12/23/06

What a busy week! Let's start and summarize all in the same post!

The week for me actually started in my eyes on 12/15/06- that day I met with my endocrinologist and he was a little hesitant but seemed to move forward a little with the idea of having the surgery. He hasn't signed off 100%- he says he needs to do more research on a few areas, but supports my decision and says that he will help me as much as he can.

12/18/06- Well that Monday I got to have my psychological evaluation. Wasn't too impressed with the psychologist- but all I needed to worry about was not saying anything crazy and making myself some how disqualified from having the surgery. He did say some good things that I'm actually going to incorporate. One thing was that I needed to recognize what my relationship with food is.

Doing this- I realize that I'm in love with food. I have a passion for food and this strange connection love for it. And well- that has to end. The relationship I have had with food is no good for me. I eat because I like it too much- not because I'm getting nutritional value from it. So I have decided that I will leave the relationship I have with food currently. I will be severing the relationship as I know it. It's been more than 33 years of pure enjoyment and no restraint- if I want to live another 33 years and beyond, I'm going to have to do a few things differently.

After that evaluation- I met with an exercise consultant. She was about the size of my leg- after I exercise! She had like -2% body fat. She had some interesting things to talk about as well. I need to do some free weights and actually mix up my exercise routine. For some reason I always thought that I needed to do the same thing, every day for 1 hr- and so I always got bored mid way through the first hour! Anyway- so far we have devised an easy work out plan. The first week I'll ride my exercise bike twice for 5 minutes, and I'll walk 2 other days for 5 minutes. After 2 weeks, I will try to increase my time a minute each week. So hopefully by the time of my surgery I will be close to 15 minutes each time I exercise. baby steps- but you gotta start somewhere!

12/20/06- so by Wednesday I was feeling pretty good about myself. We had to go to my cardiologist appointment. This is really just to make sure I'm healthy enough for the surgery and that my heart is in good working order. Johanna and I were the only people in the room under 72- so it was a long wait! I had take an NBM while we were waiting- and I had to go to like 4 different floors because all the bathrooms were clogged. Gross.

So the initial meeting with the Cardiologist and we did the Echo cardiogram, he told me he'd like me to also have an ultrasound done on my heart. I'd never had that done, so that was a little exciting. He said the tech guy was backed up and told us to go have some lunch and such and come back in an hour. So Johanna and I went and grubbed some Jimmy John's Sammiches, and went back an hour later.

Seeing my heart on a television screen was sooooo freaking cool. Johanna got to watch the whole little test as well. I had to lay on my left side for what seemed like an eternity and it was painful. I mean, just really uncomfortable and after about 45 minutes on just one side on a flat board, I was breathing quickly and short. Sitting up I thought I was going to pass out- so once we were done, I needed to just sit for a bit and let the blood run back to all my limbs! According to the heart doctor everything looked great and he gave me a clean bill of health and wished me luck!

12/21/06 The following day, Thursday, I had to go to meet my dietitian. Apparently the doctor I have finally chosen is one of the strictest when it comes to diets. She (the dietitian) told me that Dr. Ganta is probably one of the more stricter doctors in the nation when it comes to diet and what I am allowed and not allowed to eat, but that he's also a doctor that has a better % of success than other doctors nationally, and it's partly because of his strict orders. I was given a 15 page document letting me know what I can and cannot eat over the next strict 5 months and even further- the rest of my life. I'm actually pumped and excited!

Today is also the day my mom and I signed papers regarding the home equity loan. It's going to be great. it's only 5.25% so we're going to be paying much less in interest doing it this way than any other way possible. The loan will actually fund on 12/27/06 but we don't have to make our first payment until Feb. 4- so that feels pretty good. I'll be almost 3 weeks post op before we have to make our first payment!

12/22/06- Johanna signed us up at a gym- most specifically, the YMCA! And then she took me and bought me new walking shoes. She's totally the greatest girlfriend ever. It's too bad not everyone has a Johanna like I do!

Friday night also found itself to be the shindig of feasts! Ricardo and Sylvia hosted a somewhat- "Last over-eating super" for me with Chicken fried venison - Ricardo killed 2 deer just for me a few weeks ago- and this man, can he cook!! he makes the most amazing chicken fried venison in the entire world- so when thinking about things I will no longer be able to eat, this is what I chose to be part of my "last super." Carrie & Jason, Amber & Alexis, Chris & Lory and Sylvia & Ricardo all shared in this wonderful evening of friends, stories, enjoyment, laughter and love. It was a wonderful celebration of life! helping me start on my new journey!

12/23/06 Today we have been trying to wrap up some last minute gifts- or rather the only gifts we bought! and are now just trying to relax a little.

Learning about nutrition, weight loss and mental stability as well as physical strength this week really made my head hurt! I have ordered my protein drinks and vitamins and will prepare to start taking those ASAP. I will start my pre operative diet Dec. 26- and it will last until January 13- then on the 14th I will only be able to drink clear liquids, and then surgery the 15th.

I know it's a long update- but hopefully a good one!

Cathy