Learning and yearning, I'm like a boat with a new sail, looking for my gusts of wind. . .

Hey everyone! I know that it has been about 2 weeks since my last posting and honestly I have been in a bit of a funk. (the line drawing on the right was from a copper plate I made in while at Cal POLY. I though that it was fitting) Well, maybe funk is too strong of a word, but I have just been learning more and more about what a post-op diet/life is and I am incorporating that into my life now. So, I will start with about two weeks ago. I started Phase 3 which was Full Liquids. I was SO excited to be able to eat thinned out cream of wheat, sugar-free fat-free pudding and on and on. I was doing fine except I would say once I was about into my 1-2 weeks of Phase 3 I started to feel lethargic and like I wanted to sleep a lot. I found out that this was due to me not getting my protein when I needed it and my lack of exercise. I would go too long without any protein. I have remedied that and I have been feeling a lot better. Like I said before, I had started back at the pool doing some water exercises and that really helps with my overall well-being. I am still learning and I need to be patient with myself.

I wanted to share one more thing with everyone. I went to the dentist other week to get some work done on my teeth. (People who know me know that I have bad teeth and been through some challenging times during the past couple of years) Anyway, gettting to my story, my journey towards my surgery was not an easy one, so the people at the dentist have known me for the last year of my journey. I went to the dentist to get my teeth cleaned and during the cleaning, person after person would come into the room and said, "Oh, you had your surgery?" and I mumbled, "Uh, huh." This continued happening for the next 10 minutes, about 5 different people. Please don't get me wrong they had good and caring intentions, but I went home and felt like a bit of a circus act. I have never gotten used to the people that have stared at me or made comments and it is no different now. At times it is harder to let roll off my back. This duck is tired and her back is sore. I am learning and discovering feelings that I have had stuffed down into my soul and they seem to be bubbling out every so often. It makes for an interesting life, but I wouldn't have it any other way, it has made me who I am, and I am satiated. Pray for me.

Had it for over a year, and now I can wear it!

(The frilly top that I have on in the picture above has been in a drawer for over a year, This is my last pair of jeans, and they are falling off! Picture taken July 12, 2007, Happy Birthday, Sethy!)

Hey everyone! I thought that I should update my blog, with the prompting of some others, I will.

As most of you know, the road to my surgery was a long, bump-filled journey. : ) I WON SUCKAS! So, I went in for my first checkup since surgery. I didn't know what to expect, My surgeon was very happy. As of 13 days post-op I am down 24 pounds and as of August 07, 2007, I am down 95 pounds! I am accepting it and realizing that I actually did work my butt off, I did a 180 on my eating habits, said goodbye to some unhealthy relationships and refocused my energy and love to those who have been here for me through the fat, the bad, the good and the present. I now know who I can count on and honestly, I have never felt so loved ever in my entire life! Undescribable! Thank you!

Also, I am out of Phase 2, all liquids and am onto Phase 3 which consists of everything in Phase 2 with the addition of Full Liquids. Full Liquids are Vegetable Juice (V8), strained soups, Fat free, sugar-free pudding, strained yogurt and thinned out cream of wheat! I am still on my 2ozs every 30 minutes and I cannot wait until I can have cottage cheese! (pureed that is) I am back to swimming three times a week and good old Gilad on FIT TV! Have a great weekend!

These are the soliders in my army

Hello everyone! I thought that I would introduce you to my buddies. Welcome the "Protein Brigade and the Shot glass-mixer Posse." (Thanks Jenn for the Lemonade, Strawberry-Kiwi and the Vanilla Bean) All flavors are pretty good execpt the "Virtually Tasteless Protein," yeah right! It is only good in sweet things, not at all good in Fat-free chicken broth. Have you ever had sweetened Fat-free chicken broth? I wouldn't even reccommend it to an enemy. : (

My partners in crime for the next few months. . . . The Quads and Mister Mixer (Thanks Nathan)

Like night and day. The size of the cups that I would drink out of prior to my surgery and the shot glass that I use as my glass now a days. WOW! It is pretty weird to think that this is all that my stomach can hold right now. 2oz every 30 minutes!

And yet here I am with my pals, happy as a clam. It is all worth it! I will give an update in the next couple of days. Happy Fourth of July!!!