Karen's Journey - Page 4 - ThinnerTimes

KarenInKali · 03-04-2008, 03:34 PM

Doin okay, just been busy. We closed down our personal business, he's been traveling. We thought about moving to VA, even got orders, but we turned them down. He's putting in his retirement papers next month so we're here indefinitely. We're looking for a house to buy, I'm contemplating a job change, we're trying to save money, we bought a home gym system and work out together, I'm still not losing, in fact I've gained, and I have an endoscopy scheduled for May because I have chronic reflux and heartburn... LOL, tired yet?!

My first appt with Balboa is next Thursday, the 13th. I don't want to get my hopes up too much, but this is sounding really good.

How have you been?

LyndasRoom · 03-04-2008, 06:01 PM

Karen,
It's great to see you! I've come across some of your older posts in the past few days, and wondered how you were doing!

KarenInKali · 03-13-2008, 03:33 PM

We saw Dr. Gallus today. He gave me my checklist and told me to get busy... I already have quite a few things checked off because I have had them done within the last six months due to trying to get this done... I got my records from my PCM and have submitted what was needed. Still have a ways to go but he said how soon I have surgery depends on how quickly I get all of my checklist done.

I can't believe this is happening!

KarenInKali · 03-15-2008, 08:43 AM

So I'm driving down the road with my 13yo DD. She had her IPod hooked up to the stereo system in the truck and a Blink182 song called "Rollercoaster" comes on. It dawns on me - I'm going to be able to ride rollercoasters again! That is something that I absoultely love, and it is one of her favorite things too. So I said, "Guess what? I'm going to be able to ride rollercoasters with you again!" I put up my hand to high 5 her. LOL, sappy, I know, it was just what felt right in the moment. So she reaches to high 5 me, and when she turns her face to me, she has a HUGE smile on her face, and has tears in her eyes. She says "I can't wait!"

She went on to say how she knew this surgery was good for me personally, but hadn't thought about how it would affect the family in so many ways also.

My hubby tells me I'm glowing. I said I think it will be this way for quite a while. He says "I hope you glow for the rest of your life!"

Cinerbelle · 03-15-2008, 10:56 AM

Congratulations! The rollercoaster thing was one of my top 5 reasons of wanting the surgery. My kids were getting old enough to start riding them and I LOVE them with a passion. My DD and I went on Supreme Scream a few months ago and that is the first time I have felt scared in a fun way in such a long time, it was a BLAST!! We also just went to Disneyland and CA. Adventure last month and was the first time I got to ride Tower of Terror and CA. Screamin...what a rush...my kids loved it. These are memories that will last a lifetime with them. I am so happy for you that you will be doing these things again before you know it.

Keep your glow and keep us posted!

KarenInKali · 03-26-2008, 07:36 AM

Time flies! I've had all my labwork done, been to my first support group (the hospital's), and by April 18th will have everything on my list complete - as long as I can lose 12 pounds

I'm shooting for an early-mid May surgery date. I'm still flying high - can't wait for this to happen!

On another note, keep your fingers crossed and say a little prayer - we're supposed to find out today if our offer was accepted on the house we're trying to buy. It's a short sale so we've been waiting 3 weeks.

KarenInKali · 03-27-2008, 08:35 AM

So the only the we have found out on the house is that they need additional information from us - I guess that's a good thing - they have taken the initial paperwork and looked at it. LOL, at least they didn't just throw it out the window and say "next!"

I'm starting to feel so much better. I am finally starting to lose weight - 2 out of my 12 off, 10 to go! Steve and I have been walking in the evenings and I've only been able to go about a mile because my right knee has been bothering me so much. I have had x-rays, they tell me it's all in my head, and won't send me for further research. So after my walks, I have been putting ben-gay or something similar on it. Last night, I decided to try to put the cream on BEFORE we went walking - not only was it a success, I was able to make two laps instead of one so we walked 2 miles! I know for some that's not much, and if it weren't for my knee, I could do more, but for me that was huge!

Gonna be a busy day at work, and then in the morning I have an upper GI and EKG.

KarenInKali · 03-28-2008, 11:07 AM

Ugh, remind me why I'm going through all of this again? LOL, don't worry, I do know, and I do understand, it's just that after the Upper GI I had this morning, and the horrible feeling of bloatedness and pain that I have at the moment, I could probably be easily persuaded to walk away - NOT! I'm glad it's over with, and I'm drinking all my cold water that the doc told me to drink to try to make it feel better.

So..... all of my pre-op testing is done, except that I have a pulmonary function test on the 9th and I meet with the pulmonologist after it. Other than that, two more nutrition appointments on the 4th and the 18th, and I will be DONE and can get my date!!!

KarenInKali · 04-02-2008, 09:55 AM

Since I'm working on losing my pre-op weight and I have a weigh-in when I meet the nutritionist this Friday, my daily diet goes like this:

coffee
english muffin
fruit
Healthy Choice
fruit
Healthy Choice
frozen ice sorbet

AND lots of water in between!

I'm averaging 1000-1200 calories a day and I'm losing on average 2 pounds per day...

So Steve is out of town - he sincerely congratulates me on the weight loss - and then has the nerve to say, "So do you need the surgery?" My response?

"Yes, because I've lost it before, and we both know it always comes back."

He started laughing - I could have killed him. He goes on to say that he wasn't serious - sometimes even after 20 years I can't tell - he's good! - anyway, he's still beside me 100%!

KarenInKali · 04-04-2008, 03:15 PM

Went to the nutritionist today. I am down 2 pounds according to her records - quite a bit more by mine.. LOL, must have been the weight I put on before deciding it was time to buckle down and do this!

So I have to see the pulmonologist next week, and go back to the nutritionist on the 18th and then will be cleared to get my date - we're still shooting for early May.

AND - we are buying a house!! I am going to sign the contract either today or tomorrow - we should close escrow either by the end of April or right around the time of surgery. Woohoo! We're all so excited! Can't wait for my incisions to heal so I can swim in my new pool and sit in the jacuzzi!