Making Progress

So it's been a couple of days. I'm still hanging out at home. I'm thinking of getting brave and trying to go to a movie. The only kicker, I still can't drive. And if I could, I'm not sure I could walk the parking lot. But sitting in the theater would be okay. Maybe I will try to get out a little this weekend. I did some walking today. I should have already been doing it, but I've felt so tired and weak... No matter. Doing it now. I am going to try to walk again this evening. I go to the doctor this Thursday and probably get my staples out. I will be glad when my incisions are healed more, and I am not so sore. And tomorrow I can start eating sugar free pudding. Woohoo! I am tired of the drinks, but that is just part of the process. At least they do help give me the nutrition I need. Anyway, since I had the surgery, I have lost 15 lbs. I am losing about 1 lb a day. Whew!

Home Day Two

Friends are those rare people who ask how we are and then wait to hear the answer. -Ed Cunningham

My second day at home has been mainly uneventful. I have been able to drink 2 protein drinks. And I've been sipping on water all day to try to keep hydrated. The incision where I had my JP drain is very sore today, and I am still weak and tired. In some ways this has been better than I expected and worse. The urge to want to eat real food has been stronger than I would have imagined, but I'm hanging in there. I also keep reminding myself that by next week, I can have a little bit of thin food like oatmeal and applesauce. By the end of 6 weeks, I will be eating regular food, though not like I did before. Yet, I will still be able to have good things. Things that are good for me for the most part. I might feel like poop now, but it will get better. And I have already lost 11 lbs since the surgery. Coupled with the pre-op diet weight loss, I have lost a total of 21 lbs. So, it is happening. We'll see what happens!

Welcome Home

Just a quick note that I just got home. I am sore and had to stay a day longer than planned, but I am doing well. I could not make myself drink the protein stuff at the hospital, but I am much more able to tolerate the stuff I bought for home use. Thanks for the prayers. Please continue to pray.

Before - June 30, 2008

This is a horrible picture, but you get the idea. Tomorrow is the big day at 9:10am. Please pray for me. I will try to remember to post weekly update photos.

Day before Surgery

I will post a picture later today, but I have my gastric bypass surgery tomorrow. I am incredibly nervous, but I am also ready to do this. I want to get it over with and start carving a new lifestyle out for myself. I am ready to live healthier and feel better though I know the latter will take some time. Please remember me in your prayers tomorrow. I have given instructions to my cousin to post an update on my status here tomorrow.

Thanks for all the encouragement!

Countdown to Surgery

Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, faith looks up. --Anonymous

Well, just 8 days including today until my gastric bypass surgery. To say that I am nervous is an overwhelming understatement. I am terrified, but excited as well. I am definitely ready to get the surgery over with and happy to see what my life will be like without all this weight. I'm also trying to keep myself prepared for pain and illness following the surgery until I adjust. It will also be a lot of hard work to carve out this new lifestyle for myself. But I have been working on getting some of this started prior to my surgery. I have been doing the pre-op diet, but I keep falling off the wagon. Of course, my lifestyle has been so previous bad that even falling off the wagon I have already lost 10 lbs. Everyone at work keeps telling me they can see that I've started losing weight. My clothes are fitting better, and I already have a little more energy. Please pray that I will trust God in all this and that He will have his hand of protection over me. I know a lot of people have this surgery and millions of people have surgery everyday, but I will heave a sigh of relief when I open my eyes after the surgery is complete. I have a lot of life to live, and I want to live it to the fullest. That is why I am doing this. Thanks, as always, for all of your prayers.

Filter Placement

I've been home for a while from my procedure on my leg. The filter is in place, and I can't tell. My leg is sore where the surgeon went in and my wrist from the IV, but otherwise, I am okay.

Please keep me in prayer for the next few weeks. Thanks!