Missed you all, glad to be back
Just wanted to say how much I missed you all while I was travelling. My family seems to think that going to a conference is some kind of vacation. In reality, it's classes all day and then keeping up with emails and other work at night. Working 12 - 16 hour days is not my idea of a vaction! It also doesn't leave much time for personal stuff like reading and posting here and I missed you all like crazy.
But I'm back home now and just reading through the forum. Great to see everyone ahead of me doing so well after the surgeries! Sorry for those of you who had or are having pain. 
But it sounds as though it passes quickly in most cases which is encouraging.
I need to post my blog tomorrow but I'll give you a preview of one of the better things that happened while I was away. As you probably know, many teen boys at one point or another steal a bra from mom or a sister so they can practice unhooking the clasp in the dark or one-handed. Later in life, this talent comes in handy if you are too big to reach around and buckle the seat belt on the airplane. I fly enough that I actually got to where I could buckle myself up one-handed without looking and in about two seconds.
But on the way to Orlando last Sunday, my left hand (the one with the missing finger that gets phantom pains) was really hurting and I just could make it work right. After struggling with the belt for about two minutes and getting self-conscious, I suddenly reached around with my right hand and slid the buckle home. This is something I have not been able to do for five years or so! Not sure what part of my brain realized I'd lost enough weight to do it. And I'd have been about ten times as embarrassed as I already was if I'd tried and failed.
Afterward I just sat there with this huge cheshire grin on my face for the longest time. When I finally came back to reality, I could not resist putting the armrest down and turning back and forth in my seat trying to get a feel for how much less space I was taking up. Guy next to me thought I was nuts. On the way home I changed to a seat across the aisle where the seat belt buckled on the other side. I just had to know if it would work again and on the right side. It did! Sweet! And this is *pre-op*. I can't wait to see what it's like post-op!
Anyway, that's all for now. I need to go to bed earlier over the next few days so I can be up at 4am Tuesday and to the hospital by 5:45am (shudder!). Lucky I live fairly close.
-- T.Rob 
But it sounds as though it passes quickly in most cases which is encouraging.
I need to post my blog tomorrow but I'll give you a preview of one of the better things that happened while I was away. As you probably know, many teen boys at one point or another steal a bra from mom or a sister so they can practice unhooking the clasp in the dark or one-handed. Later in life, this talent comes in handy if you are too big to reach around and buckle the seat belt on the airplane. I fly enough that I actually got to where I could buckle myself up one-handed without looking and in about two seconds.
But on the way to Orlando last Sunday, my left hand (the one with the missing finger that gets phantom pains) was really hurting and I just could make it work right. After struggling with the belt for about two minutes and getting self-conscious, I suddenly reached around with my right hand and slid the buckle home. This is something I have not been able to do for five years or so! Not sure what part of my brain realized I'd lost enough weight to do it. And I'd have been about ten times as embarrassed as I already was if I'd tried and failed.
Afterward I just sat there with this huge cheshire grin on my face for the longest time. When I finally came back to reality, I could not resist putting the armrest down and turning back and forth in my seat trying to get a feel for how much less space I was taking up. Guy next to me thought I was nuts. On the way home I changed to a seat across the aisle where the seat belt buckled on the other side. I just had to know if it would work again and on the right side. It did! Sweet! And this is *pre-op*. I can't wait to see what it's like post-op!
Anyway, that's all for now. I need to go to bed earlier over the next few days so I can be up at 4am Tuesday and to the hospital by 5:45am (shudder!). Lucky I live fairly close.
-- T.Rob 
Hi T.Rob! 
We've missed you too! Hopefully you can catch up on your sleep this weekend. I bet working long hours this week probably stoped you from going nutty like I have been. 
Such great news about your airplane ride! 
Can't wait for you to fly after surgery!!
Glad to see you back- GOOD LUCK TO YOU ON Tuesday! Let us know how things go when you feel up to it.
Kathy 
We've missed you too! Hopefully you can catch up on your sleep this weekend. I bet working long hours this week probably stoped you from going nutty like I have been.
Such great news about your airplane ride! Can't wait for you to fly after surgery!!
Glad to see you back- GOOD LUCK TO YOU ON Tuesday! Let us know how things go when you feel up to it.
Kathy 
It's good to see you back T.Rob and before long you will be dropping the weight like crazy. Don't worry about not getting any sleep, you will sleep like a baby after surgery and just press the pain button and go into wonderland. Enjoy every minute because it is well worth it.
I am so happy for you and I want to thank you for being there for me when I was so scared. Now I wonder why, especially when I am feeling so great now.
TUESDAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF YOUR NEW LIFE!
See you on the Loser's Bench.
Love ya,
Esther
Enjoy every minute because it is well worth it.
I am so happy for you and I want to thank you for being there for me when I was so scared. Now I wonder why, especially when I am feeling so great now.
TUESDAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF YOUR NEW LIFE!
See you on the Loser's Bench.
Love ya,
Esther 
Hi T. Rob,
Really enjoyed that post.... and you are right it was pre op. I can not wait to ride the rides at six flags! What fun that will be and how I have missed it! My surgery has been moved up to after 9, and so I have to be at the hospital at 0900. I thought that I would be an early bird like you, but as you are coming out of surgery, I will be going in! I will be thinking of you, and sending positive thoughts for you and your family!! All the best.... Beth B.
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