Things I look forward to...

Okay, so as of tomorrow *as opposed to starting Jan 1st* I am cutting out the sweets. I figure I might as well get use to the way I will be eating after surgery.
I can't really explain it, but I'm just ready to get on with life again.
I started walking again, only did a few days this week but it's a start.

I really have a lot of things I look forward to doing again such as:

-Sitting down in a chair *or anywhere* and not take up the whole space in the seat.
-Being able to bend over and tie my shoes without being out of breath
-Wearing my smaller clothes *sizes under 24*
-Going out in public without being embarrassed
-Working a 12 hour shift and my feet not feel as though they will fall off
-Sitting on the floor and getting up without a fight between my midsection and gravity
-Buckling my seat belt and it not being tight
-Walking a mile without stopping for a breather

These are just a few things I look forward to...also they are reasons I want to start this right away. I have not been living...I've been getting by...and I'm tired of just getting by. I want a life again and I am ready to start claiming it back!

Merry Christmas Everyone

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Overwhelmed...

So....I finished my last GBS requirement on Saturday and it was a great group. Mom came along as my support person. We had a speaker that spoke about her good and bad experiences with surgery. If you want to read her story click on the address below:

http://www.msha.com/body_sibling02.cfm?id=1124

After the group I talked with the insurance coordinator for the surgeon's office I'm with. I told her that this was my last requirement and asked what I needed to do next. She told me to make a final appointment *which I already did for Jan. 7th* and after that appointment they would send off my information to the insurance company. She then told me to estimate my surgery time around March due to the fact that my surgeon is booked up until then. The time estimate is a little later than I was hoping...but God knows better than I do.
Mom jokingly said, "happy b-day to you" , as my birthday is in March.

I do feel overwhelmed right now.

1.) School is out *which is great* but I almost don't know what to do with myself! I mean I am thankful beyond words for school to be over, but I'm so use to not having a life that I seriously don't know where to begin.
2.) Of course being overweight makes me not want to leave the house due to embarassment of my physical girth. I want to go out and do things, but my confidence level is not very high at the moment.
3.) Also, I received a letter from my primary care physician's office saying that they will be closing their office Jan. 29th due to economic problems. I LOVE my doctor. She actually listens, is very helpful and encouraging.

Shew...anyone ever feel like this besides me??

Finding out more

I'm a member of the online support group for the surgeon's office I'm with and just read a post asking when to make the 'final appointment'. Apparently it is suppose to be right after the last insurance requirment, in which mine is this saturday.

They are booked up the 3rd week in December and my doctor is on vacation the last week of Dec. Sooooo, I made my FINAL APPOINTMENT for Jan 7th!!

I'm calling their office on monday to talk with the lady in charge of sending papers to the insurance office, to make sure she has all of my paperwork to send off.

If she gets to send it off on Monday-Tuesday, I will have 2 weeks needed for the insurance people to hopefully approve me for surgery!

Anyhow, whenever we get to schedule the surgery *hopefully the last 2 weeks in Jan* I will be on a special eating regimen for the 10 days leading up to surgery. *with the last day drinking gatorade and laxative *yay..* lol

Anyhow, that's what I've got so far. If I find out anything else I will let you all know.

I love you all!

Minor Road Block

Okay...so I'm not finished with my GBS requirements yet.


Today was suppose to be my last post-op support group meeting, however the facility I was suppose to have it at posted the schedule wrong on it's website.
SO...I will have this last requirement finished next Saturday! (WOOO HOOO!)

At first I was upset, but God knows...and that's all that matters. :-)


On another note, I officially have my Bachelor's of Science in Nursing from ETSU!

NOW I can focus on getting healthy completely and work of course...

I have done absolutely nothing physically active this week with the exception of all the running around at work and pulling/lifting patients.


I've been thinking about some goals for the next week that would be cool to attain:

-Have one serving of fruit and veggies each day


-Do weight bearing exercises 3 days this week *not including work*


I am still trying to get a hold of my doctor *has been over 2 weeks* to get a refill for my Wellbutrin. I have been without my SSRI for 6 days now and I'm starting to feel the effects.

Anyhow, I'm going to get off of here and hop in the shower. I finally got to color my hair! (hot mama red of course).

I love you all!

Updates

I still need to attend my last support group meeting next saturday and then the surgeon's office will send off my paperwork to the insurance company.

I'm trying to get as prepared for this surgery as I possibly can. I'm putting together a kit of things I will need while in the hospital.

My kit contains: chapstick; because my lips will be dry after having been intubated during the procedure, a pillow from home; to hold against my stomach when I cough and get out of bed to ambulate, books / magazines just incase I am awake and bored; bath robe to cover up my 'ass-ets' while ambulating in the halls and non-slip house shoes.


I've been making a little time each day to do some type of exercise. I've been using the resistance bands for toning up my muscles wherever I go. I'm also stretching my muscles to get more and more flexible as well as walking around the house and on the treadmill.

By the grace of God, I've stopped smoking completely.

I haven't had a cigarette in over a month and I feel a lot better.
Dealing with stress differently is something I am working on as well. Praying, listening to music and journaling are some of the ways in which I am channeling my energy from stress rather than smoking or eating.
I'm not successful everyday but I keep trying everyday.


Hope everyone is doing great!

Hmmmmm...

Wow...I think I have some loved ones in denial of my surgery.
After telling them numerous times that I plan on having GB surgery, not to mention blogging on here *and emailing them new posts* they STILL don't get it.
No joke, one of my family members sent me a new fad diet book in the mail last week.

I got a phone call from them on T-giving day from them asking, "hey, did you get the diet book we sent?" Amy said, "ummm yeah...but why did you send it?" "well, we knew you were tossing around the idea of surgery and wanted to make sure you had tried ALL other options." Amy said, "I appreciate the thought, but I've told you before that I am going through with the surgery."
***Long uncomfortable pause on the phone***

I've read in my GB books that this is a normal thing for family members to do when they are scared or unsure about the procedure. I know my select few family members mean well, but what else can I do to convince them that I'm ACTUALLY doing this?!!?

I'll continue praying for peace for them, but that's about all I can do.

Anyhow, on a lighter note, I just joined a local WLS group on yahoo and it is fabulous!
I've found great websites for protein shakes, vitamins etc on it, not to mention awesome before and after pictures from some of the members. There is something reassuring about meeting and seeing people you live near that have gad the surgery and great results.