them all.
So-o-o-o-o-...
I'm picking up a few things at Bed, Bath and Beyond in Redlands on my way home after getting off work early yesterday and get a call on my cell. It's Susan, the biariatric nurse from Dr. Krahn's office. Seems there was something not right on one of the blood tests from the day before. As visions of another postponement dance in my head she says she needs me to get to same day surgery at St. Bernardines ASAP to have the test re-done.

Good thing I left work early and am in town as the traffic from Ontario to San Bern was very heavy! I finish my purchase and head to the hospital. When I get to same day surgery Teri, the surgical nurse, tells me to go to Krahn's office for a perscription and then I will come back Monday to have my blood drawn for the re-check.

When I get to the Dr's office Susan tells me my potassium is low at 2.9  (normal being 3.5 - 5.0) and I get a script for potassium supplements. Double dose daily for Wed through Fri (40 meq) and then reg dose (20 meq) until surgery.

After I left there I went to my PCP's office and we checked my blood tests from September and it was JUST under normal at 3.4 then. I take a diuretic which is probably the cause.

So I pray that my blood test comes back in the normal range when they check it Monday!
I simply can not accept there would be another delay at this point!
Anyway, ALL the other tests taken Tuesday were perfect, so as long as we get this little bump in the road taken care of I will land on the Loser's Bench a week from tomorrow!

I also want you all to know I am so very Thankful to have found OH, and especially the Cali board. You have all helped me so much on my journey as a pre-op and know you will be there for me as I transform from a MO man to a slimmer, healthier man!
((((((((((bigbearhugz))))))))))))
to all my OH buddies!

Guess what?
It's a GO for Friday December 1st.
What a long afternoon of pre-op stuff yesterday!
D an I were at Dr. Krahn's office at 12:45 and left there just about 3pm.
Last parting comments between Doc and I:
I said "I just want to get this over and done!"
He replied "Me too. I'm tired of seeing you in here as a pre-op!"

So then we went to the hospital and ended up waiting about an HOUR at admissions. It was a young couple, D and I waiting. That's it. We were told that this was because "we have a lot of paperwork to process and catch up on". Now my customer service training tells me that it is always PEOPLE before paperwork. Appearently they never got THAT memo!
Anyway we got checked in and then up to the Same Day Surgery area. After I gave a urine sample we sat down with a surgical nurse, had an EKG, 8 vials of blood drawn, instructed on day before and day of surgery protocol then a chest x-ray. It weird... I have "long lungs" and am supposed to remember to tell the radiologists this but never remember so they end up taking 4 pictures instead of two. Oops!

Anyway, we finally got out of there about 5:50.
So that's done and it's down to 8 days to the Losers Bench for Stevie!!!

Today is my T.G.I.F. and I am leaving early to go home and help D finish things up around the house for the big Thanksgiving Dinner tomorrow. Then a nice, long weekend capped off by my Pre-Surgery Celebration Dinner Sunday with all my OH buddies!!!

Antother day closer to the Loser's Bench. 
That will be my mantra for the next 14 days I do believe. Was talking to D last night and I think this weekend I need to wean myself off of regular coffee. Diet Coke after that too! I also need some time to re-read my surgeons literature and make a to do list for the days leading up to surgery day. I think after this weekend we will be good to go with most of the home makeover projects done.... at least I HOPE so!! Thanksgiving is just a week from today. 
This morning I am in a better place emotionally/mentally regarding surgery. I think I was not paying enough attention to it and my unconsious was not OK with that. Had another dream about it this morning before I woke up but this one was less intense. Maybe one reason is that I finally came up with a date and place for my pre-surgery celebration dinner. So all the OH peeeps weren't in my dream this morning! LOL
Off to face the day... for some reason I was thinking it was Friday, but alas it is not. Oh, and for the record I did not go walking this morning. Need to get out there tomorrow morning!!!