6 days until pre-op...an update...

Just 6 days left until my pre-op appointment. Hubby and I are going to have a date night tomorrow evening. One last nice dinner out together before my surgery. I get to choose so I think I’m going to go with Italian…probably Olive Garden, though we have Carrabba’s and Pomodoros to choose from too. Don’t know when or if I’ll ever get to have my beloved ravioli de portabello ever again! Lol We’re also going to get a few of the things that I need for the hospital and at home after, like slip-on slippers.

Our 9yo little man is pretty emotional about this whole thing. He had a hard cry again the other day while hugging me begging me not to change. I have tried and tried to tell him how the only way I’m going to “change” is in good ways, but to no avail, so I finally had to tell him, “You’re a big boy now so I’m going to talk to you about some pretty scary things about what being overweight long-term does to people and then you will see why mommy wants to have this surgery.” I had to be pretty open with him about diabetes, heart disease, etc. and their correlation with obesity…that I want the surgery most of all to prevent these diseases so I can live as long as possible FOR HIM! I think it helped but his anxiety level has been higher lately, poor thing. I hate this part.

I still have the congestion and cough, though the congestion is finally breaking up a bit. I’m on day 4 of the Z-pack but I also began taking Claritin too. I’m really wondering if this isn’t my allergies? The older I get, the worse they get!

Quick fur-baby update… Keira gerbil is once again bright-eyed, thanks to the peanut butter antibiotic. We get to take her out of isolation and put her back in with her sister tomorrow. The world at our house still revolves around Vivienne kitty! She is the apple of everyone’s eye, I tell ya. We got her all set up yesterday with a “big girl litter box” that is deep with the hood on it. We had to make steps for her, she is still so tiny! She took to kitten kibble a few days ago and now turns her nose up to her pate, so that was a nice surprise. At night, she sleeps right between mommy and daddy. Yesterday she curled up on my lap while I was in the recliner and today she followed me into the bathroom, weaving between my feet. She’s turning into a real grown-up kitty! We also got her one of those round scratch pads with the ball in it, so she’s been having a blast with that. I seriously need to take video and upload it for you all to see her in action. I’m such a goof!

Lately I’ve been doing a lot of focusing on life and what’s to come. I’m so ready to be on the other side, learning how to live my new life. Also striving to be the person I’ve wanted to be but that has been held back by the weight issues. I have a lot of work ahead of me…not just with the weight-loss but with so much more. I’m really looking forward to recovering from the actual surgery so I can start conquering everything else. Not much longer now!

Shauna
You are so funn! lol at about the olive garden! and yes you are right... you wont believe how fast you will get full once you get to solid foods! Your big day is right around the corner and I am excited for you!!

Darcie

One of the things I was initially excited about...  Hubby and I were at Fatz Cafe right at the beginning of looking into WLS.  I ordered my fave, shrimp & grits, which I always eat half and then take the other half home for lunch the next day.  When our orders arrived at the table, I looked at my bowl, then pushed aside about a quarter cup portion and exclaimed, "Holy cow!  I'll be able to enjoy this much and then take the rest home to have for lunches ALL WEEK LONG!  YUM!"  lol  I'm so ready and excited for my new life, Darc.  I'm glad you are excited too! 

Shauna, I'm glad you had the grown up discussion with your son.  One day he will completely understand and be thankful that you did this, not only for HIM but for YOU!  You're about to begin a journey like none other you have ever been on....  buckle that seat belt tight and hang on....  it's going to be a fun ride!  Enjoy! 

Alice

Alice,  I'm glad I had that discussion too.  I think he "gets it," but he is still having reservations.  He loves me as-is...the kids think I'm beautiful...his favorite thing to do is to cuddle up to me and "mush" me...so I think he'll be pleasantly surprised that I'll still be "mushy" after WLS!  lol  Can't wait to start the real part of this ride, I tell ya.  It's been awhile coming and I've tried to enjoy every moment thus far so I definitely plan on enjoying it even more and more.  Thank goodness ya'll will be here if I have a crash or two! 

It is your time to shine Shauna,
Good for you explaining to your little man about obesity.
One day after he is grown up I am sure he will be so proud of his mother for making this choice for a healthier life.
Some people say dont do the last supper thing but I recommend it 100% mainly because it will give you food memories.
Food memories can be very comforting.

BTW the Halloween bowls are full ready for trick or treaters tonight.
I had some candy put out in a bowl in my front hall for the party.
Lots of it got eatten which is good but it kept calling my name as I walked by it.
I ate one bite size piece of dark chocolate something not normal for me  because before surgery milk chocolate was the bomb.
Now I think it would be to sweet.
The few left over pieces of candy I sent home with Ana my vet friend the other night.
Tonight if we have candy left over I will give it to the Happy Boys to take to the barn.
To be free from that complusion is truly a blessing for me.
Send that movie of Viv I would love to see it.
I planed some Rosemary on Luckys grave.
Rosemary represents rememberance.
                                        Annie

Yes, Annie, my hopes truly are that I can make my family proud and set the example for them that they can do anything they put their minds to, including choosing to live a healthy lifestyle regardless of where they start from.  I have my work cut out for me!  If you'll note my reply to Barb, I haven't been thinking of tonight as my "last supper" but as my last date night with Hubby for awhile.  We always tend to do this when we reach a milestone and I think this is one of the biggest milestones we've reached together.  Things sure are going to change and we are ready for those changes!  Hope you had lots of little ghouls and goblins visit last night and your candy bowls were emptied.  Our kids came away with only a very small percent of what they usually do.  I think the economy is effecting everyone...including trick or treaters!  ha!  I haven't made the movie of Viv yet but I will try to do that.  She's a scream.  Love the fact you planted the rosemary on Luck's grave and that your heart is healing quickly with acceptance.  {{{Hugs}}}

Shauna,

I hope that you will enjoy your 'last meal', but I have to tell you that I have found that I can truly eat just about anything now that I could before, but in much greater moderation. While there are some who never can eat anything with fat or sugar again, that's pretty rare and to be honest, more of us don't dump than do. I think that you will find that moderation in portion and choices is what will help you keep the weight off once you get it off and you will most likely enjoy your old favorites again, but in a healthier, more moderate way. I wish someone had told me that before I may surgery.

I'm glad that you are being forthright with your son. Sarah was also frightened about my having the surgery, but now that Ben's is coming up she seems just fine with it. To be honest, in part, I'm sure that it has to do with my coming through my surgery well and her enduring her own. I think keeping those lines of communication open is the very best thing that you can do for and with him.

Re: conquering issues. I think you have already started my friend. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Take care,

Barb

Good morning, Barb!  I have held out great hope hearing you say that you can eat just about anything in moderation.  That sounds like a great way to end up with the RNY.  I'm so glad I can stay veggie and if I CAN'T have anything I want that'll be okay with me because I know it will keep me accountable, but if I CAN then that would be nice because I plan on commiting to making healthy choices the majority of the time. 

At Olive Garden, I always have a small serving of salad with one breadstick and then I split my entree (usually with Cait) to eat with another breadstick.  Sometimes the 6 of us will split an order of calamari and I have split a piece of the black tie mousse with someone a time or two when we didn't have the calamari to start.  I probably won't do anything different tonight than I usually do so I haven't really been counting it as my "last meal," just a last dinner night out with my hubby for awhile!  Liquid fast...here I come!  lol

It's good to hear that Sarah is doing better about her daddy's upcoming surgery.  To see my little man in that much turmoil has made me feel terrible...terrible that I can't completely soothe his fears and anxiety.  If I knew what I do now, I'd have kept the idea of surgery more on the down-low from him, but that's hard to do in this talkative family...we have VERY open lines of communication!  ha!

Thanks for your confidence in me regarding conquering issues.  I have a laundry list and I plan on just taking it a day at a time! 

Shauna,

Like you, we have very open communication with our kids too. Of course, we try to keep everything age appropriate so that we don't overstress them, but still they do know what's going on and have the ability to ask questions and know that they will get the best answer that I can give them ... sometimes, it's even "I don't know, but I'll see if I can find out." I honestly think that this eses anxienties, rather than causing anxiety because in most cases the fear of what you don't know is worse than the fear of what you are facing. The fact that he can and will articulate his fears and concerns is a good thing in my humble opinion.

And I think it's fair to say that we all have laundry lists to manage and taking one step at a time is the best way to climb the mountain.

Hugs,

Barb