Let's Have An Update

Good morning TN family...  hope you are all doing well this gorgeous day.  Just wanted to check in with you to see how things are in your world.  Do you have any WOW moments, Non Scale Victories, or just interesting tidbits of info you would like to share?  Maybe you're struggling and need to talk about that...

I'll go first.  I've been fighting night time grazing.  I find myself going back and forth from the fridge to the couch, looking for food even when I am not hungry.  Not sure if it's boredom, head hunger, craving, thirst, or as one person recently suggested, the changing of the season to fall makes us want warm comfort foods.  Perhaps it's everything wrapped into one...  but as of Nov. 1st, I said STOP!  

I have gone back to strictly protein, mostly liquid protein during my day. That has helped me break free from the desire of food in general.  And, when I do eat, its solid protein accompanied with a moderate carb vegetable.  It leaves me feeling satisfied and full.  I've also started going to bed earlier which helps a lot.

I've also been shopping for the lowest calorie foods.  Later in the journey, I have found that calories mean a WHOLE LOT...  so its a mixture of carbs, sugars, AND calories...  Calorie counting has become a major mindset of mine...  even if something has carbs (although I have strong limits), but calories remain low, I give it consideration and sometimes it finds its way into my fridge and/or cupboards.  

So....  how are you doing, what are you facing, or what victories do you have to share?

Have a great day!

I am going on VACATION!! Whoo hoo. Can't wait. We are flying to Tampa on Sunday morning for 5 days. I am soooo excited. I need a vacation and haven't had a long vacation in a while (At least I don't count maternity leave as vacation). It will be our 1st family vacation and traveling with Aliyah so I am sort of stressed about all the frills of the airport with her and flying with her but once we are there, I know we will have a great time. And it will be the 1st time I have flown since losing weight. No more extra strap needed for me and the embarrassment of asking for one!
Good job on cutting out the grazing. I was really bad with snacks at night (from being pregnant). I stopped doing that about 3 weeks ago. No more Mrs. Freshleys for me! I have done pretty well with not eating snacks at night but I must admit I do tend to find myself doing it once or twice a week. But I guess that is better than 7 days a week and sometimes twice a night. So it is still an accomplishment.
My twin sister, Kristy, is having her RNY surgery on 11/24. So, she will not be able to have Thanksgiving this year. So, I am going to be fixing her an early Thanksgiving feast for her last weekend eating (11/15) before her 8 days liquid diet. Which I was excited about doing for her until I realized that doing one Thanksgiving is a LOT of work and now I have to do an extra one early. But I am so happy for her that I will gladly go through that extra stress and hard work for her. Geez - anyone know how to cook a turkey! hahaha. I have never had to do the thanksgiving turkey before so it will be a 1st. Lets hope I don't give her food poison before her surgery. hahaha.

How is everyone else doing these days? The Holidays are sneaking up on us. And, although I say this every year and it doesn't happen, this year I don't plan on waking on up Jan. 1st being broke and in debt!

Is there room in your travel bag for me?  I could sneak aboard!  I think you are entitled to a vacation!  Maternity does not sound like a vacation to me...  although I've never been pregnant or on maternity leave, I surely agree that it should not be counted as vacation.

I can't believe how fast Christmas is approaching.  Do you think I have even purchased gift #1? NO!   Tim & I are going light this year because of the house purchase.  He said for me to make my wish list for Christmas... it will definitely include kitchen items such as one of those fancy ramekin holders for the oven that you make custards in...  and some other fancy gadgetry.  I am getting so excited about the house, I can't stand it.  He said it may close Tuesday or Weds. if there are no problems. Can't wait! OMG!  Can't stand myself...  so if anyone has any spare time and would like to donate some time to the Tim & Melinda fund, we have some painting that needs to be done! LOL.

Misty that is so sweet of you to do for your sister.  I know she will appreciate it...  it will be in her fondest memories for years to come, UNLESS you food poison her.  Then it will still be in her memories for years to come, just not fondest memories! 

No more Mrs. Freshleys for me either!  boo hoo but then again, Walmart stopped selling my favorite so that's a good thing.

I feel like I am in limbo!  My PCP sent her letter to Dr. Richards office last week and now I'm wondering if I should call and bug, I mean ask them where they are in the process.  To whom would I talk  in their office about that?

Thanks for sharing about grazing and night time eating.  It reminds me this will be a tool, not a cure

Yes, call. Just call to confirm they received the letter. I was told my letter was sent and I waited and waited and then decided to call and was told they never received it. My folder was just sitting there waiting for them to receive a letter I was told was already sent. They will not follow up with you or your Dr if they don't receive something because they don't know when and if something is sent so you will be waiting for nothing. They don't mind you calling to confirm they got everything and what the status is. That is their job. Your job is to stay on top of them to make sure they are doing their job!
Good luck!

Melinda,

What a great idea........OMG!!!!!!!! where in the heck do I start. We are just doing ok, we see the light at the end of the tunnel for being done with Phil's liquid diet. He has his surgery on Tuesday the 11th, he has mixed feelings (mostly excited) and that is totally normal. Never thought I would be calling him normal.........lol..just kidding honey, I Love You.
Mom's two surgeries are over with and she is slowly recovering. The hernia was more than we thought. Once they got in there they cut out some left over fatty tissue and repaired two hernia's. She had a pretty good size cut and had 21 staples. She got them out this past Monday and we are just trying to keep her from doing stuff....that ain't easy.
My step-dad has his 1st catarac surgery on the 11th, yep the same day as Phil's surgery. Once that is healed then they will do the other one. Then after all of that they are going to consider doing back surgery on him.
As far as me...........well..I'm not sleeping, not feeling real good and yes eating some stuff I am not suppose to. My Lasix meds for some reason is not working like it should be so I am retaining fluid big time. I have even doubled up on the meds and that is not doing the trick either. Worrying about everything is not making things any easier. I won't be able to be with Mom during my step-dad surgery, because I will be with Phil and everyone knows that is where I should  be. I am just worried about her since she is still healing herself.
Anyway, you asked and you got................lol So enough about the Parker house stuff. What's going on in everyone eles's world these days?

Cheryl

Hey friends,

My world has been a non-stop expressway of blurred life.  Ever since my surgery back in August, it has been an absolute tilt-a-whirl of events.  Life in the ministry is not for the faint of heart.  Today, I am doing better, but all in all I am worn slap out.  We've had so much going on at church, work, and home that it's been hard to keep things together.  Please pray for us that we will be able to keep up!

I am working with our kids recently about working together.  I am trying to build some unity in our youth program.  Philippians 2 has some good lessons on having the same mind, and working together in one accord.  I taught on that last Sunday morning, and it went over well.  We are also working on a Christmas program for our youth to present in our main services.  We are a small group, and a young one at that.  It's really interesting to watch these kids develop into godly individuals that love the Lord.  What a blessing they are to us!

We have seen a tremendous outreach in the prison system in Nashville.  We have seen 11 inmates give their lives to Christ in the past 3 weeks.  I am amazed at how the Lord works in the lives of those that society has decided to cast away.  Praise the Lord that God still loves prisoners.

Have a blessed day.

Preacher Mike

 

Hi, Melinda, dear.

My update is a little disappointing. I was supposed to attend the nutrition class last night but on the way there our car broke down. Everything is fine now and the car is in the shop. Dail is driving another company car. But... we didn't make it to the class. I have to have that completed before I can see the surgeon for my final consult. It turns out that all the classes are booked until December 3. So my final consult has been postponed until Dec. 8. This probably means my surgery will be sometime in February instead of January. A little disappointing but I can live with it. Otherwise, things are looking good. I have all my paperwork in. Now I will just have to wait to continue.
 Life goes on and at least I am still in the game.

Blessings,
Karen

Karen

Can you ask the nutritionists office to place you on a cancellation list, in case someone cannot come to their appt?  I would surely inquire... doesn't hurt!  That is the pits though.  It is not easy to wait, wait, and wait.  Dealing with doctors and insurance is one big waiting game.  Hopefully though you won't have to wait too much longer, and then you will be on the losing side... just sitting on our bench chatting away like an old pro....

I didn't think to ask about cancellations, Mel but it is a class and I have a feeling that sometimes people just don't show up without calling ahead and cancelling. I'm okay with this, really. I am learning patience which I'm told, is a virtue.

Blessings,
Karen