Oh how life has changed! (a long update!)

I never thought my life would make such a dramatic change in such a short amount of time! Less than 3 months ago I was stuck sitting in a chair with debilitating sciatica, trying to keep myself occupied until it was time to pick up the kids from school and then again until it was time for my sweetie to get home from work. I couldn’t go shopping, could barely get groceries, and I was reliant on my family for so many things…lifting the laundry, running the vacuum, etc. My pursuit of WLS was more for the ability to live a normal life than anything else and VOILA! Each day progresses more and more toward “normal!"

I’ve received numerous emails and PM’s asking where I am and I know I have even worried several friends since I’m no longer online like I was pre-op. Rest assured, everything is going fine! Yes, I was an emotional wreck for about 6 weeks post-op (blood sugar and hormones, eegads!), but once I turned that corner, everything has been GREAT!

Here are some health updates:

My blood sugar finally stabilized. Adding back animal protein and eating every 3 hours has helped tremendously.

My diagnostic breast exam came back OKAY this past Friday. Phew!

I have been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s and am going to have to have another ultrasound on my neck in 6 months (we’re hoping the thyroid/goiter does not increase by +0.2cm). Fingers crossed on that note!

I have also been tested for Cushing’s disease and have to wait about a month for those results. Even though I seem to be a walking poster-child for that, hubby and I are hoping there are other explanations for all of my symptoms. I’ve gone from totally freaking out to telling myself, “You probably don’t have it, so don’t sweat it!"

They also had me do a bone density test on Friday and I had blood drawn today for vitamin D levels. Keeping our fingers crossed about this also…that everything is going to come back okay and that I don’t have Cushing’s disease!

I do have a hernia, which I've had since before my RNY.  I think the weight-loss has just made it more and more obvious.  I am not supposed to lift and need to get a compression girdle thingie to wear. Hoping it will wait for surgical repair until I am at goal weight or close to it. It would be so nice to take care of this jiggly tummy at the same time!

Most of you know that I am now homeschooling the lil’ man, which also made a big change in my weekdays. (That is going really great, btw!) High school softball has also started, which means I am no longer home from 2:30-6:30 each afternoon. The girls also have Saturday workouts and then the pitchers/catchers workout together on Sundays (our daughter is a catcher/3^rd base). It’s a super-duper exciting year with the talent this team has. Our daughter is just a freshman but this is the sport she excels in and she is hoping to go to college to play. Hubby and I are helping to put together concessions this weekend and then the girls have tournaments the next two weekends. Can you say ADRENALINE?! lol

Lil’ man and I have been using sister’s softball times to trek all over the high school grounds. Hubby even bought me a pedometer this past Sunday and I’ve forgotten to try it on the two long hikes I’ve taken since then!

As for weight-loss, I finally reached the 40 pounds lost goal I had for New Year’s day on January 27^th. As of today I’m at -43.2. Recent wow moments: No longer “morbidly obese," weigh less than hubby (it’s been like 15-20 years since last time!), wearing hubby’s large sweatpants, just bought a size 18/20 gown that fits, hubby can't keep his hands off of me (hubba, hubba!), and  the other day while I was running after lil’ man and chasing him, he turns around and squeals, “I love my new mama!"  Ah, that was priceless!

I do miss keeping abreast on everything here and wonder about you all EVERY SINGLE DAY! How is Deb’s baby Maya (spell?) doing? How is Annie’s Rosie? How are Ben and Barb doing? I could go on and on! I am thankful to have kept up with quite a few of you via email and telephone. If you want to keep in touch while I’m going through softball season, please PM me for my email because that‘s the surest way to catch me!

Sending my Love and {{{Hugs}}} to all!