MIA and what has been going on....

Hello to my fellow feburarians! I have not posted in awhile, because I felt like a failure. I have not lost nearly as much as most of you. I know I shouldn't compare myself to anyone. We all loose at different rates... yada yada yada... easy to say, but hard to take to heart. I am proud that I have lost 70lbs. I did gain a few at Christmas, but they have come off. I just pushed the carbs way too much. I have felt like crap for the past few months. My PCP keeps checking my iron, because I have been anemic for the past 2 years or so. I have had really heavy periods and such. I decided to use my pcp for my pap smears and I guess that was my first mistake. She is a wonderful Dr., but just not specialized in the gyn area. My hemoglobin dropped from 13 in Nov to 7 last week. She said I need a transfusion, but I talked her into doubling my iron and taking it from there. Well, she wants me to see my dr. that did my surgery and have a colonoscopy and edg, and then see a blood specialist (I freaked out when I called them for my appt. There name is Cancer something or another) I need to have iron injections. Then she wanted me to see my gyn. That is where I went today and found out I have a fibroid and my uterus is the size it would be if I were 16 weeks pregnant. (size of a football) How did Ihave that inside of me and not know it. I thought I was feeling my intestines. LOL Long story short I have to have a hysterectomy, but he is willing to wait till May. I will be taking monthly Lupron shots to shrink the fibroid down, and my iron should be built up really good by then. He did say that I wouldn't need the colonoscopy, because the fibroid is the culprit. There is and upside. I might be able to combine the hysterectomy with a TT. I will have to pay the difference, but my anesthesia will be covered and that is one of the biggest expenses. I'm calling in the morning to schedule a consultation. My PCP doesn't want me to exercise or exert myself at all right now. She said I need to go to the ER immediately if I have any dizziness, chest pains, or breathing problems. She said I could have a heart attack, due to the low oxygen in my blood cells. I never knew anemia could be so serious. Anyway, I hope that I will feel like a new person, and have more energy to exercise and get this last 15-20 lbs. off. Hugs, Debbie

My dearest Debbie, What a time you have been thru. Including you in my prayers for a speedy recovery. You definitely aren't a failure, please don't feel that way. You have come so far. I have only lost 5 more lbs than you since surgery so we are right in track with each other. The only reason I am ahead of you in numbers is because I was forced to lose 50 lbs before surgery or be cancelled. I'm glad you got into the GYN doctor and he found what the problem is. Take care and please keep posting here so we know how you are doing. Mary

Thank You Mary for your prayers. Thank you for always having encouraging words. Hugs, Debbie

Debbie, I am glad that you posted; I really was able to identify with your experience. I had been wondering where you had gone. There are a few of us here that are facing the same weight loss challenges as you. I have not lost the 100 pounds that I had expected to loose in the first year. My one year is quickly approaching and I had hoped to have lost 100 by then, but I will not make this goal. I also feel like a failure. So I have decided to do what I did to loose the pre-op weight; the gym and cutting carbs. I am glad that you have gotten answers regarding what is going on with your health. I pray that your health improves greatly and your weight loss will resume as you begin to heal and gain your health. Take care of yourself and it is good to have you back. LeDoux

Thanks for replying. I guess the biggest thing that bothers me is that I have had my insides rearranged and I have only lost 70lbs, but I only had 90+ lbs. to loose to reach my goal. I keep forgetting that I had many comorbidities that contributed to my having the surgery. I hate seeing all the commercials of people loosing 100lbs, 70lbs and such that have not had surgery. Well, I know I would only be heavier if I hadn't had this surgery. Sigh...... I just hope I feel better soon, and can see what *normal* is suppose to feel like. Hugs, Debbie

Debbie - I was wondering what happened to you and so sorry to hear about your latest challenge. Please take good care of yourself and listen to your doctor. I hope that when you get this resolved you feel better. Take care and keep us posted. Denise

Deb, Sorry about the rough time but wonderful to hear from you. Hope they figure out what the hek is going on. I know a few months ago when i was having severe bladder pain (this went on for about 6 weeks) and the docs kept telling me i wasn't eating enough it was frustrating that my PCP and other local docs did not know enough about GB to relate to what I was explaining to them. After many different antibiotics prescriptions and finally an ER doc putting me on Naproxyn it went away....still no idea what it was or which med actually helped it go away but glad it is gone. Keep putting one foot in front of the other and we will all pray for you....it will work out just fine. Still have not received a confirmation on my new pic but hoping it will be soon....Kelly

Good morning, Debbie! Boy, have I been where you are! I had my hysterectomy three years ago, my fibroids were small the Gyna said......four the size of grapefruits and so painful. My heart really goes out to you in this. But there is good news really.....after healing from the surgery, the miserable monthlys were over, abdomen swellings, feet like balloons, ect. Don't give up on yourself with the weight loss......I went over 90 days with only a pound or two either way. I was so angry at myself that I couldn't even look in the mirror many weeks! But I didn't stop trying and finally the scale moved a little after a three month stretch. My physician's constantly remind me that after having a hysterectomy, three C-sects and impossible diabetes for so many years----my metabolism is kaput! I weighed 274 the day of surgery and 190 this morning. Praise be to God, I would have never made it at any weight if not for the surgery. Don't give up, lovely woman! There are some of us who pray for your recovery quickly and much success. There is power in prayer, I'm alive to prove it! God bless you, honey! Katherine