Where is Everyone?

I know it's a busy time of year for everyone but I miss you guys! Here I am having to stay home more than I have in years and you guys are out having fun! Please post something to distract me! Tell me how you are keeping secrets from your kids or something funny someone has said! Tell me what you want for Christmas. Tell me what you want to do in 2008. Just post!!!! Please!!! Has anyone heard anything else about Kim following her surgery? I would have thought we would have heard from her by now. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow and I'm praying that these last two drains will be removed. I still have too much swelling in my lower stomach and pubic area and that worries me. I read something on the PS site that someone with something similar underwent an ultrasound and there was fluid in under the muscle. Her doctor is putting her back under to insert another drain. My blood work I had done Monday was low. The office called today and said both my white and red blood cells were low as was my iron and hemoglobin. I told them I was anemic because of the PS and that I was taking iron. The low white cell count is the cyclic neutropenia that the hematologist diagnosed. They can't figure out why it keeps happening but it never happened before WLS. It's cold here and my dogs and I are suffering from cabin fever! They miss going to the dog park and for walks but I stay too cold to stay out in this weather! This afternoon we are taking them to Pet Smart to get them out of the house! They love to shop! CeCe

I'm a little late but I'll talk to ya... My surgery is a week from today. Excitement, worry, and running would pretty much discribe me right now. The clock is definately ticking. Oh get this. My brother in law (hubby brother) who lives in Nevada - I'm in Texas - decided to buy a car in Texas and now he is going to come pick it up and spend a couple of nights. They will arrive Sunday evening and leave Tues AM. What a jerk. Like I really need company the week before my surgery. On top of we will be working and going to school on Monday - not like we are going to be able to visit. I'll just be expected to make supper for them. Oh and Monday is my son's 15th birthday. Did they think about coming when they could actually help get my kids to where they need to be while I am laid up? Sorry - you got me started. Pleasant thoughts. Pleasant thoughts... Ok I get to go watch my daughter at gymnastics this evening. This is her first year on the gymnastics team and they are having a rehersal meet. So I'll see her entire routine for the first time and she will be wearing the expensive suit I had to buy... I am so looking forward to it. Yeah! Someone gave me a yorkie this summer. Sweet dog - I love him. But I already had two beagles. I told my hubby if we found someone perfect to give the dog to I would. But now I have - - I can't give him up. He is totally my dog. If I am sitting he is in my lap. Sleeps with me. Dances when I get home. So I guess Hubby will get used to the three dog idea. Not too cold here yet. I nice little bit - more jacket weather. That is Texas for ya. Ok - that is the end of my entertainment. Trudy

Trudy, Thanks for answering! I was more nervous about the PS then I was about the RNY. How about you? Are you reading the PS board? It can both reassure you and scare you! I know, like me, you can't WAIT for the full results, but I've learned it takes a while to be able to appreciate it. I mean, I can see that all that hanging pannus is gone. I see that I look "normal" and I actually have indentations where my waist it! I see it. I know it. Yet, it still doesn't truly register for some reason! I've made pictures. I study the pictures! Yet, I don't think I've had the time to appreciate that it is me!!!! Hopefully, when these drains are finally out and the swelling goes down more, I can internalize the changes! Trudy, all I can say is that the things that you think might bother you during recovery may not be what gets to you!!! I was so worried about getting up and down (ask Wanda!) and that was the least of my worries! I still don't understand how Wanda was able to do it without a tight binder but she did! The leg swelling was terrible my first week but not everybody has that. The drains, oh God, the drains!! Most people don't have to keep them almost a month so they may not get to you like they have me! Take your iron prior to and following surgery. Try to drink as much as you can - fluid intake was hard for me at first. Get in that quality protein and rest! I know it sucks having company just as you are preparing for surgery but maybe it will keep your mind off it. And, just go ahead and do what you need to do. Order pizza for them. Don't drive yourself crazy trying to cook for them. How did the gymnastics rehearsal go? How exciting that your daughter is involved in that! Great exercise too, huh! I LOVE Yorkies!!! We had Yorkies for 30 years - took them overseas and even brought back 5 Yorkies and a cat when we moved back stateside. We even showed Yorkies for several years. We had no idea what we were getting into when we got these Miniature Pinschers! WHEW! They are a handful! There are several Beagles that come to our dog park and they are so laid back and fun. The only bad thing is that they are so laid back, they are usually pretty submissive. Well, my big Min Pin thinks that Beagles are for tackling! He's a bully and I have to make sure he doesn't abuse Beagles!!! Oh, and fluffy white dogs! The little Min Pin will take on Boxers and Labs! Luckily, those breeds are playful and run away from him and then come right back! There are even some Yorkies that come to the dog park and they do pretty well too! I can certainly understand why you can't give the Yorkie up even though you had planned! We would love to have another but we can't even handle the two Min Pins! So, one week from today you have PS!!!!! Is there someone who can give us an update? Do you know how long you will be in surgery? Is it in the hospital? We want to be updated as soon as possible!!!! CeCe

CeCe I hope I can remember to answer all the questions. I am more nervous about this surgery than the other. I don't know why. But I was just sure with the bypass that this is what I had to do to live. I trust my surgeon completely though so... I have my pre-op on Tues and I have a lot of quesitons for him. I imagine I'll have drains but I hope they won't last a month! No because of the weather they are coming a day earlier! OMG. I am just going to have to deal I suppose and they will too. My only promise for them is clean sheets! Past that enter my home at your own risk!!! I have been a cat person my entire life. I collect cat figurines have always had a cat or two. I've bred cats even shown them (didn't enjoy it) Anyway I've always been a cat person. When I married my hubby he had a two year old Samoyed (whom we lost five years ago.) She was a great do - totally hubby's dog but great. A couple of years after we lost her I thought it was time for another dog - hubby wasn't ready but got me one. He researched what he thought would be a good dog for me and came up the beagle. Got me a beagle puppy - she actually didn't work out. I think she was autistic! Wasn't into people at all but liked other dogs. Anyway part of getting her to be more comfy I got another beagle to be her friend and they were great together. Then I took in another beagle as a foster dog from our local shelter. Well this dog is my soul dog. I swear we have the same personality. I found a friend who had a beagle that was an outside dog and they wanted another beagle for her so my orig. that I raised from a puppy went home with her (I still see her sometimes.) So that is the two I have now - both are rescue dogs. I don't see myself ever doing a puppy again I like the rescue thing. I never thought I'd love my little yorkie like I do but how can you help it. I mean he loves me so much so how could I not love him. I love to just sit with him on my lap! I don't know how long I'll be in surgery but I think I have a friend who can send an update. Less than a week now. Love ya, Trudy

Ok, CeCe, I'll play. I remember those days of being housebound. I almost miss them. It's been so busy at work. I haven't had time to get in the Christmas spirit yet. But, I'm getting there. I just personally addressed 190 Walmart gift cards for my employees. Randy and I went to Applebees tonight for dinner so I could purchase additional gift cards for the department managers. Our maintenance staff has hung over 70,000 lights so far. if I don't get the Christmas spirit soon it's my own darn fault! My son started school at the aviation academy in Clearwater a couple of weeks ago. He's been spending hours on the road each day driving back and forth so we're helping him get set up in an apartment this weekend. I don't look forward to lugging heavy stuff to an upstairs apartment! It's nice to see him put his life on track though! I've been so worried about him the last couple of years...drinking...fighting...getting into trouble. He's really turned himself around now! He will be 21 next week. I'm proud of him. He's trying so hard to do the right things. It's a scary time in a young person's life. I hope your labs get better soon! That's a little concerning. You've been through alot! Wanda

Wanda, if I had as much to do as you are doing for the employees, I don't think I would ever get the Christmas spirit! My goodness, you are busy at work! And, I'm glad to hear about your 21 year old! Sounds like he is growing up! How's the son who went into the military? The plastic surgeon fully expected me to be anemic following the PS which is why I've been on iron. I bled a lot after RNY and stayed an extra day in the hospital then too because my hemoglobin got low. It builds up pretty quickly since I don't have periods. The white blood cell thing is just a mystery but the hematologist tested me for all sorts of things and finally just figured that is normal for me. I just don't understand why it didn't occur until after WLS. CeCe