So if Oprah can do it, why can't I? Course my list won't end up boosting product sales the equivalent of a 3rd world country's GDP but... I do often find my most favorable experiences are bc of a friend's recommendation. And I'm always happy to share positive ones... (esp since I spend a lot more time bitching about the negative ones ;) )
Obviously there are eternal truths - that affected me specifically this year.
It has been a super eventful one!
1. Being your own landlord is always better than being someone else's tenant.
2. Trader Joe's IS the answer to life, the universe and everything. And thank Hermes (also God of Commerce and Markets) for one FINALLY in Richmond!!
3. Changing teams sometimes CAN make all the difference at work - and then consequently personally!
4. And sometimes admitting you can't do it all and you need help -- and then getting it -- can be one of the most liberating experiences in life.
5. And along the same lines -- truly no man is an island. Friends and family weave the best safety net.
Now onto the materialistic goodies...
Fave products of 2008
1. Method cleaning products. Bc bleach stinks and green is the new black. I like the mint window cleaner and lavendar AP cleaners esp. Ooo and microfiber towels - woot! http://www.methodhome.com/
2. Greek Yogurt - generally. All of it -- full fat, partial fat and fat free. Why go through the trouble of making yogurt cheese or buying sour cream? This does it all. I esp like FAGE (pr. fayuhh)'s packs w cherry or honey in one compartment, yogurt in the other. OH and protein superior yogurt - so I can silence the voices in my head saying 'cottage cheese is a better snack' !! http://fageusa.com/
3. Dove SkinVitalizer -- Vibrating Face Cleaner - ironically this I think is the frugal response to Oprah's Clairsonic fave thing back in 2007. That one will set you back like $200... this one sets you back $10. I keep reusing the facial cleaning pads w my own cleansers - and they last weeks that way too. NEVER has my face felt so smooth and clean.
And this link will save you $3.50 on it.
http://www.doveskinvitalizer.com/register.aspx
4. Serious Skin Care - CoQ10 day and night serums. I am now a convert of a nighttime regimen - including night cream too. The inventor - model turned skincare peddler - OH and incidentally Sylvester Stallone's WIFE!
AND
Serious Skin Care - Dry Lo spot treatment. Stuff is pink like Calamine lotion - works overnight - and you can wear it under makeup!! Bye bye blackheads and zits.
Super good deals/packages found on HSN... ok yes FINE I admit it, I've shopped on TV - yikes!
http://beauty.hsn.com/serious-skin-care-skin-care_c-bs0011_a-146_xc.aspx?prev=hp!sf!146
5. Aquafresh Whitetrays. I have been a conoisseur of home whitening since I was 15 - seriously. WAY before it was chic to use them - and no doubt when they weren't as safe as they are today. I recall getting a 'compliment' like 'wow your teeth are SO white - they look like they could glow in the dark.'
I've laid off for a few years - the strips I find annoying AND they give you peroxide burns on your fingers! I still think the best was the more permanent mouth trays you just refilled w bleacher but I'm not sure those are even around anymore...
enter these Whitetrays -- would give them a B+ (so better than avg and better than any other OTC treatment.) The trays don't go all the way back to your molars (who needs them white anyway?!) and the gunk is at the bottom of the trays so I'd argue they don't do well at the gumline to whiten that part of the tooth and in between... BUT they don't hurt to apply, they don't cause outrageous gag reflexes as you choke down saliva bubbling w peroxide. And they're well flavored. I wouldn't advise talking w them on - or going out in public w them on either. They're also a great way to prevent EATING ;)
$7 off coupon for em here -- http://www.aquafresh.com/
An honorable mention goes out to good ol Campbell's Tomato Soup (not cream of just plain ol) -- I no longer find it too acidic when made w milk and it was my saving grace during all liquids! Warhol was right in memorializing it...
So - happy shopping! And perhaps you've found some stocking stuffer ideas... I'd advise *against* putting yogurt in the stockings - perhaps instead make it part of Xmas breakfast...
Friday, December 19, 2008
End of week 2 -- 1 week of mushies down!
As of yesterday AM, I was down 3.5lbs on my first week of mushies. So we're down 23.5 lbs since beginning liver shrinking pre surgery -- which is 4 weeks ago. Woot!
This phase comes w its own unique challenges -- how do you make 60grams of protein out of 1.5 cups of mushy food????!!!!! How can you not count everything as mushy - I mean don't my teeth make solids mushies before swallowing?! Does 1 Xmas cookie really count?! :) I haven't strayed much - other than a few pringles (thanks Rob...) and 2 cookies... I did get the A OK at my checkup Weds. My incisions looked 'great' per the surgeon -- all 22 seconds of the appt...
Well my solution to the protein problem has been things like refried beans, tunafish salad, chicken (canned) salad... and I daresay I will go the way of deviled ham next week for some variety.
May no one decry potted meats until you've tried good ol Underwood Deviled ham - comes in a white paper wrapped can w a dancing devil on it. How could that be bad??!!!
I'm even bordering on pulling out my old favorite that I haven't had since I was a kid -- but sans the nutritionally worthless white bread WITH country crock AND mayo (Gammy was one for condiments) and a rip of iceberg lettuce --- LIVERWURST! I do believe I was the ONLY 6th grader packing Braunschweiger for lunch...
But I gotta say, it's pretty good stuff... I mean it's what - 1 rung below pate?! ;) I was mature for my age!
So I'm now tackling the issue of making room for more than just 1/2cup of protein for each meal. This is a challenge in that usually the protein is a lot tastier than the veggie - and if protein is the most important component for me on such small qtys - WHY make room for a veggie?? Well I just know it makes good nutriotional sense to... (and to keep taking my vitamins - which now must be in liquid and chewable forms for the most part - if they could only find a way NOT to make them horsepills I could swallow them!!) --
Which reminds me -- does anyone want unopened good for year+ new vitamins I can't use anymore??!!! Free to a good home!
Anyway, so I'm now pulling out the tablespoons for measurement -- there are 8 tblsp in a 1/2 cup - so I can make 2 or 4 of those veggies adn the rest protein.
It will also make me feel a little less of a dinner companion reject - bc I can also then have 'meals' again w Rob - rather than what we've been doing the last week -- of me pulling out some impossibly and depressingly TINY tupperware container of prepared protein and eating half of it for dinner.
I'm doing pretty well at pacing - and find it much more satisfying to eat at the kitchen table.
So all in all, I've begun to see the future - how this will become habit - along w some of the possible saboteurs I may also face. I'm pretty stoked - and feeling better and better about my decision daily!
This phase comes w its own unique challenges -- how do you make 60grams of protein out of 1.5 cups of mushy food????!!!!! How can you not count everything as mushy - I mean don't my teeth make solids mushies before swallowing?! Does 1 Xmas cookie really count?! :) I haven't strayed much - other than a few pringles (thanks Rob...) and 2 cookies... I did get the A OK at my checkup Weds. My incisions looked 'great' per the surgeon -- all 22 seconds of the appt...
Well my solution to the protein problem has been things like refried beans, tunafish salad, chicken (canned) salad... and I daresay I will go the way of deviled ham next week for some variety.
May no one decry potted meats until you've tried good ol Underwood Deviled ham - comes in a white paper wrapped can w a dancing devil on it. How could that be bad??!!!
I'm even bordering on pulling out my old favorite that I haven't had since I was a kid -- but sans the nutritionally worthless white bread WITH country crock AND mayo (Gammy was one for condiments) and a rip of iceberg lettuce --- LIVERWURST! I do believe I was the ONLY 6th grader packing Braunschweiger for lunch...
But I gotta say, it's pretty good stuff... I mean it's what - 1 rung below pate?! ;) I was mature for my age!
So I'm now tackling the issue of making room for more than just 1/2cup of protein for each meal. This is a challenge in that usually the protein is a lot tastier than the veggie - and if protein is the most important component for me on such small qtys - WHY make room for a veggie?? Well I just know it makes good nutriotional sense to... (and to keep taking my vitamins - which now must be in liquid and chewable forms for the most part - if they could only find a way NOT to make them horsepills I could swallow them!!) --
Which reminds me -- does anyone want unopened good for year+ new vitamins I can't use anymore??!!! Free to a good home!
Anyway, so I'm now pulling out the tablespoons for measurement -- there are 8 tblsp in a 1/2 cup - so I can make 2 or 4 of those veggies adn the rest protein.
It will also make me feel a little less of a dinner companion reject - bc I can also then have 'meals' again w Rob - rather than what we've been doing the last week -- of me pulling out some impossibly and depressingly TINY tupperware container of prepared protein and eating half of it for dinner.
I'm doing pretty well at pacing - and find it much more satisfying to eat at the kitchen table.
So all in all, I've begun to see the future - how this will become habit - along w some of the possible saboteurs I may also face. I'm pretty stoked - and feeling better and better about my decision daily!
Monday, December 15, 2008
2 Funnies I Forgot!
I forgot to 'document' two goodies to date from all this...
1. Apparently during surgery I got the HICCUPS!! Now afterward they seemed to think that was 'no biggie' and that working around the diaphragm that happens not infrequently... I however give the utmost credit to the surgeon for not slicing me open in a badway -- how the HELL do you operate LAPAROSCOPICALLY on my mid-section when the entire thing is going through explosive spasms???!!! dear god - I thanked my lucky stars once I was conscious!
2. So I was thrilled to be able to shower sans assistance when I got home. My friend Jim reminded me (having had the same back surgery I did but more recently) that this wasn't really possible after my back surgery. My mom - being the dutiful supervisor she is - was umm very supervisory post shower - making sure I got out ok, etc. I am very conscious of this bc I got a tattoo when I was 18 and NEVER wanted my parents to know. (Jeanne - if you are reading this, you are sworn to secrecy.)
Well -- floored was I when my mom pulls out the "So when did you get the tramp stamp?" Now she IS a high school teacher so the colloquialism wasn't an offense -- I did however correct her immediately that it WASN'T technically a tramp stamp bc it was located on my hip! And then I picked my jaw off the floor and explained when I got it, etc. I figured that I'd hid it a decade, I'd done pretty well... she wants to get a tattoo herself and her best friend is inked stem to stern so I was pretty safe w her finding out.
I did however swear her to secrecy from telling my father who I believe would SUMMARILY DISOWN ME if he found out... he never wanted me to get my ears pierced! I believe the comment I got when I came home from college 1st year w a set of SECOND holes (god forbid!) was something like -- "what -- is the lip disk next?"
1. Apparently during surgery I got the HICCUPS!! Now afterward they seemed to think that was 'no biggie' and that working around the diaphragm that happens not infrequently... I however give the utmost credit to the surgeon for not slicing me open in a badway -- how the HELL do you operate LAPAROSCOPICALLY on my mid-section when the entire thing is going through explosive spasms???!!! dear god - I thanked my lucky stars once I was conscious!
2. So I was thrilled to be able to shower sans assistance when I got home. My friend Jim reminded me (having had the same back surgery I did but more recently) that this wasn't really possible after my back surgery. My mom - being the dutiful supervisor she is - was umm very supervisory post shower - making sure I got out ok, etc. I am very conscious of this bc I got a tattoo when I was 18 and NEVER wanted my parents to know. (Jeanne - if you are reading this, you are sworn to secrecy.)
Well -- floored was I when my mom pulls out the "So when did you get the tramp stamp?" Now she IS a high school teacher so the colloquialism wasn't an offense -- I did however correct her immediately that it WASN'T technically a tramp stamp bc it was located on my hip! And then I picked my jaw off the floor and explained when I got it, etc. I figured that I'd hid it a decade, I'd done pretty well... she wants to get a tattoo herself and her best friend is inked stem to stern so I was pretty safe w her finding out.
I did however swear her to secrecy from telling my father who I believe would SUMMARILY DISOWN ME if he found out... he never wanted me to get my ears pierced! I believe the comment I got when I came home from college 1st year w a set of SECOND holes (god forbid!) was something like -- "what -- is the lip disk next?"
Phase 1 - Liquids - DONE!
Glad that's over!! Thursday was the start to mushies - which basically means real food that involves umm TEETH...
SO liquids -- first off never has a simple half banana ground into protein powder provided SUCH pleasure and taste. You do truly appreciate the sense of taste MUCH more when you haven't been able to use it in a while.
Why liquid diets STINK:
--- Neopolitan or no dice... apparently bodybuilders and fad dieters alike only enjoy sweet things - and they seem to only now be strawberry, vanilla and chocolate flavored. I seem to remember when Slim Fast had just begun that it had gads of different flavors (still all sweet but...) things like tropical, orange, coffee, choc, vanilla, etc. -- now we seem to be down to only neopolitan... and in Slim Fast High Protein - only chocolate and vanilla - I was never able to locate a strawberry.
When you are only 'eating' 3 shakes a day for a week, only having 3 flavors to choose from is incredibly painful. I did do some pre-shopping so I had instant coffee granules (which were atrociously bad - and made my shakes taste like they had beef broth in them... YUCK). I did grab unflavored soy protein powder at Trader Joe's - and found some Strawberry BANANA (whoa!) Genisoy at Kroger. There were only specific shakes I was to consume to ensure I had the right amount of protein vs carbs a day - so I was even more limited.
But may I suggest some patentable new flavors? Mint, Choc Mint, Curry (there's a protein bar that I recall came out once stuff like Luna bars and Clif Bars became the rage along w all the atkinsy bars) -- I think it's called Mojo - anyway, I remember seeing it a Ukrop's and they have savory flavors - like curry pretzel peanut or something -- what a great idea!) , Caramel, Butterscotch, Almond, PEANUT BUTTER...
--- Extract this from your... Ironically I was allowed at this point to use extracts in the shakes to 'spice em up' a bit -- unfortunately I was forbade from using alcohol based extracts -- and to be honest, I don't think a single one of my extracts isn't alcohol based...
So I used half bananas - and revelled in the taste - probably bc of the natural sugars.
--- It gets old fast... And I just choked down the rest -- never would you believe it was actually a CHORE to sip down 3 shakes a day (@ about 20g protein each) -- it was just boring...
Why liquid diets don't entirely stink:
--- Heal thyself... It was a good way to get my head back into the flavor game and allow me to heal.
--- Baby steps... It also got me so much more excited for mushies but allowing me to pace myself. I was having 8oz of shake at a sitting (approx 30min) -- but ultimately my meals are not supposed to exceed 4oz (volume) so it got me eating smaller portions but not immediately into the 4oz.
--- Weighting game... I lost another 8 lbs -- we're now down 20lbs as of last Thursday 12/11. Woot!
To sum it up, if you can stand it, liquid diets are good for results... and I got enough protein so far bc my hair is not falling out (SERIOUSLY -- that's a possible side effect... nice huh?). I will say Campbell's tomato soup was my SAVING GRACE! Made w milk it got me some protein and it was savory.
I'm now onto mushies -- which is a 2 week long phase (unless I get the ok to go solids from the dr's tomorrow -- I hear it's been known to happen!) This comes w its own challenges - but that'll be my next post!
SO liquids -- first off never has a simple half banana ground into protein powder provided SUCH pleasure and taste. You do truly appreciate the sense of taste MUCH more when you haven't been able to use it in a while.
Why liquid diets STINK:
--- Neopolitan or no dice... apparently bodybuilders and fad dieters alike only enjoy sweet things - and they seem to only now be strawberry, vanilla and chocolate flavored. I seem to remember when Slim Fast had just begun that it had gads of different flavors (still all sweet but...) things like tropical, orange, coffee, choc, vanilla, etc. -- now we seem to be down to only neopolitan... and in Slim Fast High Protein - only chocolate and vanilla - I was never able to locate a strawberry.
When you are only 'eating' 3 shakes a day for a week, only having 3 flavors to choose from is incredibly painful. I did do some pre-shopping so I had instant coffee granules (which were atrociously bad - and made my shakes taste like they had beef broth in them... YUCK). I did grab unflavored soy protein powder at Trader Joe's - and found some Strawberry BANANA (whoa!) Genisoy at Kroger. There were only specific shakes I was to consume to ensure I had the right amount of protein vs carbs a day - so I was even more limited.
But may I suggest some patentable new flavors? Mint, Choc Mint, Curry (there's a protein bar that I recall came out once stuff like Luna bars and Clif Bars became the rage along w all the atkinsy bars) -- I think it's called Mojo - anyway, I remember seeing it a Ukrop's and they have savory flavors - like curry pretzel peanut or something -- what a great idea!) , Caramel, Butterscotch, Almond, PEANUT BUTTER...
--- Extract this from your... Ironically I was allowed at this point to use extracts in the shakes to 'spice em up' a bit -- unfortunately I was forbade from using alcohol based extracts -- and to be honest, I don't think a single one of my extracts isn't alcohol based...
So I used half bananas - and revelled in the taste - probably bc of the natural sugars.
--- It gets old fast... And I just choked down the rest -- never would you believe it was actually a CHORE to sip down 3 shakes a day (@ about 20g protein each) -- it was just boring...
Why liquid diets don't entirely stink:
--- Heal thyself... It was a good way to get my head back into the flavor game and allow me to heal.
--- Baby steps... It also got me so much more excited for mushies but allowing me to pace myself. I was having 8oz of shake at a sitting (approx 30min) -- but ultimately my meals are not supposed to exceed 4oz (volume) so it got me eating smaller portions but not immediately into the 4oz.
--- Weighting game... I lost another 8 lbs -- we're now down 20lbs as of last Thursday 12/11. Woot!
To sum it up, if you can stand it, liquid diets are good for results... and I got enough protein so far bc my hair is not falling out (SERIOUSLY -- that's a possible side effect... nice huh?). I will say Campbell's tomato soup was my SAVING GRACE! Made w milk it got me some protein and it was savory.
I'm now onto mushies -- which is a 2 week long phase (unless I get the ok to go solids from the dr's tomorrow -- I hear it's been known to happen!) This comes w its own challenges - but that'll be my next post!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Mental note - setup your computer BEFORE heading to hospy...
Thanks SO much to everyone for their kind thoughts, personal emails beforehand and after, and the txt messages -- and checking up on me through Rob. I was so excited to get the notes/msgs and now am really glad to be back online and reconnecting!!
Extra thanks to Julie for my card and Spevak for my fleurs :) Considering Aimee is in Turkey right now -- whoa! yay internet!
And congrats to the Joyners and new baby Henry!
OK so I'm home - and SOO glad to be here...
Here's a rundown of the last few days...
I weighed in on the morning o surgery - but wasn't down really anymore lbs - so I'd say it's sorta like South Beach - if you follow it week 1, you'll get most of your results then...
Took my tiny $25 pill -- will post a pic soon.
Headed off to hospy w Mom and Rob -- left about 7am to be there at 7.30am. Uneventful checkin - met someone else in the waiting room who had the surgery *right* after mine -- like I think they wheeled me out and had her waiting...
Also relatively uneventful - changing o clothes into a horrendous gown, got a lovely hair cap - which according to one of hte nurses people actually ask to KEEP... why I don't know -- it wasn't even waterproof... peculiar.
Got those nasty stockings w a creepy foothole at the top - bizarre! And my hospital issue totes sockwarmers things - which unfortunately disappeared from my bed post surgery - so I dind't get a 'souvenir'...
Got asked the same 3 questions by 10 different people, got some rockin drugs that are *supposed* to cause amnesia (it's like super valium) but I remember everything pre general anesthesia (same happened w my back surgery). This stuff made me super dizzy, sorta drunken - on the verge of losing all body control - a little disturbing -- enough to get myself onto the surgery table by myself -- and then the did the oxygen mask (just like nip tuck) - and told me to take some deep breaths... well I think something was IN that oxygen... ;) anyway, McHugh OUT!
Woke up in the recovery room, sorta groggy but doing ok - not too much pain, oxygen in nose, etc. I became more awake of course w time - and kept getting some excuse about the 'ward' being busy so I was going to just hang down in recovery. The guy next to me Federrico - had just had shoulder surgery and coudln't stop bitching about his shoulder being numb... REALLY?? wtf? Then I heard him get the wizzenator but after 30min he still hadn't pee'ed...
Luckily at that point I was wheeled upstairs - what i was SHOCKED to see was taht it was 2.30pm already... during the wheeling, they accidentally 'ripped' out my nose oxygen mask - not too painful - just annoying. They were super apologetic - Kelly and Marvin were pretty ok - they told me apparenlty when they built the new wing, they didn't make the elevators big enough for patient's beds - so they had to wait on the 1 of the 4 that actually could take a bed... WTF? Also came to find out that the 'transporter' - unfortunately NOTHING like Jason HottyPants Statham - had had the same back surgery as me but slimy St Mary's attorneys were able to fight his lawsuit that it wasn't caused by the fact that he pushes hundreds of pounds of people every day all over the hospital in oversized beds w wheels... BASTAGES! Yet another tale that should be on dividedwefail.org
So lemme switch perspectives now and give you the Rob/Mom view -- they said adios about 8.30am when they took me back. Headed up to the surgery waiting area upstairs at St Mary's. They got a slip which linked to a beeper that was linked to a beeper on my hospital wristband... So they get a call about 10.30am from the surgeon saying everything went great and I'm out - in the recovery room. They said they'd call when they took me upstairs...
Now when I was in the recovery room, I heard the nurse call to say that I was doing fine in recovery but that they were busy upstairs and so I'd be here a little longer bc they didn't have space. She said she'd expect it to be an hour maybe more -- so they could either stay in the waiting area or go to the waiting area on the 4th floor and they'd get beeped once I went to my room.
Well now I get wheeled up - after realizing I'd spent 4 FOUR HOURS in the recovery room to my room - which turned out to be the shitty one w 2 other beds in it, tvs mounted in such a way it was IMPOSSIBLE to see them and obviously the utmost of privacy between beds - w ceiling curtaings... OH YAH and a SHARED bathroom...
This was an incredible annoyance to me since when I'd toured the 'ward' the night I had my nutrition class, I'd seen the awesome private rooms w adjustable airbeds and private bathrooms w showers...
So now I'm just pissed... plus hurting plus post drug woozy... and when I get wheeled in, no family is to be found... I ask the nurse (the one who was 'too busy' bc she had TWO patients - the other cattle car roommates of mine)... she calls the waiting room on the 4th floor and no one answers. I get I'm sure visibly annoyed - so she goes to the room and no one is there. Then just comes back and tells me that...
Well the girl next to me - who'd had her surgery right before mine -- and who'd been in the room for HOURS AND HOURS already... - and who was ALREADY up and walking (like i SHOULD have been if I hadn't been held in recovery bc nursebitch Teri was 'too busy' -- more on Teri to come) walks in - we recognized each other from the class -- she is w her hubby and mom. She or her mom - someone - asks how I'm doing. Now I'm *sure* I looked bad - not only pale post surgery - but pretty much on the verge of tears - between being in recovery for so long my neck was aching (their idea of a pillow in 'temporary' recovery was a folded up towel) and then getting the shittiest room to the fact that my family was missing and the nurse could care less about her new patient... I choked out something like 'ok, except I can't find my family' -- SO thank goodness for the kindness of strangers... her hubby gave me his cell to call Rob -- I did and got him right away... apparently the idiots NEVER called back down to buzz them to say I was out of recovery and in the room... Rob had some comments (most of which he kept in) for the little old lady volunteer who just sorta giggled when he went to return the beeper and said he'd never gotten a call - except from THE PATIENT...
So all begins to pick up then. About 3ish, I got my family! :) And was MUCH happier...
The cattle car room stunk - and the spending all that time in recovery STUNK... in fact the girl I met in the waiting room who had the surgery AFTER mine was already upstairs and in her OWN room when I was hauled up there - so apparenlty it was my 'luck' to get the crappy nurse Teri.
I also completely missed my aftn 'meal' -- which was my clear liquids stage - jello, broth, tea, juice, ice chips... not a BIG miss - but slightly troubling to me when the first thing I had after icechips was me trying to 'eat' the Carnation Instant Breakfast protein shake at dinner... this also was after establishing that it was 'too late' to send me off for my upper GI xray -- which everyone else had that day... but as Teri assured me 'well if you're not in lots of abdominal pain now drinking that protein shake, the surgery probably went ok' -- again WTF?? so had the surgery not gone well - but since miss Teri couldn't bother to order my GI xray -- I COULD Have had CIB leaking into my bloodstream and been in severe agony... I'd rather NOT have taken the guinea pig route...
Then Teri tells me that 'oh they don't usually take people after 5pm so you'll have to do the xray in the morning - oh and you can't then drink anything after midnight' -- thanks bitchface... after the breathing tubes, my throat was really hurting - so the prospect of no longer being able to drink anything also made me want to cry... frankly, the neck and the throat were actually causing me more pain than the incisions... this actually was the case really until today (Tues)
So back to cattle car room -- it actually ended up being a blessing in disguise (well excepting that the 2 other people in the room had BRONCHITIS - and now it appears Rob may have it...) -- bc the girl next to me was a kind stranger she actually saved me from the complete INCOMPETENCE of nurse Teri... apparently I was supposed to get an anti-inflammatory - Touradol - after the surgery - soon post recovery... she never checked to see if I was given it in my extended stay in recovery - and I wasn't... so I had to ASK her to check and then give me it. Teri also liked to 'play' w the drs - making fake calls, etc. She also commented on multiple occassions that she was mixing up our charts and writing the others' stats on them... so Teri should NOT be given the cattle car room - or frankly ANY patient...
In fact she tried to briefly stop my IV so I could change into my own clothes and do bathroom things - and instead caused it to reverse and pull out my blood - and then she had to reconnect it and 'force' my blood back up into me along w the stuff in the IV - geebus... she also didn't tell me I had to pee in a plastic cowboy hat thing to monitor my 'output' until I'd pee'ed like 3 times already - after which she showed me my 'labelled' one - that clearly someone ELSE had pee'ed in... she finally 'made the time' to get me a 'fresh one' - ugg...
Fam left about 8ish and headed home (Dad stopped in briefly too) - at that point, I'd done a few walks around the halls (tethered to an IV and w a 4lb heart monitor thing 'draped' over my shoulder -- annoying...) and could sit - I'd negotiated w my neighbor to turn our tvs toward the other since we could see each others better than the ones mounted above us...
Then like angels, the night nurses in their white coats came. Teri treated them like crap - so clearly she must have some sort of seniority... and as she collected my survey the next morning, I felt it imprudent to bitch about her there -- so I will find out from my dr's office how to appropriately report her in 2 weeks.
The night nurse was India. (Not to be confused w India the pre-op 6ft black manwoman at the Valero by our old hood.) India had an 'apprentice' too. India was AWESOME... she was super attentive. Also very methodical about taking our readings, giving us our meds, doing whatever we needed. She also made sure my GI xray was ordered and I'd go first thing in the AM. So basically she did her job. Compared to Teri, this made her my shero for the night! Did more walking 1am and 3am, peed in a plastic cowboy hat (which was less bizarre than it sounds - it sits under the seat to 'collect' pee - and got some Percocet. whoa.
Next Teri the Terrible comes back as I'm being wheeled away about 7am to my xray. Luckily the confirms that all is well, no leaks, right size, etc. That was actually pretty cool -- looked like one of those slo mo photos of a smoke puff as the barium went thru my stomach.
Headed back up, got to change and was on my way out! GOODBYE TERI! I kept leaking the numbing meds from my 'Q ball' - anesthesia filled ball that actually they gave me in a fanny pack to take home and was connected internally to deliver med under skin (more to come.) Teri's final feats were to redo my bandage to try to stop the leaking - unsuccesfully of course. And to listen to my 'bowels' - which are supposed to make noises I guess to ensure you're ok - they did this after my back surgery too - and Teri flippantly comments that she doesn't really hear anything... but apparently no biggie = she'll still discharge me. Luckily India had listened about 6am before she left and said they sounded good - so I wasn't worried...
I got home and slept all day basically. The pain is far less than my diskectomy - the incisions are unpleasant but not bad. They're pretty sore -- first few days felt like someone took me out back and beat me w a bat on my abs... the incisions are a little bruised... I was able to shower on Saturday - woohoo!
Now -- and this will have to be supplemented w a photo -- the 'Q ball' or pic line... basically it's a ball of medicine (liquid) connected to tubing that is actually in your stomach (just under the skin - not really internal - sorta like a splinter goes in) and delivers it under the skin.
On Saturday that got to come out -- which was an ordeal bc unbeknownst to us the tube inside was down like 10inches... so my Mom just kept pulling and pulling and finally it came out -- I didn't really feel it but it was pretty creepy to look at...
Apparently afterward my Mom went downstairs and ordered a liquid lunch from Rob - wine of course...
So now I'm just catching up on some Tivo - and finally my blog!! I'm supposed to login for work tomorrow (this so I could avoid the MIP situation - which I have had issues w in past) - I'm not looking fwd to that but it should only be for the rest of this week and then maybe a day or 2 next - actually I can start vacation Monday and be out through Jan 5th.
My followup appt is 12/17.
Next I will update on the liquid diet and what's going on! Stay tuned - I will try to do this in the next day or so!
Extra thanks to Julie for my card and Spevak for my fleurs :) Considering Aimee is in Turkey right now -- whoa! yay internet!
And congrats to the Joyners and new baby Henry!
OK so I'm home - and SOO glad to be here...
Here's a rundown of the last few days...
I weighed in on the morning o surgery - but wasn't down really anymore lbs - so I'd say it's sorta like South Beach - if you follow it week 1, you'll get most of your results then...
Took my tiny $25 pill -- will post a pic soon.
Headed off to hospy w Mom and Rob -- left about 7am to be there at 7.30am. Uneventful checkin - met someone else in the waiting room who had the surgery *right* after mine -- like I think they wheeled me out and had her waiting...
Also relatively uneventful - changing o clothes into a horrendous gown, got a lovely hair cap - which according to one of hte nurses people actually ask to KEEP... why I don't know -- it wasn't even waterproof... peculiar.
Got those nasty stockings w a creepy foothole at the top - bizarre! And my hospital issue totes sockwarmers things - which unfortunately disappeared from my bed post surgery - so I dind't get a 'souvenir'...
Got asked the same 3 questions by 10 different people, got some rockin drugs that are *supposed* to cause amnesia (it's like super valium) but I remember everything pre general anesthesia (same happened w my back surgery). This stuff made me super dizzy, sorta drunken - on the verge of losing all body control - a little disturbing -- enough to get myself onto the surgery table by myself -- and then the did the oxygen mask (just like nip tuck) - and told me to take some deep breaths... well I think something was IN that oxygen... ;) anyway, McHugh OUT!
Woke up in the recovery room, sorta groggy but doing ok - not too much pain, oxygen in nose, etc. I became more awake of course w time - and kept getting some excuse about the 'ward' being busy so I was going to just hang down in recovery. The guy next to me Federrico - had just had shoulder surgery and coudln't stop bitching about his shoulder being numb... REALLY?? wtf? Then I heard him get the wizzenator but after 30min he still hadn't pee'ed...
Luckily at that point I was wheeled upstairs - what i was SHOCKED to see was taht it was 2.30pm already... during the wheeling, they accidentally 'ripped' out my nose oxygen mask - not too painful - just annoying. They were super apologetic - Kelly and Marvin were pretty ok - they told me apparenlty when they built the new wing, they didn't make the elevators big enough for patient's beds - so they had to wait on the 1 of the 4 that actually could take a bed... WTF? Also came to find out that the 'transporter' - unfortunately NOTHING like Jason HottyPants Statham - had had the same back surgery as me but slimy St Mary's attorneys were able to fight his lawsuit that it wasn't caused by the fact that he pushes hundreds of pounds of people every day all over the hospital in oversized beds w wheels... BASTAGES! Yet another tale that should be on dividedwefail.org
So lemme switch perspectives now and give you the Rob/Mom view -- they said adios about 8.30am when they took me back. Headed up to the surgery waiting area upstairs at St Mary's. They got a slip which linked to a beeper that was linked to a beeper on my hospital wristband... So they get a call about 10.30am from the surgeon saying everything went great and I'm out - in the recovery room. They said they'd call when they took me upstairs...
Now when I was in the recovery room, I heard the nurse call to say that I was doing fine in recovery but that they were busy upstairs and so I'd be here a little longer bc they didn't have space. She said she'd expect it to be an hour maybe more -- so they could either stay in the waiting area or go to the waiting area on the 4th floor and they'd get beeped once I went to my room.
Well now I get wheeled up - after realizing I'd spent 4 FOUR HOURS in the recovery room to my room - which turned out to be the shitty one w 2 other beds in it, tvs mounted in such a way it was IMPOSSIBLE to see them and obviously the utmost of privacy between beds - w ceiling curtaings... OH YAH and a SHARED bathroom...
This was an incredible annoyance to me since when I'd toured the 'ward' the night I had my nutrition class, I'd seen the awesome private rooms w adjustable airbeds and private bathrooms w showers...
So now I'm just pissed... plus hurting plus post drug woozy... and when I get wheeled in, no family is to be found... I ask the nurse (the one who was 'too busy' bc she had TWO patients - the other cattle car roommates of mine)... she calls the waiting room on the 4th floor and no one answers. I get I'm sure visibly annoyed - so she goes to the room and no one is there. Then just comes back and tells me that...
Well the girl next to me - who'd had her surgery right before mine -- and who'd been in the room for HOURS AND HOURS already... - and who was ALREADY up and walking (like i SHOULD have been if I hadn't been held in recovery bc nursebitch Teri was 'too busy' -- more on Teri to come) walks in - we recognized each other from the class -- she is w her hubby and mom. She or her mom - someone - asks how I'm doing. Now I'm *sure* I looked bad - not only pale post surgery - but pretty much on the verge of tears - between being in recovery for so long my neck was aching (their idea of a pillow in 'temporary' recovery was a folded up towel) and then getting the shittiest room to the fact that my family was missing and the nurse could care less about her new patient... I choked out something like 'ok, except I can't find my family' -- SO thank goodness for the kindness of strangers... her hubby gave me his cell to call Rob -- I did and got him right away... apparently the idiots NEVER called back down to buzz them to say I was out of recovery and in the room... Rob had some comments (most of which he kept in) for the little old lady volunteer who just sorta giggled when he went to return the beeper and said he'd never gotten a call - except from THE PATIENT...
So all begins to pick up then. About 3ish, I got my family! :) And was MUCH happier...
The cattle car room stunk - and the spending all that time in recovery STUNK... in fact the girl I met in the waiting room who had the surgery AFTER mine was already upstairs and in her OWN room when I was hauled up there - so apparenlty it was my 'luck' to get the crappy nurse Teri.
I also completely missed my aftn 'meal' -- which was my clear liquids stage - jello, broth, tea, juice, ice chips... not a BIG miss - but slightly troubling to me when the first thing I had after icechips was me trying to 'eat' the Carnation Instant Breakfast protein shake at dinner... this also was after establishing that it was 'too late' to send me off for my upper GI xray -- which everyone else had that day... but as Teri assured me 'well if you're not in lots of abdominal pain now drinking that protein shake, the surgery probably went ok' -- again WTF?? so had the surgery not gone well - but since miss Teri couldn't bother to order my GI xray -- I COULD Have had CIB leaking into my bloodstream and been in severe agony... I'd rather NOT have taken the guinea pig route...
Then Teri tells me that 'oh they don't usually take people after 5pm so you'll have to do the xray in the morning - oh and you can't then drink anything after midnight' -- thanks bitchface... after the breathing tubes, my throat was really hurting - so the prospect of no longer being able to drink anything also made me want to cry... frankly, the neck and the throat were actually causing me more pain than the incisions... this actually was the case really until today (Tues)
So back to cattle car room -- it actually ended up being a blessing in disguise (well excepting that the 2 other people in the room had BRONCHITIS - and now it appears Rob may have it...) -- bc the girl next to me was a kind stranger she actually saved me from the complete INCOMPETENCE of nurse Teri... apparently I was supposed to get an anti-inflammatory - Touradol - after the surgery - soon post recovery... she never checked to see if I was given it in my extended stay in recovery - and I wasn't... so I had to ASK her to check and then give me it. Teri also liked to 'play' w the drs - making fake calls, etc. She also commented on multiple occassions that she was mixing up our charts and writing the others' stats on them... so Teri should NOT be given the cattle car room - or frankly ANY patient...
In fact she tried to briefly stop my IV so I could change into my own clothes and do bathroom things - and instead caused it to reverse and pull out my blood - and then she had to reconnect it and 'force' my blood back up into me along w the stuff in the IV - geebus... she also didn't tell me I had to pee in a plastic cowboy hat thing to monitor my 'output' until I'd pee'ed like 3 times already - after which she showed me my 'labelled' one - that clearly someone ELSE had pee'ed in... she finally 'made the time' to get me a 'fresh one' - ugg...
Fam left about 8ish and headed home (Dad stopped in briefly too) - at that point, I'd done a few walks around the halls (tethered to an IV and w a 4lb heart monitor thing 'draped' over my shoulder -- annoying...) and could sit - I'd negotiated w my neighbor to turn our tvs toward the other since we could see each others better than the ones mounted above us...
Then like angels, the night nurses in their white coats came. Teri treated them like crap - so clearly she must have some sort of seniority... and as she collected my survey the next morning, I felt it imprudent to bitch about her there -- so I will find out from my dr's office how to appropriately report her in 2 weeks.
The night nurse was India. (Not to be confused w India the pre-op 6ft black manwoman at the Valero by our old hood.) India had an 'apprentice' too. India was AWESOME... she was super attentive. Also very methodical about taking our readings, giving us our meds, doing whatever we needed. She also made sure my GI xray was ordered and I'd go first thing in the AM. So basically she did her job. Compared to Teri, this made her my shero for the night! Did more walking 1am and 3am, peed in a plastic cowboy hat (which was less bizarre than it sounds - it sits under the seat to 'collect' pee - and got some Percocet. whoa.
Next Teri the Terrible comes back as I'm being wheeled away about 7am to my xray. Luckily the confirms that all is well, no leaks, right size, etc. That was actually pretty cool -- looked like one of those slo mo photos of a smoke puff as the barium went thru my stomach.
Headed back up, got to change and was on my way out! GOODBYE TERI! I kept leaking the numbing meds from my 'Q ball' - anesthesia filled ball that actually they gave me in a fanny pack to take home and was connected internally to deliver med under skin (more to come.) Teri's final feats were to redo my bandage to try to stop the leaking - unsuccesfully of course. And to listen to my 'bowels' - which are supposed to make noises I guess to ensure you're ok - they did this after my back surgery too - and Teri flippantly comments that she doesn't really hear anything... but apparently no biggie = she'll still discharge me. Luckily India had listened about 6am before she left and said they sounded good - so I wasn't worried...
I got home and slept all day basically. The pain is far less than my diskectomy - the incisions are unpleasant but not bad. They're pretty sore -- first few days felt like someone took me out back and beat me w a bat on my abs... the incisions are a little bruised... I was able to shower on Saturday - woohoo!
Now -- and this will have to be supplemented w a photo -- the 'Q ball' or pic line... basically it's a ball of medicine (liquid) connected to tubing that is actually in your stomach (just under the skin - not really internal - sorta like a splinter goes in) and delivers it under the skin.
On Saturday that got to come out -- which was an ordeal bc unbeknownst to us the tube inside was down like 10inches... so my Mom just kept pulling and pulling and finally it came out -- I didn't really feel it but it was pretty creepy to look at...
Apparently afterward my Mom went downstairs and ordered a liquid lunch from Rob - wine of course...
So now I'm just catching up on some Tivo - and finally my blog!! I'm supposed to login for work tomorrow (this so I could avoid the MIP situation - which I have had issues w in past) - I'm not looking fwd to that but it should only be for the rest of this week and then maybe a day or 2 next - actually I can start vacation Monday and be out through Jan 5th.
My followup appt is 12/17.
Next I will update on the liquid diet and what's going on! Stay tuned - I will try to do this in the next day or so!
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Week 1 results
Down 12.5 lbs. I shit you not. Woohoo!
Makes it slightly more 'palatable' (ha) to not be gorging on turkey and fixins today. We still have plenty of thanks to celebrate all around so it's still a very Happy Thanksgiving.
We did light a fire at 8am and plan to spend the rest of the day stoking it.
In either case, it will be a lovely day off even sans gut busting tryptophan induced mid aftn coma!
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Makes it slightly more 'palatable' (ha) to not be gorging on turkey and fixins today. We still have plenty of thanks to celebrate all around so it's still a very Happy Thanksgiving.
We did light a fire at 8am and plan to spend the rest of the day stoking it.
In either case, it will be a lovely day off even sans gut busting tryptophan induced mid aftn coma!
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
NH in the Hizzouse and how much could ONE PILL possibly cost?!
Had a visitor today - yay! Took the mind off my all liquid day. And it was good to have someone over - esp who got to see the new house. Plus Azmo was WAY excited -- another DOG person, pant, pant, jump jump... wag wag wag. Nicole brightened my day - thank you dear!! Plus she brought a wonderful goodie bag for pre and post surgery which was super thoughtful! SF water mix-ins, Carnation instant breakfast, an awesome celeb addition crossword puzzle book and a mug to make my liquid drinks at least a little more fashionable.
I had a really good (ie disciplined, followed diet to a tee) day -- so I'm hopeful - even if it took a week to get here - that I kinda rounded the hump! It's hard to become really hungry/crave an 8oz protein shake... so if anything I'm more generally bored w it all. BUT I'm keeping w/in the appropriate snacks, foods, etc. I can't find SHIT for flavors beyond the vanilla and chocolate -- it's gotta be the HIGH PROTEIN SLIMFAST.
So please keep your eye open for other flavors -- or pls pass on recommendations on where I can find other good uns...
I did mix in some leftover coffee this AM so that was a real life saver as I rounded the aftn on my 2nd 'meal' - w 1 apple, 2 2%milk Polly O's and 8oz of morning slimfast in my belly...
It costs HOW much?!
So our health insurance has gotten shittier like yr by yr the last hmm 4 years or so...
Now that we've at least moved away from the sham of a Health Savings Acct (not to be confused w the awesome concept of a Flex Spend Acct... let's just say 'savings' was an aspirational term) - we have some deductible to satisfy as well as then a co-insurance to pay until we finally reach some ungodly amount of 'Max out of pocket' - which is like thousands of dollars - on top of what we pay each paycheck twice a month...
So even though this surgery is 'approved' by Aetna, it's still gonna cost all told approx $2K. Still a far cry better than no coverage at all - which is like 10times that BUT still absurd given what I'm shelling out each paycheck - I mean it costs $200 to check my cholesterol?! geebus -- this after not seeing a SINGLE bill after my back surgery - which was more invasive, 4 times longer and also an overnight stay...
SO to my point -- the absurdity of insurance expense and how I can absolutely understand those 'I had insurance but still had to declare bankruptcy' commercials that ran incessantly during the campaigns...
I picked up the rx at Target this aftn. Refresher for those reading my earlier post -- it was for 1 pill - ONE PILL...
And how much did that ONE pill cost???
$25
ironically - it was for 1 pill that's an anti-nausea med... which is ironic bc I about PUKED when I heard the price... and then of course... paid it.
Dammit.
About those commercials...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6895896/
Apparently I'm only $10K shy of being the avg medical expenses incurred of those having to declare bankruptcy - and that's those WITH insurance...
absurd
Some petitions to sign here urging healthcare reform... on divided we fail
http://www.aarp.org/issues/dividedwefail/
I had a really good (ie disciplined, followed diet to a tee) day -- so I'm hopeful - even if it took a week to get here - that I kinda rounded the hump! It's hard to become really hungry/crave an 8oz protein shake... so if anything I'm more generally bored w it all. BUT I'm keeping w/in the appropriate snacks, foods, etc. I can't find SHIT for flavors beyond the vanilla and chocolate -- it's gotta be the HIGH PROTEIN SLIMFAST.
So please keep your eye open for other flavors -- or pls pass on recommendations on where I can find other good uns...
I did mix in some leftover coffee this AM so that was a real life saver as I rounded the aftn on my 2nd 'meal' - w 1 apple, 2 2%milk Polly O's and 8oz of morning slimfast in my belly...
It costs HOW much?!
So our health insurance has gotten shittier like yr by yr the last hmm 4 years or so...
Now that we've at least moved away from the sham of a Health Savings Acct (not to be confused w the awesome concept of a Flex Spend Acct... let's just say 'savings' was an aspirational term) - we have some deductible to satisfy as well as then a co-insurance to pay until we finally reach some ungodly amount of 'Max out of pocket' - which is like thousands of dollars - on top of what we pay each paycheck twice a month...
So even though this surgery is 'approved' by Aetna, it's still gonna cost all told approx $2K. Still a far cry better than no coverage at all - which is like 10times that BUT still absurd given what I'm shelling out each paycheck - I mean it costs $200 to check my cholesterol?! geebus -- this after not seeing a SINGLE bill after my back surgery - which was more invasive, 4 times longer and also an overnight stay...
SO to my point -- the absurdity of insurance expense and how I can absolutely understand those 'I had insurance but still had to declare bankruptcy' commercials that ran incessantly during the campaigns...
I picked up the rx at Target this aftn. Refresher for those reading my earlier post -- it was for 1 pill - ONE PILL...
And how much did that ONE pill cost???
$25
ironically - it was for 1 pill that's an anti-nausea med... which is ironic bc I about PUKED when I heard the price... and then of course... paid it.
Dammit.
About those commercials...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6895896/
Apparently I'm only $10K shy of being the avg medical expenses incurred of those having to declare bankruptcy - and that's those WITH insurance...
absurd
Some petitions to sign here urging healthcare reform... on divided we fail
http://www.aarp.org/issues/dividedwefail/
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Day 6
I'm holding off on weighing in until Thursday - so I've got a week's worth of progress in the resulting #...
It's been hard - esp with a weekend that included a houseguest, boozing, snacks, pizza delivery and 2 (ACC and NFL) football games! But I stuck to my guns - and complained a lot... which unfortunately is what Rob gets since he's not also liver shrinking :(
It's also really hard when I'm not super busy - which week of Thanksgiving isn't exactly the busiest week at work...
Yesterday I got to spend 4 hours in St Mary's - ugg! It was for all of about 30 actual minutes of tests and an appt w the NP at the surgeon's office... I also apparently continue to have temperamental veins which is really fun when they need to fill 5 vials w it... luckily the dude got it on the 2nd try and I dried up w just enough in the 5th vial... surprisingly little bruising from it! This is yet another examples substatiating my reluctance to participate in blood drives... and IV drug use...
I got an rx for 1 - ONE - pill... i kid you not. It's an anti-nausea med for right before surgery as a precaution. And Target will be giving me a $10 giftcard for that ONE pill - woot! Good timing on the coupons!
Otherwise I've got more info from the drs - plenty of reading materials for the week/weekend pre surgery. This supplement goes into weeks 2 and 3 post surgery so it talks about the 'mushies' I can eat... And given that I could probably entirely subsist on potatoes, those I think will be good weeks for me ;) I'm already brainstorming how to make 'high protein mashed potatoes.'
Anyone tried powdered milk? How god awful is it??
I will let you know on Thursday how much I've lost on shrinking - I know I need to boost water consumption already - and that will make a diff in the bottomline too but you learn as you go! That will mark completion of week 1...
It's been hard - esp with a weekend that included a houseguest, boozing, snacks, pizza delivery and 2 (ACC and NFL) football games! But I stuck to my guns - and complained a lot... which unfortunately is what Rob gets since he's not also liver shrinking :(
It's also really hard when I'm not super busy - which week of Thanksgiving isn't exactly the busiest week at work...
Yesterday I got to spend 4 hours in St Mary's - ugg! It was for all of about 30 actual minutes of tests and an appt w the NP at the surgeon's office... I also apparently continue to have temperamental veins which is really fun when they need to fill 5 vials w it... luckily the dude got it on the 2nd try and I dried up w just enough in the 5th vial... surprisingly little bruising from it! This is yet another examples substatiating my reluctance to participate in blood drives... and IV drug use...
I got an rx for 1 - ONE - pill... i kid you not. It's an anti-nausea med for right before surgery as a precaution. And Target will be giving me a $10 giftcard for that ONE pill - woot! Good timing on the coupons!
Otherwise I've got more info from the drs - plenty of reading materials for the week/weekend pre surgery. This supplement goes into weeks 2 and 3 post surgery so it talks about the 'mushies' I can eat... And given that I could probably entirely subsist on potatoes, those I think will be good weeks for me ;) I'm already brainstorming how to make 'high protein mashed potatoes.'
Anyone tried powdered milk? How god awful is it??
I will let you know on Thursday how much I've lost on shrinking - I know I need to boost water consumption already - and that will make a diff in the bottomline too but you learn as you go! That will mark completion of week 1...
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Day 1
Yah... not so fun...
Thank goodness I had a wootoff to keep me busy. www.woot.com and I fell asleep on the couch for basically the entire dinner time couple hours... well that's one way to do it eh?
Thank goodness I had a wootoff to keep me busy. www.woot.com and I fell asleep on the couch for basically the entire dinner time couple hours... well that's one way to do it eh?
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Dreaming of a White Thanksgiving?!
Apparently it's going to be snowing in the morning...
for those of you not up to speed on local weather... that'll mean it will be snowing AGAIN. yes, AGAIN...
It snowed pretty much all day yesterday.
No complaints here!
for those of you not up to speed on local weather... that'll mean it will be snowing AGAIN. yes, AGAIN...
It snowed pretty much all day yesterday.
No complaints here!
Eyes bigger than my stomach?!
Umm last supper... good... too good...
Dear god - if this is anything like the fullness I'm supposedly going to feel after 1/2c food in future, sign me up... though I'm a little on the uncomfortably so side of the house...
And you know, I think in the future my eyes will be about the size of my stomach (pouch)!
Dear god - if this is anything like the fullness I'm supposedly going to feel after 1/2c food in future, sign me up... though I'm a little on the uncomfortably so side of the house...
And you know, I think in the future my eyes will be about the size of my stomach (pouch)!
Last Supper
So what would you do if you knew you were about to go from a stomach that holds 6 cups to one that holds about 1/2 cup at a time? And that you'd be 'eating' mostly liquid protein shakes w the occasional lean meat and veggie for the foreseeable future (month)
Umm well I think you're an idiot and in denial if you don't give some attention to it as a 'Last Supper'...
So what have I done knowing this the last few weeks?
And in the last few days, working through our leftovers as well...
And then come morning... dum dum dum dum...
BRING IT ON SLIMFAST!
Umm well I think you're an idiot and in denial if you don't give some attention to it as a 'Last Supper'...
So what have I done knowing this the last few weeks?
- Had a meal at perhaps every fast food joint around (well the biggies - Hardees, McD's, Wendy's, Taco Hell) - it would normally be about a year to log a check on each spot on this list...
- Made Thanksgiving on Sunday - all the fixins - turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, creamed onions, creamed peas and new potatoes (for Rob), mashed potatoes, rolls, cranberry sauce, gravy
And in the last few days, working through our leftovers as well...
- Rob and I went to Silver Diner on Monday night (relative letdown)
- Carolina and I hit up Copper Grill for lunch today
- (there was also a cancelled trip to Panera for breakfast this AM - sorry to Allison :( -- apparently sleep will always win over food... at least in the morning!)
- I think tonight we'll opt for NY Slice w its heavenly ricotta cheese
And then come morning... dum dum dum dum...
BRING IT ON SLIMFAST!
On a clear day you can see a long, long time ago...
So I feel it appropriate to keep this title somewhere on the blog - even if it's been unseated as the blogname... it's logged a lot of miles but I think it's time for something a little less dwell-y, melancholy and more in the here and now...
It was a quote I randomly came across my first year at UVA during no doubt some useless timewasting 'altavista' search or some other now nonexistant search engine... searching for quotes - who knows why or what kind of quotes but I came across it and haven't shaken it from my synapses yet... it was merely attributed to 'anonymous Chinese'. From that day on it became mine - well not in a plagiaristic sorta way of course.
It ended up being the inscription on my Jefferson cups at graduation and on those I had engraved for a friend... a friend who I haven't heard from in years - I often wonder if she doesn't look at them once in a while and perhaps think of me... or at least us -- as brothers (Phi Sigma Pi) and wahoos and well exactly who everyone hopes to find in college - part of a great group of folks you could never replace and that are pervasive in all your memories from 4years...
So as it's the night before my liver shrinking starts and to an extent I feel like I'm embarking on a journey, a new path - something you can't characterize without sounding like a cheeseball... I find myself seeking -- googling (sounds way better than 'altavista'ing') new quotes... new guidance... I much prefer Aristotle's simple characterization of happiness -- but I did find this particular Stephen Covey quote pertinent to here and now... And as if life's all one mobius circle, of course I was introduced to Covey at UVA...
"Happiness can be defined, in part at least, as the fruit of the desire and ability to sacrifice what we want now for what we want eventually."
It was a quote I randomly came across my first year at UVA during no doubt some useless timewasting 'altavista' search or some other now nonexistant search engine... searching for quotes - who knows why or what kind of quotes but I came across it and haven't shaken it from my synapses yet... it was merely attributed to 'anonymous Chinese'. From that day on it became mine - well not in a plagiaristic sorta way of course.
It ended up being the inscription on my Jefferson cups at graduation and on those I had engraved for a friend... a friend who I haven't heard from in years - I often wonder if she doesn't look at them once in a while and perhaps think of me... or at least us -- as brothers (Phi Sigma Pi) and wahoos and well exactly who everyone hopes to find in college - part of a great group of folks you could never replace and that are pervasive in all your memories from 4years...
So as it's the night before my liver shrinking starts and to an extent I feel like I'm embarking on a journey, a new path - something you can't characterize without sounding like a cheeseball... I find myself seeking -- googling (sounds way better than 'altavista'ing') new quotes... new guidance... I much prefer Aristotle's simple characterization of happiness -- but I did find this particular Stephen Covey quote pertinent to here and now... And as if life's all one mobius circle, of course I was introduced to Covey at UVA...
"Happiness can be defined, in part at least, as the fruit of the desire and ability to sacrifice what we want now for what we want eventually."
'I O U' -- signed Witty Blog Title
Ugg... I'm at a loss... and just found that apparently this title was also snagged by some Christian novel that no doubts touts the virtues of virginity until matrimony...
HAHA perhaps I should reclaim this title for secularism...
HAHA perhaps I should reclaim this title for secularism...
Friday, November 14, 2008
GREEN eggs and Turkey??
Title is misleading but it's the best I could figure to link my 2 topics :)
GREEN (eggs) :
Went to a greening the office lecture at work yesterday... very interesting -- for those who don't know I'm in a grass roots group working to promote green awareness at work. It's great - mostly bc the folks I am working with on it ROCK - it's an act of love in that it's 'extra curricular' if you will - read - it's done on my own time and won't be in my review, etc. We're starting to actually get some stuff done - so it makes it all the more awesome. ANYWAY, SO lecture -- apparently we have our first LEED platinum building almost complete in VA! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leadership_in_Energy_and_Environmental_Design)
It's a gym. So - you think they use the energy expended on the machines to power the building?
... and Turkey
SO this weekend is BIG -- it will be substitute Thanksgiving! Very excited to get a flier from Trader Joe's -- their big Turkey Day one. They start stocking fresh, free range, veggie feed turkeys TODAY (how convenient) AND they come pre-brined!! If you haven't done a brined turkey, I will attest to it being PHENOMENAL... but taking all the work out of it is even better... and they have pre-done fixins.
Anyone wanna come over for Thanksgiving this weekend? Call me!
Oh and somehow I'm seeing the most scrumptious holiday goodies for great deals EVER - again w the poor timing...
Wine.woot has an amazing 2 torte sampler -- perfect to bring for fam Turkey Day --
http://wine.woot.com/
AND... also David's, a super sampler pack for cheap --
http://kitchen-dining.hsn.com/davids-cookies-5-5-lb-try-it-all-assortment_p-2411932_xp.aspx?web_id=2411932
currently SOLD OUT but promised to be restocked...
I figure I'd pass them on since I won't be partaking this year! I will miss the annual baking of the Xmas cookies -- though Rob may miss it more...
GREEN (eggs) :
Went to a greening the office lecture at work yesterday... very interesting -- for those who don't know I'm in a grass roots group working to promote green awareness at work. It's great - mostly bc the folks I am working with on it ROCK - it's an act of love in that it's 'extra curricular' if you will - read - it's done on my own time and won't be in my review, etc. We're starting to actually get some stuff done - so it makes it all the more awesome. ANYWAY, SO lecture -- apparently we have our first LEED platinum building almost complete in VA! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leadership_in_Energy_and_Environmental_Design)
It's a gym. So - you think they use the energy expended on the machines to power the building?
... and Turkey
SO this weekend is BIG -- it will be substitute Thanksgiving! Very excited to get a flier from Trader Joe's -- their big Turkey Day one. They start stocking fresh, free range, veggie feed turkeys TODAY (how convenient) AND they come pre-brined!! If you haven't done a brined turkey, I will attest to it being PHENOMENAL... but taking all the work out of it is even better... and they have pre-done fixins.
Anyone wanna come over for Thanksgiving this weekend? Call me!
Oh and somehow I'm seeing the most scrumptious holiday goodies for great deals EVER - again w the poor timing...
Wine.woot has an amazing 2 torte sampler -- perfect to bring for fam Turkey Day --
http://wine.woot.com/
AND... also David's, a super sampler pack for cheap --
http://kitchen-dining.hsn.com/davids-cookies-5-5-lb-try-it-all-assortment_p-2411932_xp.aspx?web_id=2411932
currently SOLD OUT but promised to be restocked...
I figure I'd pass them on since I won't be partaking this year! I will miss the annual baking of the Xmas cookies -- though Rob may miss it more...
Progress... and the crappiest of timing... it figgers...
Progress! Yay! Timing -- BOO!
Got my date -- only thanks to USPS bc the surgery office sent it to the old address. Thank GOODNESS for whatever wonderful granny sits back there sorting change of address and importance for those COAs that are expired (ie MINE)
Date is December 5th. Oops make that December 4th - they had a cancellation and I literally got the call while I was posting about the date... haha... their loss, my gain which will eventually be my loss... yes punny i know...
Why that is great:
Thanksgiving will be during Liver Shrinking
Xmas will be during semi-soft phase
So I'm over the feasties BUT
Why it sucks:
Xmas Angel Tree shopping (w lunch) for work - during liver shrinking
Xmas party for work at Richbrau - night of surgery
Xmas mixer for UVA alums - night of surgery
Xmas party at Maggianos - also for work - 4 days after surgery (and while i'm still recovering)
Xmas party w friends - (tacky sweater - what a great idea?!) - day after release from hospy
Xmas party w friends - (ornament exchange - classic!) - week after surgery (recovery)
Love the timing... how murphy's law...
But I will say I haven't been much of the social butterfly I was when I was smaller - up in Arlington and first dating Rob. Last year we RSVP'ed to a party we bailed on last minute... we are both good at being hermits together... so reality is we'd probably bail on half these or show up to make an appearance (read: work parties) and then slyly slink out when no one is looking...
So I'll look at this as my last hermit holidays and make sure you guys REMIND me next year this time of this commentary :)
Got my date -- only thanks to USPS bc the surgery office sent it to the old address. Thank GOODNESS for whatever wonderful granny sits back there sorting change of address and importance for those COAs that are expired (ie MINE)
Date is December 5th. Oops make that December 4th - they had a cancellation and I literally got the call while I was posting about the date... haha... their loss, my gain which will eventually be my loss... yes punny i know...
Why that is great:
Thanksgiving will be during Liver Shrinking
Xmas will be during semi-soft phase
So I'm over the feasties BUT
Why it sucks:
Xmas Angel Tree shopping (w lunch) for work - during liver shrinking
Xmas party for work at Richbrau - night of surgery
Xmas mixer for UVA alums - night of surgery
Xmas party at Maggianos - also for work - 4 days after surgery (and while i'm still recovering)
Xmas party w friends - (tacky sweater - what a great idea?!) - day after release from hospy
Xmas party w friends - (ornament exchange - classic!) - week after surgery (recovery)
Love the timing... how murphy's law...
But I will say I haven't been much of the social butterfly I was when I was smaller - up in Arlington and first dating Rob. Last year we RSVP'ed to a party we bailed on last minute... we are both good at being hermits together... so reality is we'd probably bail on half these or show up to make an appearance (read: work parties) and then slyly slink out when no one is looking...
So I'll look at this as my last hermit holidays and make sure you guys REMIND me next year this time of this commentary :)
Friday, November 7, 2008
More info
Here's a video/pics of the band/procedure. It's 5 or fewer incisions - the largest of which is 1.5".
http://www.realizeband.com/dtcf/pages/how-realize-works.htm
This is Johnson and Johnson's version (the 2nd now on the market) - basically designed the same as the 'Lap Band' - it has a lower 'profile' port - makes a difference when you're thin enough for it to possibly be seen - and has a TON of online support for post surgery - including monitoring, recipes, support groups, etc.
St Mary's also has weekly free support groups.
Those of you who know of my 'extended butt crack' from my laminectomy -- this'll be like a baby scar :) It also doesn't require anything - you can put bandaids on them if you want but not necessary - just wash w soap and water. Now THAT is a HUGE relief compared to the back surgery...
http://www.realizeband.com/dtcf/pages/how-realize-works.htm
This is Johnson and Johnson's version (the 2nd now on the market) - basically designed the same as the 'Lap Band' - it has a lower 'profile' port - makes a difference when you're thin enough for it to possibly be seen - and has a TON of online support for post surgery - including monitoring, recipes, support groups, etc.
St Mary's also has weekly free support groups.
Those of you who know of my 'extended butt crack' from my laminectomy -- this'll be like a baby scar :) It also doesn't require anything - you can put bandaids on them if you want but not necessary - just wash w soap and water. Now THAT is a HUGE relief compared to the back surgery...
Puts the DYS in dysfunctional...
OH so there was a really disturbing family at the class on Monday night. SO some folks had family members (read: spouses) that also came to the classes -- mostly the couple of men who were there had their wives w them (i'm being stereotypical but guessing it's bc they have to deal w the food/shopping). So this family -- mom, dad and daughter were there. Dad at one point makes a comment that he's the one who needs the surgery and began getting more info about it but his WIFE is going to be the first to get it bc she's the 'guinea pig' -- how effed is that?!
And then the daughter pipes up that she's had the surgery like 10 years ago (not looking so much like it right now if you get my drift) and then goes on to say she got preggers 24mos after it and had pre-clampsia (i'm sure i'm not spelling that right) and gained 60lbs including 17lbs of water in like a day... so she 'claims' it ruined her band...
I am *sure* that condition is horrible - and i do not deny her that... BUT I called my old neighbor Mary Jo - a nurse and my first friend to tell me about her band... she's PHENOMENAL. SO i tell her this story and she basically calls BS on her 'my band was ruined'. It's surgical grade silicone - i mean this is what boob implants are made of! Also the newest updates they've made make it unbucklable so for any complications, they can basically just unbuckle it until the issue is resolved and then rebuckle...
Anyway, it just reinforced how this is an ind'l thing and it takes mental fortitude as well. Like I've heard in every seminar - they're not operating on your brain...
And then the daughter pipes up that she's had the surgery like 10 years ago (not looking so much like it right now if you get my drift) and then goes on to say she got preggers 24mos after it and had pre-clampsia (i'm sure i'm not spelling that right) and gained 60lbs including 17lbs of water in like a day... so she 'claims' it ruined her band...
I am *sure* that condition is horrible - and i do not deny her that... BUT I called my old neighbor Mary Jo - a nurse and my first friend to tell me about her band... she's PHENOMENAL. SO i tell her this story and she basically calls BS on her 'my band was ruined'. It's surgical grade silicone - i mean this is what boob implants are made of! Also the newest updates they've made make it unbucklable so for any complications, they can basically just unbuckle it until the issue is resolved and then rebuckle...
Anyway, it just reinforced how this is an ind'l thing and it takes mental fortitude as well. Like I've heard in every seminar - they're not operating on your brain...
Thursday, November 6, 2008
The skinny is...
My most recent developments:
Surgery approval - CHECK
4 hr class w scary and way too much information - CHECK
Surgery scheduled - not yet -- WTF! Aetna's approval expires 12/5 so I am using my deductive reasoning skills to figure it'll be done by then...
I have to get a bevvy of tests beforehand for my 'baseline' -- blood, EKG, chest xray... hopefully nothing that involves forcing me to run a treadmill until I fall off...
OK so the good stuff -- liver shrinking diet for 2 weeks pre-surgery - shrinks your liver by 1/3rd by burning off all the sugar and so you convert to burning fat (ketosis)...
Liver Shrinking Diet --
Protein shake - Slim Fast High Protein, Boost Optima -- some carbs but few... approx 15g protein
Snack -- fruit
Protein shake -- same as above
Snack - 1/2 cup cottage cheese, yogurt (no fruit/sugar added crap) or 1 skim mozz cheese stick
Meal -- 4oz protein (anything but red/fatty meats), unlimited veggies -- no oils or fats for dressing -- they recommend 10squirts of those salad spritzer thingers... never had them - I hope they don't SUCK...
Ok onto some other whackyass stuff you have to do... I have this breathy thing to ensure I keep deep breathing post surgery -- I also am walking around every 2hrs at least - and I have to spend time sitting as well. I can bring my own lounge clothes and pajamas -- WOOT WOOT!!
I may have to breakdown and buy a crappy ass pair of crocs -- they say slip on shoes so you don't have to bend to get your shoes on to walk... please tell me - anyone else have something better to recommend?!
I also have to drink 1.5 oz of water over HALF AN HOUR, then they do it again and you take 15 minutes, then 10, then 3 to 5minutes... they say this is your going rate then... basically no crazy gulping down water - or like a funnel, it may 'overflow' -- read: Kate pukeys.
Before I am released (just there overnight) -- I have to get another chest xray w contrast to make sure everything looks good... fun fun...
Post surgery I am all liquid - 60g protein via shakes a day... they gave us some 'creative' ideas on that... and cue the '200 protein shake recipes' I bought off ebay for $3! The dr tells you when you can actually begin going 'mushy' -- at least a week out - possibly longer...
OK - that's all I can muster -- work calls!
Surgery approval - CHECK
4 hr class w scary and way too much information - CHECK
Surgery scheduled - not yet -- WTF! Aetna's approval expires 12/5 so I am using my deductive reasoning skills to figure it'll be done by then...
I have to get a bevvy of tests beforehand for my 'baseline' -- blood, EKG, chest xray... hopefully nothing that involves forcing me to run a treadmill until I fall off...
OK so the good stuff -- liver shrinking diet for 2 weeks pre-surgery - shrinks your liver by 1/3rd by burning off all the sugar and so you convert to burning fat (ketosis)...
Liver Shrinking Diet --
Protein shake - Slim Fast High Protein, Boost Optima -- some carbs but few... approx 15g protein
Snack -- fruit
Protein shake -- same as above
Snack - 1/2 cup cottage cheese, yogurt (no fruit/sugar added crap) or 1 skim mozz cheese stick
Meal -- 4oz protein (anything but red/fatty meats), unlimited veggies -- no oils or fats for dressing -- they recommend 10squirts of those salad spritzer thingers... never had them - I hope they don't SUCK...
Ok onto some other whackyass stuff you have to do... I have this breathy thing to ensure I keep deep breathing post surgery -- I also am walking around every 2hrs at least - and I have to spend time sitting as well. I can bring my own lounge clothes and pajamas -- WOOT WOOT!!
I may have to breakdown and buy a crappy ass pair of crocs -- they say slip on shoes so you don't have to bend to get your shoes on to walk... please tell me - anyone else have something better to recommend?!
I also have to drink 1.5 oz of water over HALF AN HOUR, then they do it again and you take 15 minutes, then 10, then 3 to 5minutes... they say this is your going rate then... basically no crazy gulping down water - or like a funnel, it may 'overflow' -- read: Kate pukeys.
Before I am released (just there overnight) -- I have to get another chest xray w contrast to make sure everything looks good... fun fun...
Post surgery I am all liquid - 60g protein via shakes a day... they gave us some 'creative' ideas on that... and cue the '200 protein shake recipes' I bought off ebay for $3! The dr tells you when you can actually begin going 'mushy' -- at least a week out - possibly longer...
OK - that's all I can muster -- work calls!
A shout out to my peeps!
Hi Megan! I'm hoping you're still periodically checking in -- and didn't just give up! I'm planning to be bigger and better this year and in 2009... as the brains behind the operation becomes smaller :)
Hi Ashley!
Hi Ashley!
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