It's Finally Friday (again)

Been a long week. For some reason I am finding myself very tired every night, to the point where I am once again taking naps. Something I haven't really done since I started using my lovely C-Pap machine to blow air up my nose all night long. Wondering if it's due to a lack of proper nutrition..or does the C-Pap not work right now that I've lost some weight? Hmm.. Well today I went to give some blood for the doctors to evaluate (they took about 10 vials I think). I see the endochronologist (diabetes) doctor next Friday and will learn more then. The rest of the blood tests were for the weight loss surgeon. I guess we'll see if there is something more sinister going on in my body than I know about and thus the extra napping.

Tomorrow I am going to have lunch with my "Fourever Friends" (Nona, Sandy and Carlene - with me it makes four). Nona has been having good and bad days since Byron left this earth. Hopefully time out with her friends will help cheer her up if only for awhile.

Sunday I am going to attend my first ever UofM Women's basketball game! My friend/old boss Terry is a huge fan (was President of their "booster" club) and he is asking everyone to "fill the barn". It is their last home game of the season and he has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, so unsure of his ability to attend future games. I am excited, although not sure what to expect other than a lot of squeaky shoes and sweaty women!

Wishing anyone who reads this (does anyone read this??) a fun, restful and safe weekend.

Fat Tuesday!

It's "Fat Tuesday" and we had a potluck at work. I even participated in eating some of the goodies. I had 2 crackers, some cheese and about 5 pretzels. I actually felt a little guilty eating some of that. Later, I had lunch with Diana, a friend at work. She is going to have surgery on March 12. We talked about food and how/what I was able to eat now. I tried to share some pointers for early on right after surgery. It seems that you become an instant expert once you have gone through it!! I hope all goes well for her, she's been waiting for this for a long time and it was postponed in February because of a slight blockage in an artery.

I feel like food is going to stay down a little easier now. I had no problems eating cheesy potato soup from Byerly's for dinner Monday night (and lunch today) and have been eating the Bear Creek chili for about a week now (sick of it!). Still touch & go on meat, but even that is getting better.

My hairdresser said she didn't think my hair was thinning. She thought maybe it feels thinner because the color is coming out - and the gray is coming in!! Next month I have an appointment for the whole she-bang: cut, color, eyebrow wax!

Monday Monday

Ugh..this was a hard Monday to get through. I don't know why, maybe because I had such a fun Sunday that going to work was such a contrast to that fun!? But, I made it through the work day and now I am going to go and get my hair cut!

I feel like my hair is thinning because of the lack of protein I consume. I hope it doesn't get too out of hand! I've been taking biotin for several years, so hope that helps. And my new source of protein should help, too. I'll ask Karen, my hairdresser, about it too.

Nothing else new. Same stuff, different day!

Another day...

Well, I didn't get the tennis shoes yesterday. But I did get some hand weights (3 lb ones) to use when I do go walking. And I walked around Target for what seemed like an eternity, so I think I got my fair share of exercise! I promised myself last night that I would wake up early, throw on my old shoes and go to the Y this morning, before Brenda comes over. That didn't happen. I woke up early (around 7:30 - early for me) and read the paper, threw the sheets in the washer, ate some breakfast, watched some TV and now it's 9:30. Lazy is the word of the day!

I am very excited to have Brenda come over!! It was so fun last time we met, just talking about the old days and bringing up names from the past! Now we are going to look at the faces and read the notes from the old days. Fun!!

Hope everyone has a great day today. Tomorrow is yet another day!

Saturday Plans

It's finally the weekend and I have to figure out what I'm going to do with my day. First of all, my brother Rick (who is apparently an expert on such things) told me that I am supposed to make an entry every day to my blog. Huh!? Guess I missed that one...but I'll try!! Hope it doesn't get too boring!

I am hoping to get a new pair of tennis shoes. But why do we call them tennis shoes, I never play tennis. Or maybe that's just me being old, maybe they aren't called tennis shoes any more. Maybe I'm supposed to call them "athletic shoes" or "sports shoes" or more specifically "walking shoes" and hope I never run in them (I haven't run in years, so not a great risk). In any event, they won't be cheap! I have at least one "Fred Flinstone" foot, my left foot, that is about as wide as a double wide trailer and so I can't even buy the wide width shoes, have to go to special stores where they serve you lattes and they put the shoes on your feet so they can charge you $300 for a pair of tennis/athletic/sports/walking shoes. This is why I call them "CPS" - car payment shoes, each pair is equal to a car payment!

So that's one plan for the day. I'd like to start going to the "Y" and getting my money's worth so having the right shoes will be the first step. Then I'm sure I'll need a new work out T-shirt and then I need new work out pants..it's just like changing the bedspread in your room - then you need new drapes, new carpet, etc. Where does it end??

New Protein!

According to the doctor's office scale, I was down 86.4 pounds on Tuesday. He suggested that the knee pain may be due to my weight "shifting" and my center of gravity has moved. Hmm.. I suppose that's possible. He also said I need to walk/move more, and I was proud to tell him I joined the "Y" (but didn't tell him I haven't been there yet -- waiting for new shoes). I also got a shot of B12 and a prescription to give myself one every month for the rest of my life. And have to start taking Vitamin D and Calcium. So, for every pill/shot I gave up after surgery, I have added a new one!! :o) Ain't life funny?

I also found a new form of powdered protein that I think will work. It's called "Unjury" and it comes in flavors like chocolate and vanilla for mixing with milk and one is flavored like chicken soup. I have tried the soup and the chocolate and both are tolerable!! The liquid protein (green juice) I've been using is supposedly not as easily absorbed and the dietician didn't recommend it for long term. Most powders I've used are horrible, so this is a great discovery for me!!

Chelsea is really stressing over money, which makes me stress over Chelsea! The recession is hitting everyone in some way. Not sure what we can do to make it better. She is planning to move into a new place/situation where her rent will be substantially less, but her current roomate is very upset with the prospect of losing her. Life can be so hard at times, but I tell her to do what is going to be best for her. That's all we can really do!

Looking forward to a quiet weekend. My life long friend Brenda is planning to be in town and so on Sunday we're going to go through our High School year books and some notes that we used to pass back and forth (she kept them!!!) just for fun! Should be a great day. We hadn't seen each other in probably 20 years and re-met this past Fall. Good friends are hard to find and even harder to keep, so hold on to them!!

Wishing everyone a great weekend ahead!

WLS Update

Thought I'd give an update on the amount of weight I've lost so far. As of Saturday when I last weighed, I was down 85 pounds (this includes the approximately 43 pounds I had lost prior to surgery). Feels good to be absent that additional weight! My knees, however, still have some pain. I see the surgeon tomorrow and will ask about that. I think one of the medications I take are making it worse as one of the side effects is severe joint pain.

I've been able to eat some additional types of food. Had chili (no meat) this weekend and also some Lean Cuisine pizza (again, no meat). I've had incidents with meat coming back up on me, so it scares me to try it again. I know I will have to, but not rushing into it! I also tried some bread and that works now, too. Shouldn't eat too much of it though.

I joined the YMCA (again) yesterday, but haven't attended yet. I need to buy new CPS (Car Payment Shoes) because my old ones are loose and just not real pretty! I tried some shoes on at Kohl's this afternoon and didn't find any that fit right. So, I am sure I still have to buy the expensive ones to find a good fit.

I'll update again after the doctor's appointment if there's anything significant to report.

My Funny Valentine

Valentine's Day - while I don't oppose it, I find it difficult to really celebrate it. I mean, one day of the whole year where you are supposed to either find someone of the opposite sex to be lovey dovey to or to have treat you with lovey dovey antics. I have had some wonderful Valentine's days in the past which doted on love from the opposite sex, but later found out that they were just 'faking it' and the love was short lived, or it wasn't real. So this Valentine's day I got up early and took my car to the Perfect 10 car wash because 1/2 of the proceeds of any car wash that day was going to CEAP - the local food shelf. What a way to show love to many people and expect nothing in return (except a clean car). Then I went to see my brother-in-law, Brad, who has been hospitalized for well over a month now. Again, showing love to someone but not in a phoney or "I wanna get in your pants" kinda way. Afterwards, I was fortunate enough to have my niece, Grace, spend some time with me. We went to church together and she offered to do my Greeter job so I could do the lights/sound. That was really an expression of love from her, she welcomed people at my church (and even wore my name tag -- and some people greeted her as Cheryl - but she didn't mind). Then she and I had a 'romantic' dinner at Baker's Square. She enjoyed the stir fry pita while I somewhat enjoyed the oatmeal and toast. But we were together and talked and enjoyed each others company - more love!! We topped it off by completing her homework assignment, looking up words and their meanings. Then watched "Over The Hedge" together. All in all a great Valentine's Day filled with love in every meaning of the word. I hope everyone else enjoyed their day...and have an enjoyable day today!!

Goodbye, Byron

A very sad day. My dear friend Nona's husband Byron passed away today. I just found out when I got home from work. He passed away peacefully with his family around him. But, he's gone. He was such a sweet, kind and fun man. The past few years have been very difficult on him and he has been living in a nursing home (which just about killed Nona). I talked to Nona tonight and she says she has no reason to go on. I told her she has family and friends who need her, but she said it's just not the same. She doesn't even want to be in their house. I'm so sad for her. I can only imagine how deep a love like theirs goes. They have been married for over 50 years. Side by side through everything in life. And now the love of her life is not on this earth any more. I can understand, but selfishly I don't want to lose her. Rest in peace, Byron. You deserve the rest and I know God will take care of you!

Saying Goodbye

Well, I had to say goodbye to Chelsea and Chris today. It is always hard to say goodbye to her, I usually cry on the way home - if even for a bit. I miss her, but we talk alot so it isn't as bad. But I want her to be happy and if she's happy in Seattle, that's a good thing. This trip (as I recall on others, but she said I'm wrong) she said she is thinking about moving back to MN. I told her to really think about it because she's moved back home once before. It all seems like fun when you're here on vacation, visiting friends and family, sleeping in, etc. But the reality of it is you have to have a job if you live here and your friends don't always take the days off to be with you! She's thinking on it.

Re: Chris - what a wonderful young man!! He is so personable and friendly. The family really liked him a lot. I did too. I hope he comes back and brings his son with them.

It was a wonderful weekend spending time with both of them! Now, back to the bad place! :o(

Chelsea & Chris

They are finally here..and I got to spend most of the day with them yesterday. We had fun (well, I had fun). We had breakfast together and talked alot, then Chris and I talked while Chelsea had her tooth filled at the dentist. Then we went to Gigi's and played some scrabble. I had ordered a veggie soup, but turns out it was full of veggies I don't like (squash and zucchini to name two). But the broth part was good, and so was the bread - and the meal marked the first food I've eaten in a restaurant since surgery! And I didn't puke, so that was a bonus.

Today the family is coming over for a lunch and to see Chelsea and meet Chris. I am hoping for a wonderful day..stress free would be nice, too! I read both mine and Chelsea's horoscopes and they both mentioned some stress at a gathering today (hmmm...) so I hope that's wrong!!

Wicked Wednesday

It's Wednesday. My baby girl is in the state of MN! Yeah! And as her good luck would have it, it's rather chilly here (was -7 degrees when I woke up today). Can't wait to see her and to meet her new man, Chris.

It's also Wednesday and my sister and her hubby are both still in the hospital. Different hospitals and for very different reasons! I was going to have Grace duty, but she opted to stay at a friend's house instead of at her old Auntie's house (go figger). Hoping beyond hope that both of them get out of the hospital soon and can get back to their 'normal' lives.

It's still Wednesday and I am still feeling like I'll never get to eat a normal meal again. I just had lunch (a piece of string cheese, some wheat thins and a bit of canned peaches) and I feel unsettled. What I wouldn't give for a slice of thin & slimey pizza, or a nice rib eye steak..but I know in my heart those would make me puke like there's no tomorrow!! Oh well.

It'll be Wednesday later when I go to church to be a Table Parent for the kids and watch them eat slices of delicious pizza....oh the humanity!!

Cancer Really, REALLY sucks

I just found out today that my old boss, Terry, recently found out he has pancreatic cancer. They gave him 6 months. It is not fair! He's older than me (63), and he used to smoke, but he quit a long time ago. He was the image of healthy. Now this. It seems like every day I am hearing about someone who has cancer. My small world has been effected by it so many times: my sister Sandy, my uncle Bernard, my Pastor John, my friends Nona and Linda. My co-worker, Kathy. And now Terry. It all just wears me out. If it has this effect on me, how can they make it through a day?

Starting a Blog

I thought I'd give this a try. I really like the way Chelsea's blog worked, and didn't much care for the format of Facebook..and so giving this a shot. I want to write about my ups and downs associated with some changes in my life:

• I had gastric bypass surgery on 12/18/08. It was a big step, but one that I knew I needed to take in order to improve the quality of my life. Anyone who thinks this is the "easy" way to lose weight should have their head examined (which, by the way, I had examined before surgery). It's the hardest "diet" I have ever been on. On this program, if you 'cheat', you get SICK! Ugh! But I know already that it is worth it. As of this morning, I am down 78 pounds (about 44-46 pre-surgery and the rest since then)
• I just was told last Tuesday (January 28) that my job at work is being 'relocated'. I've been with my company almost 31 years and this is my thanks for the hard work. It is going to be sent off to someone in India who doesn't even know what a Target Store is, probably has never been inside one. So you can imagine the thoughts going through my head!

I am trying to remain positive about the changes (afterall one of them is good). I think sometimes getting things down in writing and maybe even having someone else read them will be theraputic in a way. So here's to trying new things!!