I have never met a more caring group of people than the ones that are in this support system. I was really going through a rough time on Friday. Although my rough periods don't usually last long, Friday hit me kinda hard. I was a fit of tears most of the day. I won't begin to name names, but you for those of you who reached out or thought kindly or just said a word of prayer for me. I thank you. You are all so awesome. I'm better today and know what I need to do. Thank you again for all you do and are.
Love you much!!
p.
Work out clothes
I forgot to mention that when I went to zumba, I had on some jogging pants I got from the Nike outlet (men's btw) and an old t-shirt (ink stains and all) that I had when my son was in middle school in a 4x. I looked horrible. Needless to say I need to get some work out clothes. I saw some ladies there that had on those cute capri pants to work out in. I will eventually go to Wal-mart to get some, but it will have to wait a couple of pay periods. If anyone wants to donate an old pair, I'm a size 22. Thanks ladies for listening to my long rant below.
Love you guys much ♥♥♥!!
Love you guys much ♥♥♥!!
Happy Friday!! Ramblings of a 4th grader...I mean 41 year old.
Happy Friday everyone!!!! The day is more than half over and the weekend is almost upon us. For some that may mean absolutely nothing if you have to work on the weekend, but hopfully you will get to enjoy it anyway. I will say that the weather here in Memphis has been STUPENDOUS!!! I mean 85 degree weather or less and at night 68 degrees. Now this is my time of the year....that is until it gets hot again. Cause y'all know Summer ain't over yet.
So I've been thinking again. I know, I know... bare with me cause I have to put stuff in bullets or else you won't be able to follow my craziness.
•I've lost 11 pounds so far. I went in to the surgery weighing 270# and I now weigh 259#. So why am I thinking I'm not doing enough to lose like other people. It's funny because I go on other blogs and see what people who were banded around the same time as I have lost and I even go on blogs and count up the number of #s they have lost in 2 weeks(where I am) or a month. For instance Michelle over at The Band in Me has lost 27#s in little over a month. Am I jealous, by all means no. I am happy and excited for her, but it makes me question am I doing enough to loose. Ok so I know that I should not be comparing my loss and efforts to others, but I don't want to fail. I guess I look at what others are doing and see a standard that I should be upholding to. I always think I'm slacking somehow. I'm goofy y'all forgive me.
•I did Zumba last night with a friend/fellow band parent. I was content with staying in the back because I'm uber goofy and am not coordinated in the least, but she insisted I come up front with her. I couldn't keep up, but I did the whole work out. At some points I got a little embarrassed because I wasn't doing the moves right most of the time. At one point one of the teachers (three were interchanging), got in front of me and was doing the exercises. I guess to coax me along. I got through it though and have vowed to do Zumba twice a week (every Tuesday & Thursday). My friend said that the teachers we had last night were not the usual teachers and basically didn't do like the one that always facilitates (did that make sense). Jenese the regular teacher has a routine that everybody pretty much knows and that even she (my friend) was thrown off a little. Although it made me feel a little better, I still would have been out of my element even with the regular teacher because I didn't know any of it. There was this little pixie of a girl that had the moves down pat and I was just watching her to keep up. She was on the other side of my friend. She saw me watching her and would smile every now and then. She smiled and waved when she left class. I felt a little embarrassed again.
•I want to join Boobs, but I haven't even read the website. I don't even know what the group is all about. I have saw many post on other blogs about Boobs and even know about the upcoming Chicago trip, but have never ventured over there to see what it was all about. At one point when I first heard mention of Boobs, I decided I wasn't going to investigate because I had no boobs. I know silly of me. With this cancer thing as positive as I can be at times, I can also think of the most asinine and stupidest thing to be hard on myself for. Even now I sit here and actually have the nerve to cry because when I was at Zumba I wondered what folk thought of me because I didn't have any. I didn't know what was going on in the head of that little pixie of a girl exercising. I didn't know if she was judging me and thought something else. Although if I was a lesbian it would not be a bad thing, but you never know what people think of you just by your outer appearance. I wanted to yell out "It's ok I'm a BC survivor." So what if they thought anything, it doesn't matter what they think. I usually don't care what people think, but lately here I have been seeing a lot of looks from folk. It's like they look at me and don't realize that I can see the focus of their eyes shift to my chest. Sometimes I shrug it off and other times I don't know how to feel.
•With all of this I feel like a kid. A 4th grader wondering if I will have friends when school starts. for some reason I've just been doubting myself lately. I'm missing my son and feel lost at times. Here I go with the crying again.
•I don't know if you remember the post I made about my Executive Director (ED) leaving?? Well a couple of my collegues think I would be wonderful in that position. It would mean more money, but also much more responsibility. Well she isn't even gone yet (1 more week) and she has posted her own job. Yeah I know. She is so full of herself, but my VP couldn't do it because she doesn't know how. Go figure. Anyway, I pulled up the post (btw, I haven't told my VP I want the job yet) and the things my ED says she does, I actually do. My co-worker says she doesn't do that stuff you do. I had to laugh because it is so true. Now I went down to talk to my old VP who is like one of my mentors and she told me "don't tell yourself no, let someone else tell me no." In other words I should apply for the position and if it is for me I will get it. She did tell me something that I hadn't thought of. My ED spends a lot of time flirting with the donors. Working directly with donors is the one thing I don't do. She does a lot of smoozing and flirting to get that money out of them. My old VP said she is like a hostess. She entertains and that I should be aware of that. I began thinking, what if I can't do that. What if these donors need someone who is flighty and sugary. You know the kind. They speak to you in the highest possible pitch voice that is known to man. So high only dogs can hear it sometimes, LOL. My co-worker who is like one of my main supporters here told me that with my personality I would win them over because I'm sincere, unlike my soon to be ex-ED.
Anyway, that was the ramblings of a not so 41 year old. Forgive me for today. I'm a little bit off.
Have a wonderful weekend.
CONSTIPATION!!! Seriously???
Ok, I'm sorry to make a post about constipation, but WTH!!!!! OMG!! I have never experienced anything like this before in my life. Three tries it took. I will have to start taking Ex-Lax or something cause today was ridiculous.
Ok,I'm through with that. Eating is going good. I did have a bout yesterday where I wanted some real food. Had some squash and a VERY small piece of baked chicken breast for dinner. It was really moist and I chewed the heck out of it. But then I started worrying if I hurt my stomach by eatting real food to fast. Any thoughts??
Hope everyone is having a great day.
Ok,I'm through with that. Eating is going good. I did have a bout yesterday where I wanted some real food. Had some squash and a VERY small piece of baked chicken breast for dinner. It was really moist and I chewed the heck out of it. But then I started worrying if I hurt my stomach by eatting real food to fast. Any thoughts??
Hope everyone is having a great day.
Who Knew
I can run y'all!!! Oh my goodness. I was exercising this weekend and while I was walking I just broke out into a run. It wasn't for a long time or fast mind you, but it was a run nonetheless. I'm so proud of myself. I didn't exercise at all Friday (unless you count walking around Walmart for an hour exercise - if so I will add that, y'all let me know), but Saturday and Sunday I kicked it into high gear. Well as high as my gears could go that is. See all week I had been doing my walk and only doing a mile, well Saturday I stepped it up and decided that I needed to do more. So I did 2 miles. Yes, me!! I couldn't believe it. Sunday I did 3 miles and I ran a little each day!!! I'm so proud of myself.
On the band front. I am just now starting to get hungry. Right now I feel my stomach growling. I had a protein smoothie for breakfast this morning and it filled me up, but that was at 7:30. Now its about 15 till 10 and I'm more than slightly hungry. I'm not famished, by any means, but hungry nonetheless. I'm drinking water to see if that feeling will be curtailed some. I had my first bout with head hunger last night. I wasn't really hungry, but wanted to go and eat more Baked Ricotta. Oh my goodness how good it was. One of my main problems in the past was overeatting because the food was so good. See I can cook. I am no chef, but I can hold my own in the kitchen. Therefore, when I cook I put my foot in it and oh how delish it can be. I want to just eat it all up. So yesterday I used will power and restraint. When it got a little bad, I got some sugar free chocolate pudding and mixed some of my chocolate truffle protein in it and OH MY GOODNESS, it was like I was having a premier desert. It was SOOOOOOO GOOD!!!
Anyway thats it for today. I don't have much, but wanted to post something.
Happy Monday!!
A Stupid question or two
For the last two days I have been able to eat soft foods...i.e. mushies. Yesterday I ate a 1/2 cup of corn beef hash with a 1/4 cup of mash potatoes. I wondered if that was to much food and if I was in danger of stretching my pouch. The day before I had a 1/4 of refried beans topped with ff-cheddar cheese and egg beaters (eq. of 2 eggs) soft scrambled with ff-cheddar. I felt stuffed after the dinner, but I wondered if I am eating to much. Any suggestions, comments or advice??
Next stupid question is. Will water just slide down in the lower stomach from the stoma(pouch)? I ask because I was reading another blog where the bander slimmed or PB off of water. Now the problem might have been for her that she was to tight, but I guess I'm asking because I don't want to drink to much at one time and have my pouch to full only to slim or PB it.
Any suggestions, comments or advice is greatly welcomed to this newbie in the game.
Thanks.
Next stupid question is. Will water just slide down in the lower stomach from the stoma(pouch)? I ask because I was reading another blog where the bander slimmed or PB off of water. Now the problem might have been for her that she was to tight, but I guess I'm asking because I don't want to drink to much at one time and have my pouch to full only to slim or PB it.
Any suggestions, comments or advice is greatly welcomed to this newbie in the game.
Thanks.
Giveaway Alert!!
Hey guys!! Shelly over at The World According to Eggface is giving away
Go on over to her spot and she will give you instructions on how to enter and maybe win!
Can I just say for the record I SOOOOOOO want to try these syrups. I called my local Whole Foods and they don't sell this product :-( Ok so I have to order it. With money being tight AND the fact that I hate to wait when I order something online, I hope that I win!!
Happy Hump Day!!
Go on over to her spot and she will give you instructions on how to enter and maybe win!
Can I just say for the record I SOOOOOOO want to try these syrups. I called my local Whole Foods and they don't sell this product :-( Ok so I have to order it. With money being tight AND the fact that I hate to wait when I order something online, I hope that I win!!
Happy Hump Day!!
Doing Good and a little Rant
Eating is going good. I have been maintaining 3 meals a day with the mushies. Today though I'm feeling a little hungry so I whipped out my little 2 oz. no sugar applesauce and let that fill me. Yesterday I detected this and grabbed a cup of water. It lasted me until I got home and I exercised (1.5 mile walk) then ate a protein filled dinner.
So here is my rant for today:
Yesterday my Exec. Director (ED) decides that she can't stuff 9 envelopes so she asks me to do it. No problem, the only reason I seem to be here is to answer phones and be at their beck and call anyway. Anywho, she tells me to put the binders in the envelope along with a letter, seal and that she needs to get them mailed today. I must tell you that it was 3:30 and the university post office closes at 4 AND we are on the north end of the campus. So all the times that I have done this never have the letters been personalized. This time they were, but she neglected to tell me that. So I don't check the letters and stuff them in the envelopes. Fast forward to 30 minutes ago when ED comes over to my suite and asks me if I put each letter with each lable. She said she got a call from one of the people she gave the package to (because she hand delivered some) that he got a letter address to another person. I told her that I didn't match the letters because she didn't mention that. That they have always been generic for the last 3 years. I apologized for the mishap and she told me to ask next time.
I started off shocked, then pissed, and then sad. Shocked because something like this happened and she actually wanted to blame me. Pissed because she is going to bad mouth me to my VP and anyone else who will listen and sad because I began to blame myself because usually I check EVERYTHING. Sometimes I can be very OCD. I called my co-worker upstairs and she told me that none of it was my fault and that I have to consider the source. MY ED always messes up and blames others or accepts credit for stuff others do and talks bad about everybody. The only good thing from this is that my ED gave her 2 weeks notice and is resigning and will be moving to Hawaii for another job. Hallelujah!! No one can stand her, but just puts up with her. I just had to get this out. Its a ramble rant of sort, but I had blog it.
So here is my rant for today:
Yesterday my Exec. Director (ED) decides that she can't stuff 9 envelopes so she asks me to do it. No problem, the only reason I seem to be here is to answer phones and be at their beck and call anyway. Anywho, she tells me to put the binders in the envelope along with a letter, seal and that she needs to get them mailed today. I must tell you that it was 3:30 and the university post office closes at 4 AND we are on the north end of the campus. So all the times that I have done this never have the letters been personalized. This time they were, but she neglected to tell me that. So I don't check the letters and stuff them in the envelopes. Fast forward to 30 minutes ago when ED comes over to my suite and asks me if I put each letter with each lable. She said she got a call from one of the people she gave the package to (because she hand delivered some) that he got a letter address to another person. I told her that I didn't match the letters because she didn't mention that. That they have always been generic for the last 3 years. I apologized for the mishap and she told me to ask next time.
I started off shocked, then pissed, and then sad. Shocked because something like this happened and she actually wanted to blame me. Pissed because she is going to bad mouth me to my VP and anyone else who will listen and sad because I began to blame myself because usually I check EVERYTHING. Sometimes I can be very OCD. I called my co-worker upstairs and she told me that none of it was my fault and that I have to consider the source. MY ED always messes up and blames others or accepts credit for stuff others do and talks bad about everybody. The only good thing from this is that my ED gave her 2 weeks notice and is resigning and will be moving to Hawaii for another job. Hallelujah!! No one can stand her, but just puts up with her. I just had to get this out. Its a ramble rant of sort, but I had blog it.
GO CHICA GO!!!!!!!
I'm going to participate. I never really win anything so this will be just to keep my motivation up to exercise and continue to lose weight. Go on over to Draz's to get all the info or just read the abbreviated version below:
Keep a log - and the person with the most miles wins a prize!
In order to give everyone the chance to log in and check blogs and such I'd like this to start on Friday, August the 20th and end on Friday, September the 24th! That's 5 exact weeks - 35 short days!
Let Draz know if you want to sign up and I'll keep a list of competitors. I may ask for updates and post them randomly so all of you with competitive spirits can be motivated along the way so keep your logs current!
Be sure to let your followers know about the challenge since I'm sure all of your followers don't follow me so they won't know about it unless you tell them.
Repost the pic above.
GO CHICA GO!!!!
On to MUSHIES!!
So I'm a little bit happier than I should be about this, but I was so glad to be off liquids. I guess because I was doing it a week before surgery, I have had all the liquids I could take. I don't see how folk who had to do a liquid diet for pre-op lasted, but my hat is off to you.
Today I had a protein shake for breakfast and for lunch I had refried beans topped with fat free cheddar cheese. I noticed it before but had to mention it now....fat free cheddar is so not like regular cheddar. It doesn't melt the same or pull the same. I guess because of the missing "FAT," LOL! Takes some getting use to. Tonight I will be having soft scrambled eggs with ff cheddar cheese.
Alycejo over at My Rescue is Possible asked a question that had been on my mind. How do you know when you are full? I thought about this and she asked it before I did. My method since I am newly banded is just to eat the exact measure that my surgeon recommends and eat when I'm supposed to. I wrote out a plan that I could follow. To be honest I just finished lunch about 30 minutes ago and I feel some gurgling in my intestines. I don't know what to make of that. I am not ever hungry and can't even feel my stomach (I guess that's due to swelling) to know that I'm full when I eat something. So rather than over eat, I just measure eat and stop. I don't want to not eat because I'm not hungry and get malnurished so I will continue this way.
I have to share this good news though that has nothing to do with WL. My youngest sister who moved in with 2.5 kids (2 & she's pregnant again) called and told me that she has been moved up on the waiting list for an apartment. She is not working and trying to get her GED. Because of those reasons she can only get an apartment in which rent is based on income. I'm so happy I could do my Snoopy Happy dance!!! My house is not that big and her kids make a mess. Don't get me wrong, I love them so much, but LORD I will be happy to have my house back.
My Lap Band Surgery Experience
Hi all!! As promised here is a blow by blow account of my day of banding.
The day before I went to work as normal and had planned to stay all day. Well that didn’t turn out to be the case. At 1:30 p.m. I drank “as advised” my Magnesium Citrate. Well I was making such a horrible face as my Assoc. VP walked in with another director that I had to explain that I wasn’t frowning at them. I told them that what I had drank and the AVP said oh my you need to go home. He was so funny, he was scaring me with stories of my possibly pooping on myself. I was howling laughing and my VP said that I better run home. Well most folk know I don’t always do what I’m told. So I prayed that I didn’t poop myself and went to my bariatric doctor to weigh in. I’m sorry there was NO way I was going to drive 40 minutes all the way home just to drive back out 40 minutes to get weighed. Nope not gonna happen. So I took my chances. I felt my stomach gurgle a little, but I kept going. I walked in the office and signed in. They called me back in 2 minutes and I was down from 278 to 270. I was happy because my surgeon is a stickler for doing what you are told. He has a distinct rep for being an A..hole, but hey I can role with the punches. After getting weighed, I stood around talking to the office nutritionist about recipes and what it takes to be successful. All in all I got home about 3:30. That’s hour and a half after I left. The laxative didn’t start working on me until about 5 p.m. So I was good. I milled around the house and got my stuff together for the next day, got my last broth and apple juice in and called it a night with some Tylenol PM.
Fast forward to 4:30 in the morning…..ugh! I am SOOOOO not a morning person, but got up showered and walked around the house for 20 minutes. I guess I had some nervous energy. My mom was up and ready to take me to the hospital so we left about 10 till 5. I think she sensed my nervousness or was maybe trying to cover up her own by making small talk. Normally conversations between me and my mom are free flowing. We made it to out-patient check in at 5:30 on the dot. I signed in and walked to “same day surgery.” The minute I got to the desk one of the nurses showed me to my room and I commenced to getting on that really cute gown that opens in the back. Then I met the most wonderful angel, My nurse Marcele. She took my vitals and told me that they were ready for me. I was shocked because normally when I have a surgery the wait time is at least an hour. The reminded me that because I sometimes have problems with anesthesia (malignant hyperthermia) I needed to be the first to have my surgery done. Ok, not a problem. They anesthesiologist came in and introduced herself as she checked for a vein, while my surgeon came over and asked if I was ready and prepared to do what was right (while my anesthesiologist rolled her eyes, LOL). Now I must mention that my surgeon is not well liked, by his colleagues or some of patients, but I wasn’t there to be his friend. I told him that I was and my assumption of the band and its purpose and he left to check my OR. My anesthesiologist was by that time thumping my hand and saying that she was proud of me for taking such a bold move for my health. We talked a bit and she mentioned that of course I had a big part to play and we talked a little about what I needed to do. She talked about her food addiction, but tried to make sure she didn’t gain much. She also said she would not say anything since she couldn’t say anything nice about my doctor, but the she recanted that and said…..”well he is very good at what he does.” With that my doctor stuck his head in the door and made a face. He was a little frustrated that they didn’t have my OR ready yet. They had to re-stock because of my condition. About 5 minutes later it was ready and I was wheeled about 3 doors down the hall (my last look at the clock said it was 7:45). They stretched my arms out like I was on the cross and pinned them down on foam with some Velcro straps. I mentioned how cold it was in there and the next thing I know I was out like a light.
I wake up in recovery to a nice nurse monitoring my blood pressure and temp as they both have a habit of spiking when I go in surgery. They both finally came down enough for them to let me go to back to my room about 10 am. I called my mom and told her I was out and she headed in (she had went back to take the grand kids to day care). My nurse Marcele, comes in and takes my vitals and they look good. She says that I have to stay until 3 p.m. I sleep off and on and awake to Marcele saying if I feel up to it I can take a walk. And walk I did. I circled the out patient floor 5 times. I was to loopy to count the steps, but determined not to have any problems with pinned up gas. Marcele said I was the poster child for success and that she had never seen any patient do that. I just kept going like the Energizer bunny. They finally released me right at 3 p.m. I rode out in my cute gown and robe. They said hey why change just go in that…..so I did. I got home and laid it down as the sleepies were coming back. My mom went and picked up my ‘script and I dozed in and out of consciousness. I finally got up about 5 and trotted to the bathroom. A little tired but not extremely so. About 7 I make myself sip some broth and take my meds (liquid Loritab). I’m not really in any pain. A little sore at the port site, but that’s it. I decide to walk my hallway about 10 times which is 20 steps one way, text my son and call it a night.
The next day I was feeling a little better, but still sore. I got up and sipped some broth, watched television and just decided to walk. So I got my little walking dvd out and did about 10 minutes of it. I did this off and on throughout the day, whenever the urge would hit me. I must also tell you that I have had absolutely NO problems with gas in my back or shoulders. I am sooooo happy about this as this was one of my biggest worries. I have just kept it moving. I walked in Wal-Mart, I walked in Sam’s club I even went to Nashville yesterday to see my baby boy!! One of my BFFs (the one that has been banded) called to check on me and asked if I was excited, I told her that I can’t say “I’m excited anymore because excitement wears off, I’m more determined than anything.” She didn’t have anything to say. AAAHhhhh well!! Got to keep it moving.
Ok, I didn’t mention my eating. I am sooo not hungry. Even today I am just eating because I know I’m supposed to. Today I have my protein shake for breakfast and lunch along with some sugar free jello. I have also been taking my Flintstones, and my sublingual B12s and I’m not tired either. I attribute the lack of fatigue to the fact that after you go through chemo, nothing makes you tired anymore. I got energy!! I am though, sick of broth. I have moved onto full liquids which are ok, but I’m soooo looking forward to the 5 & 6 week where I can go to normal food consistency. I have my first 2 weeks of meals planned out 2 being putting chicken breast in my crock pot with some veggies and going ham (as my son says). Seriously, I’m looking forward to cooking for the week and putting things up in my new Tupperware for each day. The next week will be poached salmon with Idaho potatoes in the crock pot. Well Tuesday I start my mushies and I’m excited about my refried beans and cheddar cheese among other things.
With that I will end here and let you know that the new name of my blog is “The Life of the Band” starring me and my band ….
Jiminy Cricket or JC as he is so affectionetly called (thanks Gwen). He has deemed himself my official conscience as you can tell from the picture so I'm gonna let him run with it.
The day before I went to work as normal and had planned to stay all day. Well that didn’t turn out to be the case. At 1:30 p.m. I drank “as advised” my Magnesium Citrate. Well I was making such a horrible face as my Assoc. VP walked in with another director that I had to explain that I wasn’t frowning at them. I told them that what I had drank and the AVP said oh my you need to go home. He was so funny, he was scaring me with stories of my possibly pooping on myself. I was howling laughing and my VP said that I better run home. Well most folk know I don’t always do what I’m told. So I prayed that I didn’t poop myself and went to my bariatric doctor to weigh in. I’m sorry there was NO way I was going to drive 40 minutes all the way home just to drive back out 40 minutes to get weighed. Nope not gonna happen. So I took my chances. I felt my stomach gurgle a little, but I kept going. I walked in the office and signed in. They called me back in 2 minutes and I was down from 278 to 270. I was happy because my surgeon is a stickler for doing what you are told. He has a distinct rep for being an A..hole, but hey I can role with the punches. After getting weighed, I stood around talking to the office nutritionist about recipes and what it takes to be successful. All in all I got home about 3:30. That’s hour and a half after I left. The laxative didn’t start working on me until about 5 p.m. So I was good. I milled around the house and got my stuff together for the next day, got my last broth and apple juice in and called it a night with some Tylenol PM.
Fast forward to 4:30 in the morning…..ugh! I am SOOOOO not a morning person, but got up showered and walked around the house for 20 minutes. I guess I had some nervous energy. My mom was up and ready to take me to the hospital so we left about 10 till 5. I think she sensed my nervousness or was maybe trying to cover up her own by making small talk. Normally conversations between me and my mom are free flowing. We made it to out-patient check in at 5:30 on the dot. I signed in and walked to “same day surgery.” The minute I got to the desk one of the nurses showed me to my room and I commenced to getting on that really cute gown that opens in the back. Then I met the most wonderful angel, My nurse Marcele. She took my vitals and told me that they were ready for me. I was shocked because normally when I have a surgery the wait time is at least an hour. The reminded me that because I sometimes have problems with anesthesia (malignant hyperthermia) I needed to be the first to have my surgery done. Ok, not a problem. They anesthesiologist came in and introduced herself as she checked for a vein, while my surgeon came over and asked if I was ready and prepared to do what was right (while my anesthesiologist rolled her eyes, LOL). Now I must mention that my surgeon is not well liked, by his colleagues or some of patients, but I wasn’t there to be his friend. I told him that I was and my assumption of the band and its purpose and he left to check my OR. My anesthesiologist was by that time thumping my hand and saying that she was proud of me for taking such a bold move for my health. We talked a bit and she mentioned that of course I had a big part to play and we talked a little about what I needed to do. She talked about her food addiction, but tried to make sure she didn’t gain much. She also said she would not say anything since she couldn’t say anything nice about my doctor, but the she recanted that and said…..”well he is very good at what he does.” With that my doctor stuck his head in the door and made a face. He was a little frustrated that they didn’t have my OR ready yet. They had to re-stock because of my condition. About 5 minutes later it was ready and I was wheeled about 3 doors down the hall (my last look at the clock said it was 7:45). They stretched my arms out like I was on the cross and pinned them down on foam with some Velcro straps. I mentioned how cold it was in there and the next thing I know I was out like a light.
I wake up in recovery to a nice nurse monitoring my blood pressure and temp as they both have a habit of spiking when I go in surgery. They both finally came down enough for them to let me go to back to my room about 10 am. I called my mom and told her I was out and she headed in (she had went back to take the grand kids to day care). My nurse Marcele, comes in and takes my vitals and they look good. She says that I have to stay until 3 p.m. I sleep off and on and awake to Marcele saying if I feel up to it I can take a walk. And walk I did. I circled the out patient floor 5 times. I was to loopy to count the steps, but determined not to have any problems with pinned up gas. Marcele said I was the poster child for success and that she had never seen any patient do that. I just kept going like the Energizer bunny. They finally released me right at 3 p.m. I rode out in my cute gown and robe. They said hey why change just go in that…..so I did. I got home and laid it down as the sleepies were coming back. My mom went and picked up my ‘script and I dozed in and out of consciousness. I finally got up about 5 and trotted to the bathroom. A little tired but not extremely so. About 7 I make myself sip some broth and take my meds (liquid Loritab). I’m not really in any pain. A little sore at the port site, but that’s it. I decide to walk my hallway about 10 times which is 20 steps one way, text my son and call it a night.
The next day I was feeling a little better, but still sore. I got up and sipped some broth, watched television and just decided to walk. So I got my little walking dvd out and did about 10 minutes of it. I did this off and on throughout the day, whenever the urge would hit me. I must also tell you that I have had absolutely NO problems with gas in my back or shoulders. I am sooooo happy about this as this was one of my biggest worries. I have just kept it moving. I walked in Wal-Mart, I walked in Sam’s club I even went to Nashville yesterday to see my baby boy!! One of my BFFs (the one that has been banded) called to check on me and asked if I was excited, I told her that I can’t say “I’m excited anymore because excitement wears off, I’m more determined than anything.” She didn’t have anything to say. AAAHhhhh well!! Got to keep it moving.
Ok, I didn’t mention my eating. I am sooo not hungry. Even today I am just eating because I know I’m supposed to. Today I have my protein shake for breakfast and lunch along with some sugar free jello. I have also been taking my Flintstones, and my sublingual B12s and I’m not tired either. I attribute the lack of fatigue to the fact that after you go through chemo, nothing makes you tired anymore. I got energy!! I am though, sick of broth. I have moved onto full liquids which are ok, but I’m soooo looking forward to the 5 & 6 week where I can go to normal food consistency. I have my first 2 weeks of meals planned out 2 being putting chicken breast in my crock pot with some veggies and going ham (as my son says). Seriously, I’m looking forward to cooking for the week and putting things up in my new Tupperware for each day. The next week will be poached salmon with Idaho potatoes in the crock pot. Well Tuesday I start my mushies and I’m excited about my refried beans and cheddar cheese among other things.
With that I will end here and let you know that the new name of my blog is “The Life of the Band” starring me and my band ….
Jiminy Cricket or JC as he is so affectionetly called (thanks Gwen). He has deemed himself my official conscience as you can tell from the picture so I'm gonna let him run with it.
I'm BAAAAAAACCCCCCKKKK!!!
I have this HUGE smile on my face right now!!! I am so happy and feeling great. I saw the comments on my last post and I just LOVE each and every one of you!!! There honestly are no words. I wish I could give you all a hug! Your kind words, thoughts and much needed prayers got me through. I thought about you all the whole time I was there. I will do a seperate (hopefully not long) blog about it later as I have stuff piled on my desk.
I will say also that I not only love you guys for the kind words and prayers, but for your ability to give back. All your advice helped me throughout this process. Without you I don't know where I would have been. So with that said I am doing WONDERFUL and have already lost...drumroll please...................
10 lbs!!!!!
I♥♥♥♥you guys so much. Be back with another post later!!
Stephanie, thank you again for being such a sweetheart and posting an update for me. you are a Godsend!!
I will say also that I not only love you guys for the kind words and prayers, but for your ability to give back. All your advice helped me throughout this process. Without you I don't know where I would have been. So with that said I am doing WONDERFUL and have already lost...drumroll please...................
10 lbs!!!!!
I♥♥♥♥you guys so much. Be back with another post later!!
Stephanie, thank you again for being such a sweetheart and posting an update for me. you are a Godsend!!
Tomorrow is the day!!!!!
WOW!! Ok first off let me let you know there will be no structure to this post whatsoever. I am excited and have work to do in this office. How dare they expect me to come to work and WORK!!! ☺ Since I'm going to ramble I will try to put them in bullets so you can follow. As they appear here is exactly how they popped in my head.
*WARNING: This post does contain rants about poop! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!!*
•I dropped my son off in Nashville to start band camp and in 3 weeks college. I miss him already. I didn't go into his bedroom at home for fear of crying. On that note, I was there all day and when it was time for me to leave, I just hugged him, gave him a kiss and told him to be good (like he was being dropped off in daycare or something). He looked into my eyes and I saw all the love I have cultivated for 18 years. I will see him in a few weeks when he comes back home to play in the Southern Heritage Classic.
•I started my clear liquid diet this morning and have to drink Magnesium Citrate. A laxative and I'm at work!!! OMGEEEEEEEEEE for realz!!!!!! I went to Fred's and picked up a 10 oz. bottle for a dollar in the only flavor they had "Sparkling Lemon." Yea..... I know some of you are going to say "well why don't you drink it when you get home??" The short answer to that is that I have to drink it between 1 and 2 p.m. They want my system clear and not pooping on them by the time I come in. So lets do the math here. LIQUID DIET + LAXATIVE = LIQUID POOP AND A LOT OF IT!!
•Which leads me to my next rant.....I have to be at the hospital at 5:30 a.m.!!! Actually I'm good with that so that I won't have to be there all day. I have had surgeries where I had to be at the hospital at 1 p.m. WTH!! My surgery is supposed to start at 7:30. From what I'm told that may or may not be the case. It's like a little cattle call......That's sad. Ok....
•I will be off work for the rest of the week and will not have internet access except through my cell phone. Not a lot of wiggle room with that small screen, so I will fill you guys in when I get back to work on Monday and play catch up with all you guys goings on.
•I can already tell I'm going to get sick of broth. I had beef broth this morning and after the first 2 or 3 swallows I was like ACK!!!
•I'm determined to see this through. Part of me wonders though is it to show my best friend (the one thats banded) that the band can actually work and that she is wrong. IDK. I know my primary reason is of course my health, but also to show my friend that she has to work the band. We had a discussion last week where I think she actually was trying to talk me out of this. I'm a strong head so she knew it wouldn't work, but she made slippery comments anyway like "You can do it on your own" and "It is really no difference." She said "it doesn't take away your cravings." Well duh!!! I told her this is a "lap band" it goes around your stomach, not your brain. If you were an emotional eater before the band will not make you stop medicating yourself with food because you just broke up with your no good baby daddy for the umpteenth time. Nor will it solve any other emotional issues. Those are your's and your's along to fix.
•While we are on it. Sometimes I wonder about my BFFs (I have two and they are sisters). One is banded the other isn't. They are both very competitive and not in a good way. They do it in a way that says "nah, I beat you and am better." I was over to their house last week and the sister that isn't banded asked me how much I weighed. Of course because I'm an open book 90% of the time I told her. She waited a while and in the middle of the conversation said something like "I wasn't going to tell you, but when you told me how much you weighed I was thinking I'm not going to let her beat me (in losing weight)." WTH!!! As much as I have been through you are worried about competing against me. The one who HAS to lose weight or die. COMMMMMMMEEEONNNNNNNN!! I didn't mention this to my mom (who is VERY supportive, btw), because my family is already a little perturbed with my BFFs for not coming to the hospital at all when I had my double mastectomy. One hates hospitals and the other was tired from work. I didn't know until this past week that my family had discussed this without me. They feel that people you have been loyal to for 17 years should have been supportive of you regardless. I agree and have since let it go. They apologized and I accepted. But sometimes I wonder.....
•I do have another good friend who was banded Oct '09 and has been VERY successful. Her story is similar to mind with a few exceptions. Her mother died of cancer some years ago and her brother has cancer now. She just made a decision that she wanted to live and see her beautiful babies grow up. I don't blame her. She is the reason I made the decision to get banded.
Anyway those are my ramblings for today. I have more, but this post would be exceptionally long and I don't want to bore ya. By the time I talk with you guys again I will be in band land. See you on the other side!!
*WARNING: This post does contain rants about poop! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!!*
•I dropped my son off in Nashville to start band camp and in 3 weeks college. I miss him already. I didn't go into his bedroom at home for fear of crying. On that note, I was there all day and when it was time for me to leave, I just hugged him, gave him a kiss and told him to be good (like he was being dropped off in daycare or something). He looked into my eyes and I saw all the love I have cultivated for 18 years. I will see him in a few weeks when he comes back home to play in the Southern Heritage Classic.
•I started my clear liquid diet this morning and have to drink Magnesium Citrate. A laxative and I'm at work!!! OMGEEEEEEEEEE for realz!!!!!! I went to Fred's and picked up a 10 oz. bottle for a dollar in the only flavor they had "Sparkling Lemon." Yea..... I know some of you are going to say "well why don't you drink it when you get home??" The short answer to that is that I have to drink it between 1 and 2 p.m. They want my system clear and not pooping on them by the time I come in. So lets do the math here. LIQUID DIET + LAXATIVE = LIQUID POOP AND A LOT OF IT!!
•Which leads me to my next rant.....I have to be at the hospital at 5:30 a.m.!!! Actually I'm good with that so that I won't have to be there all day. I have had surgeries where I had to be at the hospital at 1 p.m. WTH!! My surgery is supposed to start at 7:30. From what I'm told that may or may not be the case. It's like a little cattle call......That's sad. Ok....
•I will be off work for the rest of the week and will not have internet access except through my cell phone. Not a lot of wiggle room with that small screen, so I will fill you guys in when I get back to work on Monday and play catch up with all you guys goings on.
•I can already tell I'm going to get sick of broth. I had beef broth this morning and after the first 2 or 3 swallows I was like ACK!!!
•I'm determined to see this through. Part of me wonders though is it to show my best friend (the one thats banded) that the band can actually work and that she is wrong. IDK. I know my primary reason is of course my health, but also to show my friend that she has to work the band. We had a discussion last week where I think she actually was trying to talk me out of this. I'm a strong head so she knew it wouldn't work, but she made slippery comments anyway like "You can do it on your own" and "It is really no difference." She said "it doesn't take away your cravings." Well duh!!! I told her this is a "lap band" it goes around your stomach, not your brain. If you were an emotional eater before the band will not make you stop medicating yourself with food because you just broke up with your no good baby daddy for the umpteenth time. Nor will it solve any other emotional issues. Those are your's and your's along to fix.
•While we are on it. Sometimes I wonder about my BFFs (I have two and they are sisters). One is banded the other isn't. They are both very competitive and not in a good way. They do it in a way that says "nah, I beat you and am better." I was over to their house last week and the sister that isn't banded asked me how much I weighed. Of course because I'm an open book 90% of the time I told her. She waited a while and in the middle of the conversation said something like "I wasn't going to tell you, but when you told me how much you weighed I was thinking I'm not going to let her beat me (in losing weight)." WTH!!! As much as I have been through you are worried about competing against me. The one who HAS to lose weight or die. COMMMMMMMEEEONNNNNNNN!! I didn't mention this to my mom (who is VERY supportive, btw), because my family is already a little perturbed with my BFFs for not coming to the hospital at all when I had my double mastectomy. One hates hospitals and the other was tired from work. I didn't know until this past week that my family had discussed this without me. They feel that people you have been loyal to for 17 years should have been supportive of you regardless. I agree and have since let it go. They apologized and I accepted. But sometimes I wonder.....
•I do have another good friend who was banded Oct '09 and has been VERY successful. Her story is similar to mind with a few exceptions. Her mother died of cancer some years ago and her brother has cancer now. She just made a decision that she wanted to live and see her beautiful babies grow up. I don't blame her. She is the reason I made the decision to get banded.
Anyway those are my ramblings for today. I have more, but this post would be exceptionally long and I don't want to bore ya. By the time I talk with you guys again I will be in band land. See you on the other side!!
Me Versatile...I'm a one trick pony!!
Oh my!! I am so honored to recieve this award. Wow!!
Here are the rules:
1. Thank the person giving the award.
2. Share seven things about yourself.
3. Nominate 15 newly discovered blogs.
4. Let your nominees know about the award.
• Leah you are so AWESOME to have nominated me for this special award. I will cherish it forever.
• Share seven things about myself
1. I've always dreamed of traveling in space. I was a trekkie and watched every other space show that came on television. I watched Star Wars, Lost in Space, Space Ghost, the "old" Battlestar Galactica, The Jetsons, My Favorite Martian, you name it I was fascinated with it . Anybody remember "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century??"
2. One of the superpowers that I always wanted to have was to fly. I love birds and planes for that simple reason. I have even contemplated taking flying lessons.
3. I can be a snob. I hate being around ghetto people. I purposely avoid going to stores in the hood because I just don't want to be around loud black folk who have burgundy hair and cuss (not curse) out their children.
4. I wore neutral colors & navy blues for most of my adult hood because I wanted to look smaller. You know the old adage that dark colors makes you look smaller? Yea right. I didn't own a thing of color until I turned 35.
5. I have worked at the Univ. of Memphis for 13 years. I have never stayed in one place for more than 5. I will admit though I have switched positions in those 13 years 3 times.
6. I am deathly afraid of snakes.
7. I'm not so sure I want to be married anymore. In my 20s & 30s I would literally cry because I didn't have a husband. I have planned my wedding since I was a kid, now I'm not so sure. In this battle with cancer, I have learne to love my peace and space and now I feel like a husband would deminish all of that. I want to have a companion, but I want to be able to send him home when I'm tired of him.....is that bad??
• Nominate 15 newly discovered blogs.
Dang, I can't even count that high. Ok here goes and if you've gotten it before, sorry just add it to the bunch ☺.
1. Michelle
2. Lap Band Gal
3. LDSwims
4. Heather
5. Band Groupie
6. Kristen
7. Sumer
8. Christine
9. Kristina
10.Amy
11.Michelle
12.Catherine
13.Pie
14.Tessie
15.CeeJay
one more
16.Ice Queen
Again I want to thank the beautiful Leah for nominating me. I think these awards are more than just cute. They go a long way in encouraging someone. I took this seriously simply because I know that one day when/if I get another award after I'm banded this will lift my spirits and encourage me to fight on. So FIGHT ON my friends, FIGHT ON!!
Now off to complete #4!!
6 more days until band land!!!
Protein Review
Happy Monday to you all!!
I wanted to do a review on a protein that I have tried and love. My BFF suggested this (as well as the nurse at my surgeon) and I have found that not only is it great for protein, it doesn’t taste bad either. This is the website and you can click on the different Nectar links to see the different flavors.
1st up is Nectar Protein in Chocolate Truffle from the Nectar Sweets line. This is a chocolate drink that has a great chocolate flavor and doesn’t taste gritty. It has 23 grams of protein per full scoop and only 100 calories. There are 0 grams of fat, 0 carbohydrates and it has NO Aspartame!! I thought this was great as I have been seeing some very alarming things about aspartame lately. I will definitely be switching to Stevia. If you go to the website there are several flavors including Natural Fruit Punch and Natural Peach from the Nectar Naturals line, Twisted Cherry, Roadside Lemonade, and Fuzzy Navel from the Nectar line and Chocolate Truffle, Strawberry Mousse and Vanilla Bean Torte from the Nectar Sweets line.
2nd is Nectar Medical, which is a protein powder that you can mix in to drinks and or soft foods & soups. It has 10 grams of protein per scoop and only 40 calories with no carbs or fat. This protein can also be mixed in feeding tubes. The taste isn’t bad and you can’t really make a distinction in your food. Be careful not to mix it in anything to hot as it will denature the protein.
Right now I am on my (self-prescribed) pre-op diet and I mix the following:
1 full scoop of Nectar Protein in Chocolate Truffle (100 cals; 23 g. protein)
1 full scoop of Nectar Medical (40 cals; 10 g. protein)
1 teaspoon of Metamucil Fiber (25 cals; 5 g. fiber)
1/3 cup of powdered milk (80 cals; 8 g. protein)
1 cup of cold water
In blender combine all the powders and ½ of the water and blend for about 10 seconds. Let the mixture sit for about 2 to 5 minutes (as it will allow the powders to settle thus enhancing the taste) Add the remaining water and blend a few seconds more. Can add a few ice cubes if you like and pulse a bit longer. Can substitute 1 cup of skim milk instead for the powdered milk and water.
Cals: 245
Protein: 46 grams
Fiber: 5 grams
You can mix what you want and get a healthy dose of Protein and a low cal drink that will keep you full. I am drinking a shake for breakfast and lunch and eating a salad with tuna for dinner. Be mindful though that when you mix up the drink it will swell and be well more than 8 oz. I wouldn’t suggest mixing the Fuzzy Navel or other flavors like Natural Peach with milk though. You can do just water.
I bought these products from a local nutrition & vitamin store here. Check with your local stores to see if they carry it. I can tell you now that Wholefoods doesn't and neither does GNC if you shop at those places.
I wanted to do a review on a protein that I have tried and love. My BFF suggested this (as well as the nurse at my surgeon) and I have found that not only is it great for protein, it doesn’t taste bad either. This is the website and you can click on the different Nectar links to see the different flavors.
1st up is Nectar Protein in Chocolate Truffle from the Nectar Sweets line. This is a chocolate drink that has a great chocolate flavor and doesn’t taste gritty. It has 23 grams of protein per full scoop and only 100 calories. There are 0 grams of fat, 0 carbohydrates and it has NO Aspartame!! I thought this was great as I have been seeing some very alarming things about aspartame lately. I will definitely be switching to Stevia. If you go to the website there are several flavors including Natural Fruit Punch and Natural Peach from the Nectar Naturals line, Twisted Cherry, Roadside Lemonade, and Fuzzy Navel from the Nectar line and Chocolate Truffle, Strawberry Mousse and Vanilla Bean Torte from the Nectar Sweets line.
2nd is Nectar Medical, which is a protein powder that you can mix in to drinks and or soft foods & soups. It has 10 grams of protein per scoop and only 40 calories with no carbs or fat. This protein can also be mixed in feeding tubes. The taste isn’t bad and you can’t really make a distinction in your food. Be careful not to mix it in anything to hot as it will denature the protein.
Right now I am on my (self-prescribed) pre-op diet and I mix the following:
1 full scoop of Nectar Protein in Chocolate Truffle (100 cals; 23 g. protein)
1 full scoop of Nectar Medical (40 cals; 10 g. protein)
1 teaspoon of Metamucil Fiber (25 cals; 5 g. fiber)
1/3 cup of powdered milk (80 cals; 8 g. protein)
1 cup of cold water
In blender combine all the powders and ½ of the water and blend for about 10 seconds. Let the mixture sit for about 2 to 5 minutes (as it will allow the powders to settle thus enhancing the taste) Add the remaining water and blend a few seconds more. Can add a few ice cubes if you like and pulse a bit longer. Can substitute 1 cup of skim milk instead for the powdered milk and water.
Cals: 245
Protein: 46 grams
Fiber: 5 grams
You can mix what you want and get a healthy dose of Protein and a low cal drink that will keep you full. I am drinking a shake for breakfast and lunch and eating a salad with tuna for dinner. Be mindful though that when you mix up the drink it will swell and be well more than 8 oz. I wouldn’t suggest mixing the Fuzzy Navel or other flavors like Natural Peach with milk though. You can do just water.
I bought these products from a local nutrition & vitamin store here. Check with your local stores to see if they carry it. I can tell you now that Wholefoods doesn't and neither does GNC if you shop at those places.
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Thanks Grace & Nella
220
170
270
Thanks Leah
Thanks Ronke
About Me
- Pamela E. Williams
- Memphis, TN, United States
- Loopy character here, I love fantasy movies and cartoons. I'm a 41 yr. old kid that has a son who loves her flaws and all. I'm also a recent Breast Cancer survivor. I got banded on August 10, 2010. Jiminy is his name, Jiminy Cricket that is or JC to all of you out there.
Eggface ROCKS!!
Thanks Lena
