"In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity" Albert Einstein

Apr 21, 2009

Today was a different kind of day for me!  This morning, the tummy simply did not welcome any solid foods of any sorts.  I finally got two scrambled eggs down and called it quits!  That was okay, that happens most every morning with me.

We bowled, I took a Protein Bar to eat.  Done.  But, after the middle of the afternoon, it was time for something.  After arriving home, I heated some marvelous chicken thighs (2 of them) that Michael cooked last night for dinner.  They had gone down without a hitch last night!

Suddenly, after a few, slow, small bites...the tummy said, 'not now, either'!  So, all of that effort was literally, down the drain, so to speak!  Yep, it came back for a second vote of the day!  That was alright, but I sure did not want any food after that one!

I drank a wonderful protein shake and called it even-steven.  Tomorrow's a new day.  During these days, due to my energy level, the way I feel again (like the old me) and the enjoyment of life, itself, I find ME not wanting to waste a second of any day or night!  I have my house in order, cleaned, organized and still uncovering some treasures I had tucked away a few years back.

As I sat on the deck this evening watching the sunset, I thought about how important life is and how pleasurable it can be.  These days/evenings, I spend time out in the yard, going to the mall, attending a movie, straightening up the back yard messes our 6 month old Bull Terrier makes and much more!

Reagardless of the challenges, it's all worth it and my eyes are set on my personal goals!  I would encourage anyone about to go through are already into this lifestyle change to be so happy, know that you have done yourself a favor!

I suffered with health issues since 2000 and all of those issues have 'laid down'.  As for me, live it, love it and flourish in every waking second.  We don't get many second chances at life.  It's a one shot deal most of the time!

Remember, positive self talk for YOU and know that change is good!
A thought for you --
"One's philosophy is not best expressed in words; it's expressed in the choices one makes.  In the long run, we shape our lives and we shape ourselves.  The process never ends until we die.  And the choices we make are ultimately OUR RESPONSIBILITY".
                                              
Eleanor Roosevelt, 1884 - 1962

0 comments

It's April 18th with A New World Around Me!!!!

Apr 18, 2009

Let me begin by saying...lap band or any altering surgery is LIFE CHANGING!  It changes ways of thinking, eating, living and losing!  But, it makes a winner of everyone willing to walk the walk and talk the talk.  In other words, you did it for a purpose, paid some big nickels and dimes...why would anyone not work hard to git ur dun a.s.a.p.?

I'm 38 days out of surgery, -44 pounds, everything's normal (since the day after surgery) and my energy level soars into the spaces!!!  I can't encourage everyong enough to keep moving forward and maintaining focus on health!

I have a regular blog that many old high school friends follow, family follow and friends from church and school follow.  They are excited for me, they cheer for me and lift my spirit high as the sun.  Not only would I not wish to let myself down (for I am the reason I did this) but I would not wish to burst any of their bubbles!

A couple of my readers are now going into the first round meeting to ask questions about 'lap band' where they live!  I think that's tremendous and they will wonder, "what took me so long"? 

Whatever point you are at today...keep your eye on the 'tiger' and put one foot in front of the other.  Choose foods wisely, eat carefully and watch the scales drop and make you smile!

Hang in there, hang on, tie big knots and never give up!  You can do this and if you must, offer yourself some positive self-talk!  It helps tremendously.  The glass is half full my friends, only you can envision it any other way!  Be wise!  Just DO IT!!!

If you wish to follow my journey from last July, 2008 until today, please take a glance -- it's steeped in life reflections, past experiences, stories to make you smile and thoughts regarding my adventure via Lap Band!
www.txspatter.blogspot.com
0 comments

No Sugar Coating

Mar 17, 2009

And, I'm alive!  You get so drawn into the pre-op gotta do stuff that you roll with increasing tide.  The date's set, all of the major tests are done, your registered at the hospital and bam!  The day arrives!

It came, it went and I'm so glad it's behind me now.  In all honesty, be prepared because it's not walk in the park.  And, yes, the ultimate results will be well worth it.  What am I talking about?
Sore, bloated tummy for the first four days
Tremendous, mind-boggling pain from trapped air/gas...they fill your body cavity with air so they can work around in there.  The pain was relentless, never ending and brought me to my knees more than once.  It trailed across the middle of my back for 4 long days or 96 continuos hours.

Think of the worst pain you've ever felt in life and multiply that by 100 and think, non-stop until all of it escapes.  It's trapped.  It's in the abdomen.  It's in the shoulders.  It's in your back and it's a monster!  Suddenly, I was asking myself, 'what have I done to me???'

And then, suddenly, it was over.  My entire body relaxed, I was worn out from no sleep.  I came home on Thursday and had not been able to lay and sleep in the bed until early morning, yesterday.  I sat in the recliner.  I sat all over the sectional.  I sat at the kitchen table.  I sat at the computer.  I leaned on the chest of drawers.  I leaned on the top of the television.  I was searching high, low and in between for R E L I E F!!

In the midst of everything, I developed bronchitis and had see the pulomonologist to make sure it wasn't pneumonia.  It wasn't, thank goodness!  So, put on strong antibiotics and all...making recovery now from everything.

Yesterday was the 6th day after and I was like a new person!  Eureeka!  Hallelujah!  And, thank you Lord!!  I think I'll live a little longer now!

A huge challenge coming home is figuring out how much is enough, how do I get all the vitamins in and how do I get close to all the protein?  It's been a job...finally getting a 'fix' on it all.

So, for all you folks in the wings, tie a big knot and hang on!  Your life's going to turn topsy turvey for a while once it's done!  Prep yourself mentally and maintain your focus...you'll need it!

0 comments

Surgeon Meeting was Good

Aug 08, 2008

Well, I did it...met Dr. Sherman and got to share all the wonderful details of ME.  He said I am the perfect candidate for bypass and urged me to re-consider Lap Band.  I must see my Pulmonologist and discuss the pulmonary hypertension and surgery...I must see the cardiologist to be sure I'm still tickin' properly and come January 3 or so....it's a date!!
So, confused, researching more.  This requires a lot of focus and heavy duty thought.  Perhpas some of you might come across this and respond via an email?
All input is welcome.


Friday's the Day...I Meet my Surgeon

Aug 06, 2008

This all began about a month ago.  My PCP said he was referring and slowly I began receiving information from Dr. Sherman's team.  For 3.5 weeks I was in limbo.  Was this really going to happen?  Will it be within the next month?  So many questions roamed about my gray matter.
When I met with the nutritionist on Monday, reality was here.  Now, I'm very anxious regarding Friday's first meeting with my surgeon.  I have no clue what I'll discover.  I just know I'm ready. 
I went today and bought sample vials of the liquid protein, bought the vitamin supplements and came home energized.  My husband went with me to Family Life Center at our church and took me through a set of upper body weights...2 sets, 10 reps each.  I walked on the treadmill for 10 minutes to warm up and then...divine intervention?
Well, not sure about that, but the fire alarm went off and said there was danger in the bulding, please evacuate.  lolol  Wouldn't ya know it?  It has taken me forever to return to exercise...buttttt...got in 40 minutes before the alarm sent us packing!
The site is great...it bolsters my images and desires to accomplish the good things so many have done.  I appreciate pictures and words...thanks to all.


Wind Beneath My Wings

Aug 06, 2008

The Wind Beneath My Wings

Sunday, July 13, 2008

The title above reflects the important part of life my sweet mother played. She was my cheerleader, my courage, my positive attitude and much more. According to her "you can do anything you want to do in life"!
She and I battled weight all of my life. At age 10, the meanest 'ol doctor I ever hoped to meet (j/k) was convinced I would fall over face down within the year. And, so the first true battle began. We were given a very rigid diet plan to follow and trust me, a mother's love hath no boundaries or sympathy in those situations!! I must say though how great it was to have someone in life who was willing to 'run' the mile with you and keep you on your feet. By the time I hit seventh grade, I was a lean, keen walking machine! I had a neck! Trust me, that was exciting. I still have a picture of me from that grade year and I adore my NECK! Yes, I hope to see it again in the coming months!
I played volleyball for four years at LaVega HS. For whatever reason, mainly inheriting my dad's multiple skills and coordination, I could hit a softball further than anyone and spike a volleyball with precision skill while 'taking someone out' on the other side of the net. No, I was not hostile, I did all those things with a sweet smile on my face. That seemed to add a depth of insult to the injury dealt out to a person. Did my parents get 'a round tuit' during those high school years. Most certainly. Mother never missed a volleyball game and both of them saw every Friday night football game just to watch me march and play the clarinet at halftime!
There were times of doubt for me in high school. I certainly wasn't the 'number 10 hot chick' of the building. I was the country girl with all heart and soul willing to bolster others, comfort when necessary and smile lots, hoping it would be contagious to those in need. When I would have a thought of not dressing right, looking right, my best friend...mother...would smile and say, "remember you're the one who is dressed the right way. Just know that everyone else is not." It worked. I'd go off with a level of confidence and succeed in a experiencing a great time!
I stayed somewhat thin until the middle of my Senior year in high school. I had fallen in love and he had fallen out of love. By the time I hit the Baylor University campus, my heart was seared and crusted over from the hurt.
Food became my allie, comfort and joy. If it didn't move, I ate it!! If it moved, I 'kilt' it first, then ate it. The pounds began to pack on and I never looked back. I got my BU diploma, got a first teaching position and got wind really quick that my weight was totally unacceptable! Thus began the second rigid phase of FIGHT THEEEEE FAT!!! Finally in 1973 while teaching at Connally Jr.High School in the Waco area, I joined Weight Watchers and the weight came off. I felt sexy, svelt, energized and loaded with attitude. Did it last? Nah. By the early 1980's I was back up on the scales and eating everything my heart desired.
My simplicity was bolstered with thinking I'll get around tuit soon. Well, somewhat soon. No, really soon. That didn't happen until 1988.
I got the fever, got a round tuit and went back to WW with a best friend from the middle school where I taught. Her name was also Pat...and we were best friends of the worst kind. We could look at someone, size 'em up and throw a glance at each other, already knowing what our decision was on 'him or her'...then, we'd burst into laughter. She and I went to San Marcos with friends from school to canoe down the mighty Guadalupe River.
Now that was an experience. We spent the enter day paddling to catch up with all the skinny paddlers who would lined up under the over hanging shady tree limbs, smoking a ciggy while waiting for us to catch up. We' d see them down the way and say "yeah, there they are, we get to rest a minute!!!" Not so, they'd see us coming and shout, "hurry up, let's go" and they'd be off instantly. We'd paddle harder and struggle more as we gasped for air and prayed for a helicopter to come and LIFT US OUT!!! At one point, we hit white water. The front of the canoe stuck on a rock and tilted juuuuuuuuust enough to dump me out! Very big mistake. It took forever to get me back in and then we died laughing.
That river trip was one of the main reasons we went to WW. Someone took a picture of the two of us in that canoe and brought it to us! Oops. Not nice to look at.
I spent that year focused, on program and dead set on losing fat. It worked. Within 11 months I had dropped 117 pounds. From the waist down (I had been a size 22) suddenly I was trying on size 6 and 8 elastic waist pants. I was in complete and total shock. The point is...I've done this before and I can do this again.
In my humble opinion, it doesn't matter how old we are, what life experiences we have...if we are still willing to learn we can truly enrich our lives. Obstacles in the past spurred me to building blocks in the future. I thank myself for always moving forward. It's like me driving a car...

I have it down! "D" is for DRIVE and "R" is for RACE!!! Let's go!

 


I Wasn't Always A Big Girl

Aug 06, 2008

Friday, July 11, 2008

I Wasn't Always a Big Girl!!


According to my cute baby pictures, I was at one time under a 100 pounds. I grew up a country girl chasing the wind and dreaming of owning a horse! At age 6, the horse arrived. He was crippled with arthritis (knees so stiff), red as a blazing fire and as gentle as a breeze. He became "Blaze" and I learned to ride very well for my daddy promised me a saddle when I knew how to ride...BAREBACK FOR TWO YEARS!! But, alas, the day came and we went to Montgomery Wards in downtown Waco. Down in the basement they carried saddles and stuff.
Early on, I had a life changing experience with Blaze. We were trailing the hay truck on the gravel road. He broke into a canter and somehow, as he was bouncing up, I was bouncing down and totally missed him! That's right...earth to ME!! Daddy stopped the hay truck and came to my rescue. As the tears streamed down my cheeks I declared I wasn't going to get back on. My pride was injured, along with a few other personal parts of my body!
Daddy looked me in the eyes and said, "get back on and follow me on around or lead Blaze back to the house and we'll sell him tomorrow." I thought about that for one second and asked him to give me a hand up. From that day forward I seemed to be in tune with that animal.
Funny how we learn valuable lessons throughout our lives. Sometimes, it's very challenging and not so easy. Needless to say, I became a 'kinda good' rider and could race the wind without flinching at all. As long as I had a horse and the hours in a day to ride and enjoy the freedom of the outdoors I was a very happy camper.
We had cousins galore and during the summer, many of them would come and visit. One, in particular, was Robert from Houston. I was always threatened within an inch of my life so I would listen to my folks and stay away from the water, not have a rodeo in the calf pen and not get on any raft that Robert put together. Well, I didn't get on the rafts...I sat in the tall, green grass and watched him float to the middle and yell for a longer limb to reach the bottom.
Country life to me was the greatest thing in the world. Back then, you could explore and go miles away from home and be safe. A couple of girl friends would ride out during the summer and stay over for a slumber party. We'd pasture the horses and wait till midnight. Then, in our babydoll jammies, we'd go bridle the horses at midnight and ride down the gravel road for two or three hours. That was livin' the good life as a baby boomer.
From all of those 'good times' and the parents instilling strong character...I guess that's one reason I can smile as I deal with my current situation. Strong enough to face it, trusting enough to experience it and willing to make it happen. However, the insurance company has a completely different view of this new escapade I'm into. They have many barriers/hurdles that must be dealt with in a timely fashion. It's obvious they desire to delay this procedure at least six months with a stipulation of being on a weight loss program witnessed by the doctor for six months prior to surgery.
After many phone calls, paperwork, questions, more phone calls, more paperwork, faxes to various individuals and more..I feel like I have a new full time job. This too shall pass, she said to herself.
With all of that said, it's nice sometimes just to sit and think about how neat it was being a kid in the country. The big challenge back then was to ride with a saddle or ride bareback on any given day. Where did the simplicity of life go?
Oh well, I'll get a round tuit next week and jump back into the mix of do this, do that. Not sure where it will end up in the next few weeks, but, I'm going to climb back on, bareback, and ride again.

When I need something to think about, I'll go fill the car up at almost $4 a gallon and think about that. Ain't life fun? It is kinda like a box of chocolates...and those hard nuts can hurt your teeth when ya least expect it!!
"Always laugh when you can. It is the cheapest medicine."

 

 

 


A Bird in the Hand Tasts Better Fried

Aug 06, 2008

[Note:  from old blog site...perspectives from me]

I wrote this three weeks ago...since then, I have met with Psychologist and Nutritionist...WOW - thoughts are changing, habits are changing and focus is locked in!

It's true! Fried chicken, fried steak, fried pickles...yummmm. Just to say I am a woman of the world and have done it all!! If you believe that one, I have some swamp land to sell you! It's strange though that life revolves around food. If you go out with family/friends, you eat. If you travel, you EAT. If you watch a movie, you eat. If you are sad, you eat. If you are happy, you eat. EAT...three small letters that rule lives. E.ach A.ction T.ells...a story! The story is read all over the human body. Twinkies? They look great on thighs, why not just stick them on there? A baked potato with everything, whoa, it kind of smears up and down the entire backside, huh?
I guess my concern and thoughts have been changing rapidly in the past year. I suddenly gained 32 pounds I had lost in '04. It didn't feel good, walking takes longer and running? That's a joke. The robber can just knock me in the head and grab my wallet! But, the real eye openers began to happen when we started checking out the food lists on the net. When I saw that Meatballs and Spaghetti at the Olive Garden were over 2500 calories, I went into overdrive shock! And, several months ago, we were out having fun, dropped into Chili's for food and ended up sharing the deadly Mudslide Brownie or whatever it's called. That delicious mound of molten chocolate and creamy, smooth Blue Bell Vanilla ice cream costs about 3,000 calories ALONE!!!!!
As the lists were unfurled each week, new places, different dishes, etc. put in print really brought me home to face the 'dangerous waltz' I've been doing for the past year. Having given myself permission to enjoy, I did and with a smile!!
I'm still smiling, but the Waltz will become a line dance that I can do alone. After the first meeting yesterday, I realized I now have a full-time job for the remainder of life. ME. Many forms, questionnaires, doctor visits, hoops to jump through, and more. But, I am worth it all. This blogging is my way of sharing with ME mostly. It does me good to see it in print.
Will anyone ever read this stuff? Not sure. Doesn't matter. I think it, I read it, I post it. It's my history now until ... life changing behavior modification along with exercise happens! Why didn't I do all those things years ago and stick with 'em? Dunno. I JUST DIDN'T GET AROUND TUIT!! Doesn't matter now. The present has arrived, the past is history. The Texas Two Step is warming up in the wings. Once I cross the line into the Surgery Suite, it becomes slow, slow, quick, quick, slow!! Still exciting, still nerve racking and still anxious with many thoughts.
I leave you with this thought -- a wise man once said,
"Be careful of reading health books, you may die of a misprint."
-Mark Twain


The Beginning...Three Weeks Prior...I Found the Round TUIT

Aug 06, 2008

Texas Two Step Bariatric Style

[Note:  Following the first meeting, I began a 'blog' site to express thoughts...family/friends were enjoying, but the blog decided I was spamming...end of that blog!]

These thoughts were in the beginning, but still reflect my feelings today...and, I do have a sense of humor...

Today was the beginning of a new adventure. I attended the first meeting for Bariatric Surgery Information. Yes, three weeks ago, the big ball dropped from the sky onto my round head. I visited a marvelous, new Family Practice doc back then. We visited, he questioned, I answered (sometimes slowly and with stealth whisper) for he was far too sharp and inquisitive regarding my honest answers on my History sheet!!! He's into Preventative Med....I've been into 'dodge the doc' for a long time! So, we danced, he led, I couldn't lie....and the winner isssssssss....ME.
After all the information was presented, he twirled on his round, swivel stool to announce, I'm referring you to our Bariatric Surgeon for Lap Band procedure!! WHAT? ME? Are you sure about this? Caught, hands down, eyes open and ears in shocking alarm. The thing that most big gurls dream about...THE PROCEDURE to help solve the issue.
And, so, the dance began today with my first informational meeting at the Baylor College of Medicine. I'm not sure where the journey leads, but I'm willing to share my thoughts and insights for the coming months. If nothing else, it lets me journal, bleed thoughts into print and process the future events. And, it seems there will be many of those that will run a course of a long time.
Lap Band. Sorta sounds like a new kid group who sings or dances. No? Well, perhaps it's not...it that little band that lassos the top of the tummy and over the coming weeks, they tighten it and close the opening a little at a time. Hmmmm, says things that pass that way will be really tiny and very small amounts. Chew, chew, chew and one more time, chew. I can do this.
It's a beginning. One step at a time is as good as it gets. I will see what all comes and take one small baby step at a time!!
LET'S DO IT!!! We finally got a ROUND TUIT!!!


About Me
Humble, TX
Location
43.5
BMI
Surgery
03/12/2009
Surgery Date
Aug 05, 2008
Member Since

Friends 7

Latest Blog 9
Surgeon Meeting was Good
Friday's the Day...I Meet my Surgeon
Wind Beneath My Wings
I Wasn't Always A Big Girl
A Bird in the Hand Tasts Better Fried
The Beginning...Three Weeks Prior...I Found the Round TUIT

×