Sunday Check In

I guess it's better to check in late that never, so here goes...

I've had a rough couple of days. My depression is really gripping me and causing me difficulty. I know that I haven't been eating well for a while. So, I've been logging my intake on www.mydailyplate.com and it's clear that while I'm not overdoing the calories, I'm certainly not eating in my best interest either. I'm eating too many carbs and fat and not enough protein. I've done better today than I did yesterday. When I was losing weight, I was really good about logging my intake, but once I hit goal and was maintaining it, I didn't feel the need to do it anymore. I WAS eating pretty well, but now I'm not doing such a good job and I think it is important that I start logging my intake so that I can get to where I am eating in a way that is nourishing to me without over doing it. The reason that logging seems to work for me, is that it increases my awareness of what I'm doing. With that awareness, I tend to make more 'thoughtful' decisions that support my desire to take care of myself and maintain not only a healthy weight, but my health in general. 

I have continued to work on cleaning up and clearing out clothes that no longer fit. We took a bunch of stuff to Goodwill and set aside some things to sell on Craigslist or give to friends. 

I am making a list of all those things for which I am grateful... This site has been one, but it's lonely here lately... sometimes I think I'm talking to the wall. I hope it gets be a more active forum as it used to be. 

Okay... it's time to sign off. Wishing you all well.

Barb,
You are such an inspiration!  You keep some of us going!  I know what you mean about an active forum.  It was hopping around this time last year but here lately it's been a little dead.  I can't complain if I'm not doing my part, right?  So here I am!!!  Hope tomorrow is a brighter day for you.

Ginny,

Thanks so much! 

One nice thing about every sunrise is that it represents a new day and a fresh start.  It's easy to beat yourself up about the back sliding that happens, but you've come so far and done so well and you are so inspiring to those of us who are just beginning the journey.

I like to think of life as a journey on a boat.  It would be easiest if you could sail directly from starting point to end point, but in reality winds change, currents push you and the journey is really a series of small course corrections.  A little drift here and a little check of the compass and a little shift of the rudder.  So long as you keep your eye on the destination, you eventually get where you want to be.

Congratulations on the progress you've already made and the good work you continue to do.  Just keep your eye on the destination, and when you need to, adjust the rudder a little bit.

Have a great day!

Thanks for your kinds words of support and encouragement. I truly do appreciate them. 

How are you doing since your surgery? I hope that things are going well for you. 

My husband and I will be at Duke's support group meeting this evening at Durham Regional. If you are there, please be sure to say hello. You are more likely to recognize me, than I you, since you are undoubtedly already morphing into the new, healthier, slimmer you. 

Thanks again,

I've really been doing great since the surgery except for two or three episodes of "one bite too many".  That is a very unpleasant experience that I don't want to do again.  Seven weeks out I am 67 pounds lighter (54 since the surgery) and have had no real problems.  It has been fun to be "shrinking" out of my clothes and to actually be able to see changes in the mirror.  i actually had a patient flirt a little with me for the first time in a very long time and that was a really nice boost to the self esteem.

I had hoped to come to my first Duke support group meeting tonight but cir****tances intervened.  My wife had RNY one week ago today and unlike me has had LOTS of trouble.  Without mentioning names, she had the same surgeon you did and had a large hole poked into the underside of her liver by the retractor as well as another tear a couple of inches from it.  They spent quite awhile in the OR trying to repair the laceration and ended up doing a lot of cauterization.  Her post operative bleeding was pretty serious and required a couple of units of blood to stabilize her.  All told, she lost about 1/4 of her blood volume from post operative bleeding!  They were also very concerned about the possibility of an anastomosis leak and kept threatening to take her back to the operating room for the first 3 days.  Thankfully she has improved enough that they were able to discharge her home tonight, but she is still in a great deal of pain from the liver injury.  i keep trying to reassure her that she'll eventually be glad she had this surgery, but it's a tough sale at the moment. 

So...no support group for us tonight, but I'm looking forward to making another one of them.  I'd love to actually meet you and your hubby.  it'll be nice to see where I'll be in another couple of years.  Keep in touch!
Rick

Rick,

I'm glad to hear that you are doing well and I'm so sorry to hear of your wife's rocky start. If you've read my profile, you'll notice that my start wasn't a smooth one either, but to be honest, I don't think it was as serious or difficult as what your dear wife has gone through. That said, I recovered completely and if I had it to do over again, I absolutely would. As you said, it's probably too soon for her believe it now, but given a few months I believe she will likely feel very differently. 

Wishing your wife a swift and gentle recovery.

We look forward to meeting you both in the future.

Best regards,