Tammy_W

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Hello...it's been awhile.  Things are going great.  Work is very hectic and schedules are crazy to say the least, but all in all...life is wonderful.  I'm down - 108 lbs since 1/1/07 and  - 91 lbs since surgery.  I'm wearing size 10 / 12 now.  I stay pretty chilled or down right cold most of the time now, so I'm loving the sweater season right now.  Turtlenecks are my friends and yahoo to who ever invented long johns!  Having this surgery has been the best decision I've ever made for myself.  I witness to anybody and everybody that asks me about it.  Best of luck to you where ever you are in your journey!  Blessings to all.

Wow...how time flies.  I can't believe it's the end of summer already!  Wt loss over the last month has been great (-18 #'s).  I've lost -88 since 1/1/07; -61 since surgery...working on the century card!!!  I have had several WOW moments this month.  Lots of folks are commenting on how good I'm looking and how I'm just melting away.   I went shopping last night really for the first time since my surgery.  Up until now, I've been clothes swapping with family.  It was sorta strange and exciting at the same time.  I was truly sorta lost in the stores since I was no longer shopping in the Women's section.  I wasn't familiar where to look at all and spent more time wandering around then I did anything else.  Thankfully, there was lots of good sales, so I was able to pick up a few things at some really good $$$.  The last time I went shopping, I was buying size 24 / 26.  Last night, I was buying size 14's...OMG...WOW...Luv'n Life!!! 

This morning I was cleaning out a closet.  I have 2 boys and they had cleared out the jeans that they no longer wanted and that didn't fit them anymore.  I was folding the jeans up to give away and thought...I wander how close am I to getting into these...size 34 waist...drumroll please....THEY FIT...OMG...OMG...OMG...THANK YOU LORD...THANK YOU LORD...  I can NEVER remember wearing a size 34 waist jeans...not even in high school.  I just started crying and then balling.  I was running around like a crazy person...husband was at work and the boys are camping with their church youth groups.  It was just me and the Lord.  I hit my knees and just prayed and gave thanks to the Lord for making this all possible.  I eventually made it over to my Mom's house later in the day...wearing my new jeans.  I hadn't seen her in a few weeks, so as soon as she saw me, she was like...OMG you look wonderful....look how skinny you've gotten...I don't remember the last time you were this small.  I laughed...you won't either...I've never been this small.  She gave me a big hug and was telling me how proud she was of me and she started getting all teary...I told her...go ahead and cry...I've been crying all morning....so we did!!!!  LOL

Last Wed afternoon I was at work.  Around 2:30 pm I all of a sudden felt like I had 'crashed'...I thought I was going to fall asleep and all of a sudden I was burning up...which is unusual b/c I stay cold most of the time now.  I went to the bathroom b/c I felt sick.  I ended up throwing up 3x...and it was all bright red blood!  OMG...what was going on?  I had a friend take me to the ER.  Long story short, my ulcer that I got diagnosed with in early Aug had starting bleeding.  It stopped bleeding (praise the Lord) as fast as it started.  However, my blood pressure and blood counts were so low that I ended up getting admitted and stayed until Friday afternoon.  On Thursday, the GI dr did a scope test to make sure the bleeding had stopped.  I had 5 BM's in the hospital and it was full of dark blood...which is a sign of old blood passing thru the pipes.  The dr said it could take a few more days for it all to clear up.  For now, I'm taking 2 prevacid's a day and need to do another scope test in about 8 weeks...which will be around the same time as my 6 mo checkup.  I pray all goes smoothly until then!!!!!1

I went for my scope test last Wed...and yep, it was an ulcer.  The Dr. gave me several meds to take for awhile and hopefully, everything will clear up.  Luckily, I have not have any episodes or flare ups since my test.  All is good now.

Went for my 3 mo check up on Thursday.  All is great.  Dr. Schirmer was glad to see my progress (-54 lbs since surgery; -70 lbs total loss since 1/1/07).  The only issue I have is I think I've developed an ulcer.  So,  I have to go back next Wed for a scope & biopsy test.  Hopefully, it's only an ulcer and he can give me a Rx to make it all better.  Other than that, I'm great.  Food is a daily trial and error sort of thing.  I'm exercising with the family 3 - 4x a week....mostly track walking and jogging...some tennis with my youngest son and some football shagging with my oldest son.  Life is really GREAT!  The whole family is working hard with getting into shape.  My personal loss is 70 lbs...family loss is 208!!!!!!  Every week it seems like I run into some old friends or co-workers and they are so surprised...some don't recognize me and some just stare in amazement...lots of hugs, support and encouragement.  I'm truly blessed with family and friends that have been so supportive.  My only regret is that I didn't do this sooner!  I still have a ways to go...but I'm thrilled with my results thus far.  Where ever you are in your journey, keep the faith and best of luck!!!!!

Time is really going by soooo fast.  Life is busy and exciting and fun!!!  The family is getting ready for our first 5K run.  I still can't believe we're even attempting it,  but then again everyone is working so hard at trying to lose weight.  My husband and two boys are doing weight watchers and are really succeding at it.  Glenn and Andrew have been going for a year.  Glenn has lost around 80 lbs and Andrew has lost 40 lbs.  Both have hit their goals and are now working on their Lifetime memberships.  Christopher started earlier this year and is working on achieving his first 10 lbs.  I know if's hard for them being 14 and 11; and with all their friends' birthday parties and summer cookouts - but they're trying really hard.  I think they are making healthier choices, but they struggle with portion control.  I've always struggle with portion control too and this surgery has been wonderful in that respect.  My idea of portion control was when the bag was empty or the plate was empty.  Now, I really do look at and measure food quantities so I can learn what a portion is.  I just hope and pray we continue these new healthy habits and continue to work on our goals.  I continue to enjoy each and every day.  I've lost 59 lbs since the first of the year (42 lbs since surgery).  I was really hoping to have lost about 7 more pounds before 7/4th; but I'll get there eventually.  Best of luck everyone - where ever you are in your journey.

I had my one month checkup yesterday and everything is looking great.  I've been on blenderized food for the last 4 weeks.  I got promoted to soft foods (mashable with a fork).  If all goes well over the next week, then I get to graduate to regular solid food...just in time for the long holiday weekend.  I can't wait to have a big ole (itty bitty) salad.  I have craved one for a couple of weeks now.  My weight loss since surgery is 27 lbs.!!!  + 17 lbs before surgery = 44 lbs total loss since the first of the year!  The Lord has really blessed and watched over me during this journey.  I am so thankful to Him and give him all the glory and praise for my success.  I'm good to go now for a couple of months.  I'll go back for a 3 month, 6 month and 12 month checkup and then I'll have annual checkups after that.  Best of luck to all of you whereever you are in your journey.

Had my surgery 2 weeks ago...thanks be to the Lord - everything went well and I was a good ole textbook case - no surprises!  The surgeon and staff at UVA were wonderful - no complaints at all!!!  I had surgery at 3:30 pm and was in my room by 8 pm.  I was in recovery for some extra time due to being nauseated, but my nurse was able to remedy it with a couple of meds.  Thank goodness I never actually threw up.  Once I got back to my room, I asked to get up, but my nurse wanted me to wait a little bit.  By 9 pm I was walking the halls with my DH.  DH took such good care of me.  He stayed by my side the whole time, helping me in and out of the bed, walking the halls with me and helping me with getting the feet pumps off and on.   He even found a balcony area on another floor so we could go sit outside and get some fresh air.  I'm so blessed to have him in my life.  Surgery was on Monday, had my leak test on Tuesday morning and I got discharged Wednesday morning by 9:30 am.  Piece of advise, drink the leak test 'cocktail' SLOWLY and take little sips.  Since being home, things are going well.  I just have to keep reminding myself to slow down - which is hard when you're used to being in the go-go-go mode.  So far, I've tolerated all the foods I've tried...oatmeal, scrambled egg, chicken, tuna, shrimp, crabmeat, refried beans, pudding, jello, cheesesticks and protein shakes.  I take 2 children's chewable vitamins a day and they go down ok.  At first, I struggled with my calcium pill b/c it was so big...I got chocked a couple of times...just couldn't swallow enough liquid to get the pill down.  I switched to crushing the pill and taking it with jello or pudding, then I upgraded to just cutting it in half.  This week I'll trying upgrading again to see if I can swallow it whole.  My best advise is to take everything in baby steps...baby sips, baby portions and baby bites.  Best of luck to all who are starting their own journeys....

I'm so excited that my day is almost here.  I start my 2-day liquid and cleansing diet tomorrow.  I'll spend the weekend finishing my packing, cleaning house and watching the clock - tick-tock; tick-tock!!!!!  
Hopefully, the time will pass quickly and I'll get my seat on the loser's bench.  Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Happy Friday,
Tammy

I'm so excited!!!  I met with the surgeon today and got my surgery date for 4/23/2007.  Did all my pre-op work so I'm good to go now.  Just playing the waiting game now.