Back in Cape Breton

Friday was the LONGEST day in history.  Colin and I had to check out of our hotel by 1pm and sadly our flight didn't leave till 9:20pm!!

We checked out of the hotel and the front desk clerk called us a taxi to take us to the airport.  We waited outside since I hadn't really been in fresh air since coming home from the clinic.  All of a sudden a gorgeous stretch limo shows up!! We looked at each other and said "that can't be for us" but sure enough the driver got out and said are you guys the couple heading to the airport. We laughed and said yes ... he said "well this was the closest vehicle so here you go!"

So off we went to the Airport in STYLE!

When we got to the airport we walked around a bit, went through security, Colin got some lunch and I had a fruit smoothie. We walked some more and looked at all the shops ... its like its own mall! We talked, read, watched some TV shows we had recorded. I read my new book that the Clinic gave me. Had some supper (Colin had Tim Horton's and I had a V8 Fusion & yogurt) All in all it was a REALLY long day.

We finally got the call to board around 9pm and I was so excited that we were going home, but I was NOT prepared for how the air pressure changes would make me feel. I had opted not to take the gravol because it was ORANGE flavored ... you can't get a more disgusting flavor in my opinion. I wasn't so much sick to my stomach as I had so many gas pains from the operation that it felt like my insides were going to explode on take off and landing. In between I tried to sleep as best I could but I was very uncomfortable.

We got into Sydney around 1am and were home and in bed by 2am and I have never been so happy in my life!! I slept GREAT considering the last two nights were very uncomfortable due to the large incision's stitches.

Today I woke up feeling refreshed ... I made a meal plan for the next few days, made a grocery list, and then napped (only because Colin wasn't ready to go to the store and I figured I could use it LOL) We went for groceries and stocked up on some really good food to bring me through the next few weeks of transition.  Now I sit here typing this as I wait for my Tomato Basil soup to boil then simmer for 45 minutes so I can throw it in the food processor and make it edible by me :D

Surgery Was A Breeze

Well here is how surgery day went for me!

I slept horribly the night before because I was scared I would sleep too late and miss the surgery.  I finally gave up sleeping completely around 5:30.

 5:30 - Got up and showered.
 7:00 -  Went downstairs with Colin so he could have breakfast and I could take my pre-op meds (just some pain relievers to help after the surgery)
7:40 - Got a cab to the clinic because we were told to be there by 8:20 (1 hour before surgery)
8:20 - Checked in but they were running behind so I didn't go upstairs to the Or Prep room for almost an hour, however, we were brought to a room for about 15 minutes to get weighed (down to 336lbs ... that's a 28 lb loss before surgery)
9:20 or so - Upstairs and talked to a few nurses, changed into my johnny shirt (wow they really think of everything too) The Johnny Shirt could have fit me and about 5 other people. I wasn't expecting that.  I sat in a bit leather chair reading the new Lap-Band Solution book they gave me and waited.
10 or so - Dr Cobourn came in to see me and ask how I was feeling about the day.  Another nurse came in and took my blood pressure height etc Then the anesthesiologist came in and explained everything that would happen the minute I got on the operating table.
No Idea what the time is now - Walked to the OR, got on the table and everything starts to get blurry from here.  One nurse wrapped my legs in massage blankets, the anesthesiologist put my IV in (which was the one thing I was terrified about and I still don't like it no matter how good he was) Within seconds of the IV the lights started to get fuzzy around me, I remember answering just a few more questions and then NADDA.
Between 11:30 and Noon  - Woke up in recovery.  Still had everything hooked up to me but I am not a fan of laying on my back so I asked if I could sit up. I dozed off and on for about 30 minutes and then was ready to get out of there.  They gave me 2 glasses of water to make sure all was well and it was.  I had a sore throat from the tube down my throat so the water was VERY welcome.
1:15 - They unhooked me and brought me down to the same room I was in to check in and Colin was waiting for me.  They explained everything and then gave me a bag of medications to take with me.  Liquid Codeine for pain, GasX strips (like the breathmint strips) to help the gas they pumped into my abdomen go away, liquid tylenol and graval for my flight home.  I was told to only drink water all day and then Thursday I could add in see through liquids like apple juice, chicken broth etc.  Friday I could add in soups, liquid yogurt etc and next Wed I could start purees (YUM)
2:00pm - Back at the hotel I checked in with family and friends, took a does of codeine and attempted to nap which was EXTREMELY difficult trying to find a comfortable spot. Finally did and slept till 4
5:00pm - Colin's cousin Rhonda and her daughter came to visit for a bit.
6:00pm - Colin ordered a pizza for himself and we watched some Harry Potter Special Feature DVDs
8:30 - 9pm - Colin and I were both so tired from the day we fell asleep

1:30 am Thursday - WIDE AWAKE so I'm writing this :D

Today is the Day

Well its only 4:20am Toronto time and I'm wide awake. I think I went to bed a little too early last evening.  Surgery is at 9:20am but I have to be at the Medical Center at 8:20.  Previous to that I will have to take a few pain killers to help make the journey a little easier/safer.  They must be taken at 7:20am.  Not much else has to be done to prepare at this point except I haven't been able to have a drink since midnight and I feel parched in this hotel room.

The hotel is nice, but the "executive" room/floor was NOT worth the price.  The restaurant is really nice and one of the waitresses has been so kind getting me water the minute I sit down with Colin and talking to me while he eats to distract me. Even though that really isn't necessary I haven't had an issue watching someone eat or baking/cooking myself since about day 4 of the liquid diet.

I am still not what people would call nervous so much as excited to get this all over and done with.  I will be so happy to be back at the hotel later this afternoon relaxing with Colin, most likely sleeping a lot hehe.

Not much else to say at this time but will update again as soon as I am coherent enough to type lol  Thank you to EVERYONE who is praying for me today I appreciate all your kind words and thoughts!!

Flying Tomorrow

WOW ... 20 days down .. 1 more to go before Surgery!!

I leave Sydney at 6:10am tomorrow and land in Toronto at 7:54am their time.  I can't believe its here already.  I feel great! I am able to do some things I haven't been able to do in well over a year.  Simple things like walking up and down my back stairs without having to hold on to anything or take a break every step.  It seems like something so small to most people but for me I felt like a little child just learning to walk when ever I got to the stairs. That has finally stopped/gone away.

I find it absolutely unbelievable that I am going for surgery on Wednesday and I truthfully have no fears what-so-ever.  I don't know if that is normal or not but I am very thankful so far!

I'm Wearing Jeans!!!

Yesterday I had a pair of pants on that I bought a little over 6 months ago.  They are comfortable in the legs but still a little tight, however, they are so large around the waist and hips that I can take them off without unbuttoning them.  

Today I decided that I would try on a pair of jeans that I haven't been able to wear since I purchased them.  I tried them on in the store and I thought they fit perfectly, then I had to get them hemmed.  When I got them back home I never wore them again because they were too tight. Today they fit GREAT ... not perfect because a few more pounds will make them even more comfortable, however ...

It's the first time I have worn jeans in almost ... 3 YEARS!!!

One Week till Surgery

WOW ... I'm one week away from surgery. 

I can't believe it is getting so close.  I have been feeling great on the liquid diet, but  I will be VERY happy to have it over with soon.  More so because so many people keep asking me if I'm hungry yet.  I am doing well weight wise on the diet as well. As of last evening I was down another 6.8lbs bringing my total weight loss up to 21lbs.

This is a number I haven't seen in a few years.  I hope to NEVER see it again either!!

Day 11 - Weekend Again

Well I am one day away from being half way through this first journey.  I feel amazing and can't believe that I did it so far.  I was very scared when I first heard I had to be on a liquid diet for 3 weeks.  I didn't know what to expect.  I was afraid I would be starving every day no matter how often people told me I would be fine.  I worried about seeing food in the house and wanting it.  I was worried that smelling food would make me break the liquid diet and make me have to start all over.

None of these things have happened!! I am not hungry despite the fact that EVERYONE who hasn't done this thinks I should be starving to death.  I am actually so full some evenings I don't feel the need for supper but eat it because its something I need to do to stay healthy.   I don't care who eats around me or what is being made in the same house, I know that I am fine without it. I have even made meals for Colin and didn't mind it at all.  I know he's not going to be on the same meal plan as I am ever, unless he's sick, and I can't stop doing my daily routines of making meals, cleaning up after them, and watching someone eat them.  I can still say things smell delicious without eating them which is something that is different for me.

I went, last evening, to watch Colin fly his RC plane and we went down to the dam (actually behind it on the walking track) and I thought to myself, this is the first time I've sat here in my car without a fast food meal in my lap.  It was a very ODD experience for me.  I hope to have many more times in the future where this is the case!!

My next step is to make sure I have everything ready for our trip to Mississauga.  We leave in 10 days!! I am also trying to make meals plans for after the surgery so I don't struggle with trying to figure out what I can and can't eat. I hope it goes as well in real life as it is going in my head!

Week One Down

Well I got weighed in last evening at TOPS and was pleasantly surprised to see that I have lost 9.6lbs in ONE Week .. yes ONE WEEK.  Something I never thought possible and I know it is not something that will happen after the surgery but it sure is nice to see!

From my highest weight I am now down 14.2lbs

I am entering Week Two with a new sense of accomplishment. I don't know if I thought I couldn't do it or that no matter how well I stuck to the process I would fail, but stepping on the scale last evening was the best feeling in the world.

Weekends

Well I'm almost through the weekend and its been an adventure of control for sure.  We spent Friday evening with friends. We played some games but what made it a little difficult was the kids.  Carrie & Joey's kids were here as well and as usual wanted treats.  So we brought a bag of ketchup chips back for them.  Normally I would never think about them but since I can only have shakes & water the smell of them was overwhelming!!

I did get through it but it was a struggle and then Saturday was just agonizing.  I felt sick to my stomach, hungry, and tired all at once.  I couldn't get rid of the feeling with just water so I napped. It was the only way to eliminate the feeling.


I am very lucky that I love the shakes so far. Below is my life for the next 17 days. I haven't had to put any flavoring into the shakes yet which is good but I'm sure as the days go on I will need to.


I just need to remember that no matter how bad they taste they are making my surgery safer every day and helping me achieve what I have always wanted to in life and that is be healthy!

Day 1 - Here We Go

Well last evening was my last weight in prior to starting this journey.  I went to TOPS thinking I had gained weight after the meals I have been enjoying this past week but to my surprise I had actually lost 3.2lbs and have no idea how but I will take it.   My starting weight for this journey is 359.8!

 

I also asked for a few before pictures because I really wanted to document the size changes as they occur. I am not a fan of getting my picture taken at all right now so these were rough to have taken!!

I am so ready to start this journey and although I know it is going to probably be the hardest journey of my LIFE I plan to make the best of it because its what is best for me!

Today started with a shake of course! Vanilla to start and I decided to have different colored bottles for each meal to help me out. Here is my first shake made from the SlimTime mix and 10oz/300ml/1 & 1/4 cups of water.  I could add more if I find them too think but for now I'm sticking to this exactly!

Here is to a New Beginning!

One More Day Left In My Old Life ...

Bring On This Amazing Journey ... I have only one day till I start my liquid diet.  Last evening Jay came over and did an interview with/for me. It was definitely like a therapy session.  He asked questions no one else did/would. He just set up the camera ... sat off to the side of it ... and started asking me questions.  I had a really hard time answering some of them. I cried through a lot of the interview, not like a sob or ugly cry as Marcy calls it but tears streaming down my face for most of it. It was an EMOTIONAL ROLLER COASTER that I needed to start my new journey off with.

I am SOOO happy he is doing this with/for me but he's not letting me see the videos till Christmas. He wants me to make it through a good portion of this before I see any. He wants me to not change how open & honest I am in the videos and he thinks if I see them I will hold back on my answers or become too scripted.

Tonight is my last TOPS meeting before my new life begins.  I will be getting a picture or pictures taken, my measurements and a shot of my weight on the scale.  I will post them this evening and continue on with this blog then!