Kat817

Thanks Laura, I am resting now, sitting here with this "I hate Kat" laptop! I am just relieved my grandson is ok---scared the bejesus out of me. When we got to the hospital they took us the the same family room they took me to tell me Rick was not likely to live. Scared all of us who knew. Such relief he is ok, I feel almost giddy if that makes any sense. Kat

OK lets see..... I told you all what a wonderful time I had-I loved it and relive it in my head often!! I cannot wait til the next get together!!!!! I knew I would be comfortable with you girls, I just had no idea how fully we had meshed---I loved the trip, I love you girls--and cannot believe the band brought us all together, something I already was so thrilled about, but now it has given it another whole dimension! If I lost my band tomorrow, I would have you guys forever, and that comforts my heart in ways words cannot express. Haydee--I think my water camera is still in my unpacked suitcase. Not 100%---but close, is anyone else missing one? I noticed it in your back seat, but not thinking it is mine. TracyK---Macy is adorable!!! I love the pics we have done at Sears! But they can be real bold liars in an effort to sell! I would love to get her and Kinsey together---we could take them to see Ethan----I think they would only annoy Robby or Dylan---who are old enough to know they don't wanna be bugged by girls!!!! I am healing pretty well. Some serious sore spots. Each end of the incision is horribly tender, keeps me from sleeping on my sides. The drain tubes might come out tomorrow. I was hoping, but today showed me they might be in longer. Belly button looks pretty normal under all the tape I guess. I am still VERY swollen, I have no waist--just a straight up and down, and around figure---not real flattering!! But no hanging belly!!! I was at a new low this morning of 178!! Rick went back to work today. I was sitting watching a movie when my DIL called, she was hysterical, she had been in a wreck, and Connor was hurt, and the ambulance was coming. I managed to get to my cell and call Rick, he went ---but by that time the ambulance had left. He said the car is totalled, both front airbags, and a side ari bag had deployed. Manda come after me, and we got to the hospital, but no one knew anything yet. They were doing timed MRI's watching for swelling on the brain. After the 3rd hour, they let us see them, his little face is so swollen, it just tore me up. My poor baby. They had recently changed him to a booster, and upon impact he just flew out of it, and was totally unrestrained. I argued against it on his birthday---I told them it was too soon! No one listens!! (j/k) Anyway it seems there was an accident in the other lane--going out of town, and Ali was gawking at it---and did not realize traffic had come to a complete stop to allow the ambulance to exit. And she plowed into the truck in front of her. She recieved 3 citations. BUT the important thing is everyone is going to be ok. Connor has to stay in the hospital tonight----but will come home in the morning. I sent Manda with my debit to the Walmart by the hospital to buy him a carseat. She said Lenny cried when she carried it in. They can spend the extra few seconds buckling him in safely until he can better control his little body. He weighs like 34 pounds, but is only 2 and not real tall. She said she looked while she was there though, and he met all the requirements to be in a booster. Scary!!! Anyway the walking and all the doing has my drainage WAY up----so not holding my breath that he will pull them tomorrow. They hurt....I am ready to get rid of them! Judy, I am so sorry about Bob's cat. Give him a big Violet hug for me. I know the pain too well----which is why right now I remain pet free. My heart isn't ready for it yet. OK---I am going to post this before I lose it all again! Miss you all! Kat

DAMMIT! I just lost my looooooooooong post! Kat

Hi girls I am on my way over to the main thread to update.....but wanted to begin receiving notices on this sooooo...... Raquel Glitterkiss checking in for the month of August..... Kat

Sherry--life has been so crazy I missed your accident post----I am so sorry, I am so sorry, but glad you are ok. My DD had the same kind of accident the 2nd day she had her license!!! She refused to drive to school, the parking lot was too crazy she said. So she walked home, got her car and was driving to track practice across town. There was a car turning in front of her and she stopped but the girl flying up behind her didn't----just made her little car into an accordian! She too was in a neck brace following her ambulance ride! I hope you are all better VERY soon, please forgive me for my lack of focus..... Kat

I am not sure if we all got more beautiful by the minute as I cruised through these pics--Rick is still razzing me about my Texan boyfriends---yeah uh huh--or if my Demerol Daze has kicked in..... I will do my best to sit here tomorrow and try to figure mine out--will call on Manda if not! Off to hold the recliner in place for the night. I loved seeing the pics, Rick was saying he bet no one would believe you could put that many women together, and all of them look so happy!! He was TOTALLY impressed I was relaxed and waving in the tube. I think he had a mental picture of me white knuckled and panic stricken.....you know like the first few miles!!! Hugs~ Kat

Just a fly by check in. Was a rough day-----------I felt tons better and was having a much better time a week ago...... Denise, the baby is just precious, I am so glad you got to be there, I have been present with all my grandbabies births....think that will come to an end with this one due in Jan. I don't think Rick's son in law would allow that--dammit. They had a family party for my nephews graduation today, I made Rick go---he was home within a half an hour and it takes 10 minutes to get there! But I have layed around all day----I am sore in places I did not know existed--my lower belly is still freakishly flat! I have not had clothes rub against my upper thighs, and "other spots" that have been hidden by my hanging belly in so long, it feels totally bizarre to have clothing rub against me! And I am wearing very large loose things---it is just wierd. Manda keeps looking at me and expressing shock. I told Kinsey I was getting my fat belly cut off. So today Manda sas Mom your legs are skinny--Kinsey asks me "Did they cut off your fat legs too?" Nope legs were always skinny!! Scale is bouncing around from 183 to 185.5--so not dropping anywhere fast. It has not seemed to affect my hunger in any way, other than pain pills make my mouth so dry I cannot eat! If someone comes up with a time and a place, I will do everything I can to be there. When I take the pics I will share with any of you that want to look at the hideous things! I will have to have one of you help me.....but ya got to do it quietly, thinking of having others--DH's etc--see them, makes my skin crawl!! OK---I am off to recline again. Miss all of you---cannot believe it is already over!! Kat

I don't know Terry, but I want mine back, I am hurting today! My drain tube stitches are pulling, and the compression is beginning to rub.....and yep I just feel like whining!!!! I have swelled a lot in the upper abs. Rick actually called the Dr. who called in some diuretics for me, and wants to see me if it gets worse--but only to put me in a different type of compression, he said it is normal for the swelling to get worse before it gets better. Fun!! Oh well, going to mind the DH and take a pain pill tonight and relax...... Will check in tomorrow! Kat

I don't have any idea where the camera is even at right now. The water disposable is still in my packed suitcase! I forgot to have Rick take before pics of the belly, so I got up in the middle of the night, went in to the kids playroom, and snapped a few in the mirror--they are not good, and not something I will share with the world----just my friends!!! I have not taken any since surgery---but I will, and I will get my others done too....but you have to tell me what to do with them after that!!! Night all! Kat

I definitely thought back to last week--and yes Tracy, you were feeling no pain for awhile there---I think, things are kinda fuzzy around that time for me!! I am so addicted to this ---I got up to take some Tylenol, and here I ended up!!! Kat

Thanks so much everyone--I am feeling a bit more "with it" today, but other than another trip to the PS, I vegged all day! We have been taking short walks---just like I took him on when he had his heart surgery, has a definitive Deja vu feeling!! Today the PS removed the pain ball, and the tubes for it. It was a ball about the size of a billiard ball, it was filled with pain medication then it had 2 teeny tiny tubes that went into both sides of my incision, allowing pain meds to be administered 24/7 in the area I needed it. It lasts for 48 hours. He removed it and the tubing today. I still have 2 drain tubes, but the amount of drainage has reduced drastically, as well as the content, it is no longer bright red blood, it is more yellow thin plasma looking drainage, he said that was good, it is doing just what it is supposed to. He warned me during our first visit, that reducing the upper abdomen is much harder and is often done as a procedure in and of itself, because the only way to really deal with it is serious liposuction. And with the amount they remove with skin,on the lower abs, they do not want to shock the body severely, so the amount the can lipo, as well as how much pain you really want to deal with figures into it. He did some lipo, but I can see it is still going to be larger than I hoped, but there is nothing lying on my lap anymore, I can see my toes.....and not having that apron of skin and fat, is miraculous feeling!!! Well I am headed back to my recliner.....we have grown quite attached to one another!! And it is time to breath----he is making me crazy! Kat

Well I made it another day!!! I am extremely sore today, but I expected to be! After my weekend in TX, and having too much to eat and too much to drink-I weighed 185.5 the morning of surgery, then they took off 12 pounds he said, and when I weighed in here at home I weighed 198!!! I about cried~~~ But it has crept back down, and I again sit at 185.5----so hoping to see some further results soon!! I am really swollen---I don't have a waist curve, I am straight up and down---my rings won't go on, my toes look like sausages!!! So.....It will go down, I am just impatient!!! The drain tubes, and the very ends of my incision is what really hurts. Today he removed the pain medication ball I have been wearing, it is a small ball about the size of a billiard ball--filled with pain medication, then there are teeny tiny tubes running to each end of my incision--and pain medication slowly seeped into the wound. I helped a lot, because I was a lot less tender when it was on! He took it off, and removed the tubes for it. I go back next Wed. for a checkup and to determine if my drains might get to be removed. He said everything looked great. My belly button looks better than I had anticipated. Once again, this straight sitting is not feeling good, it puts pressure where the drain tubes are inside me----I'll check in tomorrow. Thanks for all the good wishes, I felt better knowing you were all out there!!! Some of the girls have a pictures uploaded already---if you come across a link, check them out, we had a blast!!! Kat

Just doing a quick check in to say I am alive!!! The scale has come down a bit, it now says I am the same size as when I went in---none of the 12 pound loss showing yet. I am still really swollen---my rings won't go on or anything, and my upper abdomen that is not in compression is really puffy. But the lower belly-----------OMG it is FLAT!!!! Today I went back in for my 2nd post op visit, and he removed 2 of my tubes, and the pain bolus (a ball the size of a billiard ball, filled with pain meds that seep directly into the wound) So now I have just 2 drains.....and lots of stitches, and steri strips. I am really loopy, I think it is the anti nausea patches they have me putting behind my ear....I have not had pain meds in close to 24 hours. I can't do personals right now.....I will catch up though!!! Hugs~ Kat

Hi, had a great time with the Violets in Texas. Had my surgery early yesterday, Surgeon said he removed 12 pounds of flesh and fatty tissue. Recovery has been painful, but I am going to make it!!! I will try to check in tommorow. I am going to have to go recline, sitting up the straight hurts! Thanks again for being there for me!! Kat

Thank you so much for all the support! I have slept pretty much all the time! Rick wakes me up and makes me use my breathing spirometer. I get up and walk aroumd the house all hunched over! I saw the Dr, again first thing this morning. He said it looks really good. He removed 12 pounds of flesh & fat!! Even with all the bandages, and drains and the pain ball it looks flatter to me!!! My scale shows me up in weight--But I still have lots of swelling. My rings will not go back on! My fingers and feet I can really tell---so maybe soon I can see!!! I will try to get on tomorrow---but this sitting upright has started hurting! Thanks again for all the wonderful suport!! Kat

Hi girl. Sorry no one called. My cell phone was left at home....Then we got incredibly busy settling me in, and people started coming by to check on me. I slept most of yesterday, as well as most tocay as well. Denise what a cutey he is! I am so glad you had the forsight to stay with her! Surgery went well. The Dr, said he removed 12 pound! My scale is not showing it lost---It shows me being 8 pounds heavier. I did weigh yesterday morning before going to surgery---I guess they adjust your anesthesia, and according to both my scale and the one at the hospital, I was up 4 pounds. So he did my surgery, and I showed them I could eat, and walk and pee without assistance and I could leave. I am so glad they did not lipo much, because that is where I hurt! They have a pain bolus it is called hooked up to me. It is round, about the size of a Christmas tree, it has 2 teeny tinsy tubes going from the ball to inside my incision--feeding pain contol directly. I also have 2 drainage bags. You dump them, then you squeeze it and close it---which makes it pull out fluid. I am exhausted today. All I want to do is sleep! Going to try the bed tonight, I slept in the recliner last night. I too want to say what a wonderful trip, we hadin TX. I enjoyed each and every one of you. I stumbled upon such amazing friends from this site. I too see us having many more! Were all the little kids happy to get thier Mommys home? I bet they were! Well I have been sitting up too long---I am hurting again. I will tr to check in tommorow~~~~thanks for all the good vibes coming my way in surgery! Love ya all! Kat

Well---I think I am finally out of here. All kinds of weather disasters. The barn flooded, so I had to deal with that....the road I need (Laura the turn in to Rio Rancho at 528) to go by, is flooding the hiway, and it is closed, while they clean sand and debris that flooded the roadway, up. Hoping by the time I get that far it is cleaned up, it just puts me hitting it at rush hour when I was doing my best to avoid that.....oh well!!!! So I am off finally I think. I felt so organized this morning, now I feel scattered----and flustered, and I think I gave myself a hernia---seriously! My belly button HURTS to stand up straight or do anything. Not my stomach, but my belly button..... Oh well if I did, I guess I did it at the right time! I hung my clothes to wear tomorrow separately so I do not have to lug my big suitcase in to the hotel tonight----and almost left it hanging on the bedroom door!!! LOL-------I might get there with everything, but probably not!!! See ya tomorrow! Will have my phone tonight, but no computer...... Off we go! Yeeee Haw!!!!! Kat

My suitcase is zipped and sitting in the LR!!! Sounds like I am together huh? But....I am not even dressed yet! I am meeting Rick for lunch....and will get my stuff done from there---then head to Albq. I was just so proud I finished my packing I had to brag-------I packed way the heck too much!!! Kat

Terry----as Kinsey would say....I yuv you soooooo much! I borrow trouble, always have, always worry----dummy me!!! I am listening to the rain fall now....and trying to decide whether to stick with my plan to drive the van to Albq. It is much less likely to get stolen from the parking area than my car!!! Hell I'D be less likely to steal it!!! LMAO! Kat

Suzanne---we are going to miss you too!!! We will get you a bunch of pics together, and you will be able to put faces to names too!!! Denise---got a baby yet??? My neighbor girl across the street, is due the 22nd. Today is her last day at work, and I think it is a good thing, looking across at her last night---we yell back and forth while we are out watering flower beds! She has dropped considerably!! She is not a very big girl, maybe 5'4" and 120 pounds, and she didn't get huge! She does not waddle---and the Dr., says the baby is between 6 lbs 7 oz, and 6 lbs 15 oz. right now. I cannot believe the new ultrasound pictures or how exact they can predict weight! With Kinsey they were only 2 ounces off and with Connor, they were 8 ounces off. Our new grandbaby is not due until January!!! Christmas will have come and gone again by then!!! Seems far away, but it goes so fast!!! Kinsey is here, sleeping on the couch!! My Mom is going to keep her while I recover. My Mom sleeps in usually til about 8:30 each day, so I thought I would give her one last day to snooze late. Plus I wanted the girl---I will miss having her chatter through the day, but maybe before long I will feel up to her coming back again. Well I am going to go dry my hair before it dries in the upswept towel style it is in now!!! Kat

I'm up--should have stayed in bed. It is storming like hell in Albq. and delays should be expected to Denver, DFW, and Houston.........aaaarrrggghhhh!!! Hope tomorrow is MUCH better!!! I should have just avoided watching the weather. I am trying to decide if I should leave Albq. freezing my hiney off, or if I should arrive in Houston sweating it off......temp when I leave Albq. in the morning is supposed to be high 30's or low 40's......so my capri's & flip flops might be a bit chilly!!! But do I really want to take a coat to Gruene???? I used to have this dilemma when I would go see Manda in Hawaii when I would go in the winter time. Have a few things left to do, that I didn't get done last night, because the kids were here until late....Will get them done, then head out---give myself some extra time due to the storms. I lost my travel alarm clock. I can use my cell phone---have had way too many hotels miss my wake up call to trust them! I think I must have it in our camping gear.....oh well, if I can't find it, phone will work! Will be staying at the Comfort Inn by the airport tonight. Taking me a boring book, and going to TRY to sleep early. I am like the little kid on the Disneyland commercial.....I'm too excited to sleep!!!! Kat

I had my stuff for y'all to try on laying on the bed tonight, and my DIL saw it.....and wants it. She can definitely use it. Shopping with my grandson, and on a budget as well......stuff nightmares are made of. Especially since she is at that point, that she needs the big sizes, and it leaves her so depressed, that she is difficult to deal with. I remember being there....shopping was when you faced the truth. I told her to take it, try it, and get me back what does not work....we'll see. I just feel bad for her, because she has put on so much weight, so quickly, and her family is all these skinny mini's (some of course have some addictions that help!!!) but they dog her something awful about it. And she exercises, and tries....but we all know how that one goes. She tells me she wants to have another baby, but that she is already planning to stash money to be banded after that. I could not sleep, so got back up. Packed my emergency kit....you know, all the meds you might need....allergy stuff, and tylenol.... I miss the day of being able to just throw all the junk like that in your carry on and going. Now I have to divvy up what will pass inspection and what won't.....What is considered a liquid and what isn't......what could I live without if they lose my suitcase....!!! Decisions, decisions!!!! Guess I'll go play a game or 2 and see if I get sleepy!!! Kat

I would like to take my laptop to have tomorrow night in the motel...but don't want to leave it in my car in the parking facility, and I don't want to bring it.....so guess I will do without it tomorrow night... We ordered pizza----managed about my usual, half a piece of pan pizza. I am relieved. I did eat the end of Rick's breadstick, and would have avoided that before, but I didn't care for anymore of it, when I chewed it, it ended up tasting like a mouth full of dough....kinda yucky!!! You can do it Jenn----we will all be thinking of you....how exciting!!!! Let us know how you did tomorrow night. Judy----get better! Pamela, rest the back....Michelle--how are your eyes??? Jane, you hanging in there? This list is growing....WTH????? Kat

That's sweet Gen------but I actually don't have surgery until next Tuesday. I am leaving tomorrow for a mini vacation with the Shrinking Violets LBT group, coming home Monday night and having surgery Tuesday morning!!! I like busy!!!! I just won't be back here I figure until it is all over! But thanks sooooo much for the good wishes you guys have no idea how much I appreciate them! Hugs~ Kat

Jenn---mine are not fancy--just fun! The surprises I mean.....actually it could account for a lot of things, that statement!!!! Doing a load of sheets, and blankets to lay on the couch---just to freshen them up so I am ready for Wed.!!! Kat