Tuesday, September 6, 2011

First day of high school AGAIN!!

I love going back to school.  It is fabulous!  Where else can you become a slave to the sound of a bell?  When you hear a bell, the kids enter.  You hear a second bell and the kids are now tardy.  The third bell of the day says that those kids can leave.  You scurry off to the rest room.  You have exactly 3 minutes to do your business because you will be late to your own class if things run long.  Then you repeat this routine all day long...with a lunch and maybe a snack thrown in between more bells.   It really is a very glamorous job indeed!

The learning curve is pretty high this year for teachers in my district.  We have a new phone system,  new computers with old and new software that doesn't always jive with our operating system, new furniture (which means that most have had to rearrange their rooms and ways of thinking), switching from microsoft word to open office software and today we completely ran out of paper in all of our copy rooms!  Taking it all in stride...that is what we do best!

My numbers are good this year.  42 in Mixed Choir, 19 in Varsity Choir and 25 in Mini Musical.  1 student will be in all 3 of my classes,  8 students will be in 2 of my classes and the rest I only have once a day!  I LOVE REPEATERS!!  It adds integrity and depth to my program!

During professional development days with only the teachers, I got lots of "Wow, Heidi...you changed your hairstyle...it looks great" type of comments.  The cardinal sin is to actually say to a fat person "Wow, you have lost weight" and then get the response, "No, I actually have gained some" so most people just don't say anything at all.  That is safe.  That is acceptable.  That is fine.

Kids, on the other hand, are very opposite.  They don't always have social filters.  They say it like it is.  Comments I got today:  "Woa, Pelkey.  You is shrinking".   "Mrs. Pelkey, your face is soooo different.  I mean, it's skinny and all".  And my favorite one:  "Pelkey, you are looking  smokin' HOT".  Honestly, I had to laugh at that one out loud! 

Overall, it was a great first day.  And now on to the second one!

Make it a fabulous day ahead.

Blessings,
Heidi




Thursday, September 1, 2011

Eggs are NOT my friend.

A couple of weeks ago, when we were on vacation in PA, I noticed that eggs were a main staple at breakfast time.  When you have the choice between waffles, bagels, sugared cereal,  or eggs... eggs have to win in my new eating life!


I noticed that I was having some pretty sad digestion issues almost every morning that we were there.  So, when I got home, I decided to try other protein options and stay away from eggs.


Today, I was running very late to school so I stopped at subway and got an egg mcmuffin sandwich.  I took off the bread and only ate the middle.  An hour later, after fighting the gagging feeling for many minutes,  I got rid of the egg.


I think that eggs are the culprit.  SO, I will take another few weeks off from eggs and give them another try later this month.  I love eggs so this is hard for me but I know that I have other options.


I lost another pound this week!  33 pounds gone...forever.


Have a great day ahead!
Blessings,
Heidi

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Cause and Effect

I have started to realize that when I have a sneezing fit during a meal, it means that I have swallowed something bigger than a peanut size M&M.   It starts as sneezing, then I get a pain in my chest area, and then I realize that there is no solution for the problem except for a trip to the bathroom.  It is one of the least desirable things that happens post surgery. 

Tonight I had a piece of leftover chicken.  It was dry.  And I wasn't enjoying it so I was hustling to get down because everything else on my plate looked way more appetizing.  Oh well, better luck next time.  :(

Tonight I will need to have a Greek Yogurt Fresh Peach smoothie in order to catch up on my protein.  I guess I'm okay with that! :)

Got a good amount of work done today at school.  I have to pick music today and tomorrow for all of my groups...

I canned a bushel of peaches yesterday as a way of procrastination. 

And for those of you who are facebook friends.... I got my circa 1995 Praise Walk tape replacement today.  It was utter disappointment as I realized that it was the same one that I already owned.  The seller said I can return it...so I will and I will keep looking.  Sadness in the fitness department!

Well, the kids are both in Praise Band tomorrow at church so it will be a fun service.  And then I plan to come home and cook lots for the week and get ready to start my professional development stuff on Tuesday.  The end of summer is so near.

Make it a great day!
Blessings,
Heidi





Wednesday, August 24, 2011

God's Gift to me.

In mid June, when I had to give up all fresh fruit and vegetables for the good of weight loss, I knew it would be a horrible summer.  I am in love with fresh peaches.  I love them.  When August 5th rolled around and all fresh fruit and veggie restrictions were lifted, my world changed forever.  This is my ultimate favorite snack right now:

And by the way, I would never take a picture with a dirty spoon.  But Google images was a bit short on the FRESH peach and cottage cheese pictures.  YUM. 

Canning a bunch of peaches this weekend.  Double yum.

Blessings,
Heidi

Doctor's Visit

I am sitting in my local walk in clinic at my doctor's office.  I am not fond of this clinic but when I called to get an appointment this morning, for a mystery rash on my belly, I was told that the earliest I could be seen was tomorrow at 3:30 and I was welcome to come to the walk in clinic today. 

I am frustrated that doctor's offices are so overbooked.  When you are sick or uncomfortable, you should be able to be seen THAT DAY!  And you shouldn't have to go to a walk in clinic and then have to wait an hour and a half to be seen by a nurse practitioner.  I am irritated.

On the upside, they actually have working internet.   So, I will be able to catch up on my games on Facebook.  Win-Win. 

Make it a great day!
Heidi

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

The Never Ending Pasta Bowl



I have never been a giant eater.  Each summer, when Olive Garden, brings around the "Never Ending Pasta Bowl" offer,  I usually go at least once and shove down one bowl and then ask for a second bowl just so that I can take the contents home for another meal.  It's a great deal, after all.  You get TWO meals for $8.95!!  Hello???  Is anyone listening to that ridiculousness?  Umm...cook at home and you can get much more for your money.


A few days ago, the kids and I went to Olive Garden.  Although I am still never hungry and don't really have cravings, I know that I LOVE pasta (or I once did!).  I also knew that it would be ridiculous for me to ask for a 1/8 of a cup serving of each sauce/pasta combination that I would have liked to try.


Buffets and never ending pasta bowls are no longer "good deals".  And as I ponder that last sentence, I realize that they were never good deals...for the waistline at least!


Make it a great day!
Blessings,
Heidi



Monday, August 22, 2011

Interesting thought

I just got home from a great visit with my husband's family.  They live in Perkasie, PA.  I love the company and the scenery but they really need to fix the roads!  They are way too curvy!  After driving them in the rental car for 5 days, I had just started to figure them out and then we left!

A vacation doesn't seem like a vacation when the scale registers LIGHTER at your return night than the morning you weighed in and left for the trip!  Very strange.  Looking forward to a real weigh in tomorrow!

Hopefully I will have more time to blog this week!

Blessings,
Heidi

Monday, August 15, 2011

A random thought.

If I ever need a "last meal",  I want Wendy's chili.  It goes down well, doesn't over fill me and has a whopping 19 grams of protein.  Tonight I ate a WHOLE small with 2 saltines crackers crumbled into it.  Delicious.  Nutritious.  And SO TASTY.  


That is all.


Blessings,
Heidi

Saturday, August 13, 2011

A different weigh of thinking!

I am very punny tonight.    A little thought for my 15 readers! 

All of my adult life I have been chained to the scale.  I would weigh myself a few times a week in hopes of not gaining too much weight.    And when I was dieting, I would weigh myself to see if I lost anything, and sometimes be happy when the scale would move a half of a pound a week and be really sad when it was a good week of exercise and eating that the scale wouldn't budge.  At. All.

With this new journey, I have started to almost realize that I am not gaining weight anymore.  If I get on the scale, I either am down in weight or I stay the same.  I am starting to trust that my body is actually doing what it is supposed to be doing and I am just along for the ride.   Although it is exciting to still step on the scale and see that things are going in the right direction, it is also starting to get old.  I don't need to step on the scale every morning.  I just need to keep doing what I am doing and trust that things are good.  Just a different way/weigh of thinking.

And on a side note, after 3 years of training, Gracie is FINALLY catching popcorn in the air.  Hopefully when she stays with Grandpa and Grandma next week, she will catch those cheerios and impress them with her talent!

Friday, August 12, 2011

6 weeks.

I had my 6 week appointment today.  It has really only been 5 weeks since my surgery but I told my doctor that I was going on vacation and wanted the appointment BEFORE the trip not after!  And boy, am I glad I made this decision!

When I arrived at the doctor's office, I knew that my first of three appointments was with the Nutritionist and it was a group appointment so it would last an hour.  I don't prefer group appointments because they usually contain at least one clueless patient who ends up monopolizing the conversation but since I was a "reschedule", I took it without complaint.  And in hindsight, I am glad I did.  2 other woman (who both had the "sleeve" not gastric bypass) were part of the group.  As we were walking down the hallway to our lecture room, the power went out.  It stayed out for the next 2 hours!  We were in a room with windows so it was fine.  


The six week Nutrition appointment rocks.  Here is the basic gist of the conversation:  Eat all kinds of meats/proteins.  You can have legumes (woot!), beef, pork, chicken, seafood, etc., and soy.  So, go for it.  If you get your protein in, go ahead and have raw or cooked fruits AND veggies.  Oh, and if you would like to, try eating pasta, rice, potatoes, and bread.  And PLEASE don't count calories.  Just count protein.  AND...you can now eat high protein cereal WITH milk.  Big day of good stuff!


My second appointment was a trip to see the Exercise Physiologist.  He is a very practical kind of guy.  I like him.  He was extremely impressed that I was walking 40-60 minutes each and every day.  He told me it was okay to skip a day.  He helped me to set weekly goals instead of daily goals so that when school starts back up, I can see how to fit things in.  I am very worried about my skin sagging and he simply stated that it wasn't about working out, it was about getting the vitamins in and keeping my skin healthy.  SO, that was a big relief and I will religiously take those vitamins daily and pray for good elasticity.  


My 3rd appointment was with my surgeon.  He is a very soft spoken man and really listens.  I shared with him that my sugars were pretty much hovering right around 80-90 whenever I was testing.  He looked at me and smiled.  He then proceeded to say that within the next 20 lbs of weight loss, I would need to start weaning myself down on my Lantus insulin.  And eventually I will stop the insulin.  This was very sweet music to my ears.  This was the reason I had the surgery in the first place.  And this imminent reality was the best news of the day!  It is plain to me now, why some doctors are calling bariatric surgery a CURE for diabetes.


I lost 6 pounds from my last visit 3 weeks ago.  That is great news too but very secondary compared to all of the other news.   

It has been an excellent day.  I am going to celebrate it with a nice long sleep!
Blessings,
Heidi




Sunday, August 7, 2011

A great day of eating!

Things are starting to be much easier in the eating department.  I have noticed an increase in the amount I can consume and that is a good thing.  Last week  I was consuming about 4-6 ounces at my main meals and then getting in three small snacks.  This week, I have dropped a snack and now am easily eating 6-8 ounces on a pretty consistent basis.  I don't have large snacks...usually a quarter cup of cottage cheese with a little fruit (I like those Breakstone Doubles) or a cheese stick.  

Out of boredom, I have self advanced my diet.   (Sorry, Miss NUTritionist).   The carbs that give me the most issues are still bread (which I have hardly tried) and rice.  My "good" carbs that my body can tolerate at a very small level are mushy pasta and potatoes of all sorts.  I can have bread in toast form...I have done very well with the thin Pepperidge Farm white bread toasted dark.  It's kind of like a crouton!  I miss Legumes...but those do a lot of expanding in your stomach so I will hold off a bit longer.

After rereading that last paragraph, I am reminded of the fact that God always provides.  Before this surgery, I had a heart to heart with God and told him that I really didn't think that I could give up potatoes or pasta because those are my "white carb" loves.  I seriously struggled with the fact that if I couldn't tolerate these two foods, my eating life would be very shallow and sad for me.  SO, I guess he was really listening, because so far I am ok to eat small amounts of these foods.  And when I say small, I mean like 2-3  tablespoons or so!!  :)


I also have added hamburger meat to my growing list of protein.  I like red meat.  It tastes different than seafood and chicken or cheese or eggs.  And since I am not a big fan of cheese, this helps get those protein counts up.   I haven't tried pork yet.  And I don't really miss that!


Nate has been gone to a friend's house since after church.  He just called to get permission to spend the night.  I am grateful that both of my children have good friends.  And that I have good friends too.  


Man, so much thankfulness tonight...I might need to make a turkey tomorrow and celebrate!  


Blessings for a great week ahead.

Heidi

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Lost and Found!!

I have been "finding" things lately.  I think it is a lot of fun to find things you have misplaced.  When I was painting the bedroom and bathroom, I had to move the bed.  It had probably been many years (not months) since I moved the bed so it was scary!  I knew I would find the dust, dirt, and grossness that accompanies no cleaning but I was not expecting to find the pair of glasses that I had "lost" on the Chicago trip that I took with my students back in April!  I had already replaced them with an exact replica so now I have a spare pair.  It was a good feeling to find them.


Today I was taking my daily walk around the neighborhood around 8 a.m. this morning.  It was very humid and it must have briefly rained sometime in the night given the sidewalks were not their usual color. About a mile into the walk, I stumbled upon a ten dollar bill on the sidewalk.  I have NEVER found money.  I have lost a lot of money in my lifetime but I have never found it.  So the real thinking began....there was not a soul around.  Should I pick it up?  It was wet which meant it had been there a while.  I looked around again.  Why didn't anyone pick this up?  Certainly other exercisers passed it.  Well, I picked it up.  And I smiled and decided that I was being paid to exercise today.  It was a great job!   


Had 3 meatballs in some tomato sauce at Noodles and Company today.  They agreed with me well.  So far Chicken, seafood, and beef are all winners for me!  I don't get cravings and I still don't have an appetite but I have been thinking about pizza lately.  I can't eat the bread but I think that there is a super thin crust pizza that I might be able to handle.  That might be a tomorrow activity!  Of course it will only be about 1/2 of a piece but it will be a start.  


Tonight we had salmon.  I don't really like salmon.  I tried to eat it but it didn't really go down all that well.  I think I will make myself a crab cake or shrimp next time the family wants salmon!  


Ok, enough talk about food.  Time to enjoy the rest of this Tiger's game from the comfort of my couch!  


Have a great day.  


Blessings,
Heidi

Friday, August 5, 2011

A typical day.

It has been one month since my surgery.  I feel great!   I have logged about 25 miles of walking, painted 2 rooms, cooked countless meals, and gotten back into the swing of life.

Everyday brings choices for me now.  Since I haven't found any food yet that my body can't tolerate, I am busy trying new options.  Today I had a chunked up nectarine in my 1/2 cup of cottage cheese.  It was sooooo delicious.   Tonight for dinner I had a crab cake, 1 tablespoon of winter squash, and a few broccoli florets.  Everything tasted yummy!

On Friday I will go to GR for my 6 week check a few days early.  I am hoping that I will be able to add beef and pork to my list of "good" food.  I have had hamburger (in Wendy's chili) and have done fine with it so I don't forsee a problem. 

I am losing weight again!!  I have lost a total of 27 pounds!  I am trying to hold off on buying any clothes for school because I still have a month left! 


I step on the scale everyday.  I look forward to the little reward.  I am going to start to ween myself  off of this habit and maybe aim for 2 times a week.  And then actually record it only once a week!


One thing that my doctors office participates in is an online support program.  You are able to log your workouts, keep food diaries, keep track of your measurements, read little articles, etc.  I like the accountability that the site offers.  It helps me keep track of what I have had as far as protein goes each day...and it also reminds me to take my vitamins!  :)


Well, I have been told that the Pineapple Mango juice and the Mountain Dew are gone so I am off to the store.  Nathan can't survive 2 hours without these things!  


Pray for Maddie.  She isn't feeling too well tonight.
Make it a great day ahead.
Blessings,
Heidi

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Bad day/ Good day

I have been very successful at eating and drinking these past few weeks.  I have managed to get my 60 grams of protein in each day and my 64 or more ounces of fluid in as well.

A few days ago, I decided to take a whirlwind/unplanned trip to my parents for a few days.  It was great because we had no agenda, the kids lounged around, the parents were talkative, etc.  BUT, the eating and drinking were another story.  I brought lots of protein stuff but my routine was thrown off so I never got all my protein in and my water intake was very low but I did have a lot of fun!

Today I am having a hard time keeping anything down.  Smells are bothering me.  Food is not appetizing and I don't feel the desire to keep drinking. 

So, I will stumble through this day and jump right back on the discipline of eating/drinking tomorrow.  Tonight a cheese stick will be dinner.   And then maybe a double dairy smoothie for snack.  I'll at least hit 40 for protein today.

Off to see my husband and son play in a church baseball game tonight.  I love being the designated cheerleader!

Blessings,
Heidi

Saturday, July 30, 2011

The new "normal" meal

During my last trip to the doctor's office, I remember the nutritionist saying the following:  "Please eat your protein before eating any of the "extra" food on your plate".  I have been trying this week to put that extra thing on my plate.  I have gotten so used to eating one cheese stick, or 6 oz of yogurt, an egg, or a glass of milk for a meal that eating more than one thing seems a bit daunting.

Tonight I had a beautiful toddler size meal!  I ate one ounce of rotisserie chicken first and then I had a tablespoon of broccoli, a tablespoon of squash/onion, and 2 tablespoons of mashed potatoes.  And I ate the whole thing!  Eating like this is an adjustment to say the least but it felt sooooo good to finally get in some veggies!  Now I just need to make a more conscious decision to eat more things at a setting.  I am starting slowly...I will continue with the toddler size dinner and will eventually add something more to lunch and breakfast.  It really is baby steps!


I dropped a few more pounds this week.  This is my 24th day after surgery and I have so far lost 24 pounds!  I am happy with that.  I don't have 200 pounds to lose like some people so I know that I will slow down at some point.  5 lbs a month sounds like a nice goal for a while!!  But, who knows what is in store.  It is just so great to diet and exercise and actually see good results!


I finished painting the master bedroom and bath.  I will try to remember to post pictures when I find my camera.  Make it a great day!

Blessings,

Heidi

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

A small snag

I am sorry that I haven't been writing very often.  I am sure that my 7 faithful followers have noticed.  Of course, only 2 of you comment....  :)


I am doing well.  My sugar was 118 this morning which made me really happy.  It has been a little high the last 2 weeks so I am hoping that it will keep trending down!




One week after the surgery, I hit a weight plateau.  A plateau is defined by doctors as a period of 2-4 weeks when no weight loss occurs and no change in diet has happened.  So, there I sat.  Every morning I weighed the same amount.  I was eating about 600 calories a day and was walking 2 miles and sometimes more.


It has been frustrating to say the least.  And a little scarey because thoughts that I had "broken" something inside were crossing my mind.  But today, I lost a pound.  FINALLY.  Now if tomorrow, I am back up a pound, you will probably not see good things in my next post.  I am going to learn how to draw tear drops on the screen or something.


A lot of people think that when you get the surgery, you just lose weight.  In reality, at least for me, I have to diet and exercise strictly.  The difference of before and after is that you actually do lose pounds.  So 2 weeks and one day is a long time to wait to lose one pound since the first 22 came off so easily!  


Bit by bit, persevering.  That is what I am called to do each day!

Stan is gone to a meeting for a few days so I am going to paint!  (He doesn't like the smell so I try not to do it when he is here).  Going with a nautical theme to our bedroom and bath.  Will go get the paint tomorrow!   I love projects that have beginnings and endings!


Make it a great day.
Blessings,
Heidi

Friday, July 22, 2011

Eating into the 3rd and 4th week

On Wednesday last week, I went in for my 2 week check.  I had  two appointments that day~one with the Physician's Assistant and the other with the nutritionist.

I am not a big fan of nutritionists.  I feel like I know a lot about the calories, fat, carb, fiber, etc. of most of the foods that I commonly eat.  I know how to count calories, fat, protein, fiber or whatever else a diet would call for.  I know the Weight Watcher point value of almost everything and I still look at something and think about the "points".  I am hoping that I will begin to forget some of this.

When I met with the Nut(ritionist), I was pleasantly surprised.  She didn't talk in the familiar jargon that I was so used to.  Instead of telling me what NOT to eat, she began to tell me what and how to eat.  My primary focus right now is protein.  She told me I can eat fruit, veggies (not legumes yet) and crackers only AFTER I got my 60 plus grams of protein in.  Foods that I can eat this week are cottage cheese, milk, greek yoghurt, refried beans, any soup made with milk,  applesauce (unsweetened), mashed potatoes,  non fat dry milk, puddings, oatmeal, oat bran, and tofu.  I have eaten everything except tofu...and that probably won't happen.  Next week I will add luncheon meat, regular chicken, turkey, all seafood, and any kind of cheese.

Things that I have discovered--You can add a fresh peach (no skin) to 3 oz. of plain greek yoghurt.  It is the most delicious thing ever--10 grams of protein.  I FINALLY get to have a peach this season!
I have already decided that I will have this again for breakfast tomorrow and the next and the next, etc.

You can also add dry milk to almost anything that calls for regular milk.  I just made my pudding with the normal 2 cups of milk and then added dry milk to the milk to give me double protein.  1/2 cup of pudding-8 grams of protein.  I plan to add more dry milk next time.   Pistachio flavor--yum!

I can't just eat a piece of fruit yet.  Too much sugar I guess.  I hope to be able to have a peach by the time the red haven peaches arrive in MI.  That will be some time in early August.

By the time I go on vacation to visit my inlaws, I will be eating mostly everything.  My next appointment is August 12.  I then will have three appointments~ Surgeon, Nut , and Exercise Person. 

I exercised 30 minutes today.  I walked 2 miles and did some weights.  I will continue everyday because my weight loss has stalled and I want the least amount of sagging skin as possible! 

My family has been such a support to me.  Madison saw me eating a cracker today and said, "Mom, is that legal?"  and gave me the evil eye.  I told her that crackers are now "legal" and she smiled and forgave me.  :)  Then she worked on writing a story via computer on the couch as I exercised.  Cheering me on...because that is how we roll!

It's been a good day today.  The temps have stayed in the 80's which is so much of an improvement for the week!  I felt so sorry for so many Michigander's who don't have air conditioning.  I hope that the heat wave is over.

Well, that does it.  Make it a great rest of the day.
Blessings,
Heidi

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Wow, a week goes by quickly

I can't believe a week has gone by since my last post!  Life got busy!  My sister came to town, I had my 2 week checkup appointment, and we have been living in a sauna!!  Wow, this heatwave can slow things down.

I feel great!  I am not really losing any weight right now but I am bringing my eating and drinking back online, my sugars are improving, and my potassium was tested yesterday and is up to 3.9!!  I don't remember ever being that high!  Anyway, major goal accomplished.

This week, I am beginning the exercise routine.  Lots of walking and a few weights right now are all I plan to start with.  I refuse to go out in this heat so the basement will become the gym for a few more days!

I am exhausted but it is a good kind of exhausted because I am able to stay awake (except for a small cat nap in the afternoons) and get a good amount of stuff done.  I got to see my nutritionist yesterday and I now get to eat all liquids AND things like cottage cheese, cream soups, mushy veggies, refried beans and puddings, crackers, and mashed potatoes.  I am working on eating 6 small meals (2-3 hours apart) and getting in 60 or more grams of protein.  It is a lot of eating!  But I am doing it and managing to get my 64 ounces of water in too!  Yay for surgery recovery.

Well, it's off to bed.  Tomorrow Stan gets to sleep in so I will sneak out and do some grocery shopping before the stores get busy.

Make it a great day!
Blessings,
Heidi

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Long Time, no Bloggin!

I  have been without phone, internet, and cable for a few days so blogging ceased.  Sadness... I enjoy processing my thoughts via writing.  :)

These last few days have been somewhat frustrating because for those of you who know me, I am a do-er.  And I couldn't do as much because my healing body wasn't letting me.  Very frustrating.  But today, I have turned the corner!  My incisions don't hurt anymore, I have taken no Extra Strength Tylenol and my body has started to return to "normal".  Without going into the details... my bottom half has always had issues with anesthetic.  It likes to freeze up for a long time.  Today the issues got all worked out :) and I feel like a new woman! Shaaaazam!

Since I started on this "diet" a few weeks ago and had to give up real food, my potassium levels have plummeted.  I have always had issues with this (I have a syndrome called "Gittelman's") since about the age of 15.  It is hereditary and I am asymptomatic.  Normal potassium levels are between 3.5 and 5.0.  My highest reading ever has been 3.4 and that is with very strict ingestion of lethal amounts of potassium each day.  When I had my pre surgery bloods checked my potassium was 2.9 which is in the critical level.  On my discharge day, my levels had fallen to 1.9 which is critically low.  Every single operation that I have ever had has ended up with me getting IV liquid potassium. It is very painful because it burns when it goes in.   That day, they gave me 3 bags of it and my levels didn't change at all!  Frustrating for them and very typical for me.  Today I had my bloods checked and I am up to 2.2.  Hopefully, I can continue the upward climb.

I had a chance to talk to the doctor tonight on the phone.  I LOVE when doctors call you!  :)   I told her that drinking the protein shakes were starting to really nauseate me.  She assured me that this happens to many patients.  That made me feel better.  She asked me if I liked Milk.  I about fell over in excitement and anticipation!  I LOVE MILK!  It is the one food that I miss the most.  She told me that instead of a shake, I can have a glass of skim milk and a packet of carnation sugar free instant breakfast.  And then she said, "Do you like yogurt?".  To which I replied, "Not as much as milk but a whole bunch more than those protein shakes".  She told me I could have yogurt without chunks.  I am elated!  This is a major win for me!  OH, and did I mention that those carnation instant breakfast packets taste a whole lot like Nesquik???  YUM. 

Today I mowed the backyard.  Don't tell anyone but during the last week of June when I was taking a class in Lansing, Stan mowed the front lawn and then the lawn mower broke.  Instead of taking it to the shop, he waited 4 days until I got home.  Then I had surgery, then I had recovery....So the backyard was like a jungle!  But with the cool temperatures I had to do it!  Tonight I will sleep well!

 My sugars are a bit high again...pray about that one.  But there is still time to kick the diabetes out.  My body is just being a little stubborn.  All in His time. 

Ok.  Off to bed so I can mow the front yard! 
Blessings,
Heidi

Monday, July 11, 2011

Dumping

"Dumping" is a type of syndrome that occurs naturally with up to 50% of patients who have gone through bariatric surgery.  I researched it today on the Mayo Clinic website and it was very interesting.  Yesterday, I think I had my first round of dumping.  It is not pleasant at all and manifests itself differently in everyone.  Symptoms can start immediately during eating or sometimes they creep up about 1-3 hours after a meal.   It basically is your bodies reaction to having too much "food" quickly go into your small intestine without enough stomach enzymes...you can read more about it by clicking here.

Yesterday I was on my way to church and I needed to get my protein in before the service so I was sipping my hot chocolate all the way to church.  When I got there, I had about 2 ounces left and instead of just leaving it, I guzzled it because without thinking, I fell back on the old way of drinking.  So, about an hour later, I was hit with a major wave of dumping syndrome.  I was lightheaded, dizzy, felt like my sugar was about 40, and had a major hot flash.  And then I sang in the Praise Band and pretended I was fine.  It lasted a good hour--most of the service--but I learned an important lesson from this.... I NEVER WANT TO HAVE THAT HAPPEN AGAIN.

Today, I have been very careful to take upwards of 2 hours to drink my hot chocolate.  And I feel full and much better.  So far, no down in the dumps feeling! And I hope to keep it that way!

The weight is falling off of me.  23 lbs today.  I can't remember the last time I lost that much.  My plan was to go back to school in September with my same old clothes...that plan may have to be modified.  I think the consignment shops will be my new best friend for a while!! 

Have a great day.  I am going to!
Blessings,
Heidi

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Cooking.

Today was a pretty good day.  I did succumb to a dose of pain killers last night and the pain subsided but the sleep was very sporadic.  I spent much of the day in a comatose state on the couch watching the Tiger's move into first place.

I did cook some food for the family.  Tonight they had meatloaf or baked chicken, mashed potatoes/gravy, pull apart rolls, squash, corn, and spinach.  They will now have leftovers to take them through the first part of this week!   I love to cook and during this journey, I have noticed that cooking is way more important than the actual consumption of food!  I sat at the table with them and drank my protein shake and tried to fit in.  It worked.  My family is so supportive of my decisions.  This really helps.

Today my stomach has felt much better.  The gurgling sound when water is swallowed is starting to become much less and the tummy is much less tender to touch.  Everyday is getting better.

Today was 20lbs down.  I have moved from a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 42 to 38.  I am proud.  Today I wore a shirt to church that I haven't worn since two Springs ago.  No one, except my family has really "noticed" a change but that is ok.  I will be ready when that starts to happen!

I am going to work up in my closet tonight.  I need to sort big clothes and smaller clothes.  And maybe even crack open a crate of clothes that I have kept for at least 10 years...because I liked them.  We'll see about the styles!

Make it a great Sunday.
Blessings,
Heidi

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Painkillers and Me.

 We are not the best of friends... painkillers and me.  We have been on semi speaking terms for a few days now but I really like to drive "heavy machinery" like a car, so I have broken up this friendship as of 2 nights ago.  After moving around quite a bit this morning, it may have been a tad bit too early to end the relationship.   Extra Strength Tylenol doesn't quite give you the same jolt!


I am trying to relax this afternoon.  I am headed upstairs for a little nap and then I am making my men some seafood alfredo for dinner tonight.  Madison is at a friend's house so the boys are the only ones here.  Can't wait for the Tiger's game on TV tonight...I made it one inning with out falling asleep last night--tonight I will try for 2!


Today I got a few lovely get well cards in the mail.  It is such a nice feeling to know that people are thinking of you!  I also received a card from my hospital signed by all of the different nurses and units that worked on me.  I remember exactly 2 names (out of 12)....this is also why I like to say goodbye to painkillers sooner rather than later!


Make it a good day.
Blessings,

Friday, July 8, 2011

Eating

Many of you have asked what I eat these days.  I have been told by several bariatric patients to follow the doctor's orders exactly and I won't have problems.  So, that is what I am attempting to do!  My goal is to drink 64 ounces of water and consume 4 8 ounce protein drinks daily.  Today I had 20 ounces of water and so far have had 2 protein drinks.  These drinks aren't just the "shakes" that people think about but they come in a variety of ways.  Hot chocolate, chicken and beef broth, gelatin, fruit drinks, etc.  so it really doesn't taste all that bad!


My first day after surgery I was drinking about 1 ounce every waking hour.  1 ounce is the size of a children's medicine cup.  It isn't very much.  After drinking the ounce, I felt incredibly full and couldn't put down any more liquid.  My liquids are slowly increasing but it is still very small sips, no gulping, no multiple sips, etc.  It is a slow go but I am resolved to get this done!


In two weeks, I will have a followup appointment with my doctor and nutritionist.  I have heard that I get to introduce some high protein soft foods (like cottage cheese, eggs, etc) to my diet.  And then 2 weeks later, I will add more things to the diet.  They are kind of secretive about what you get to add next...probably don't want to tempt you to eat it early!


The hard part of all of this are the pills...you can take up to two an hour...but when you take them, it fills you up!  So, I don't quite have this part down yet.


Today I gave up the heavy pain meds and haven't had any tylenol since 1:30 this afternoon.  I want to drive tomorrow so I need to stay off the big meds....but I will take them if I can't sleep tonight!


I also went with Stan to pick up the kids at Spring Hill this morning.  It was a bit much for the walking but I slept most of the afternoon and am relaxing now!  Little baby steps.

And finally, I lost 12 pounds before the surgery.  The doctor likes your stomach and liver to shrink beforehand.  When I got home, I weighed myself and had gained 9 pounds.  My mom says the nurses put in a ton of fluid into my IV bags.  So, today I weighed myself again and I was not only the 9 lbs down, but I also have lost one additional pound.  HERE WE GO!!  

Make it a great weekend. 

Blessings,

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Recovery Day 3

I wanted to blog again yesterday but somehow I got pretty hopped up on painkillers and making a sentence, let alone a blog post, was somewhat difficult! 

I was discharged from the hospital late yesterday afternoon.  It was probably a day too early but I was just exhausted from the constant door opening and vital checking all night long.  I loved my nurses, the hospital was lovely and I appreciated all of the good care that I was receiving but I was so glad to say goodbye.

Yesterday they weaned me off of the IV pain medicine and got me to do liquid vicodin.  I have decided that I am not a fan of this drug as it upset my stomach a lot.  They then tried Altram and that was a winner!  Last night I took a dose, laid down on the bed and 4 hours later woke up and realized that I was in the exact same position that I was in when I went to bed.  Sort of funny...sort of disconcerting at the same time!

Today I have tried to do a moderate amount of walking along with some light housework.  I have also taken lots of cat naps.  The anesthesia seems to take forever to get out of my system.

My goal for this week is to gradually increase my appetite.  Yesterday I managed to get down 8 ounces of protein drinks and about 4 ounces of water.  Today I have had 12 ounces of protein drinks and about 6 ounces of water.  I am never hungry so it is hard to remember to sip, sip, sip all day long.  The goal is to get 64 ounces of water and 32 ounces of protein everyday! 

I also am doing a lot of deep breathing to keep clearing out my lungs because there is a small threat of pneumonia if you don't keep things moving.

I am to walk to prevent blood clots.   Gracie and I have done 2 good walks around the neighborhood and I will hope to get one or two more in tonight. 

And finally, the best gift of all...my blood sugars have been in the low 90's all day today.  NO oral diabetes pills anymore and I have a feeling I will wean off of the 26 units of nightly insulin.

So, things are well.  Very well.  Slowly getting back to a new normal each day.  Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers!

Blessings,
Heidi

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Recovery Day 2

Surgery went very well yesterday.  The gastric bypass took about 1.5 hours to complete and was all done laproscopicly which means that I will have a much shorter hospital stay.  It looked like I might have even been released later today but an "event" happened that may get me an extra day in the slammer. :(

I slept the anesthesia off  for most of yesterday.  It always takes my system a long time to clear it all out but this morning, I am feeling much better.  It always makes me smile when I look at a hospital and notice that they are just on a time schedule that is foreign to me...basically what I call baby time!  You sleep for a couple of hours, you get up and they poke you with a needle or change an iv bag, or ask you to take a walk and then you can go back to sleep!  Oh, and you eventually get lucky and start eating!

This morning the nurse came in at 5 a.m. to draw some labs and about 30 minutes later, another nurse arrived with 3 bags of liquid potassium.  I have a rare syndrome that causes my potassium to sit at a very low level and stay there with asymptomatic effects to me.  Today it fell into the very critical level (1.9) and so they are opting for the liquid potassium method.  On a normal person this would raise the potassium up a considerable amount.  But my track record has always been a tenth of a point per bag...not really all that impressive.  The terrible side effect is that it burns my arm as it goes in.  So, I am dealing with that nuisance until about noon today.  Oh well, at least I can still type!!

I am looking forward to seeing the doctor this morning in about 15 minutes so I better rest up.  Sometimes my words get very slurred when I talk with not enough sleep! 

Make it a great day.  I will try to update later in the day!
Blessings,

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Nerves

I am nervous.  I know things will be okay but I am still nervous.  My parents will be with me on Tuesday since Stan has his first day of teaching summer school class on that day.  I am okay with that.

The kids are at Spring Hill this week.  Madison will get to ride a horse 2 hours a day and Nate will shoot lots of paintballs!  Each child was looking forward to a great week of spiritual renewal and FUN.  They couldn't wait to say good bye to me this afternoon!

I will keep myself busy by cleaning house and getting things ready for the week.  I don't think there is much recovery with this surgery since it is laproscopic but I want to be prepared for a slow end to the week.  Stan and I will pick the kids up from camp on Friday--it will be lovely to share a 2 hour car ride up to Evart together!


I'll check back in after the surgery!  Woot.  Here's to the beginning of a healthier life ahead!

Blessings,

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Surgery Confirmed!

I got a surgery date of July 6th a few weeks ago.  Before I left the office, it got changed to the 5th.  A few days later my surgery went from 1:30p.m. to 9:30 a.m.  via a phone call.  When I was in the office for my last appointment, I asked for a confirmation of time and it was now at 7:30 a.m.  Last night I got a phone call from the hospital that my surgery was indeed scheduled for 7:30 a.m. and that I should report to the hospital no later than 5:00 a.m.  And that would be 5:00 a.m. in Grand Rapids which is about an hour from my house.  Hmmm...looks like my 4th of July night will be incredibly short!  That is okay though...less time to get hungry in the morning!!
Blessings,

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

The journey has begun!

   Most of you know that I am a Type 2 Diabetic.  I am on oral meds as well as a once a day shot of insulin at night.  In March, my diabetes doctor told me that if my sugars didn't improve in the next 3 months, I would probably have to start taking insulin with every meal.  That also means that you take your sugar- a finger prick- at every meal as well.  I am not a fan of needles.  And I am surely not a fan of poking myself 4 times a day.  So I needed a solution better than what my doctor was suggesting.

Sometime in February, Stan and I had a pretty serious conversation.  It happened one evening when I least expected it and the conversation is going to lead to some incredible changes in less than a week!  Stan mentioned that he had been reading an article about Bariatric Surgery and how there is now clinical proof that 85% of the recipients had their diabetes "cured" by one year after the surgery.

I have given a lot of thought to surgery.  I needed to research it.  For the next few weeks, I scoured over every article online and started to consider the facts.  I have diabetes.  It is getting worse.  I am an otherwise healthy person.  Everytime I dieted, my sugar would go out of wack, insulin dosage would increase, and I would gain a pound or two as a result.  It is sort of like my body is allergic to food!

I went to an  Bariatric informational seminar in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids.   I talked to lots of people that had the surgery done themselves or knew someone who had.  I made sure that I was going into this with my nerdy info armor on! 

On June 14, I had my first appointment with my practice of choice in Grand Rapids.  There are 4 bariatric surgeons, 3 PA's, 2 Nutritionists, 2 exercise people (physiologists?), and countless support staff.  The place that I chose to investigate was a Center for Excellence which in layman's terms means that they take great care of you. 

One of my qualifications was that I could get the surgery done this summer.  I can't miss school!   I REALLY wanted it done when my kids were at Spring Hill so that there would be minimal interruption to their routine but I wasn't holding my breath since that was less than a month away!

Bariatric Surgery is all about insurance.  You first have to call your insurance provider and ask them to send you a pre approval checklist of sorts.  All insurance companies ask you to take a psychological test to make sure that you aren't crazy.  I prayed that none of my crazy would show through.  :)   A lot of insurance companies ask that you go through 6 months of medically supervised weight loss before you will qualify.  Your BMI (body mass index) has to be 40 or greater and you have a greater chance of qualifying if you have a pre-existing condition such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, etc.   My insurance had all of these things except one--- the 6 month waiting period.  First bit of good luck!

I met my surgeon on June 17th.  His name is Dr. Foote.  I certainly hope he knows more about stomachs than his name suggests!  I talked to him honestly and openly.  I told him that I was a choir teacher and that waiting until August or September really wasn't an option with my career.  I asked him if he might be able to get me in during the first week of July.  He looked up from his computer and said to me,  "You are really serious about this, aren't you?"  Finally a doctor that listened!  July 5th surgery date... my second piece of super good luck.

In preparation for the surgery, I started my "diet".  The doctor wants his patients to lose some weight 2 weeks before surgery for specific reasons.  Since the surgery is going to be done laproscopically (I don't know how to spell this), the surgeon needs to be able to move the liver and stomach.  When a person loses weight, both of these organs shrink!  So, I am on an 800-900 calorie diet that contains no store bought food.  It is pretty yucky.  This is day 8.  I am down 7 lbs.  So, I will keep you up to date here.  Not on facebook and not by email.  Just here.  Thanks for coming back to my blog.  It's been a while.
Blessings for a great end to the week,

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Trying again.

I have a lot to catch up on.  It has been almost 2 years since I have given any kind of attention to this blog but tonight I decided it was time to get back to it!  So, I thought I would begin with a post that summarized the last 2 years.   Life has been good.  There you have it.  So, now I can begin to blog again with absolutely no guilt! 

Where to start....hmmmm....give me a minute or day to gather my thoughts.  Meanwhile, sit back and enjoy the anticipation!