Exciting Day!

I get to see my surgeon today. I have a list of questions to ask. It will be interesting to see how he thinks I am doing. I also see the nutritionist and I have another list of questions for her. I am ready to get to the "next level" as they say.

Yesterday was a quiet day. I worked on my grad class. I am currently juggling 3 assignments, including my final paper. I am hoping to finish all of the assignments before Monday when "Wedding week" begins.

I have also started a Rosetta Stone course to learn Spanish! I am tapping into my many years of class work in 7-12th grades. Hopefully it will all come back to me.

What ever happens today, this I know:

^"28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Romans 8:28

I am choosing to have a wonderful day!

2 weeks today!

It is hard to believe that I was in surgery 2 weeks ago and I have been healing so fast. A nurse from N E Baptist Hospital called yesterday to follow up on my recovery and ask about my experience in the hospital. I couldn't say enough wonderful things about the care I received while I was there. One thing she said has stayed with me and since I had a bit of a rough day yesterday, I am more aware of it than ever. She said, "Even though it looks like it was very minor on the outside (6 fairly small incisions that are healed now) remember that it was very major on the inside." So True!

Yesterday

• I felt amazing!
• I worked carefully weeding the flower bed
• I came in very tired after 30 minutes
• rested and went to the sewing room to work on a project
• drank some juice too fast
• pain and nausea for 5-10 minutes! YIKES!! I wasn't even trying to eat soft food :{
• rested
• had a very s-l-o-w lunch of broth
• tried some jello - a hint of the pain returns
• slept for 1 1/2 hours
• tried sipping juice
• tried to eat a scrambled egg - 2 bites and pain
• back to liquids (a little frustrated)

So that was yesterday and today is a new day!

I tried on my dress for the wedding this morning and it is a bit looser, but not terribly. So we are still good on that.

My verse today is because I am in regrouping mode:

"my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior-" 2 Samuel 22:3

I Feel Good! na-na-na-na-na-na-na....

What a wonderful morning! Cool temps. I am considering weeding the front beds this a.m. :)

I had a small adventure last night-- I had emailed my doctor about starting the soft foods stage and he replied that it was ok but to take it slow. So of course....... I decided to see what would happen.... I tried some cottage cheese (about 2 tablespoons total) it was great!!!! I ate it almost curd by curd trying to make it last long and making sure I chewed it well, all the things I am supposed to do. Absolutely no ill effects! It was wonderful.

I am surprised that this morning I am happy to continue the liquid. I think this is a good thing, because I am learning to "eat" only when I am hungry. This morning I want something to get me started, but I am not craving the real food. yay! I am counting that as a victory!

I am focused on the flower beds this morning and I am anxious to get them cleaned up- so my thoughts reflect on Matthew 6: 25 - 34 this whole passage speaks to me this morning. Especially verses 25, 31 and 34.

²⁵"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?"

^31"So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' "

34"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Blessings on us all today!

MONDAY MONDAY la-la-la-la-la-la

What a beautiful morning, cool and clear.

I think I may be moving out of the hibernation phase. I am not a s sleepy, and I am more interested in doing some things. My energy is good, while it lasts, not long yet. I have the luxury of working on something and then resting.

This week ends the all liquid part of my transition. On Wed. or Thurs. I will begin the soft foods stage which will also last 2 weeks. Now this stage is also restricted to low-fat proteins (eggs, cheese, tuna salad, chicken salad, egg salad, cottage cheese, cream cheese and such) I will have to eat slowly and probably a tablespoon will fill me up (?) really??? I guess we shall see. Also, I can't drink anything for 1 hour after eating. I have been preparing for this for a long time so it is exciting to get to the next stage.

One advantage to being home and off work is that I have kept detailed records of everything to take to the doctor on Thursday for my 2-week follow-up. I wonder if he will think I am healing as well as I think I am healing--- I guess we will find out.

My verse today is one of my very favorites: Ephesians 3: 20-21

^"20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

SENSATIONAL SUNDAY!

I got to go to church! What a blessing.

So many people who have prayed me through this part of my journey. Lots of hugs and confirmation of prayers. It was soul-nourishing just to be among all of my church family.

So, since it is Sunday, I should probably confess. Yesterday, I drove myself to WalMart because I wanted to. Yes, I did need a few things and John was at the river house with some of the kids and Alan's family getting it "spruced up" for the wedding. So I drove the short distance and checked my watch when I entered the store=12:15 p.m.

Of course I walked slowly and was able to take my time looking for everything, reading labels and deciding on which ones to get. I ran into one of my partners, Lisa, as she was there with her family, so I guess I got "caught" being out on my own. oopsy!

Afterward I decided I would get my car filled up so John could take it to Houston the next day. His mom is in the hospital and not doing very well, so he is going down to support his sister and dad.

When I got home, it was 1:30 and I was done! I had to leave a couple of bottles of juice in the car because once I got the "cold" stuff in, I was too tired to get them. It felt good to accomplish what I did, I was really tired, but still felt great.

I think it was ok to do that yesterday, because I felt more confident about going to church this morning. It was 2 hours today but mostly sitting so it wasn't too bad. I am tired, but I can sleep this afternoon and I will.

My reflection for today is that God supplies all of my needs, and though I am so focused on my eating and drinking, that isn't what is important.

"...the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another." Romans 14:17-19

10 Days and Counting

I feel great! I am reminded of Paul in Philippians 4:12-13

"I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.13I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

I am not quite there yet, but I am working on it. I am not exactly 'hungry' just wondering about real food, and how it will all work.

At BMI of Texas, they give you this spiral bound book, that tells you nearly everything about what to expect before and after surgery, nutrition in the first few weeks, and all kinds of information. So I was reading through it again, and found a section on "Hibernation Syndrome" wow! So I am into that stage of recovery.

Here is what the book says, "...a period of time after a weight loss procedure during which patients may experience extreme fatigue, sleepiness, and energy depletion." That explains why I don't feel bad, but I am wanting to curl up and sleep. Yesterday, I felt great all day, but slept all afternoon. I walked my 30 minutes in the morning-and felt good the whole time. I walked 30 minutes in the early evening, because Laura called and said "are you walking?" so I did. I felt good, but a little winded (first time) then I rode in the car with John to Lowe's for an outing (I stayed in the car).

It helps to know that, according to “the book” that all of this is part of the process. It has to do with the body not getting any fuel to run on and it tries to conserve its energy. They call it “designed starvation.” Once the metabolism levels out, I should have more energy than ever! Yay!

This is part of God’s design and it has allowed people to survive during famine, severe weather conditions and other times when there was food shortage. As I said before, “we are fearfully and wonderfully made.”

Psalm 139:13-14

“₁₃For you created my inmost being; 


you knit me together in my mother's womb.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; 


your works are wonderful, 


I know that full well.”

I am doing what I need to do, walking and pushing through, but I also think that the sleep is beneficial to the healing. So I am doing that as well.

It is a fascinating journey so far.

I am so very blessed.

Fabulous Friday!

Happy Friday to you-Happy Friday to you- enjoy this wonderful dayyyyy, Happy Friday to you!

Feeling great today. No pain, and a wonderful numbers (blood pressure, blood sugar, down 2 pounds) so I have much to be thankful for.

Yesterday: I was talking to John asking him if I should drive to do an errand and he responded with "Remember last Sunday when you couldn't ride in the car for 3 blocks?" I said "oh." He said, "I think it might be a good idea for you to see if you can RIDE in a car before you decide to drive one." I laughed so hard!

I called my friend Debbie Cummings to take me to get my glasses adjusted. Then we went to the craft store, I needed to look at some supplies for the rehearsal dinner. Then we made one more stop and I told Deb, I am done-I need to go home. She said, " I told you that when we left the craft store." lololol I just didn't want to give it up!

It was me pushing to do more, because I was feeling so good, but she saw me fading before I was ready to give it up. I got to my recliner and curled up there the rest of the day :)

Maybe that is why I am content to be still today. I did my walking and had high hopes of doing some things today, but not yet.

I am blessed beyond measure!

Thankful Thursday!

This morning I feel great! As I was "walking" (physically and w/ God) I began to reflect on this journey. I am still awed with all that took place over the past year. I remembered the verse in James 1

"2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds . . ."

I often think of this scripture when I go through struggles, but I can say now that I do count it joy when I see what God was doing for me by putting off the progress of my surgery. He was preparing me to be so thankful and positive when it finally did fall into place. I am not sure I would be so determined to get well and make this work if it had come easy to me.

When I looked up the scripture reference, I read on in that chapter and it all applies to me this morning.

“3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

This experience has added another layer to my perseverance factor. I have been an “instant” person most of my life. I find it difficult to “wait” for things, events, and projects, just about anything. Over the past several years I have learned that time can be such a blessing.

When I wanted to get an Archimedes Screw for our school playground, I never dreamed it would become a much more complex and long-term project like the Science playground has become. Now, 3 years seems like a very reasonable amount of time to have it developed and to see the results. This journey of the Gastric Bypass Adventure has shown me once again the wisdom of God is perfect. So many different things had to happen before I was ready. Now I see that. I had many times of frustration and even anger that there were so many “senseless” obstacles in my way. Ha! Those “challenges” were preparing me for the ultimate victory.

I am encouraged by verse 4 that I am maturing. It is one of my goals to be mature in my faith and in my relationships.

So, today is Thankful Thursday and I am truly thankful for all of the setbacks, delays, pain, and progress. Because it all means that something better is coming.

I feel great today!

Wednesday is not for Wimps!

I was trying to think of something clever to open with today and I am blank.

This is a bump in the road for me today.

• I woke up around 3 am w/pain and took some pain meds.
• Slept until 6 and woke up with a headache.
• Can only take Tylenol for that and it doesn't begin to soothe my migraines.
• Cleaning lady showed up around 9-(she hasn't been here for a month-long story) so I went to the other side of the house so she could clean.
• Missed calls from my mom, and my sister who are now thinking that I am laying in the floor somewhere in the house and can't get to the phone.......... ugh!
• Cleaning lady left
• Called mom and sis assured them that I was fine

NOW, for the good news: 3 more pounds since yesterday! That makes 6 pounds in 2 days! Woo-hoo! I made John read the scale to me and I weighed twice to make sure. He looked puzzled and said, "isn't that a good thing?" LOL

Here is my motto for the day:

"I will praise the LORD God with a song and a thankful heart."

Psalm 69:30 (CEV)

Terrific Tuesday

Gooooooooood MORNING WORLD!

Yes, I meant to have those in all caps-like Robin Wms. in "Good Morning Vietnam"

I feel good! No pain meds since Sunday- woo-hoo!

I got some "legal" drinks w/o aspartame and that really helps w/ the all liquid choices. Diet V-8 Splash (2 flavors) and Diet Ocean Spray cranberry. Yummy!

Walking is easier every day. Amazing!

I have lost 3 more pounds since.....yesterday???? is that really possible??? Maybe that ski-slope is steeper than I thought.

I must say that I have only taken 1 pill for nausea since surgery. That has been a blessing! No nausea is definitely on the positive side.

Wonder what new developments will be discovered today? Can't wait to find out!

Monday

It seems strange to be home on a Monday. John got up and went to work and I have worked on my grad class a little.

My weight was up 10 pounds the first time post surgery @ the hospital and this morning is back to the pre-op weight. I had read that it is normal to go up as much as 15-20 lbs. in hosp. because of all the IV fluids, etc. so I wasn't surprised. Now I feel like I am at the top of the ski slope and ready to "take off" (I couldn't resist the pun.)

I will keep you posted.

Dreams: The last few nights I have been dreaming about food- of course! but it is situations where I will have a mouthful of gummy bears and then remember "I can't have these!" and try to find a place to spit them out--lolol it gets fairly "3 Stooges" if you get my drift.

I talked to John this a.m. about putting an audio-book on his ipod for me to listen to when I walk and no one is on the phone :)

I am blessed and content with my life. Praises to Him who supplies all my needs.

health choice vs. cosmetic choice

Are you still reading? wow! That is amazing.

Here are the reasons we decided to go with the gastric bypass (roux en y)

Current Health problems that can be greatly reduced or completely resolved:

• diabetes (type 2) 80-85% completely resolved
• High blood pressure reduced or resolved
• cholesterol get off meds
• heart risks greatly reduced
• joint pain lessens (more active to participate in family activities)
• sleep apnea usually resolved completely
• depression (on meds for 12 years) may get off these
• longer life expectancy
• quality of life greatly improved
• energy and "want to" increased

The weight loss and improvement in appearance is also a huge incentive, but alone is not enough.

it's a GOD thing...

If you read the post before this one, ("Why?") then here is that hindsight that only comes after you have been brought through the obstacles.

In 2009, before I even considered any kind of bariatric surgery. God put into place a series of events that all came together in Sept./Oct. of 2010. Here is what I now know was being prepared for me.

• Gena Robertson was pursuing her alternative teaching degree and was a very successful sub during the 2009 school year.
• I began a Master's program online thru ACU with my dear friend Marilyn. The classes and growth I experienced through this course has grown me intellectually, and spiritually. Preparing me for challenges to come during the summer of 2010.
• John had never even considered this treatment until one of his "new" clients shared his success story.
• John was the one who broached the subject with me - I didn't have to find a way to introduce it to him.
• All of the delays in my Bariatric Surgery process enabled me to wait until a hospital in SA was certified by my insurance company.
• My summer was filled with activities that were either grad school related or related to my consulting company and it was ridiculous for me to try to do this during that schedule!
• My son and his girlfriend decide to get married on 10/10/10.
• School started and I began to see that not only was none of this in my control (I had done everything I could do to jump through the rings of the insurance company) but it was obvious that I had not sought God's wisdom in the timing.
• I began to pray to Him that I understood He had a plan and that I needed to let Him figure this out.
• about 2 weeks of concentrated prayer about this, I got an email that N E Baptist had rec'd the required rating! suddenly all things began to make sense.
• As the scheduling of appts. and timelines began to be set, the result was that I could have the surgery on Sept. 15, take four weeks off and have a great sub with Gena, never possible in the seven years of opening the lab.
• The 4 weeks includes the wedding at the end of it when I should be feeling really good and actually on soft (but real) food.
• Our God is an AWESOME God!

Why?

Here is the prolog to the surgery.

In Dec. of 2009 John came home with a success story from one of his clients. The lap-band was the treatment of choice. When he told me the story I was so excited that he would even consider a procedure-(not happening before this) I talked to my endocrinologist (diabetes) and asked him about it and his face lit up! He said I was a perfect candidate. He referred me to the Dr.s at Bariatric Medical Institute of Texas in San Antonio. They were having an informational seminar the next Saturday. I looked online and downloaded a 20 page document to fill out before attending the seminar. Because of the seminar, we both thought the bypass was the choice for me.

While we were attending the presentation, the support staff of BMI were going over the medical history, checking on insurance, etc. At noon, we were finished and they spoke with me about what they had discovered. My insurance would only pay if I did a pretty long protocol of requisites first. They could manage all of that through their office. Then there was a "catch." The surgery had to be done at a hospital rated "Blue Distinction" by the insurance company. The only hospitals with that rating were in Houston or Dallas. So, what to do? BMI referred us to another Dr. in Houston. In January of 2010 we went to Houston (day trip) and met his co-worker who does all the preliminary consultation. We got set up and had labs done that day at a hospital in Houston.

BMI would supervise the other protocols for me.

They included:

• 3month medically supervised diet.
• upper abdominal ultra sound
• EGD test (looks at the esophagus and stomach for any problems)
• Blood work
• Psych eval.

One Sat. morning, I was in SA for a test and the center didn't have my orders. I called the BMI office and Dr. Seger called me right back. I explained the condensed version of all of this and he called in the orders. We got the test done and afterward, Seger called me again. He wanted to understand what my situation was, and listened intently as I explained all of it. He asked questions and then he said, "So you are waiting until June to have the surgery?" Yes. "Well just so you know your options, we are supposed to have a hospital with that rating in late June or early July." No hesitaiton! San Antonio was so much more appealing for many reasons. So I said yes, we will move to BMI in SA.

Are you still reading this??? ok well to continue...

Beginning steps

God has brought me to it and through it gloriously! Praise His Name!

I am home from the hospital and feeling better and better. I must walk, sip water, deep breathing, and my food is water, sugar free jello, and broth. I have the jello and broth 3 times a day. I will be monitoring my blood sugars twice daily.

It seemed so drastic when I first began researching this whole health management approach. Now it seems so very do-able.