Been gone a while, and slowly coming back.

Mar 09, 2011

For private reasons, I went away, not on purpose, just seemed like I slowly went away, from not posting much, then checking on every once in a while and finally not posting at all.  Not sure how it happened, but it seemed like the more my personal problems grew the less I came for support, probably when I should have been coming here even more. 

I didn't do my 2 year bloodwork, I just kept forgetting that it needed to be done.  Now it's been almost 4 years, I am sure my surgeon has marked me off as non-compliant.  I didn't want to be non-compliant.  I still watch everything I eat, I walk and exercise.  I get all my liquids on, I take my vitamins.  Iv've maintained my weight for almost 2 years!!  But I stopped checking in with my surgeon and nurse.  I kept thinking I will do it when I am done doing this, then when I was finished with whatever I was doing I would forget that I needed to call them.  A few days went by, then weeks, months and now 2 years. 

I am going to make it my goal to contact them, get my labwork done and get back in to seeing my surgeon. 
Then I am going to work on going back to the monthly support group meetings in Little Rock, and start posting on the AR forum again. 

And in all this, I am going to be working on my personal problems. 

So to all my friends on OH, I am sorry if I just disappeared, I didn't mean to, it just happened, and I hope to speak to everyone again.
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Almost 2 years out

Jul 25, 2009

This past year went by so much more quicker than the first.  I hate to admit, but I didn't really accomplish much the second year.  I didn't exercise as much as I should have.  I haven't lost any weight, and have 50 more to go.  I have to wonder how much of that 50 is skin and fat.  Most of my body is where I think it should be except my hanging belly.  Yeah its much smaller than 200lbs ago, but I still have a belly.  I have a 14/16 top but an 18/20 bottom because of this hanging belly.  I have looked a little into liposuction, wondering if just getting this fat sucked out would fix the problem.  Perhaps some situps would do it.  But my back is to messed up to really do that, and walking just keeps the bottom half of me in shape not the belly. 

I started doing TaoBo again, maybe that will help.  I really hate to go into my 2 year post-op appt weighing pretty much the same as I did the 1st year appt.  But even though the scale says the same number, my body in the mirror (and clothes size) say something completely different.  I wasn't wearing this size last year, and I look thinner all around than last year. 

Hanging on the wall is my pre-op photo taken at my surgeons office, and next to it is my 1 year post-op photo taken in the same spot at my surgeons office.  Well there is a big difference between the two, but looking at my pic from a few months ago there is a big difference between now and 1 year ago. 

Hmm, guess I have mucles in places I didn't have before, and perhaps that may account for some of the reason I weigh the same but don't look the same.  I will try to update in a few weeks how the weight and look goes working out with Billy Blanks with my TaoBo for over 40.  I will work up to doing the beginners and then which is next after that but I decided the over40 one would be best considering all my back troubles.

Seems that weighing 400 lbs did damage to my spine, my sacrum is pushed out slightly and my hip is crooked.  Instead of it being horizontally straight like it should be mine is a bit diagonal, I guess is how to put it, as well as the spine or neck bones in my neck are not right, but I don't know what the medical word or anything for that is.  And one leg is shorter than the rest but I am wearing inserts in my right shoe to help balance it all out. But I am going to the chiro 3 times a week.  He does what he can and hopefully in time, things will work their self back out right.  I don't want to be taking serious narcotics forever, and as it is I have been taking them for almost 3 years now. 

Well sorry for not updating in a few months and I will update again soon.
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New Pic

Mar 07, 2009

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I took this same pic right before I had my surgery.  I went and spent the weekend in Tunica the last weekend of January first weekend of February.  You can really see the difference in my the way I look! 
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1 Year Out

Aug 22, 2008

Well I am just over a year post-op.  I have lost "almost" 200 pounds.  So many great things have happened to me in the last 365 days.  Many triumphs, many goals, many new things.  Also many hurdles, many setbacks, many mess ups.  All learning experiences. 

But I am sure you all would rather see the changes and not read about them, hehe.  So I will cut to the chase and post a before pic and a now pic.
They may not be crystal clear.  I use my cellphone for all my picture taking needs, so they don't always come out perfect.

Tunica
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A New Pic and What Size I Am Wearing Now ;)

Jun 28, 2008

My roomie took this of me in front of the bathroom a week or so ago.  I have gotten to wear I mostly wear button up shirts now instead of the t-shirts.  I seem to like the button up shirts.  I am now wearing XL (sometimes a L depending on brand and such) in shirts and a 20 (sometimes 22) in jeans.  The other day I bought my first pair of jean shorts, I them at Cato's on sale.  They right to my knee, and have little knotches in the side, and their black and cute.  I also tried on other clothes that I haven't worn before, but since I didn't have to much money I only bought the jean shorts and also some metal bracelets on sale and some rings on sale (only like .99 cents for the bracelets and also .99 cents for the rings). 

So here I am in light blue jeans and a button up shirt.
avvie

And also since it has been a LONG while since I posted a pic of me in my post op jammies, I will post another one, this is for 10 months.
Pre-Op Front ViewPhotobucket

Letter From Social Security

Apr 30, 2008

I have been disabled for 5 years now.  At the end of last year, not a few months after my surgery, I started getting paperwork in the mail stating I was up for review on my disability.  I went to a checkup with a Dr 2 weeks ago.  Yesterday I got this letter in the mail.

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NOTICE OF DISABILITY CESSATION

We are writing to let you know that we've made a decision on your case.  After reviewing all of the information carefully, we've decided that your health has improved since we last reviewed your case, and you are now able to work.  This means that your benefits will stop.

We have enclosed a page that gives you more details on how we made the decision on your case.

When Your Checks Will Stop
You are no longer disabled as of 04/08.  You will get checks for that month and the next two months.  Your last check will be for 06/08.

When Your Medicare Will End
If you have Medicare, your coverage will end the last day of 06/08.

Do You Think We Are Wrong?
If you think we are wrong you have a right to appeal.  We will review this decision if you appeal.

* You have 60 days to appeal.
* The 60 days start the day after you get this letter.  You will need a good reason for waiting more than 60 days.
* You have to ask for an appeal in writing.  Come to one of our offices if you want help.  We will ask you to sign a form SSA-789, called "Request for Reconsideration - Disability Cessation."

(I am skipping all the technical crapola, and going straight to their REASONS for this decision)

You said you are still disabled due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, sleep apnea, morbid obesity, depression and back pain.

Your health has improved and you are able to work starting in 04/08.

Current evidence shows that your asthma is now stable and while your condition may cause you some problems, you do not meet the requirements for Social Security disability at this time.

Medical improvement has occurred and it is related to your ability to work.

Based on the assessment of all the evidence, which includes your symptoms and pain, we realize that your condition may keep you from doing any of your past jobs, but it should not keep you from doing lighter work.  Based on your age, education, and past work experience, you should be able to do other work.

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So my asthma is better, rather more controlled, but wtf my other conditions.  The fact that I am in pain if I stand or sit for more than a few hours, that I am still on oxygen at night and as needed during the day, that I take a crapload of medicines.  What am I supposed to say to my potential employers, umm I need to bring my oxygen tank and updraft machine with me, and I need breaks every 2 hours, and I have to take medicines during the work day and your health insurance needs to be able to cover my thousands of dollars a month in medical expenses.  I can't work everyday because I have trouble breathing and sometimes spend 2 days in bed on oxygen, or my back hurts so bad sometimes I can't even get up.  And I need every wednesday and friday off for physical therapy. 

What kind of job am I supposed to find?  Who is going to hire me?  The only jobs around here are fast food, factory, construction/brick work and medical (nursing homes or hospitals).  What about health insurance?  Half my check will go to pay for that and the other half probably for my deductable and co-payments, whats left for food, rent, bills, supplements? 

I did call for appeal paperwork to be sent to me, and I will file but I am sure its pointless. 

Pre & Post Op List (Will Be Ongoing)

Apr 19, 2008

Here I will list some things I could not do before surgery and things I can now do since surgery.  Amybethlander started a topic on the RNY board osout this, and though it would make a good blog post.  So that I can look back on it and see how far I have come, and also so I can add to it later as I have more small wows.

Before surgery I was not able to buy clothes at any store in my town, now I can buy clothes.

Before surgery I could not wear a seatbelt, now I can, but have to find another excuse as to why I don't wear it, LOL

Before surgery I hated myself, now I am learning to love myself.

Before surgery I never had crossed my legs, now I cross my legs all the time.

Before surgery I had trouble taking care of myself in the bathroom, now I never have any trouble reaching anything.

Before surgery I would get so out of breath taking a shower, it was like a job, now I can get in and out and dry off without trouble.

Before surgery I could not see under my belly or my inner thighs, now I can.

Before surgery I hated leaving the house, because people stared, now they can look all they want.

Before surgery I hated going to restaurants because people DID stare, and would walk by and look at my plate to see what a 400 lb person eats, now no one gives my plate a second look.

Before surgery I could barely walk down the hall and had to hold onto the wall for support, now I just walk down the middle.

Before surgery I walked slower than a turtle and everyone would always have to stop and wait for me, now they have to try and keep up with me.

Before surgery I was just waiting to die, now I am living life.

My Trip to Kroger (post I made on AR board)

Apr 13, 2008

I never go to Kroger unless they are doing triple coupons.  I always thought their prices were a bit high.  But I went this weekend with my sister, and have vowed to start going there from now on.
I found that Kroger has their own Kroger brand of canned fruits with splenda!  I love fruit cocktail and tropical fruit cocktail and always had to go to Wal-Mart to get the kind made with splenda.  But not anymore (take that wal-mart *karate kick*) 

I also found other sugar free made with splenda items there that I haven't seen before.  So that made me happy!!  Yay!

I found Sugar Free made with splenda ice creams, it was a box of 20 and it had cherry creamsicles, orange creamsicles, fudge pops and popsicles all in ONE BOX!!  And it was only like 3 bucks!!  How perfect that is for me!  Instead of having to buy a box of popsicles and a box of fudgepops, I can buy them in one box!!! 

Also found some sugar free french vanilla instant cappuccino, which I used to buy at Big Lots and then they stopped selling them.  They had other flavors to, these are great for putting in my protein powder in the morning. 

Okay, just thought I would pass my excitement and new found happiness with Kroger on to everyone here!! 

My New Little Rattie Baby

Apr 11, 2008

We haven't decided for sure on his name, we go back and forth between Harry and Spot.  Whichever becomes more comfortable to call him will be his name, and more than likely the other will be a nickname.  But I find myself calling him Harry most times.  He is a Black Hooded Hairless Rex (also known as a Double Rex or Fuzz.).  Instead of having the soft curly longer fur of a Rex, he has a buzzcut, his hair is short and fuzzy but still curly and soft.  His whiskers are really curly, curving in towards his nose, the whiskers tickle his nose when he is happy.
Spot, bought 02 Apr 2008 ABT 4-5 weeks age

Here is his curly wiskers, aren't they the cutest??!!
Spot, bought 02 Apr 2008 ABT 4-5 weeks age

Blackwork Embroidery

Apr 05, 2008

In response to a post made on the Ark Board (it's our daily getting to know you question).  Here is a picture of a project I started stitching for me dad.  It is based on a design on the 1598 Bostocke Sampler.  Stitched in 1598 England by Jane Bostocke, known to be one the earliest surviving samplers in England.  It features several different band blackwork patterns as well as several fill-in blackwork patterns. 
Fill-In Blackwork patterns are patterns that can be repeated (or tiled like a wallpaper on your computer), it can be repeated down and across your stitching fabric for however much you like.  Band patterns are more like a pattern that is good for trim, like collar or cuff, or down the front of a shirt on both sides of the buttons.  Usually not to high (though some can be very wide)  but can be stitched for as long as you  need it.

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As you can see, I made mine 3x3 of the pattern as well as with the flower stitched in the original design.  Only difference is that instead of all the circles being stitched with flowers, I opted to stitch my Dad's initials.  When it is completed it will also include my initials and my sisters initials as well.  It is stitched on linen (probably 28 or 32 count) using DMC thread (2ply) in a maroon color for the main body and a gold color for the flowers and initials.

Here is a picture of the original at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, ENG
© Victoria and Albert Museum, London
As you can see, mine is based on the pattern that is the middle, in red, it is the bottom one of the first all red you see.

About Me
Searcy, AR
Location
38.8
BMI
RNY
Surgery
08/15/2007
Surgery Date
Mar 13, 2005
Member Since

Friends 42

Latest Blog 134
1 Year Out
A New Pic and What Size I Am Wearing Now ;)
Letter From Social Security
Pre & Post Op List (Will Be Ongoing)
My Trip to Kroger (post I made on AR board)
My New Little Rattie Baby
Blackwork Embroidery

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