Highlandlass

This past weekend I attended the beautiful wedding of my daughter-in-law's brother. At the reception there were lots of hors d'ouevres (sp?) being offered, an open bar and a wonderful 5 course meal. It would have been easy to really make some wrong choices - if it hadn't been for my little tiny pouch. I did carry some good snacks with me so that my energy didn't dip and chose the grilled chicken bites before dinner. Then when dinner was served I was not very hungry so just sampled each course and drank 2 glasses of white wine. The dessert bar was fabulous, but one taste of a tiny chocolate eclair was enough for me - it actually didn't taste very good. I did splurge a bit and had an after dinner Bailey's on the rocks - it was very sweet, but I must say I finished the whole thing.
One thing I have to say right here is that I danced so much that my toes felt broken. My 2 daughters in law got me up there doing all the modern moves to "house" music so I think all that exercise kind of used up the calories I consumed. A few months ago, I would never have had the energy to dance like that. This surgery has been such a blessing.
I have a little story about the summer of '08. My youngest son bought a Seadoo to use at our cottage. He was so excited and invited everyone for a ride. Reluctantly, after being asked many times to join him, I decided I would try. Well, at somewhere near 290 lbs this was not a good idea. My son gunned the motor but the machine was unable to plane out (the front end remained pointed upwards) so we turned back to the shore, but, with my large butt, we sank the Seadoo. We both ended up in the water laughing, but you all can imagine how embarassed I was that I had managed to sink the Seadoo. My hope is that during the summer of 2010 I'll be able to get on that Seadoo and ride the lake. I will be getting my license for water craft and will gun the engine myself and plane out and ride the waves. My son never knew how badly I felt, but I won't ever feel like that again.

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*** Rhonda ***

Highest weight - 292
Height - 5' 8"
Weight on date of surgery (15.6.09)- 270.5
Today - 224.5
First Goal - to be in Onederland

Josephine

Good job at the wedding and I cannot wait til this summer when you tell us about your new Seadoo memories

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Highlandlass

Thanks Josephine, I can't wait to tell the story. There were so many times that my weight held me back, this is just one, but for some reason the story came to me this morning. My two younger sons were at the wedding as well, and were so proud to see me dancing and enjoying myself without being self-conscious or full of anxiety. They were also amazed at how little food made me feel full. They worried about me drinking the wine and Bailey's, but I don't do that often so told them just to keep an eye on me in case I got tipsy! It was great having my big, little boys taking care of me. All 4 of my kids have been great at supporting me but these 2 are pretty special to me and keep mom on the straight and narrow.
How have you been feeling Josephine? Are your pain issues becoming any easier, and how is the weight loss going for you?
Take care and talk again soon.

__________________
*** Rhonda ***

Highest weight - 292
Height - 5' 8"
Weight on date of surgery (15.6.09)- 270.5
Today - 224.5
First Goal - to be in Onederland

Highlandlass

Well, I just returned from seeing my Surgeon for the 5 months check up. All went pretty smoothly, except I was surprised and a little disappointed when his newest team member called me in to go over my progress. I really wanted to see Dr. Smith and was so happy to hear that he would be joining us. Dr. Youseff went over my latest blood work and pointed out a few things - my iron is slightly low, my LDL is also slightly low, my HDL is slightly high and my urine is concentrated. So I will have another blood test tomorrow at my Fam. Doc. and may have to go back to the Lipitor. I have to try to add more fluids to my diet - I am having trouble with that! When Dr. Smith joined us he asked about how my eating was coming along and when I told him how meat and chicken just stick in my esophogus he decided I should have a gastroscope just to check for stricture, so we booked it for December 8.
The great part was having Dr. Smith remark how well I was looking. He had me stand up and turn around in a circle for him. It was great.

__________________
*** Rhonda ***

Highest weight - 292
Height - 5' 8"
Weight on date of surgery (15.6.09)- 270.5
Today - 224.5
First Goal - to be in Onederland

Chrissie23

Rhonda, I don't even know how I missed your story but wow I am glad I found it! You have been through some very extremely hard times, and look at you, you're living your life 100000x's better than you were! Did they say why you had a mini-stroke? That is scary to me, and I hope you don't suffer any more and are past that!

I bet your grandchildren are thrilled by the increase in your energy. They sound like wonderful kids!! You had surgery 8 days before my birthday, that makes you special. lol

I am glad we met and that I can call you a friend. **HUGS**

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Lap RNY = 12/01/09

♥ Scale Whore #58
♥ Over BMI 50 Club Member #3

Highlandlass

Hey Chrissie - I like being special! So my new "birthday" and your birthday are very close - that's great!
The mini-stroke or transient ischemic attack (T.I.A.) was most like likely a result of the high blood pressure I had for a long time which was probably caused by obesity. It was very scary - I woke up feeling horrible - disconnected, dizzy, nauseous, talking crazy talk and so many other symptoms. My daughter took me to the hospital and had to get really angry to have someone come look at me. When they did they hurried me straight into the E.R. but then sat me in a chair for the longest time - I couldn't even sit up, so my daughter raised the roof to find me a place to lay down. I spent about 5 hours waiting to be seen by a doctor, but at least I had the stretcher where I could be somewhat comfortable. Finally they decided to admit me, but there were no rooms so I was put into a cubicle in the E.R. Around midnight a doctor came in and told me I had had a mini-stroke and needed a CAT scan to see if there was damage to my brain. Man did I cry and my kids and hubby were all there and they cried and hugged me. I wasn't worried about the stroke I had just had - it was more about whether I could have a larger more massive one. The CAT showed no significant damage which I thanked God for and then decided I had to do something about my health beginning with losing weight because most of my problems were rooted in the obesity. When I was released from the hospital I began to watch what I was eating and to investigate seriously whether I was a candidate for the surgery.
I believe something good comes from something bad and in this case it my health that has improved.
Each of us has a story.... each one is different.....each one is powerful. And the story goes on.......

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*** Rhonda ***

Highest weight - 292
Height - 5' 8"
Weight on date of surgery (15.6.09)- 270.5
Today - 224.5
First Goal - to be in Onederland