WOW moments

I had two wow moments today. The first is nothing short of a miracle to me--I was able to get down on the floor and THEN get up again all by my self. Within the first month after surgery I fell twice. Once in my own yard when planting flowers and leaned on a rotten part of a whiskey barrel. I didn't fall far but was so difficult to get up as my legs would not raise my 300 + body up. I eventually was able to pull a small bag of potting soil over and struggled to get one knee on it and then find a sturdy place to push on that old barrel and eventually got up without help. Neighbors and husband were not home. The second time I fell I was taking my dog and myself for a walk and tripped over him. It is on a private drive that we share with our neighbor and luckily she came out to go somewhere and found me sitting on the ground. Her daughter went to get my husband. I was not comfortable letting them try to pull me up. Eventually she drove her car over and I grabbed on to the seat belt and yarded myself up. It was the most embarrassing moment and I will never forget it. I have been afraid of falling ever since and have been reluctant to test it--BUT TODAY I DID AND I COULD GET UP BY MYSELF!!! I really feel much safer now. I know you guys understand that. My other WOW today was trying on a pair of size 18 jeans and getting them on. They are elastic waist but still they fit--tight--but I could get them on! I am so very happy with this miracle that God has allowed to take place with me and with us all. It just seems to get better and better, with a few kinks thrown in to humble me!! Julia

I have had a couple of "wow moments" myself! My first was about 2 weeks ago I finally decided to go buy a pair of pants that fit (speaking of your jeans). I started trying on a 22 (I was a 30 before surgery) and kept having to put them back and getting lower sizes until I hit a 16!!!! My second was yesterday in the . I layed down to wet my hair and realized that for the first time in my life I was able to go under and be totally covered by water all except for my knees sticking up. Sounds like a small thing for some people but for me these were the moments that have made me finally realize just how far I have come in my journey. I pray that all of you are having just as good of success as I am. Take care and be good to yourselves! Suzanne

Congratulations on your size 16! That is so rewarding. Trying to get in the tub for a bath is my next adventure. I have been afraid to get in to my tub for a year or more because I was afraid I would need help getting out. Now that I can get up by myself, I think I could get out of the tub. Would love to soak!! Showers are nice and quick but to soak in the tub is nice at times. Yes it sounds like little things to others as they take it for granted but for those of us who have been so restricted by our size and perhaps our thinking, these so called "little" things are great big accomplishments!! Merry Christmas---Julia

yea for you ,glad you feel so much safer ,I know what u mean before surgery my dog knocked me dwn & I could not get up& broke my leg ,now I can get up even if I am on the floor, it feels great to be able to just mmove around the little things are so nice to notice

Rebecca, Ouch, sorry you broke your leg. I was so afraid that I had done damage to the surgery site because I fell flat on my left side after pulmeting through the air and landing on pavement. My dog is a doxie so short legs. If I had a bigger dog, I might have been able to see him over the boobs and stomach!! Now I can see the short guy!! I still do not want to fall. Julia

I have doxies too!!! Aren't they the BEST dogs in the universe? Mine have their own website. http://web.mac.com/jennkimberly/iWeb/Weens Congrats on your size 18s!! That's awesome! You're getting to be Miss Flexible! Next up.... cartwheels!

Jenn, I don't think I will try the cartwheels thank you!!! I checked out your doxies web site. Too cute! Are yours the same age? Mine are about 18 months apart. They are so funny. My older one (male) is a black and tan and short and chubby and the younger one (female) is dapple, long and skinning. She picks on him a lot to get him to PLAY! They were not too sure about the snow this morning. Julia

Great job, I know that is a great accomplishment for all of us. It makes you feel really good about yourself. I have a few occasions where I fell, and had trouble getting up, but now I can help myself. I too, went from a 30 and now down to a size 16/18 depends on the brand name. It makes you realize that this tool is working. I am so glad that I decided to do this even without my family support. I have it now, but didn't when I had it. I am so blessed to have all of you too. I really love my new extended family. God Bless you ALL. Kathleen G for MO

Shopping is so different know isn't it. I use to not be able to find anything in my size in Roseburg and had to travel to Eugene, about 80 miles from here. I would hate to buy anything expensive because I never really thought I looked as good in it as I should. Also never thought I deserved it. I needed to look in larger sizes each time. NOW, I spend a lot of time, looking for cheap stuff as I know I won't wear it for long, and never sure what size I will need. It is fun going to the smaller sizes now. At least I can shop at home now but still go to Eugene to look for the bargains. I can't wait to get to my goal and look at the GOOD, EXPENSIVE stuff!! I have always had my husbands support and that of my family too, but some of them were really scared as they had heard of horror stories and I had to tell them of the successful ones. My health is much better now and they realize it was the best thing I could have done. Julia

That is awesome!!! Congrats on the WOW moment! My wow moment this month was going to see Happy Feet, and actually being able to sit in the theatre seat...without having to wedge my rear end into the chair. I actually sat, comfortably AND I crossed my legs