anything new happening?

HI all, Back from Nashville Trials today, and settling in here in Memphis trying to wade through the work that has come in while I have been away. I did go off my self imposed diet saturday while at the movies and had an honest to goodness real coke. but after that it has been back to water and diet sierra mist. I am getting to the point that I dont much like the sierra mist anymore and can open a can at 8 in the morning and by 4 in the afternoon I am still carrying aruond the same can about a quarter full. That does not bode well for me getting in all my fluids, before I would go through about 2 gallons of some type of liquid a day, that has been curtailed imensely since I stoped high calorie drinks and caffein. no sugar high and no caffein high and I have been litterally dropping into the bed at 8 PM . I seem to be coming out of the slump a bit lately but it was rough going at first. I have now completed my nutrition classes and have met with Dr. McGrath . My surgery date is officially on again for oct. 25th. It seems a bit away but then I know it will be here before I turn around. I will start my liver shrinkage diet on oct 5th. that should be fun(not!). I wonder exactly how the surgery will go for me. I am 49 and have never had day one of surgery in my life other than having my wisdom teeth removed when I was 18. Seems pretty weird when I stop and think about it. I will be starting to write my letters to friends and family this week and have been making a list of who should get a letter. that in and of itself has been interesting. the list is not all that long. I must be a real **** not to have a great many friends. ah well, such is life. Anyone have any words of wisdom on these letters pro or con? I find just thinking about it somewhat fascinating as how many people get to say a possible good-bye to their friends and family. usually death comes so unexpectedly. I am approaching this as a gift to have this opportunity to speak to them from my heart. I dont see it as an onerous chore but honestly feel it is a privelege whichever way my surgery goes. If all goes well and I am trusting in that for sure, then the letters will be just a cathartic experience for myself and if not and God wills it otherwise then honestly I can think of nothing more important to let them know beside my love for them than that this was my choice, and one entered into freely with all the knowledge of what might be and what was to come. I would be interested in hearing from those who have passed beyond this stage into the losing side how you approached it ; if your willing to share that experience. here is my thought for the week, FAITH when you come to the edge of all the light that you know, and are about to step off into the darkness of the unnkown, Faith is knowing one of two things will happen: there will be something solid to stand on, or you will be taught how to fly. (author unknown)

Hi Joe, I'm willing to share my experience with you! It's been a roller coaster of emotions, to be honest with you. But I must admit having the surgery is one of the easiest parts of this whole journey.... Growing up my parents, well my mother - Has always taught us if were lucky to get from point A to point B, don't complain, whine, or anything. LOL! So really, I never *****ed about the pain other then the fact it was a minor discomfort for me and a bit embarrassing at times but again, has the ol mom said - You gotta do what ya gotta do at the moment! I was in the hospital for a total of 4 days - 2 days was spent in ICU due to having a very low blood count. It was a minor scare for 2 whole days! I still believe the real journy starts when you get home and the actual feelings of it all finally happened sets in. The feelings you'll never be able to eat a whole cake, half a pizza, a hamburger with all the fixings, and etc. Stress eating was another hard one for me - I don't normally open up and share my problems. Hell I still don't!! So the whole not being able to eat through the problems has been a HUGE change for me and I still learning this one... So really, even if you have this surgery - it's still a never ending battle. It always will be! It's no different if I were to stop smoking or stop drinking. My advice being almost 5 months out of surgery (August 24th) - Just take one day at a time, Make sure you get ALL your water, whether its crystal light, kool-aid, whatever... and most of all WALK WALK WALK WALK! If you want to read more of my journey and all the accomplisments I've finished in the last 4 months - You can check that out here at my site! http://www.princesspurple.com/wls.htm By the way, I never wrote the letters. I tried many times but I just couldn't do it. However, my parents did ask me a few weeks before surgery what I wanted done if the worst happened. So we had talked about it and they knew if they put me in the ground.... I'd come back and haunt there asses! LOL! (Sorry, I gotta keep the humor in me!) Good luck hon! Stay postive and if you ever need some advice or whatever, feel free to e-mail me anytime! -Katie

Hey I did write the letters to my family and friends well mostly family and one friend. The ones to my adult family I made a point of letting them know that I went into the decision of having surgery fully informed. That I knew the risks and were willing to take them. I then went and said something personal to each one. The one I wrote to my nephew was a bit harder (he was only 6 when I had surgery). I cried as I wrote all of the letters though. When I was done I gave them to a friend that I trust dearly. Of course he didn't like the idea of holding them for me and swore there was no need for them. (which I guess he is right now) I also drew up a power of attorney with durable health proxy and a living will had them all notorized and given to the hospital before I was admitted for surgery. I didn't want my mom to have to make those hard decissions about her oldest daughter. I know a lot of this probably sounds like I was expecting the worst but I wasn't I just knew what was possible and wanted to be prepared. Can't wait until you get on the "bench" Joe *huggles*

Ok, you are making me want to cry. I actually hadn't thought anything about writing letters or dying. I guess I am just a very positive person. According to my "stupid" insurance stipulations, I should be having my surgery in Feb. I am concentrating on cleaning out all my summer clothes because I won't need them next summer. I have my sleep study scheduled for September 30th and then I have to schedule my psych evaluation. I figure I have plenty of time. I am a little concerned about the diet drinks. Nutrasweet gives me one heck of a headache, so I am going to have to think about this one. Not much new I can tell you about. My husband is leaving for Canada this Friday. YEAH!!!! Not that I'm mean or anything, but I can get so much more done when he is gone. I am just staying busy and biding my time until Feb. Come on, Joe, stay positive and smile!!

I don't know about the diet drinks. I do know however that after surgery anything with artificial sweetners in it made me sick. So what I do I make kool aid and stuff I make it with warm water. That way it uses about 1/5 of the sugar that it did before and tastes just as good. I am one of those ppl that after surgery I can tolerate some sugar. I can by no means go overboard with it. Sounds like you are well on your way!!! *huggles*

You can always make Kool-aid with splenda.... No calories!

Hehe... You sound like me, Debbie! By the way, Where you been? I think we both disappeared for awhile! Have you been to Knoxville yet or is that the end of this month? About nutrasweet diet drinks - hon alot of the new drinks are made with splenda! Even welch's juice now has some LIGHT drinks, I've even seen a few at 40 calories or less. Also minute maid has a few new light drinks out too. My personal favorite is there Lemonade. And the kool-aid - I can't stand the taste of 'sugar-free kool-aid' - So I buy the regular packets and just had some splenda to it, instead of real sugar. It tastes pretty good - Everyone in my family drinks it that way now! We're addicted to GREEN Lemon-Lime! Yum! One other thing - Propel water is good and Fruit20 is good! They both give water a different taste when your searching for something different! Hope that helps! -Katie

Hey Katie, Yeah I know I disappeared. Hubby was in the hospital with a kidney stone. He spent a week in there before they decided to just go get it. It was HUGH! He wouldn't let me leave his side, so I just sat there for a week. He got out last weekend and is doing great now. He is leaving for Canada early Friday morning and I am looking forward to getting a little R&R while he is gone. LOL Have missed anything?

Hi ya Joe, I am glad you are still on the schedule for surgery. I hope to be able to say I have a date when I finally find a Dr. to do my surgery. My nutrionist said that carbonated drinks may give you a lot of gas, or the dumping syndrum. I just stick to mostly water, lemonade, or strawberry water. Lemonade: a gallon of water, 1 1/2 cups of lemon juice and splenda to taste. Strawberry water, blend up the strawberries, add the water, and splenda. That way you get your water with a twist of flavor. Even if it's jus****er, some ppl can't handle just drinking water, like a baby they have a strangling time just trying to swallow it, add some splenda and a piece of a lemon. Makes swallowing the water a lot easier. You're having your surgery just one day before my oldest son turns 28. He becomes a daddy the first part of October. So should all go according to plan, I may be having my surgery about the same time as yours. I know you will have no problems with surgery as long as you believe in God and trust Him completely. Hugs to you, Kathy

I never even considered writing any letters....I never considered the possibility I might die. I knew the risks, I just never thought it would be me. Which is ironic, considering it almost was!