false SEPTEMBER 2018 SURGERIES AND SUCCESS

[Frustr8 7,886]

Yeah, I think I must! Who knew my life story would become a Thriller? Yesterday, I went to my Cardiologist 51 miles away, that part was just fine, tested out well. I still have to have a MRI of my Chest and Abdomen but it can be done whenever I want and at any competent hospital. Basically want to be sure my aorta has no potential bumping that could turn into aneurysms. My middle child and oldest son died 11 years ago today of an aortic aneurysm at the age of just 31. This will be a hard day to get through, his death Anniversity always is. I try to put a positive spin on it to others and call it his ANGEL DAY but I still know what it really is. Every year I release a helium balloon to Heaven and I guess I dream that he knows and approves. But it is SO SO HARD to lose a child, to have to bury them. You are having to place a piece of your future, your baby in the cold ground and leave them there when you only wish you could hold them and keep them safe.
Anyway back to yesterday, my appointment was short, didn't seem to take anytime at all. Called my driver to tell him I was done only to be told he was half-way back to Mount Vernon to pick up another person who had an Columbus doctor appointment. Now if it had been ME I would have doubled back , picked Tomkitten and I up, dropped us off at our house in Mount Vernon then picked up the other person. But not every person does things efficently. He says" I'll swing back and pick you up when I drop him off." Shoot, we called driver at 11:06am, other persons appointment 1:45-2 o'clock, only takes 45- minutes that time of day. transit time. Maybe a little over an hour even at peak traffic time. So there we sat in Canal Winchester, 4 counties away from home, and we sat and we sat. We were still sitting there when my cardiologist office hours were over, 5 hours later. No sign of the stinking driver. My doctor said , after the nurse went back up and told her, that if We were still there at 4:30 she would pay herself for us to be transported home. Luckily he finally wandered in 4 minutes after 4, My insurance was paying him because if I had to pay cash he wouldn't gotten paid. I'm not sure if his excuse was that he got lost, all her would have to done was retrace his morning route, I know he had GPS and Google Map. I have MapQuest on my phone, my son, on the way down had to climb into the front seat and hide him in with the easier routes there.
Dr Karve's office is 51 miles from where I live, yes there are heart specialists closer but none as good. So I feel sitting on a hard bench in a lobby for 5 hours is cruel and unusual punishment, especially when you are arthritic and 73. If I had any clue he was going to pull this trick I could have gone over to the hospital there and had my MRI done there. Sorry folks, but this lady wants to rant, complain and sing the blues. And the boss of him is going to get an earful this morning.

[nibble 201]

I cannot imagine your heartache and sorrow in losing a child, Frustr8. I am so sorry for your loss. I love your memorial balloon tradition, though - very special. You have an inspiring attitude about your life trials - with plenty of humor. You don't seem to take much lying down...unless you're on a gurney for a test or in OR! Carry on!

[Liz The New Me 281]

18 hours ago, nibble said:

Me, too, but other than that the Hair loss continues and weight does not change. My PA okayed bumping up the Biotin and L-lysine dosages. The other problem is that I live in the land of snow and ice and walking for exercise just is not happening here in the boondocks. I am solving that with my order today for a treadmill -- you know, those metal implements that get converted into a clothes rack after a short time? I surveyed treadmill owners I know who own them...Why did you stop using yours? A. boredom. B. it's in the basement/garage/spare room & I never go in the basement/garage/spare room. So this one goes in the living room, in front of the TV, within good earshot of the music collection. As I've heard before, this weight loss journey is 80% nutrition, 20% exercise, and 100% mental!

Good job in finding something to exercise. I'm having a hard time finding something that will keep me motivative.

[Frustr8 7,886]

Oh that I lost weight as fast as I lose my glasses, keys, cell phone, patience and my mind!
LOL through my tears 💦

[Frustr8 7,886]

Well I'm not only can you keep a good woman down, you also can't make her shut up. Endoscopy yesterday , PICC LINE still in place, 12 hours on,12 hours off every day, didn't get Dr Noria, she pulled a" Bait and Switch", I ended. up with her Senior Resident Dr Noah Switzer, I really wanted her. Dr Noria is from Toronto, turns out he is from Just outside of Calgary Alberta, small world isn't it? He said he was able to dialate my stoma somewhat, that the ulcers are responding, notice he didn't say GONE, I will be on TPN 2 more months, unless Dr Needleman, my real surgeon, overruled it . So since he did dialate me, go home and try something p.o. and see how things work -HaHa- made some thin mashed potatoes, stayed down less than half an hour, and we were off to the races again. And puke and s)ime for an hour or so. This morning right subcostal pain, which Dr N told me is my jujenal ulcerations romping and stomping, dad-burn medical doofus woke them up again. Oh I guess, bottom line, I am somewhat grateful, after all I am al8ve and kicking, but 2 more months or so? I did want to be tube-free for my 1/2 year anniversary in March and now it may not happen. My weight loss has slowed down, but I am healthier, 3 pounds in a month, but my " golden honeymoon: of weight loss is being spent on artificial diet. But I shall endure, stay in a positive frame of mind as much as permitted, and I will win this war, for I still am in it to win it, and I Shall. I still think I resemble road kill, I don't look now like me, just a bunch of dead relatives but maybe when I lose enough, guys will look at my body instead of my wrecked face anyway!

[Frustr8 7,886]

And my cardiologist is having me have a MRI on February 5th, turns out I didn't have as perfect an cardiology appointment as I thought. I will update you all when I know how concerning it really is.😪😟😪

[shoregirl75 102]

Good Morning September Peeps! Today is my 5 Month Surgiversary. Down 55.4. How is everyone doing. My weight loss is super low right now but I am trying to stay positive and just keep pushing.

[Frustr8 7,886]

And like the Mary Tyler Moore theme song "You're going to make it after All!"

[Liz The New Me 281]

6 hours ago, shoregirl75 said:

Good Morning September Peeps! Today is my 5 Month Surgiversary. Down 55.4. How is everyone doing. My weight loss is super low right now but I am trying to stay positive and just keep pushing.

I hear you sister same here. Honeymoon is over. scale is not moving that much anymore. I'm having to up my Protein and calories to see 1 lb to move on the scale. And working out much more and harder.

[RnYBeyhive 67]

I’ll be hitting 5 months post op later this month. I haven’t been active at all until this week but my weight loss has been steady (minus November, -6lbs that whole month smh). Labs were normal at my 4 month check up and my surgeon is happy with my progress. My next appointment is at 9 months post op and I can’t imagine the changes that will happen between now and June. Also I’m down 72lbs since surgery so far.

I don’t eat much, actually I’m transitioning to vegetarianism because eating meat is no longer enjoyable to me. I guess this means I have to cook more.

I’m currently training for a quarter marathon and I believe that this will help me reach onederland in 12 weeks. I have a half marathon in September and October, my first full marathon is in December.

Goals: “overweight” BMI at 6 months post
Run more than I walk
Complete “insanity” workout
Consume balanced high Protein vegetarian meals

I’m ready to crush it this year

[Liz The New Me 281]

11 hours ago, RnYBeyhive said:

I’ll be hitting 5 months post op later this month. I haven’t been active at all until this week but my weight loss has been steady (minus November, -6lbs that whole month smh). Labs were normal at my 4 month check up and my surgeon is happy with my progress. My next appointment is at 9 months post op and I can’t imagine the changes that will happen between now and June. Also I’m down 72lbs since surgery so far.

I don’t eat much, actually I’m transitioning to vegetarianism because eating meat is no longer enjoyable to me. I guess this means I have to cook more.

I’m currently training for a quarter marathon and I believe that this will help me reach onederland in 12 weeks. I have a half marathon in September and October, my first full marathon is in December.

Goals: “overweight” BMI at 6 months post
Run more than I walk
Complete “insanity” workout
Consume balanced high Protein vegetarian meals

I’m ready to crush it this year

You go Girl!!!!! Crush It!!!

[nibble 201]

12 hours ago, Liz The New Me said:

I’m ready to crush it this year

Wow, you are DRIVEN. Great to see you being so fierce. I'd like a cup of that elixir, please!

[Frustr8 7,886]

I am sure proud of how she's doing, aren't you? This is one together lady!

[RnYBeyhive 67]

Thank you everyone! This all started with my bucket list!

[Frustr8 7,886]

well my PICC line is gone, I am back trying to eat enough to justify its removal, my surgeonthinks i can do it, his CNP Valerie thinks I can do it, even my ombadswoman Kelly at Option Care,my former TPN. company, even Tomkitten my son tho,is I can do it, seems like only 1 person. thinks I can't- ME! Oh well I will keep on with my Vitamins, minerals and whatever. Try to eat my mini- meals, and pray I am going to be okay for my endoscopy which isn't until April 12th. Nobody seems to really care or give me any emotional support until then, so I will do what i can, if I can, for myself,by myself and cry myself if and when it all goes wrong. You see, I feel I'm beating my head against a brick wall, and everybody else who should be paying attention is dancing around, patting each other on the back, and telling each other what a great job they are doing for Frustr8 and not a one ever looks my way while they're doing their little Victory Dance. I don't even have a clue what I weigh now, counted on that monthly weight check-in,I am hoping 260, 265 tops. I am Apathetic toward food, nothing tastes good, nothing sounds appealing,might as well eat 2 oz of metamucil every 3 hours, I sip 2 oz of Fluid every 15 minutes in between and wonder how I got locked into this life of futility. Not what the shiny fancy Bariatric Folders said this would be . And my food mood is not very happy today. 6 months on Tuesday and I think I still resemble the barrel more than the barrel racer. I know we have each our own path but today it's mud and pea gravel. This Cowgirl has the Blah Blues and I don't see a Happy day of Joy in my immediate future.