WOW - I can't believe that I have 36 hours until I am banded. 36 hours!

Today, my youngest and I went on a tour of UMASS Amherst (she is a senior in high school this year) and the tour of this beautiful campus was lead by an enthuastic 20 year old, someone who could run up and down the hills of this university with no problem. Me, on the other hand, I was out of breath halfway up the first hill! I stayed with the pack, kept going, and toured the campus on this picturesque autumn New England day. I wanted to make sure this day was all my daughter wanted it to be, and I did not want to embarrass her. So, I kept going....and going...and going. I just know that if we tour this campus again, I will be in better shape, thanks to this surgery, and going to the gym faithfully. I did not have the cider and donuts provided, I, instead, bought a water from the vending machine for $4! It would have been easy to cheat on my two week "liver shrink" diet, but I owe it to Me to stay true.

I know this is the right decision for ME. I have heard people say "oh, just eat better and exercise more"....thanks....if that worked for me, I would not be in this spot! However, all of my family, and most of my friends/co-workers are all so supportive of my choice, that words sometimes are not enough.

As I left my office yesterday, I carried a gift bag from my friends - a "good luck" bamboo plant, gift cards to our local Stop & Shop (Peapod delivers, which means my daughter will be thrilled) and Lysol (I am addicted to Lysol!!) What awesome co-workers I have! We even went to the local restaurant for Happy Hour, and my water with lemon never tasted so good! Happy Hour is happy, when sharing it with people you enjoy, even when partaking in H2O only.

So, tonight, I finished the shopping, bought Halloween candy for the trick or treaters in two weeks, and now to finish the laundry. Tomorrow I will shampoo the carpets and finish up all the last minute things I may have forgotten ....and then Monday morning, at 9:45, I report for my surgery.

36 hours. That is why my life changes for the better!

Congrats. I will be banded a week from Tuesday so for now I am still suffering through the pre-op liquid diet. I swear if I ever see another one of these protein shakes after surgery I will scream. It's all I can do to get one down. But, I know it will all be worth it in the end. I can relate to your getting out of breath when exerting energy. I think that is what I am looking forward to the most - having more energy and being able to chase my two grandsons around without getting worn out. So, good luck to you. I look forward to seeing your progress in the weeks to come.