It's Been A While Huh?

Hello there... Did you think I had forgotten.... Because I did. So I don't have too much to update since I stopped losing for a week and a half. I started losing again yesterday which puts my total weight loss at 34.6 lbs. Since 2/17/11. Nothing is really new at this point just taking it day by day and bite by bite. Well at least nothing is new with my weight loss, but in life things are new, I recieved my acceptance letter to Nursing School on 3/17!! YAY! so thats a great thing. Hopefully my weight wioll continue on the decline without any plateous anymore but if so I'll live I think :) but I guess thats all for now!

Love,
Whit

Surgery Follow up with Dr. Huddleston Yesterday

Everything is going well according to the doctor. I went yesterday and checked in. I've officially lost 25.6 lbs and.... 21.5 inches!!! Pretty exciting!! My dr was pretty shocked about what I've been able to eat and that I've had no nausea or vomiting. So that's great. I'm still on a 25 pound weight restriction bc of my hernia but I can deal with that. So I've been eating more soft solid things instead of pureeing everything. I just make sure I chew everything very well. I found out I can have some caffeine too- I need some because I am still dragging a bit. I've walked twice in the past week so that's been nice too, and helped me feel better too. I must say this rainy weather we have been having is horrible!! I actually felt depressed in THursday from it. So I am very thankful for the gorgeous weather today- even have the windows open, but Mom says I always have my windows open.... Lol. I guess I really am bad about instant gratification bc I wanted to just wake up from surgery and be skinny. HA! Didn't happen. So it's hard for me to accept losing the weight gradually, listen to me... Gradually- 25 lbs in 3 weeks- that's more that a gradual drop of course. I've accepted it better lately but still don't like it. Oh well. It will be gone in no time, and it will be faster than a normal diet. I'm going to go for a walk today, the kids like it too so Bryson is pretty assertive about his walks. :-) well that's all for now, iPad only has 3% battery left so it's about to quit on me anyways.

Love,
Whit

So far so good....

This was originally posted 2/27/2011 but apparently instead of posting on this blog, I created a new one... Oh well....

My pain in minimal. I am not hardly taking any pain meds, mainly bc I don't feel I need them and bc I wasn't aware no pills the first week and I absolutely HATE LIQUID MEDICINE!!!! I only have inner muscle pain like I've just done 1000 crunches and am very tight. But I also had my gallbladder removed and a hernia repaired and they said it had to be pulled tight behind my belly button. I'm sipping alot of water and was awake all day today (mostly) and am tired now. But I didn't have any remorse about the sleeve! So that's good. I also at 1/4 cup of mashed potatoes today too. I have tolerated everything I have put in my mouth. Also started with some...err... Well... Runny diarhea this am. But that could be the dumping ppl experience with having gallbladder removed. Well that's my update for now. ;-) my sweet wonderful husband is taking very good care of me and my 1 and 3 year olds very good. I'm ready to be back to normal so I can help again around the house. Thanks for all of your support.

Almost a week Post-op...

        I have been feeling very good this week. I have had a struggle with the protein shakes and not wanting them b/c they taste HORRIBLE but we experimented yesterday and figured out some alternatives, and that the shakes are just temporary. Mom calls me a non-compliant patient, so with this I think I have lived up to that. I have just been sipping on water mostly all day long and have had mashed potatoes, pureed carrots, pureed refried beans w/ salsa and cheese, finely chopped edamame, and yogurt so far. So not too shabby if you ask me. But from those foods I am getting my protein. :) and that's MUCH better than my shakes!! Thank goodness! Can't wait to have boiled chicken at 2 weeks out, b/c I have BIG plans for it b/c of how much protein is in it.
         But let me back up a little to the night b4 surgery, I was so nervous. I was balling my eyes out, and not b/c of the procedure but b/c I was afraid I wouldn't make it through alive! UGH! I started crying when mom picked me up to take me to the hospital. Roland had to come later b/c he couldn't take the kids to the sitter till 7 and I had to be there at 6. So I was crying and nervous. I had all kids of sweet thoughts a prayers on my side but I was still terrified. The nurse anesthetist then gave me something to calm me down when she came to see me. So that helped... and I remember sitting in the hall waiting to go in my OR talking to my Techs that would be in my room. They were talking about how excited they were about the NEW surgical table and yadda yadda yadda. Then the CRNA said "Night Whitney" and I was out. No more thinking.... Just Doing! There I was waking up in recovery and am SCREAMING "KELSEY STOP!!!" over and over. I absolutely thought she was pushing on my stomach not knowing it was hurting me so I was asking her to stop! But of course, it wasn't her. Then I heard my Mom's voice and felt her hand and knew I made it through. The rest of that day was a blur. I remember Gramps (Roland's g.father) coming by and My mom telling me that her and Roland were "bonding" OMG!, I thought, "What in the world did that mean?!" Apparently I took narcotics like a heroin addict though that that's why I was so out of it. I also remember Barbie and Devin coming by and thinking I just wanted them to leave (LOL)- and them telling me Sarah and Sherri wanted to come by to and I thought NOOO!!! But although recovering from surgery I still wanted to have a bit of tact so I toughed it out- and truly appreciate everyone coming by to see me. So that was a restless night. I ended up sleeping on my stomach that night just to be able to be comfortable. I couldn't wait to go home!! I made it home the next day I think around 3, I went straight to my bed and passed out. Roland took good care of me that night and Mom stopped by as well. But I was still out of it. I do remember that I was mad about my pain meds being in liquid form and that I had to crush up my pills to take them for a week, UGH! I HATE LIQUID MEDICINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (ask mom!) but I took it like a shot of liquor and chased it with grape juice LOL, good thing I'm not completely innocent and I know how to take a shot ;-) so that's about all the new news I have right now other than that........


I HAVE LOST 21 FREAKING POUNDS!!! Yay! go me! exciting!!

So anyways,
Love,
Whit! ;-)

Tomorrow is the BIG Day

Just checking in, Tomorrow is the day! Nerves have started to set in. I just hope everything goes smooth as butter. I've lost 15 lbs so far so thats excting. I'm pretty tired and don't feel up to much today. Probably from the week of liquids! So ok, short and sweet today. :-S

<3 Whit

End of Day 4 of Clear Liquid Pre-op Diet

Well, here I am at the close of day four of my pre-op diet- AT THE HALF WAY MARK!!!  I have done pretty well sticking to it, for the most part. I did have a few bites of popcorn last night when I took Dylan to the movies to see the new Justin Beiber Movie: Never Say Never- fortunately, Dylan spilt the popcorn so that put a stop to that. But now, my Sweet Wonderful little family is sitting around the table having hamburgers off the grill... one of my favorite things to eat!! So I redirected and remember I have dedicated myself to this and decided to just "blog it" lol I don't feel hungry, so it is only temptation that is making me want that burger. So, I can overcome this!! I can, AND I WILL.         
            So anyways, I went over my post-op diet today and looked over when I can progress to what different things at what point post-op, and looks like about 3 days post-op I can start introducing pureed foods. I look forward to that since right now all I can really have is sugar-free jello, broth, Popsicles, and water. I think I can be creative with all of that. I think the first things I am going to want is cream of chicken soup and refried beans w/ salsa in it. We will see how i feel at that point of course before I actually commit to that though. :-) I can pretty much eat anything in smaller proportions in about 6 months, 6 months, That's not so bad. I can so do this. I have a great support system, although they have had a little pleasure in taunting me with food this week, its all in fun and games. I'll pay 'em back..... trust me. Looks like dinner in done b/c my mini me is in here under my feet once again.

Whitney

Day 2 of My Clear Liquid Diet

Hello all, as most of you know I am having surgery next Thursday. The Gastric Sleeve, Removing my Gallbladder, and Repairing my Umbilical Hernia. I have to do a full week for clear sugar-free liquids in order to soften my liver so my doctor can safely move it in order to get to my stomach. I started my week of clear fluids yesterday, Feb. 17,2011 and am handling it one day at a time. I did very well yesterday and have started out today the same- except I decided to have my 1 protein shake later today than I did yesterday- so I had it today when I started to feel hungry, not first thing in the morning. Gum is seeming to be my best friend during this pre-op diet just so I have something to chew on. It is hard to see food right now. Like when I made Bryson and Kelsey's food in the past I would take a bite of it so that has taken some extra effort not to do that. Roland also picked up a pizza for the 4 of them and I've never seen a pizza look so GOOD!! I just got me a cup of chicken broth and decided to excuse myself from eating with them. I was at mom's house yesterday too and she was cooking up something that smelled tasty, made my mouth water!! And right now, I made the kiddo's some chicken nuggets for lunch, and normally I wouldn't even notice, but it smells so GOOD lol. Oh AND I was practically hovering over my protein shake this morning b/c my little vultures wanted some, so I had to make them some hot chocolate to get them to back off (and now Bryson insisted on eating out of a cup b/c that's all he is seeing me eat out of). With that said.... I keep this in mind... I am changing my thought process and I say there's no need torturing myself, I have made the decision to have this done and I will stand by that till the end but I also don't see the need for temptation if it can be avoided, Right?
      I cannot believe the amazing opportunity I am getting being able to have the Gastric Sleeve. I attempted this in Dec. w/o much thought and research on it. My doctor told me he could do it as early as Dec. 30th if I wanted to... So I attempted to start a pre-op liquid diet the day before Christmas Eve. I WAS NOT ready, mentally or physically. I hadn't done much research other than the fact that it removes some of the stomach, and I also didn't have any of the foods/liquids I was allowed to have in my house. So, I was sitting there starving that whole day and began doubting myself. Then, I sat down and really thought about what I was doing. I decided I needed to wait. One, b/c I was not prepared. and Two, I had my COMPASS test coming up for school on Jan 13th that was a big deal for me to pass... well needless to say I didn't get the score I wanted on the test by 1 point so I had to wait another 30 days before I could take it again... which was yesterday- long story short... I got not only the 1 point I needed but I got 2!! YAY! So anyways, I have that behind me and can now focus on my surgery.
      I have done so much research since Dec. I have watched many, many YouTube Videos and finally found this message board where all of your information has truly been a blessing. I have also put my surgery in God's hands. This is actually the first time I have just prayed about something and told myself it is what is it, and it will be what it will be. I will continue to put my process in God's hands and continue to pray for strength through my journey. 
        So where I am mentally right now is.... I am very excited, but am nervous. I am nervous about being put to sleep and not waking back up. I have my two kids I have to be around for and wouldn't want anything to jeopardize that. I do not think this fear will impact my decision whatsoever its just something that sits in my head a lot. I am an over thinker sometimes so I'm probably doing that in this situation too. But of course the twist is that.... Mom is a CRNA! She puts people to sleep everyday! But she doesn't do anesthesia on family and that's fine with me. But she does work with the people that will be in my OR so they will take Specially Great care of me because of me being her daughter. And I have had major surgery before, 2 c-sections with B and Kels, BUT I was AWAKE during these surgeries, that's what makes it different. But anyways, I think that's all of an update I have right now so the final thing I ask is for all of your prayers.  

P.S. I haven't put up my weight yet intentionally- but I will soon and maybe even some pics when I have a good "loss" picture to go with it  lol